[Miss Bronte]

There is currently an email in circulation, apparently originating from Pauleen Bennet and the Animal Welfare Science Centre that is causing some confusion and consternation. In essence the email says there are dogs affected by bushfires that are in need of adoption. Please note the following:

Pauleen Bennet originally sent the email privately regarding several dogs looking to be adopted in the Gippsland region - the email did not make any reference to bushfire affected animals. The email was then forwarded and was "hijacked" for want of a better description. Someone then made reference to bushfire affected animals and included links to the Animal Welfare Science Centre. The telephones at AWSC and Pauleen's office have been ringing off the hook. Please rest assured these dogs have been desexed and adopted and there was no intention to draw attention away from dogs needing homes using references to bushfire affected animals.

Feel free to direct any questions regarding this to me and please advise everyone you know that this issue has been resolved.

Kind regards

Sally.