Work For The Soul

07/10/2026

📣𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝!
⚠️ 𝖠𝖱𝖢 𝖢𝖱𝖠𝖥𝖳 𝖧𝖴𝖡 𝖴𝖯𝖣𝖠𝖳𝖤 𝖮𝖢𝖳𝖮𝖡𝖤𝖱 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨 ~ 𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑳𝑼𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑶𝑼𝑹 ~
𝑾𝑯𝑨𝑻’𝑺 𝑵𝑬𝑬𝑫𝑬𝑫 𝑴𝑶𝑺𝑻 𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻!

OUR MISSION: TO BRING COMFORT TO EVERY ANIMAL IN AUSTRALIA; TO SAVE LIVES, IMPROVE CARE, REDUCE THE BURDEN ON RESCUERS, AND BRING GLOBAL AWARENESS TO THE PLIGHT OF ANIMALS IN AUSTRALIA

The Animal Rescue Cooperative Craft Guild is a global community of innovative creators that work together to make custom supportive products for animals in need. The 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires torched Australia and showed us that animal rescuers needed supplies above and beyond anything they had needed before. Millions of people and dollars have since been leveraged to equip us for whatever comes next - fires, floods, or pandemics.

Animal Rescue Cooperative (ARC) and the Animal Rescue Cooperative Craft Guild (ARCG) supported by the Petbarn Foundation, help to keep rescuers supplied with essential food, craft and medical supplies through our hubs located all over Australia.

📣 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓’𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓
ARC Craft Hub Update • October 2026

- JOEY POUCH SETS
- HANGING JOEY BAGS
- POSSUM PALACES
Can you help keep the animals safe and warm by making any of these?
𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑷𝑨𝑻𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑵 𝑻𝑬𝑴𝑷𝑳𝑨𝑻𝑬 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑰𝑵𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑼𝑪𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺 𝑨𝑽𝑨𝑰𝑳𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 𝑨𝑻: craftguild.org.au
𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒌 '𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔' 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅!

*𝐒𝐄𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒

HANGING JOEY BAGS
🌝 Day and 🌙 Night Design
Sizes:
🦘Wallaby (M)
🦘🦘Kanga (L)

➡️ Get the Template and tutorial here -: craftguild.org.au

➡️ POSSUM PALACES
You know the possums (and carers!) love them!

➡️ Get the tutorial here -: craftguild.org.au

JOEY POUCH SETS
We need sizes:
🦘Small
🦘🦘Medium

➡️ Get the Template and tutorial here -: craftguild.org.au


⚠️ When making Joey Pouches, could you please make Pouch Sets - pouch plus 3 liners - and Remember - liners MUST be 100% cotton flannelette OR 100% soft cotton ( to protect fragile baby skin) and please remember to use French Seams for the liners - HINT: Hem the top of the liner BEFORE French seaming for a smoother finish)
Please note:
When making any size pouches, the **OUTERS are made the SAME width as the LINERS**
We have been getting a few lately where the outer is much narrower than the inner.
To sum up:
The OUTER is the same width as the LINER and generally cut 5cm shorter than the liner.

𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

NESTS
Size:
Medium - 15 - 20cm base
➡️ Get the tutorial here -: craftguild.org.au

POSSUM PALACES
You know the possums (and carers!) love them!
Get the pattern here:
➡️ Get the tutorial here -: craftguild.org.au

𝐊𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒
SMALL KNITTED BLANKETS
- between 50cm and 100cm square - these are an ideal way to use up leftover wool by sewing together smaller squares made from scrap wool. And they are always in demand for all kinds of animals in care.
Instructions:
Knit 25cm tiles
16 tiles make a 1 metre square blanket
➡️ Get the tutorial here -: craftguild.org.au

𝑼𝑺𝑬𝑭𝑼𝑳 𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑲𝑺
WHERE TO SEND ITEMS Contact us via this link so we can direct your donation to where it's needed most: https://arcsupport.org.au/donateproduct/
Are you a rescuer? Request items here: https://arcsupport.org.au/logjob/
You can find the answers to many common craft and fabric/yarn questions here: http://craftguild.org.au/guides.html
Donate to support our work: https://arc.org.au/o/craftguild
All files and patterns can be accessed here: https://craftguild.org.au
For the full ARC Craft Guild Webpage see: https://craftguild.org.au/

𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: Maybe you’re not a crafter but would like to support our work? Please donate here:
https://arc.org.au/o/craftguild
Donations assist with our postage costs to send craft and medical supplies to carers all around Australia free of charge, and also to assist carers and rescuers to purchase essential items for the animals.

𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐒
The ARC Craft Guild assists animal rescues in raising funds by providing craft items for them to sell at fetes and market stalls. If you would like to sew, knit or crochet animal-themed ( ie: Australian Wildlife, dogs, cats) crafted items, we will pass them onto these very appreciative rescue groups to help them raise funds for their activities.
We have a few patterns in the Files section on our page. You will also find many free patterns online and on Pinterest.
Feedback from our wonderful wildlife carers is that the larger sizes of most craft wear out more quickly as the animals are larger, have longer claws, and are far more active. So if you’re not sure which size to make - go large or bigger. Smaller sizes can be made from the leftover fabric.

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒
Many animal rescues worldwide appreciate custom crafted items. In view of the significant cost of posting items to Australia, we strongly encourage you to enquire with and support your local organisations first.

𝑰𝑴𝑷𝑶𝑹𝑻𝑨𝑵𝑻 𝑹𝑬𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑫𝑬𝑹𝑺
𝑨𝑳𝑾𝑨𝒀𝑺 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑰𝑵𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑼𝑪𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺 carefully and FOLLOW THEM. Incorrectly made items take a lot of time and effort to fix, and requirements are specific for a reason.
Please, please, please, read and follow the instructions! If you have any questions, please ask and wait for an Admin to reply.
POUCHES
√ All pouch outers need to be accompanied by 3 liners made out of 100% soft cotton or cotton flannelette.
√ Liners MUST MUST MUST have French (enclosed) seams and a U-shaped bottom. Outers should also be made this way. HINT – hem top first before French seaming. If you have an odd number of pouches, send them anyway, and we’ll find a home for them.
X No hand-sewn items, no items that are not high quality. Crafted items go to tiny babies with big claws and need to be VERY safe and very washable.
X Do not pin notes or labels to items -- tape or ties are fine. We are always concerned that we will miss a pin and that runs the very real risk of hurting animals in care. (This includes safety pins.)

√ Get kids involved by making cards or drawings or paintings
Please remember sewn/crocheted/knitted items need to be of very high quality.

𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐓: If you have craft to send in, please complete the Craft Donation link below and one of our Craft Team will be in touch to let you know where to send it. Keep an eye on your ‘spam’ email in case it ends up there
https://arcsupport.org.au/donateproduct/

𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐄𝐒/𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐑𝐒:
You can request any craft you need for the animals in your care by completing the details on this link. One of our craft team members will be in contact with you. Please check your spam email in case their reply goes there
https://arcsupport.org.au/logjob/

Thank you everyone for all of your continued support and care! It still amazes us how kind, caring and loving the world can be, especially during times of adversity and misfortune.

The Animal Rescue Craft Guild is part of the ARC Animal Rescue Cooperative, a registered trading name of ANIMAL RESCUE SUPPORT INCORPORATED, ABN 25151709481. We are a 100% volunteer-run organisation registered with ACNC and approved for DGR

Thank you from all of us at Animal Rescue Craft Guild and from
Sarah and Maree at The Animal Rescue Craft Guild Hub.

07/10/2026

At the VCOSS Community Sector Summit, we heard from Victorian political leaders on issues that matter most to Victoria's community sector.

As part of our series sharing key announcements from the political addresses at the Summit, we’re continuing in order of appearance.

Next up, Deputy Leader of the Opposition David Southwick.

VCOSS welcomed David Southwick’s commitment that, if elected, a Liberal/National Government would deliver a Victorian Homelessness Strategy.

Mr Southwick elaborated that if elected, the Coalition would review of high-rise tower redevelopment program and conduct an audit of vacant social housing properties.

The commitment to a strategy is important recognition from the Victorian Opposition of the need for more social housing to end homelessness. The next step is a target of building 8,000 new social homes a year for the next decade, to bring Victoria's social housing up to the national average.

Housing is essential. Every Victorian deserves a safe place to call home.

06/10/2026

Please support Ask Izzy!

06/10/2026

**9.1 million searches for help. An estimated $83.1 million in annual public value.**

Yet Ask Izzy has lost approximately **$2 million a year in government funding**, according to Infoxchange.

This free, anonymous resource connects people with food, housing and essential support.

Help keep it strong. Add your voice to the call to restore funding—and share.

👉 https://email.infoxchange.org/t/i-l-vtjkiyk-iyutyhlhb-r/

06/10/2026

From 1 October 2026, some NDIS support budgets will be changed.

These changes will affect budgets for:
🔹 social, economic and community participation supports
🔹 improved daily living skills supports.

These changes will be introduced over 12 months. They will be applied as plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026 or renewed from 1 February 2027.

Participants will be notified ahead of their plan reassessment or renewal. Participants can continue using their current plan and supports until their plan is reassessed or renewed. If you have high support needs, you might be able to ask us to vary your plan.

For more information, including accessible resources such as Easy Read information and Auslan videos, check the comments below. 👇

06/10/2026

17/09/2026

How is your organisation preparing to advocate effectively – and legally – during the upcoming Victorian State Election? 🗳️

Advocating during an election year can be complex for community sector leaders balancing compliance with speaking up for their communities.

On Tuesday, 22 September, VCOSS members will get an exclusive online briefing, featuring our CEO Juanita Pope and leading electoral lawyer Kiera Peacock (Ripple Legal), to unpack:

✅ How to advocate confidently while staying compliant
✅ Essential rules every charitable organisation must follow
✅ Key electoral & charity law risks (and practical steps to mitigate them)

🔒 This free briefing is exclusive to VCOSS members.
Not a member yet? Join the peak body for Victoria's social and community sector today to unlock access to critical briefings like this, as well as sector advocacy, member resources and events: https://vcoss.org.au/join/

15/09/2026

DEALT WITH

14/09/2026

This is your sign to be more Willie Wagtail.

Spring can be a rollercoaster of emotions. But despite the allergies, erratic weather and occasional magpie swoop, we do love this special season.

If baby birds and warmer weather has you inspired to head out birdwatching, might we suggest picking up a copy of CSIRO Publishing's The Australian Bird Guide? It's the most comprehensive and beautifully illustrated field guide to Australia’s unique birdlife.

📷 | Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) photos:

1. Igor Makunin
2. Scott Plume
3 + 4. deborod

All via iNaturalist.org / Atlas of Living Australia.

13/09/2026

Today is the start of National Child Protection Week. This year's theme, Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action, reminds us that keeping children and young people safe is everyone's responsibility.

At Safe Steps, we see how closely children's safety and family violence are connected. Children are not bystanders to family and domestic violence, they experience it, and their safety is central to the work we do every day.

Find out more at napcan.org.au. Napcan

If you or someone you know is experiencing family and domestic violence, Safe Steps is here 24/7.

📞 1800 015 188
✉️ [email protected]
💬 safesteps.org.au/live-chat

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.