Donated container refunds are being put to good use by animal welfare charity Maggie’s Rescue to help abandoned cats and kittens.

Faced with an ever-growing number of animals needing care, the popular charity has set up a Return and Earn fundraiser to help pay for vet costs and desexing programs.

At any one time the no-kill rescue has between 80-100 cats and 50-60 dogs in care.

“Unfortunately, cats really do draw the short straw in terms of animal welfare,” said Maggie’s Rescue operations manager Lisa Brittain.

“There’s just so many of them and it’s a huge problem.

“Our cats come from a mix of places. We take cats from pounds and shelters, sometimes private surrenders and then people find homeless cats in their backyards who have had kittens.”

The charity began in 2011 and has so far rescued more than 2,000 animals.

Animals rescued by the charity are cared for across Sydney thanks to a network of dedicated foster carers.

So far recyclers have donated almost $6,000 in refunds from more than 59,000 containers to Maggie’s Cans for Cats Return and Earn campaign.

“All donations help and Return and Earn is a great way people can support us,” said Lisa.

“Their recycling helps us save animals and is good for the environment at the same time.” 

• To donate search for Maggie’s Rescue in the charity section of the Return and Earn app.
• To adopt a cat or dog from Maggie’s Rescue, visit their webpage at www.maggiesrescue.org/