Wrapping up 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, my heart is overflowing — and like many across the country, it’s also been heavy this week as we’ve held those affected by the tragic events at Bondi Beach in our thoughts. Moments like these remind us how important kindness, community, and looking out for one another truly are.

Thank you — truly — to everyone who has supported Don’t Forget My Pet this year. Whether you donated, fostered, packed food, offered advice, dropped off treats, shared a post, volunteered your time, left a kind message, or helped in ways big or small… we see you, we appreciate you, and we absolutely couldn’t do this without you.

A special shout-out to Catherine G, Peter F, Charlie’s Canine Creations, Briody Constructions, Lisa A, and Pam A — your ongoing support keeps us going.

This year has been full of milestones (and a few tuxedos!). Our first-ever Gala brought over 100 people together to celebrate and support our mission — and 100% of the funds raised, along with all other fundraising, goes directly into keeping people and their pets together. Thank you to everyone who joined, with extra love to Newtown Vet and Paw Patrol Day Care and Training for standing beside us.

We’ve also been thrilled to see our work recognised more broadly — featured in the paper, on community and local radio, and yes… Nelson and Digga even wore tuxedos, which may be one of the year’s greatest achievements!

Behind the scenes, we were proud to contribute to the Roadmap for Pets in Family Violence Situations through Lucy’s Project National Round Table — work that will help protect pets and people far beyond our local community.

December has been massive!

We gave out over 400 gifts for cats, dogs, and even some birds — not just for Christmas, but to bring comfort, dignity, and a moment of joy. For some, this season can be tough, so these gifts were all about showing that people and their pets are seen, valued, and not alone.

We also:

·         Provided over 500kg of pet food, supporting families in hardship

·         Had a Don’t Forget My Pet Christmas tree on display at St Paul’s Church, enjoyed by so many

·         Ran Lucky Dips for kids at the Bunnings Christmas Celebration — priceless smiles all round!

This season can be joyful for some, but lonely for others. A simple hello, message, or act of kindness can make a world of difference.

Thanks to your generosity, we’ve grown from two partner agencies — Uniting Emergency Relief (Grovedale, Norlane, Ballarat) and Whittington Neighbourhood House — to also supporting Bayleaf Kitchen and The Outpost. We’re proud to stand alongside organisations doing such important work.

Since March 2024, with your help we have delivered:

• 33,484 pet meals  

• Veterinary care for 28 pets

• Safety net fostering & in-home services for 45 people and 56 pets

• 3,001 days of care

• Diverted 5 tonnes of pet food from landfill

  
  

Not bad for a small-but-mighty community with very big hearts!

Here's to the people that make it all happen.

So many of our volunteers are people paying it forward — people we once helped, who are now an embedded part of the DFMP family. Watching that full-circle generosity has been one of the most beautiful parts of this journey.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us at events throughout the year — including Bunnings BBQs — lifting boxes, serving snags, packing food, wrangling pets and kids, and spreading the word. Thank you to Lauren Naree Photography for supporting us with stunning photos throughout the year and Helen Green Photos for her stunning work on a dedicated Photo Book fundraiser.

A heartfelt thank you to Kelly from Bayshore Bookkeeping. Kelly has generously donated her time because this is a cause she believes in. She has become an instrumental part of the DFMP family and a true friend — keeping us on track and making all of our finances look beautiful. Another big shout-out to ONBA, who supported us through our first financial reporting and made the entire process genuinely pain-free.

We are also grateful to VetaFarm, an incredible partner whose supplements have helped support anxious animals when they’ve come into our care. Their impact has been truly meaningful.

Thank you as well to Lyka for their ongoing support, and to Newtown Veterinary Clinic, Paw Patrol Daycare and Training, and Bunnings Waurn Ponds for being collection points for community food donations and constant supporters.

To our Board — past and present — and to our unstoppable, treat-fuelled, big-hearted volunteers: you are the lifeblood of this organisation.

Looking Forward

We’ll be taking a well-earned break from 22 December to 12 January, so we can return refreshed for the year ahead. Our final event of the year is the Bunnings BBQ in Torquay on 21 December — come grab a snag and say hi!

And lastly, many of you know our beloved Chief Treat Officer, Digga, has been very unwell this year with complex Type 1 diabetes. It has been a heartbreaking and challenging journey. Your kindness, patience, check-ins, and love have helped us keep going on the hardest days. He’s still fighting, still cheeky, and still absolutely certain he runs this organisation.

From my family — and from our brave boy, Digga — thank you for being part of this caring, compassionate, small but mighty community.

Wishing you a safe, joyful, treat-filled festive season.

Here’s to a kinder, brighter, and more connected 2026 ❤️

Alysha

Founder, Don’t Forget My Pet Foundation