Founded in the 1980s, Paws and Claws is a non-profit, no kill, dog and cat rescue organisation that runs under the auspices of The Homeless Animal Society and Boarding Kennels Incorporated . The organisation rescues and rehomes neglected and homeless dogs and cats in the Douglas Shire Region. The organisation is about to open its new shelter after 16 years of fundraising and still requires assistance to fit it out and continue its work rescuing animals.
11/02/2025
A rare opportunity to be part of our small team here at Paws and Claws. Work with us while you also study your Certificate 3 in Animal Care studies. Would suit someone looking for a career working with animals.
We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Animal Attendant to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a love for animals.
08/02/2025
Hi everyone!
We have sold out of BARF (raw food) 😮
However we still have lots of prime 100 rolls, dry food (2.5kg, 9kg and 20kg) and treats 😊
06/02/2025
🐾 Join Us Tomorrow on The Saturday Show! 🐾
We are excited to announce that our President, Michael Kerr, will be featured on The Saturday Show tomorrow at 9 AM! 🎙️🐶🐱
Michael will be sharing some fantastic achievements from Paws and Claws Animal Refuge in 2024, discussing our upcoming Stage Two expansion plans for 2025, and sharing heartwarming rescue and adoption stories that highlight the incredible work we do.
Don’t miss it! Tune in to 101.5 Douglas FM, your local radio station, and feel free to text your questions or comments to the studio at 0499 29 77 22.
Together, let’s celebrate the love and hope for our furry friends! 🐕❤️
Tomorrow's guest on The Saturday Show, is Paws and Claws Animal Refuge President, Michael Kerr. Tune in from 9am and Michael will be sharing the facilities achievements for 2024, Stage Two expansion plans in 2025 and some great rescue and adoption stories. The studio text line will be open 0499 29 77 22. 101.5 Douglas FM your local radio station.
06/02/2025
Did someone say kittens?! 😯
Meet Stanley and Lara, our newest additions to the family here at Paws and Claws looking for a forever home ❤ These little furballs are 8 weeks old, vaccinated (1st only) and microchipped.
If you're interested in meeting these kittens, come by the shelter between 9am - 4pm 7 days a week (adoptions will require an appointment booked in advance).
We also have adult cats available for adoption 😊
📍6-8 Teamsters close, Craiglie.
01/02/2025
Do you ever actually look what are in the treats you give your dog? Do you ever question it?
You might think we are a bit OTT when it comes to what we feed the dogs here at the shelter. And by the minimal brands that we actually will sell to you.
That’s because the dog food industry is very loosely regulated.
Today let’s talk about the ingredient HUMECTANT… what is it you ask ? Ever wondered?? Well it is used to create a product that offers chewiness, glycerol or propylene glycol is used. The use of glycerol as a humectant (a substance that retains or preserves moisture) in pet food, serving to retain water in the food to prevent it from drying out and to maintain a level of consistency.
But what is Propylene Glycol—- which is used as a Humectant in most cheap treats.
Propylene Glycol (PG) is a humectant (moistening agent) found in some soft dog foods and treats. It is chemically derived from ethylene glycol (EG), also known as ANTIFREEZE,which is extremely toxic to animals.PG is touted as non-toxic and non-absorbent for your pet, but consuming ‘pet-safe’ antifreeze’ will not improve your pet’s health.
Do what’s right for your dog - check the ingredients and if you don’t know what it is there is probably a reason for that 🤷♂️🤔
31/01/2025
River 🩵 She is a delightful 2-year-old Great Dane cross who is looking for her forever home. River is a gentle giant with a heart full of love and a playful spirit. She has a sleek, shiny coat and expressive eyes that will melt your heart. If you're looking for a loyal and loving companion, River might be the perfect match for you! 🐾Please contact us if you are interested in meeting River at the shelter 😁
30/01/2025
24/01/2025
We have two new cats Bean (2yo male) & Hazel (2yo female) that have made their way to the shelter. They're both very calm and sweet cats that still need some time to adjust to their new environment. 🐱
Bagheera is our newest shelter dog who is getting along well with all the other shelter dogs. 🐶
If you would like to meet the cats or take one of our shelter dogs out for a walk, come by the shelter anyday between 9am and 3pm. 😁
22/01/2025
Meals for Mutts, Hypro and KONGS all restocked !
21/01/2025
UPDATE- WABBIT now Winnie was adopted today
Meet Wabbit, she is N 8mth old Maltese/Shih Tzu- she is looking for her furever home - Wabbit came to us on Sunday she was horribly matted and in serious need of a clip to make her more comfortable, Big thanPawfection Pet Service Dog and Cat Grooming Cat Grooming who dropped everything on a Sunday afternoon and picked her up and made her feel beautiful again and 100% donated her time to Paws and Claws - what a legend. Wabbit is now ready to find her new family. She is a sweetheart and a big snuggler.If you are interested in meeting her or would like to fill in an application please reach out or email [email protected].
20/01/2025
Prime 100 order just came- we are fully stocked again!
17/01/2025
What to do if you find a lost pet 🐶🐱
Cats, dogs and other pets can escape their homes for a variety of reasons; curiosity, boredom, fear, mating instincts or by accident! 😮
The increased storm activity in the area lately has resulted in more animals escaping and potentially being in danger or injured. ⛈
If you find a lost animal, here are some helpful tips to save in your phone. 📲
1. Approach with Caution: Animals can be scared and may react unpredictably. Approach slowly and calmly and avoid making sudden movements.
2. Check for Identification: Look for tags or a collar with contact information. If the animal has a tag, call the number provided.
3. Secure the Animal: If it’s safe to do so, secure the animal in a safe place, such as your yard or a room in your house. Provide water and food if you can.
4. Contact Local Authorities: Reach out to the Douglas Shire Council as they can check for a microchip and may have information on lost pets in the area. Port Douglas Vets can also look up microchip information to contact the owner.
5. Use Social Media: Post a photo and description of the animal on facebook. Local groups to post on are 'Port Douglas', 'Port Douglas Notice Board', 'Port Douglas - Mossman Notice Board', and many others for the Cairns region.
Douglas Shire Council - Douglas Pets - 4099 9444 - Open Monday - Friday (Officer on call on weekends)
Port Douglas Vets - Port Douglas Vets - 3114 3451 - Open Monday - Friday
While we can house lost dogs temporarily at the shelter, we don't have access to the microchip database to locate the animals owner. We would prefer if the animals could be taken to either the council or to a vet clinic first. ❤
10/01/2025
Welcome to the family, Bagheera! 🐶
Named after the black panther from The Jungle Book movie, Bagheera has recently found his way to the Paws and Claws Shelter ❤
This dog has a gentle, wagging tail that never stops, especially when it’s around people. It doesn’t matter if you’ve had a tough day or if you’re feeling down—this dog just knows how to cheer you up with its unwavering affection and loyalty 😍
Bagheera is available for adoption and volunteer walks/ adventures 🦮
Visit the Paws and Claws Shelter 9am - 3pm located at 6-8 Teamsters close, Craiglie.
09/01/2025
Please contact Anna Vigliocco if you have any info on Spritz 🙏🏻
02/01/2025
🐕 We are taking bookings for your orientation on the slatmill now. The session will last 30mins and costs $50. Once you have successfully completed your orientation, packages will be available to purchase at a price per minute.
Available appointments are:
Thursday 9th January
10am
11am
1pm
2pm
A slatmill is a type of treadmill designed for dogs, commonly used to improve fitness and mental stimulation. It offers several key benefits for canine health and well-being:
1. Improved Physical Fitness
• Cardiovascular Health: Regular use of a slatmill can enhance a dog’s cardiovascular endurance, helping to maintain or improve heart health.
• Muscle Toning and Strengthening: Walking or running on the slatmill engages multiple muscle groups, helping to build and tone muscles, especially in the legs, core, and back.
• Weight Management: Slatmills are excellent tools for weight control, as they provide an efficient way to burn calories, especially for dogs that may be overweight or under-exercised.
2. Low-Impact Exercise
• For dogs with joint issues or those recovering from injury, slatmills can offer a controlled, low-impact exercise that helps improve mobility and joint health without the harsh impact of outdoor terrain.
3. Mental Stimulation
• Dogs often get mentally tired before they get physically tired, and a slatmill can help provide the mental challenge of movement, helping to reduce boredom and destructive behaviors. This is especially beneficial for active or high-energy breeds.
4. Controlled Environment
• The slatmill allows you to control the pace and duration of exercise. This is particularly beneficial for dogs that are new to exercise or need a slower, more gradual increase in activity levels. It also eliminates environmental distractions, such as weather or other animals.
5. Increased Endurance and Stamina
• Using the slatmill regularly can build a dog’s stamina, which can be especially beneficial for working dogs, performance dogs, or those involved in sports like agility, tracking, or obedience.
6. Training and Rehabilitation
• The controlled movement is less stressful on the body while still promoting healing and rebuilding muscle.
7. Convenience and Accessibility
• A slatmill allows for exercise indoors, which is perfect for those living in areas with a hot climate.
8. Motivation and Engagement
• Unlike standard treadmills, slatmills are powered by the dog’s own movement, meaning they must engage fully to keep the belt moving. This self-propelling nature can be more engaging and motivating for the dog compared to traditional treadmills where the speed is controlled electronically.
30/12/2024
End of Year message from Paws and Claws Animal Shelter ❤
This year has been filled with heartwarming moments, from the joyous adoptions to the touching stories of animals finding their second chance at happiness. Your persistent dedication has made all of this possible, and we couldn't have done it without you. We have successfully adopted out 45 dogs and 26 cats in 2024. 🐶🐱
As we look ahead to the coming year, we are excited about the new opportunities and challenges that await. Together, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of animals and create a brighter future for them.
From all of us at Paws and Claws, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year. May your hearts be as full as the love you have given to our beloved animals. 🎆
🎆 As fireworks season approaches, it’s important to keep our furry friends safe and comfortable. The loud sounds, bright lights, and sudden movements can be stressful for dogs, leading to anxiety or fear. 🐶
The kennels at the shelter are sound proof, so all shelter and boarding dogs will be sound asleep 😴
28/12/2024
Next time you pop into the shelter to buy your dog some delicious food, grab a couple of bananas too! Locally grown in our garden and safe for dogs 🐶🍌
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Videos
A moment in the life of working at Paws and Claws! 😊 We rotate social groups of dogs intoour 3 large exercise yards throughout the day These dogs are our shelter dogs plus a few boarding dogs that were adopted from us ❤️ Some have learnt the ways of running in and out of the kennels, some still need a bit of training If you would like adopt a dog or board your dog with us, please visit our website: www.pawsandclaws.org.au ⬅️
🐾 Today our team put Hank on the mill for his first try. 🐩 Introducing dogs to the mill is a process, it is important to teach it step by step. 🧠 This activity is not only a physical outlet for our dogs, but also a mental one. For some dogs, simply getting them on and off is a a work out for their brains. 🐕 Even though our shelter dogs go on walks everyday, as well as to the dog park every week. This kind of activity is extra enrichment for our high energy dogs, like Hank. 🤗 We will keep you updated with his progress, we are certain he will be running some extra kilometres every week soon! 😃 Hank is also available for adoption. If you would like to meet him, or any of our other shelter dogs contact us at the shelter to arrange a meeting. #slatmill #slatmillshelterdogs #slatmilltraining #kelpiex #adopt #shelterenrichment #shelterenrichmentdog #slatmilldog #slatmillworkout #canineenrichment
Dog food prep day! 😁
Here at Paws and Claws we are forever evolving our recipe so that the dogs get the very best food possible whilst they are here whether it be shelter or boarding. 🐕
We think this is the best and most balanced batch yet. Each ingredient is carefully selected so that each nutritional need is measured and covered and ratios are met. Big shout out to Malone's Butchery PD for always trying to source all the weird and wonderful protein and cuts we ask you for and always giving us the very best price. We also want to thank PORT Seafood who supply us with their fish off cuts so we can round out this ultra premium mix 🐟
PS We made a little extra today so we have 10 x 1kg containers for sale @$17kg - first in best dressed!
I wish I worked this fast…but now we are fully stocked with all varieties of Dr B’s BARF (raw food) 🥩 only $30.45 for 12 individual patties 💵 Simply let them defrost in the fridge the night before use! Suitable for adults and puppies 🐶
WARNING‼️ If you don't like looking at really good dog food, please scroll on... 🐶 We couldn't feed such incredible meals to our shelter and boarding dogs without the support of Malone's Butchery PD!🥩 This amount of food we're making here may last us up to 2 weeks 😱 Full ingredients: sweet potato, pumpkin, oats, spinach, flax seeds, hemp seeds, blueberries, yogurt, minced chicken frames, crocodile, emu, lamb, kangaroo, turkey & sardines! 🫐🐟
Kitty & Lola are available for adoption! 🥰
Bundy getting his morning run in.
🐕 Thank you to everyone that came down to the Pooch Party yesterday to celebrate all things dogs! The event just gets bigger and better every year!! 🙏🏻 A massive thank you to all our volunteers, demonstrations, sponsors, prize givers and of course, all the Paws and Claws supporters. We couldn’t do it without you! 🥰 A special thank you to @raywhiteportdouglas and @portdouglasvets for being our major sponsors. Thank you Cassie at Ray White for playing such a huge part in organising the event. 🏆We will be contacting the raffle winners over the next couple of days and will also post the winners and their prizes on our socials. #poochparty #portdouglascarnivale2024
🐶 We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Pooch Party this year on the 25th May. 🐾 Make sure you check out: Malone's Butchery 🥓Sausage sizzle and bacon rolls! Duke's🍩 Port Paws Dog Training and @cairnscitykennelclub dog training demonstrations 🐕As well as: Snufflemats made by the Port Douglas CWA, all natural dog treats, doggy icecream, facepainting and much more. 🤗 Don’t forget to pick up your raffle tickets and of course enter your dog in the competitions on the day. ❤️ All proceeds from the Paws and Claws stands go towards the shelter. 🙏🏻 Thank you to our sponsors Ray White Port Douglas and Port Douglas Vets for helping to make it all happen! #portdouglascarnivale2024 #poochparty #portdouglasdogshelter
Introducing Dotti 🦋 Feels strange introducing her because she’s been at the shelter since January following a major surgery to fix her leg 🤕 She has grown in size and also confidence! 💪🏼 Now roughly 8 months old, Dotti is looking for her fur-ever home 🏡 Come down to the shelter to meet Dotti and take her for a walk! Open 7 days 9am- 4pm.
The committee of the Homeless Animal Society and Boarding Kennels has once again put its future in the hands of the Douglas Shire Council and its local residents. A Development Application currently being assessed by council staff has been lodged which will allow them to convert the previously occupied LOTSA Printing factory Teamsters Drive into a modern indoor animal facility.
The association after 10 years of searching has come to the conclusion that an indoor soundproof building is the only option after numerous failed attempts of constructing an outdoor facility. With the assistance of a planning consultant and a recognised Acoustic Engineer firm they are confident that the facility will not impact any of the nearby industrial businesses.
We appreciate that some may have concerns from the history of the previous refuge, which was literally an old house and some cyclone fencing. This is the extreme opposite, on completion the property will have cost well over the million-dollar mark and will consist of a soundproof housing facility and monitored run areas acoustically designed where limited dogs will be rotated and able to leisure outside during day light hours.
The association entered into a contract of sale for the premises with the condition of a Council Change of Material Use. The new planning scheme allows for public comment on the assessment and they are looking forward to being given the opportunity to answer any concerns locals may have. We are expecting to receive the same types of comments as we have in the past Noise and Smell. We have searched examples of the many indoor facilities that there are now in Australia and have taken the best practices to ensure we can successfully cater for both these issues. Any animal lover knows that dogs bark when they are stimulated, a person walking in or past, or another dog interacting for example. These modern facilities are built to ensure the minimum opportunity for that occurs whilst using the most modern technology to entrap any noise that may be made.
After the failed attempt at Killaloe, Miallo and Yule Point and the inability of council and State Government staff to locate land that would be suitable, the association is hoping that this premise within an industrial estate will be the change in the tide they have been waiting for. We realise its not the perfect answer, the ideal situation would be for dogs to be able to run around and enjoy the sunshine in an open facility, unfortunately that has not happened and does not look like it’s going to happen. So, we as an animal welfare organisation have to do the next best thing, other than that it’s just keep having them euthanised. Every animal facility in the region is full. The longer we do nothing the worst the situation will become. That is for the animals and the environment.
If the Change of Material Use is accepted by Council, the association will be buying the freehold of the premises and will then work with the acoustic engineers and council to renovate the main building to a state of the art facility. Once we have a premise, a design and costings, we can then get further funding to complete construction. At the moment grant funding is limited as we don’t know where we are going, what we are doing or when we are going to do it. With the purchase of the property and building we are confident we can gain the funding required to renovate the facility and be ready for operation within 18 months.
The association is extremely grateful for the support it continues to receive and it is clear that the love for the association and the animals that it has cared for is abundant. The association believes that it is imperative that the supporters of Paws and Claws also put pen to paper during this public comment period and notify your local councillors of the importance, need and want for this facility in Douglas.
The previous Paws and Claws site in Craiglie was an old house with cyclone fencing, not a designed animal facility and had no noise restraints or acoustic designs.
The facility we are creating will be a state of the art acoustically designed soundproof facility within the building that already exists. Total cost of over $1million.
Facility’s such as this are becoming more common in built up areas as populations increase in CBD areas and the demand for boarding rises.
The property will have a 24hr caretaker living on site.
There will be four individual runs divided by solid 2meter fences that will have a maximum of two dogs in each at any time.
The runs will only be used between 9am and 5pm
Bark deterrents such as static collars will be used on persistent noise makers as per the facilities Noise Policy
The facility will offer boarding as well as rescue
The facility will hold a maximum of 18 Boarding dogs and 20 refuge dogs at full capacity.
The facility will operate with paid staff and volunteers
The inside will also be acoustically sound designed
Previously all rescue animals were walked twice daily off site by locals and back packers, we anticipate that this will occur again alleviating the need for excessive use of the runs.
The facility will have 24hr video and audio surveillance
The property will not open half finished. The building must be completed before opening.
Noise reduction methods are non-negotiables and will be conditioned as part of the continuing trade of the facility regardless which committee members are overseeing the facility.
Sound engineers have measured the current noise levels of the area to set as a bench mark
Once open and with occupancy of at least 80% sound testing will be carried out by the acoustical engineers again to ensure the facility is in no way impacting the area. These will be compared to tests completed prior to opening.
Paw and Claws is paying cash for the premises at 6-8 Teamsters, has not accrued debt in the purchase and does still have funds required to commence renovations. Further funding will be needed to complete the build but we anticipate that this will occur within 18months
Many policies and procedures are already being created to ensure that the locals will not be impacted. These include a complaint policy, acceptable Noise Policy, Dog Walking Policy, Animal arrival and departure Policy, it is also in our best interest being a business to also have the best reputation possible
A copy of the application will be found here once it has been processed by council
Animal Refuge | Dog Boarding
