Be Kind to Animals Week at Edgar’s Mission

Vet Nurse Ruby is an ambassador of Be Kind to Animals Week, with Edgar's Mission founder Pam Ahern. (Supplied: Edgar's Mission)

Not-for-profit animal sanctuary Edgar’s Mission is calling on animal lovers to take the kindness pledge this Be Kind to Animals Week, running October 1 to 7.

The week is all about looking out for the creatures we share the earth with – feathers, fur, scales, fleece and all.

Taking the kindness pledge can mean eating plant-based meals, committing acts of kindness, or choosing products that don’t include or test on animals.

Mission founder and director Pam Ahern said all animals deserve to be treated with compassion and love.

“If you’ve ever given a dog a belly rub while their tail wags happily, seen a lamb snuggle into their carer, or watched a kangaroo tenderly care for their young, it is a wonderful reminder that all animals want, need and deserve our kindness, no matter what form they’ve taken,” Ms Ahern said.

She said those who take the pledge online will receive great free recipes and kindness tips throughout the week, as well as the chance to win a hamper full of ethical goodies.

Children will also get free access to cool animal facts, virtual story times and take part in a colouring competition.

Vet Nurse Ruby, a rescued kelpie at Edgar’s Mission, is one of the week’s proud ambassadors – the failed working dog was set to be put down before the mission intervened.

“It is through our daily choices – what we choose to buy or not buy, to eat and not eat, that can really make a difference for animals. You could also volunteer or donate to your favourite animals charity, leave water out for wildlife, or organise an outdoor clean up,” Ms Ahern said.

Make the pledge: bekindtoanimalsweek.org.au.

Elsie Lange