Tammy Rodrigues needs more hours in her day. The Lotterywest Product Management Officer designs Lotterywest Scratch’n’Win games, and in her spare time saves beloved pets from preventable euthanasia.
Previously a vet nurse and shelter worker, she’s also the founder of Perth Vet Bill Assistance, a charity supporting pet owners unable to pay for urgently required medical treatment.
“We see a lot of people who would have had to put down their animals because they couldn’t afford the treatment that was needed to save their lives,” she said.
“Even simple decisions like setting a broken leg can come down to affordability; $700 surgery compared to $100 euthanasia, for families suffering financial hardship the choice is taken away from them.”
“We aim to reduce the number of welfare cases where animals are left to suffer prolonged pain because owners can’t afford vet care but can’t bear to euthanise either.”
“Humans have Medicare so luckily everyone has access to doctors and necessary medical treatment, but for pets there’s just nothing.”
Since 2014 she’s supported between 20 and 30 pet owners each year that have been unable to afford treatment for their pets, including Guinea pigs and horses.
“When we organise payment the money we collect goes straight to the clinic as we want to make sure it’s going towards the animal,” she said.
“We understand vets have costs to cover and we’re more than happy to support them.”
Click here to find out how you can support Tammy and click here to see her Scratch’n’ Win designs.
