Sydney Dogs & Cats Home Announces Strategic Board Appointments following $12 Million Funding for New Shelter

February 9, 2024

Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, the city’s sole charity pound and community facility for lost, abandoned, and neglected pets, this week excitedly announced the addition of two key members to its board of directors. Rona Ellis Foundation is proud to be a continuing supporter of the Home.

Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, the city’s sole charity pound and community facility for lost, abandoned, and neglected pets, this week excitedly announced the addition of two key members to its board of directors. This follows the recent commitment of $12 million in funding from the NSW Government to go towards the construction of a purpose-built shelter in Kurnell in Sydney’s South.

Melissa Penn, the Managing Director at Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, expressed her enthusiasm for the new appointments, emphasising the valuable contributions these individuals bring.

“Our new board members bring with them vast knowledge, additional skillsets, and passion to our experienced board,” Melissa said.

“They are well placed to provide strategic direction, governance, and oversight to our organisation during our next exciting phase of building our new shelter in Kurnell. We are so grateful to our board, who volunteer their time and passion to help us grow, become sustainable, and help even more lost and unwanted pets.”

Joanne Bermingham, President of Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, has a diverse corporate leadership and consulting background spanning over 25 years, in the fields of supply chain, logistics, continuous improvement, operations and manufacturing management.

Reflecting on nearly five years of volunteering and her new role as president, Joanne said, “I’ve seen how the organisation has transitioned through uncertain times, going from strength to strength. Over the past five years, I’ve actively supported the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home vision and mission, volunteering hands-on in the dog kennels, relishing time spent with our animals and the people who care for them, and I am eager to raise awareness and continue educating the community about the invaluable service our team at Sydney Dogs & Cats Home provides.”

Newly appointed board member, Sandrina Postorino, also shared her excitement for collaborating with Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, stating, “I’m excited about the future of Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, particularly the development at Kurnell, and I’m eager to contribute my skills and experience to help the Home achieve their vision of a sustainable future.”

With a career background that includes corporate strategy roles at firms such as Boston Consulting Group and Westpac, and as Managing Director of Crissan Property Pty Ltd, a property investment and development company, Postorino is well-positioned to provide invaluable insights during the critical phase of constructing the new shelter in Kurnell.

Postorino is also the Director of the Rona Ellis Foundation, a long-term partner of Sydney Dogs & Cats Home. The foundation recently played a crucial role as one of three key partners for the Home’s Tax Appeal Dollar Matching campaign, where community donations were matched by the Foundation.

Generous donations from Sydneysiders, philanthropic foundations, local and state governments, businesses, and the broader community have sustained the incredible Sydney Dogs & Cats for nearly 80 years.

The recent commitment of a $12 million funding grant from the NSW Government for the new purpose-built shelter in Kurnell marks a game-changing milestone. This grant will fund part of Stage 1 of the total build, supporting the organisation to continue its essential community service.[KK1]

The shelter at Kurnell is going to be a nation-leading facility, featuring shelter spaces, kennels, outdoor exercise and therapy areas, a veterinary clinic, and a community education centre. Spanning 20,890 square meters, this site will enable the organisation to save thousands of animals annually and expand its community programs.

Thanks to the support of the NSW Government and generous donors, Sydney Dogs & Cats Home is creating a lifeline for both the animals they care for and those in the community who need it most.

Sydney Dogs & Cats Home is a haven for Sydney’s lost, abandoned, and neglected pets. In addition to its core mission of providing shelter, food, vet care, and love, the organisation commits to its Getting to Zero mission, striving to rehome every healthy and treatable animal without placing a time limit on any rehomable animal awaiting adoption.