ROCKINGHAM woman Lindy Ettridge is calling for financial support for Search Dogs Australia.
Ms Ettridge has a search dog Poppy who helps search for lost and missing people.
Search Dogs Australia is a not-for-profit organisation, which works in conjunction with WA Police. There are 12 scent specific tracking dogs and 25 volunteers that give up their time to help find missing people.
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READ NOWGroup secretary of the group Jean Hurn said the group had doubled in size over the past five years, but did not receive funding.
“Unfortunately SDA receives no funding from anyone, however it is imperative we are able to supply our volunteers and their dogs with the necessary resources, such as GPS devices and two-way radios,” she said.
“One area that is seeing an increase in demand is tracking down the elderly particularly with dementia.”
Midland P&N Bank have come on board and are supporting the organisation with a quarterly $1000 donation through the Helping Hands grants program.
Branch manager Joel Clements said the bank was happy to donate to such a good cause and encouraged others to support the organisation.
“As WA emergency services become more reliant on Search Dogs Australia their teams will require more uniforms, shoes, backpacks, first-aid supplies and communication equipment to help find an increasing amount of lost and missing people,” he said.
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