Sophie's Legacy

04/06/2026

We’ve talked about taking care of pets in the cold weather. Today is all about us humans.

Grey skies, lower temps and rain can take their toll on our disposition. So, to keep it a little bit sunny, please consider the following advice:

- Be kind to others
- Meditate
- Carve out “me”time
- Be generous
- Stay social
- Be grateful

Hot choccie also helps 😜🌻

01/06/2026

It's the first day of winter, and in many parts of the country, Mother Nature is adhering to the calendar in full force. Brrrrrrrrrr.

Please don't forget that pets can feel the cold too. Especially smaller cats and dogs, older pets, and those with underlying health conditions.

Take good care of them by providing warm shelter, blankets and appropriate clothing.

If you happen to have spare blankets lying about, consider reaching out to an animal rescue centre and donating them.

29/05/2026

Thank you 🌻

Last night we pitched with two other early stage charities, .rainbow.advocacy.alliance and , to an audience of over 100 people.

We would like to congratulate both Jonathan and Varo on their heartfelt pitches. 

It was great to see many younger people interested in supporting philanthropic efforts here in SA.

The ‘Shark for Good’ aka the Dolphin, Sophie Doyle, asked some great questions about why Sophie’s Legacy resonated with the vet community and where we want to be in the future.

There were some great audience questions too.

We raised just over $9,000 for Sophie’s Legacy on the night which was a fabulous result.

Thanks so much to Josh Welke, our mentor, and the SA 10x10 Philanthropy team for their guidance and support throughout the process.

Give this initiative a follow, it’s one worth keeping an eye on.

25/05/2026

10x10 Philanthropy is a volunteer-led initiative where people like you, who care about social innovation, come to connect and make a difference.

Taking place in Adelaide THIS Thursday, May 28, the shark-tank style pitch and crowdfunding event will support three exceptional early-stage Non-profit Organisations (NFP) innovating to solve social challenges in SA.

We're one of them!

Tickets are $100 each, and by securing one, you've already helped. The $100 goes directly towards the organisations to help grow their impact.

Upon arrival, two ‘pledge tokens’ worth $50 each are provided to each attendee. You donate your tokens to the organisation that resonates with you on the night.

You also get to enjoy networking opportunities, complimentary drinks and nibbles. And because your donation is tax-deductible, you get a little something back for your generosity.

BOOK A TICKET via the link in our profile/bio.

FYI, the other two excellent organisations participating alongside us are:
- SARAA, Adelaide's peak body, championing and advocating for our LGBTQIA+ community.
- Warra Wangkatitya, running immersive Kaurna Language programs that inspire the next generation.

Wish us luck, and we hope to see some of you there!

22/05/2026

This article states: the Australian Veterinary Association’s workforce survey found that in regional areas, 44 per cent of vacancies took 12 months or longer to fill — if they were filled at all. Now the same problem is entrenching itself in major cities.

Meanwhile, demand is soaring.

Unless addressed, this means even more pressure on those already working.

We will keep advocating for change. 🌻

Veterinary clinics are leaving six-figure positions vacant for more than a year as Australia’s chronic vet shortage spreads beyond regional communities into the nation’s biggest cities.

20/05/2026

Within the comments of one of our recent posts was some sage advice for those who work within the industry, from a veterinarian of 36 years.

This is an excerpt:
- Set boundaries and keep them. This is EXTREMELY important.
- Know your limits emotionally, and make your mental health a priority.
- Have a hobby that has nothing to do with vet med. Use the right side of your brain - art, music, writing. Anything.
- Get outside regularly. Exercise.
- Retain the ability to laugh.
- Remember, you can't be perfect. You can't save them all.
- It's OK to cry. It's OK to hurt.

And, as she says, hang in there, everybody. Thank you, Susan Eyer-Anderson 🌻

18/05/2026

We've had a lot of interest from supporters wishing to read the 32 recommendations to parliament made by the Joint Committee on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Veterinarians in South Australia.

➡️Please use the link in our bio
➡️Scroll down to the Committee Files
➡️Download item two in the column on the right (SA JC FINAL REPORT)
➡️The Recommendations and Rationale start on page 64

In case this is the first you've heard of them, after Sophie died by su***de, we pushed for a parliamentary inquiry into the sector, backed by .

Formally speaking, a Joint Committee was established on 14 November 2024 pursuant to a resolution to inquire and report on the effects of long hours, financial strain, high workload, and high pressure on the poor mental health and wellbeing of veterinarians in South Australia.

The inquiry led to 32 recommendations, tabled in a report last week.

For the record, our charity wants to see changes that benefit all who work in the veterinary industry, not just veterinarians.

17/05/2026

Thank you for the array of comments on our posts about recent media coverage.

Please share the posts too.

Our goal is to broaden understanding and awareness of industry issues right across the country.

15/05/2026

For our SA followers. Please keep an eye on your pets in the wild weather.

WEATHER WARNING 15/05/26
Severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for people and pets in parts of West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula and North West Pastoral districts. More so those around Wudinna, Tarcoola and Kimba.
While so far it appears metro Adelaide is in the clear from this thunderstorm, it wouldn’t hurt to take precautions just in case.
As always, if you happen to lose, find or sight a pet please send us a message and we will assist you as soon as we can