A 13-year-old autistic boy from Maddington, who runs his own dog walking service, has been nominated in the RSPCA WA state awards.
Lachlan Bolger has donated thousands of dollars to multiple rescue centres and has been highly commended under the Youth Award category this year.
The young boy’s passion for animal welfare started at the age of 11, after watching a TV show about animal rescues.
“I think my autistic brain helps me focus on animal welfare and figure out ways to help different animals,” he said.
“I felt so sad for the animals that didn’t have homes and loving families.
“I asked my parents if I could volunteer at an animal rescue to walk and play with the dogs, but we found out that I was too young to do that.
“So, I decided the next best thing was to raise money to help to the rescues look after the animals and I have raised more than $2000 so far.”
In March 2018 Lachlan already had his own small business called “Nummy Nibbles” where he baked dog and cat treats and sold them online and in market stalls.
By the end of 2018 he had donated $850 to different animal rescue groups, including the RSPCA.
At the end of 2018, Lachlan closed his business and decided to start a new business called “Lochie’s Walkies” which operates as a dog walking service.
“I get to play with all my doggie clients and take them for long walks each week which helps them and their owners,” he said.
“I have been raising a lot of money for the RSPCA this year, and now I am raising money
for Staffy and Bully Breed Rescue.”
Lachlan also helped out with this year’s RSPCA’s Cupcake Day by baking 600 mini cupcakes and pup cakes.
“Being nominated for the RSPCA awards made me feel so happy,” he said.
“Animals just want to be loved and they give you so much love in return, people need to treat animals with the respect they deserve.”
When he is not walking his doggie clients, Lachlan enjoys making movies, playing the drums and creating short animal education videos for the community.
“When I’m old enough, I want to volunteer at some animal rescues, keep raising money and be a foster carer for dogs and I want to run a doggie day care,” he said.
“That would be the best job ever.”
