Chez Guy Small Animal Rescue

About the shelter

Started in 2012 by Cherie Reid and Brenda Dickens Guy, Chez Guy Small Animal Rescue was established to assist in the growing issue of animal abandonment in the city of Ballarat, Victoria. Cherie serves as the rescue’s president, whilst Brenda is its secretary. Chez Guy rescues and rehomes small domestic animals which includes kittens, cats, birds (including ducks and chickens), guinea pigs, fish, frogs, reptiles (including turtles), ferrets, and other orphaned baby animals. Cherie is a registered wildlife carer and is able to assist with enquiries regarding orphaned or injured native wildlife.

All the animals in Chez Guy’s are “strictly rescue only” as they are often inundated with rescue animals into their care. The organisation is officially a registered not-for-profit charity and operates with the help of foster carers, who look after the animals until they are able to find permanent homes. News articles from community newspapers are filled with the group’s rescue efforts, from saving a swan that had run into some trouble with a fishing hook, to a community open garden that has a partnership with the rescue. With partnerships alongside other local businesses (such as PetStock who runs a kitty play centre), Chez Guy’s efforts are truly in full swing!

A majority of the animals that come into the rescue’s care are abandoned cats and kittens. A news article from Siobhan Calafiore in a local paper on 06 Feb 2017 indicated that Chez Guy rescued almost 100 abandoned kittens in the Ballarat area alone in 2016. In the article, the rescue urged the public to be very wary of “free kittens” as these animals are usually not desexed, and as a result end up having more litters. The rescue has seen countless cases where the kittens are dumped in the bush and this adds to the “disposable” image of kittens. As with other animal welfare organisations, Chez Guy strongly advocates desexing animals.

Chez Guy is a proud supporter of the Wildlife Rescue Emergency Services (WRES). They are happily supported by Bella Garden in Buninyong as well as PetStock. Animals that are ready for adoption (usually cats and kittens) are available from the Delarcombe branch of PetStock. A rescue representative and foster carer are normally available to answer any questions. All adoptions undergo a meet and greet, and if successful, forms and microchipping can be completed on the day itself. All animals adopted through Chez Guy are desexed and have up-to-date vaccination records.

Mission

• Chez Guy Animal Rescue dedicates itself to rescuing and rehoming small animals.
• They aim to give rescued animals new leases on life.

How you can help

Chez Guy has a closed Facebook Group page where supporters can request to join to support the cause. They usually hold adoption days with the help of PetStock. Running solely on public support, the organisation always welcomes monetary donations.