Changes to the FOWAS Food Donation Program

JOINT STATEMENT OF FRIENDS OF THE WINGECARRIBEE ANIMAL SHELTER (FOWAS) & WINGECARRIBEE SHIRE COUNCIL

Changes to the FOWAS Food Donation Program

Friends of the Wingecarribee Animal Shelter (FOWAS) and Wingecarribee Shire Council wish to inform the community that the FOWAS food donation program will be discontinued, effective Friday 25 April, 2025.  

As part of Council’s commitment to best-practice animal welfare, the shelter’s food supply process is being updated to ensure every animal receives a high-quality, consistent diet tailored to its individual needs. From Friday 25 April 2025, all food for animals at the shelter will be directly sourced by Council. 

This change will mean the conclusion of the FOWAS Food Donation Program, which has been generously supported by our community and local businesses for more than 19 years. 

This decision has been made collaboratively to prioritise the health and well-being of animals in care at Wingecarribee Animal Shelter.  

The updated approach is part of a broader uplift in shelter operations, guided by Council’s newly adopted Animal Shelter Donations Policy and a renewed Memorandum of Understanding with FOWAS. These changes strengthen governance, transparency, and ensure that all donations and volunteer support continue to deliver the greatest possible benefit to animals in care. 

Although the Wingecarribee Animal Shelter can no longer accept food donations, there are still many ways to support the animals in our care. You can contribute in many meaningful ways, including: 

• Volunteering with FOWAS  

• Joining the FOWAS executive committee  

• Participating in fundraising efforts and programs 

• Making monetary donations 

This successful program was made possible through the generous support of Woolworths Bowral, Coles Bowral and Moss Vale, IGA Moss Vale, Harris Farm Markets Bowral, and Mittagong Veterinary Hospital. 

Wingecarribee Shire Council and FOWAS remain committed to working in partnership to deliver a safe, caring, and enriching environment for animals in our shelter — and to continuing the legacy of community involvement in new and purposeful ways. 

For further information, please contact Wingecarribee Animal Shelter at mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au or FOWAS at fowas.org.au@gmail.com