About Us
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
CAWI aims specifically to provide care and find homes for unwanted or surrendered animals, rehabilitate orphaned, sick or injured animals without owners, in addition to promoting responsible pet ownership and providing information to the general public on the welfare and prevention of cruelty to animals.
Our Vision
Companion Animals Welfare Incorporated (CAWI) is a registered charity and stand-alone volunteer organisation. CAWI was founded by President Margaret Brown on December 21st, 2004. Margaret has a long career in cat and dog rescue and saw the need to build an animal shelter in the Byron Shire to care for and re-home abandoned, unwanted, or abused animals.
We support global animal welfare organisations such as Bali Street Dogs through monetary donations and larger groups like World Wild Life Fund by selling their merchandise.
Our Foster Carers
The foster carers are the mainstay of animal rescue within the CAWI organisation. This great group of people are a pleasure to deal with; compassionate and willing to care for animals no matter the state they arrive in.
Foster carers take an animal into their home and give them TLC, include them in family life and prepare them for their new home. CAWI pays for all food, bedding and veterinary expenses. According to the FC’s it’s a fun and very rewarding experience.
If it wasn’t for the generosity of foster carers, CAWI could not be actively saving animals. A big “HOORAY” for all our Foster Carers.
You can find a link to Foster Carer Application forms on the CONTACT US page.
Our Op Shop
Opened on the 14th February 2005, it’s a fun place to work and shop. We stock furniture, electrical items (tagged by an electrician), clothes, books, and lots of really interesting stuff. The public are generous in their support of our cause and make fantastic donations for re-sale.
We take pride in our stock – washing and ironing the clothes, dusting the books and cleaning the kitchen ware to make it an enjoyable place to work and shop. CAWI offers a free pickup service for bulky items and can deliver for a small charge.
Our Progress
This terrific little retail outlet has raised in excess of $400,000.00 since its inception, and has paid for many animal de-sexings, veterinary procedures, feeding and general care of companion animals.
On top of all the expenses associated with running the business and animal care costs, we have saved enough funds – THROUGH CAREFUL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT – to enable the commencement of building STAGE ONE of The Byron Shire Animal Shelter when approval is reached for land with council.
We hold Dog Adoption Days (DADs) throughout the year, provide a valuable community service for animals and people in distress, and are gathering strength the longer we are established. We now get enquiries about our dogs from all over Australia.