Paula Broadstock gets close and cuddly with Timmy the sheep along with Edgar’s Mission founder Pam Ahern, who gives Polly the pig a big hug as part of their regional tour for Be Kind To Animals Week. Picture: LACHLAN BENCE
WITH help from Polly the pig and Timmy the sheep, Edgar’s Mission founder Pam Ahern has urged the Ballarat community to show the creatures in their lives how much they care for them.
As part of a regional tour for Be Kind To Animals Week, Ms Ahern and her two cuddly friends met with people in the Bridge Mall yesterday for cuddles and to send out a very important message, “the importance of kindness”.
Ms Ahern said all animals need and respond to kindness, just like people do.
“In our busy lives, it’s easy for us to forget about our animals who never ask anything of us. This week gives you the time to do something special to show you care.”
Through her work with Edgar’s Mission and Be Kind To Animals Week, Ms Ahern said she had learnt that animals touched our lives in so many ways.
“I hope to encourage people to make kinder choices to our pets, animals in the wildlife and even farm animals. By doing these visits I really just want to make people happy and empowered to think that we can change the world and make it a better place.”
By visiting during the school holidays, Ms Ahern said the message targeted people who need to hear the message the most – young children.
“With the young people, it’s very important to encourage them to foster those bonds of empathy that they have with animals. We want to teach them to be responsible for others in their world.”