Don't Kill Your Friend

Last Sunday in Cairns, one dog died and a second was left fighting heat exhaustion after they were left in a hot car with the windows only slightly lowered.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) receives reports every year about animals who suffer horrifying deaths during the spring and summer months.

During warm weather, even dogs who are left in the shade can quickly succumb to heatstroke and suffer brain damage as a result. On a 300 day, the temperature inside a car parked in the sun can reach 540 in just minutes.

If you see a dog showing any symptoms of heatstroke - including restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite or coordination - get the animal into the shade immediately. You can lower a symptomatic dog's body temperature by providing the dog with water, by applying a cold towel to the dog's head and chest or by immersing the dog in tepid (not ice-cold) water. Then immediately call a veterinarian.

PETA makes the following suggestions for safeguarding animals:

· Keep dogs inside: Unlike humans, dogs can only sweat through their footpads and cool themselves by panting.

· Water and shade: If animals must be left outside, they should be supplied with ample water and shade, and the shifting sun needs to be taken into account. Even brief periods of direct exposure to the sun while you're at work can have life-threatening consequences.

· Walk, don't run: In very hot, humid weather, never exercise dogs by cycling while they try to keep up or by running them while you jog. Dogs will collapse before giving up, at which point it may be too late to save them.

· Avoid parked cars: Never leave an animal in a parked car in warm weather, even for short periods with the windows slightly open. Dogs trapped inside parked cars can succumb to heatstroke within minutes - even if the car isn't parked in direct sunlight.

· Utes: Never transport animals in the bed of a ute. It’s dangerous - and illegal in many cities and states - because animals can catapult out of the truck bed on a sudden stop or choke if they jump out while they're tied up.

· Stay alert and save a life: Keep an eye on all outdoor animals. Make sure that they have adequate water and shelter. If you see an animal in distress, contact authorities right away and give them immediate relief by providing water.

Lighting Up Winners

Kipps and Telstra Light Up for Christmas Competition Winners

Northern Region

Best Residence – 11 Seary Road, Mareeba – D & R Rantucci (4092 7181)
Best Business – Mareeba Mitre 10, Byrnes St, Mareeba (4092 2999)
Best Street – Seary Road, Mareeba – nominated by J & T LaRosa (4092 5767)
Kids Choice – 13 Seary Road, Mareeba – John & Tracy LaRosa (4092 5767)
Honourable Mentions - 11 Lannoy Street, Mareeba - Beverley Finch (4092 4872); 3 Fenwick Street, Mareeba - Pat Carver (4092 3694) ($50 each)

Central Region

Best Residence – 30 Equestrian Drive, Tolga – Taylor Family (4095 4481)
Best Business – First Steps Childcare, 1 Steven St, Atherton – (4091 7757)
Best Street – Loder Street, Atherton – nominated b y Pete & Dawn Urquhart (4091 2257)
Best Rural – 8533 Kennedy Highway – Valerie Moses (4091 2810)
Kids Choice – 56 Loder Street, Atherton – Pete & Dawn Urquhart (4091 2257)

Southern Region

Best Residence – 5 Herbert St, Herberton – Doug Collett (0439 962 280)
Best Rural – 16 Lucey St, Mt Garnett – David Zipperer (0414 910 418)
Best Rural – 24 Agate St, Mt Garnett – Brendalee Foley (0428 373 104)
Kids Choice – Lot 3, Coolgarra Road, Mt Garnett – Cassandra Plant (4097 9142)

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Time To Give

The Atherton & District Animal Welfare Society (A.D.A.W.S.), who also support a number of other animal welfare groups including the Mareeba Animal Refuge and the Tolga Bat Hospital needs your help now.

Drop in some tins of cat and dog food, packets of dry food or any christmas specials to 4AV in Ravenshoe.

They’re at 26 Moffat Street and are taking donations now to give these dumped, lost and/or mistreated animals a better Christmas.
ADAWS raises most of their funds from their shop in Atherton, so make sure you also buy something from there any time you’re in town.

Mareeba Animal Refuge is always in need of volunteers, so if you think you can spare a little time to do some dog walking or cat cuddling, give them a call on 40 923 060

Just a couple of volunteer hours a week makes all the difference & will give the animals a better quality of refuge life.

One Of A Kind

The Tablelands will soon be shown as never before in a book to be sold all around Australia. Publishers The Golden Quill are completing this book based on photos and text from the last nine years of the TNQ Events Calendar.

“The book will be a collectible tribute to North Queensland and will come out with our 10th anniversary edition of the calendar,” said Talila. “We have so much excitement and enthusiasm for this book, it is pushing us to do our best in every detail.”

“There will be a whole chapter on the Tablelands, covering every town, all the famous landmarks and a brief history, as well of course as all the main events.”

“No book like this has ever been produced.”
The book, 'Tropical North Queensland: the Classic Collection' is due for release in early 2012 and will be marketed Australia-wide.

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Council Roundup

Tablelands Regional Council was yesterday given their first view of what the new Malanda Falls Visitor Information centre will look like.

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