Picture: Serena Horg, Manager of the Lort Smith ADC, Jennifer Fleming, CEO Lort Smith, Sheena Watt MP, Minister Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Andy Meddick MP and Dr Angus Henderson, President Elect Lort Smith with Maple, Nutmeg, Scarlett and Frankie.

Published in The Victorian Probian June-July 2022 page 28.

SWARMED by four cheeky kittens and one scene-stealing therapy dog, Lort Smith CEO Jennifer Fleming and President-elect Dr Angus Henderson recently welcomed Minister Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Sheena Watts MP, and Andy Meddick MP to Lort Smith’s North Melbourne Animal Hospital.

The minister used the occasion to announce the Victorian Government’s response to their ground-breaking Taskforce Report for Rehoming Pets. The report recommends a number of strategies including the Pet Census and Cat Management Plan. These will drive awareness for important animal issues such as microchipping, registration, and responsible pet ownership.

“What a delight it is to be here at Lort Smith,” the Minister said.

“We’re very happy to partner and work with you and to see some of the great changes you’re making here. It’s a fabulous organisation run by so many great people.”

The animals stole the show, of course, the main stars being four adorable kittens brought to North Melbourne especially to meet the minister from Lort Smith’s state-of-the-art new Adoption Centre in Campbellfield.

Maple, Nutmeg, Scarlett, and Frankie loved the minister and MP’s visit, as did one of Lort Smith’s pet therapy teams Malcolm and glorious Bella. Judging by the photo, it looks like the VIPs enjoyed the visit too!