The Akita is a powerful and dignified breed of dog of ancient Japanese lineage, known for being courageous and loyal. So when an Akita by the name of Kuma (meaning “bear”) came to RSPCA ACT too emaciated and weak to hold her own body weight, hearts were breaking before she was through the doors.

“She literally had to be carried from the car straight into the vet clinic,” RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson said. ”When our vets tried to assess and examine her, she couldn’t stand properly and had to be held up.

“I wish I could say that we at the RSPCA ACT shelter never see this, but sadly we do. No matter how many times you see it, it is still shocking and really hard.”

Happily, Kuma’s is a story with a dream outcome. She came from a deceased estate weighing just 19 kilograms, and with months of veterinary care, a carefully managed feeding plan and close monitoring, the Akita reached 40 kg and has since found a loving home where she has emerged as mischievous and sassy.

“We received an update from her new owner at the beginning of September saying, ‘She brings so much happiness into my life and I’m so grateful that I get to give her the home that she deserves’,” Michelle said. “When emails like that come in, you get goosebumps. Those are the best days, and we celebrate them.”

Kuma’s is just one story that demonstrates the importance of having the resources available to respond when animals arrive needing intensive care.

Yet, behind every success story like hers is a critical line of funding — one that relies directly on the animal lovers of the community.

Give to Get Them Home is RSPCA ACT’s major annual matched-giving campaign, bringing the Canberra community together to rescue animals in need.

On Thursday, 1 October, all donations from the public will be doubled thanks to the generosity of matching donors, helping raise vital funds for veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, foster care and ongoing shelter support.

The campaign aims to raise $300,000 — the most the organisation has raised in a single day — to help ready RSPCA ACT for the busy months ahead.

“The timing is deliberate, as we head into the warmer months. It is breeding season for a lot of animals, especially cats, so volume increases,” Michelle says.

“It’s also the holiday period, which always comes with additional animals and complex needs, whether it’s animals being abandoned or neglected, or owners struggling with mental health or homelessness, where we lend support.

“Fewer animals are coming to us healthy. Care can range from removing foreign objects inside animals that they’ve ingested because they were so hungry, to treating injuries requiring amputations so they can live pain-free, to other complex surgeries. All of this requires a long recovery period afterwards.

“The campaign highlights that every animal’s journey is different, and animals can need very different types of support before they are ready for home.”

More than 65 per cent of RSPCA ACT’s annual revenue comes directly from fundraising, making Give to Get Them Home its single most vital funding opportunity of the year.

National partners Royal Canin, Bravecto and Peter Alexander help make the matching scheme possible. Local businesses are stepping up as well, including Songland Records, Guest of Honour Pet Chaperones, Murrumbateman Winery and Central Bark Pet Styling.

“We may run and operate the RSPCA ACT shelter, but this belongs to the community,” Michelle said. “There is nothing we can do without the support of local businesses and individual donors from the community.”

The Give to Get Them Home fundraiser is on Thursday, 1 October, but you can donate before the day for the best chance of doubling your impact until the fundraising total hits $300,000.