So much more to cherish

Giving your best friend a treat is going to be a walk in the park this weekend.
Cherished Pets will be running their annual dog-friendly outdoor cinema event at Ocean Grove Park on Saturday 4 March to raise money for their charity – which provides a helping hand to isolated, elderly pet owners.
They will be screening the film Finding Dory at sundown as well as providing stalls, pre-movie entertainment and plenty of activities for the kids. A special attraction will be a photo booth where people and their pooches can be immortalised on their big night out in the park.
A range of food vendors will be on site and woofing down will be encouraged.
All dogs will be very welcome as long as they are on leads.
Gates will open at 5pm and – while this is a free community event – organisers are asking people to pre-register for the event.
The Cherished Pets Foundation, formed by Geelong region vet Alicia Kennedy, works to match two animal-loving volunteers to an elderly pet owner so they can help with exercise and other care as needed.
Frail, aged or disabled pet owners who meet the criteria for council HACC (Home and Community Care) services are qualified for help from Cherished Pets.
Volunteers can also help develop a plan for the animal’s care if its owner becomes ill or can no longer look after their beloved pet.
“What we’ve developed is a community pet care project which has animal health and wellbeing at its heart,” Dr Kennedy said.
The event has been made possible by sponsors such as Ocean Grove Connected Communities, RT Edgar, and Hire A Hubby. Organisers do warn that this event will be weather dependent so they are asking everyone to check early on the day.
For further information about the foundation or to make a donation you can go to www.cherishedpetcare.com.au/foundation/