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“Special holidays and traditions create a break Jrom the ordinary and are adeliberate effort to create special events that are something to look forward toas well as reflect on in later years — ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR LAUREN ROSEWARNE CREATIVE THINKING Spreading out the festivities during the whole of December brings even more Joy to the season. You could challenge friends or family to do a random act of kindness every day of the month or make your own advent calendar in which every pocket contains a different activity, such as watching a Christmas movie, baking biscuits or making an ornament. Changing up the way you decorate also offers fresh fun. Perhaps you could go on an ‘excursion to collect natural elements for decorating your home, then have a ‘crafternoon’ at home to assemble them in magical ways. Or consider adorning a different room — how about livening up your bedroom with tinsel, a stocking at the foot of the bed, and special Christmas linen and pyjamas? Ahomemade festive photo booth can produce some hilarious and memorable moments that you can capture to laugh at for years to come. You can then upload the pictures to social media, print them out and assemble them in an album, or use one as this year's Christmas card picture to give friends and family a bit of a chuckle. Other options include participating ina toy drive, borrowing the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod and relaxing with a new book and a hot cocoa ‘on Christmas Eve, inventing anew cocktail or mocktail every year using festive ingredients such as ginger ale and peppermint flavourings, making predictions for the New Year and Popping them in ajar to open next Christmas, having a make-your-own- pizza night. or organising a holiday garden gnome hunt. Ultimately, the possibilities are limitless to find your own fun during the festive season “There are no tradition police inspecting celebrations or lack thereof? Assoc Prof Rosewame says. “How we choose to celebrate or not celebrate is, up to us” Mo EXTEDIZoICW THE HOUSE OF wellness in ere te ADOPT A PET THIS SEASON + Animal Welfare League Queensland (cats, dogs, birds, farm animals, pocket pets) awiqld.comau + Dogs’ Refuge Home, Perth dogshome.org.au + South Australian Humane ‘Animal Rescue Association (SAHARA) (dogs, cats, rabbits) sahara.orgau + Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania dhot.com.au + Lort Smith Adoption Centre, Melbourne (cats. dogs, rabbits and more) lortsmith.com + Second Chance Animal Rescue, Melbourne (cats and dogs) secondchanceanimalrescue. com.au + Sydney Dogs & Cats Home (cats, dogs. rabbits) sydneydogsandcatshome.org NOT JUS] Pet adoptions skyrocketed during the first couple of years of Covid-19. But now that life has returned to “normal’, Australia's animal shelters could do with your help WORDS LARISSA HAM. for animal charities, with an enormous surge in adoptions during lockdowns. But now the mad rush fora pandemic puppy and other furry friends has calmed down, how are pet rescue organisations faring? “It's been a strange couple of years? says Elle Ammann from Melbourne's Animal Aid. ‘We all know that during Covid there was a huge spike in adoptions, which was fabulous. It meant that animals weren't sitting at the shelter: they were getting straight into homes — we loved it "However, because so many people adopted during that time, there's this sort of bounce-back period that we're experiencing now” There is now a slowdown in adoptions, and the number of pets being surrendered has risen. The ‘organisation has also seen significant jump in behavioural problems among Covid puppies who missed out on socialisation and training, “There's almost a generation of dogs which really had a very isolated puppyhood’’ Elle says. | t's been a rollercoaster few years FOR CH Its a similar situation at RSPCA Victoria, where animals with behavioural concems must stay longer before they are ready to be adopted ‘out And while the organisation has not yet seen a spike in surrendered animals, in the past three years there has been a 340 per cent increase in the number of people calling to inquire about surrendering their pet. RSPCA Victoria animal care manager Nadia Peiris says cost of living pressures may be making it difficult for some owners to care for their pets. ‘And a dectine in adoption applications might be partly due to people travelling again. The Cat Protection Society of NSW is also feeling the ripple effects. Chief ‘executive Kristina Vesk says a “perfect storm’ of pressures, including rising interest rates, a lack of affordable housing and costs of living, are putting the squeeze on pet owners. ‘And with more dogs in shelters, that's less space available for cats. Her organisation typically cares for 1000 cats a year, with wait times for accepting surrendered adult cats now at least six months. RISTMAS Kristina says people don't typically surrender their pet cats, but are often concerned about local stray cats they have been looking after, but don't want to adopt as a “forever cat’ So how can you help this Christmas? All charities will happily accept financial donations. with many also struggling to find enough volunteers and foster carers, particularly in the kitten season when numbers explode. Donations of blankets, towels or pet food are also often appreciated ‘And while you should never give a pet to someone as a surprise gift, Elle says Christmas can be a great time to bring a new four-legged friend home, because you will have more time to help them settle in “We love the idea of people getting pets at Christmas, as long as it still ‘works when everyone does go back to school and work she says. Consider the type of pet that will fit into your life, including how much time you have, your fitness levels and your finances. As Nadia points out “Owning a petiis a great experience, but i's also a big responsibility and can be a 10 to 20-year commitment” BOUNTIFUL BUNNIES It's not just dogs and cats that are being surrendered, but rabbits, too. Rabbit Run-Away Orphanage president Judi Inglis says the Melbourne rabbit shelter has seen a 150 per cent rise in bunnies being left with it post-lockdown. “People have decided they want their life back and their pets aren't part of it” Judi says. Some bunnies are escapees, while others are dumped or surrendered (numbers worsen at Christmas, when people go on holiday), with the charity scrambling to find $200,000 a year for surgeries and vet costs. Keen to help? You can donate money, volunteer or provide a safe indoor home for the animals (note: rabbits are not a suitable pet for kids under eight). rabbitrunaway.org.au
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