On the edge of the outback and surrounded by orchards and vineyards, Mildura is a river city with nature at its heart.
“It’s a bit of an oasis in the desert,” says Tess McLean. “We only get six weeks of cold weather a year, and every day, you walk out and it’s sunshine.”
Maybe that good weather is what puts the people of Mildura in such a giving mindset. Tess volunteers with the Sunraysia Animal Rehousing Group (SARG), and with Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, she and her fellow volunteers have raised thousands of dollars.
The rescue group has been around since 2007, and in recent years they’ve seen demand rise sharply along with cost-of-living pressures. SARG want to help as much as they can, but they’re entirely volunteer-run, and vet bills add up quickly.
Cans for Canines
When CDS Vic launched back in November 2023, a SARG volunteer saw the fundraising potential. Soon enough, the group had designed their own collection program, making it easy for people to support them without even needing to leave the house. They call it Cans for Canines, and it’s been a roaring success.
Each month, SARG post to their Facebook page, letting their 12,000 followers know when they’ll be doing the rounds. Interested people reply with their addresses, and from there, SARG volunteers divide the pick-ups amongst themselves.
“We try to match volunteers with donors near their home to keep things efficient,” Tess explains. “We also have many regular donors who set aside cans and bottles for us each month, along with a steady stream of new supporters.”
Depot staff smooth the way
On the day, each volunteer drives around and collects from the people on their list, then heads to the depot. Staff there know they’re coming, and the return process is very smooth.
“They’ve been extremely supportive,” Tess says, adding that the donations show up in their account almost immediately. “The depot team’s encouragement has played a big part in our success.”
So too has the community’s support.
“The public just love it,” Tess says. “People are mentally fatigued. It’s been so tough the last few years, they don’t always have the energy to go out of their way, but they do still want to help the animals.”
Test & learn when fundraising
For other groups wanting to set up a similar system, Tess says it’s all about testing and learning. Build up a relationship with your local depot, and organise things so people can contribute at a level that works for them.
“People can volunteer in many ways. Some may only be able to collect one donation a month, and that still makes a meaningful difference,” Tess says.
At the time of writing, they’ve raised almost $8,000. Huge efforts from a community group helping both animals and the environment.
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