Pet pup inspires change
GETTING a dog changed the life of Kaz Quinn.
Twelve years ago Ms Quinn bought Motley, a ridgeback cross, who inspired her to become a vet nurse.
“It was when I got him I became a vet nurse. He changed my life,” she said.
“We’ve been through a lot together.
“I got him when he was eight weeks old.”
Ms Quinn said her job had its days and involved more than “playing with puppies and kittens” but she remained motivated knowing what she was doing was helping people’s pets.
Ms Quinn’s wider concern for animals prompted a greater change beyond just her career choice. Two years ago she decided to become a vegan after years of living as a “misguided vegetarian”.
She believed being a vegetarian would be enough to protect animals but it was not until she took a more careful look at the clothing she wore and products used at home that she realised how widespread animal use was.
“The food’s the easy part ( of becoming a vegan), but it’s the household products and shoes ( that are hard),” Ms Quinn said.
“But ( veganism) is becoming a lot more common. There’s a huge vegan community in Townsville.”
Ms Quinn said she turned to veganism to protect “animals and the environment”.
She has dozens of tattoos on her arms and legs of animals, including dogs and cows, showing her commitment to her furred friends.
While her diet is devoid of meat and dairy, Ms Quinn says she doesn’t miss out on flavoursome food and can still eat at many Townsville restaurants. Some of her fav- ourite local joints Kissing Chickens, Jacks, Grill’d, MK Kitchen and Eden Sun.
Outside of her work as a vet nurse, she also volunteers at animal sanctuaries. include Cactus Veggie Rising
Next year she will head to Namibia for three weeks and volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary.
Ms Quinn was crowned Australia’s hottest vegan earlier this month for her activism in protecting animals.