Care: Pets & Vets

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NEVS – Could Your Dog Save a Life?

Just like humans, pets can need donated blood in a crisis. And just like human blood banks, that supply depends entirely on willing donors.

Northside Emergency Veterinary Service (NEVS) and The Pet Specialists run a shared canine blood donor program right here on the Beaches. The blood collected through this program is stored in their on-site blood bank and used to treat critically ill and injured animals when they need it most.

Take Bentley, a local dog treated for immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, a condition where the body attacks its own red blood cells. Or Peanut, a Staffy who came in after a severe red-bellied black snake bite and needed multiple transfusions alongside antivenom and mechanical ventilation just to survive. Both dogs made it. Both needed donor blood to do it.

This is not a program that could exist without the community. Every donation comes from a local dog, brought in by an owner who chose to do something extraordinary. Taco, a greyhound and one of the program's most dedicated donors, has saved eight lives through his donations alone.

Donation is a safe, low-stress procedure. Donor dogs receive a full health check at every visit, and the collection itself is quick and carefully managed by the NEVS and The Pet Specialist teams. Most dogs go home the same day and are back to their normal selves within a day or two. Dogs can donate every 12 weeks, and as a thank you, donor dogs receive a gift pack and their owners receive a gift voucher.

To be eligible, dogs need to be between 1 and 8 years old, over 25 kg, up to date with vaccinations and worming, calm and confident at the vet, not on any regular medications, and never have received a blood transfusion.

When a dog arrives in haemorrhagic shock, collapsed from severe anaemia, having blood available immediately is the difference between having options and having none. The NEVS and The Pet Specialist blood bank is stocked by donors from this community: dogs walked on the same beaches, visiting the same parks, living in the same streets as the patients who need them.

It speaks to something the team sees every day on the Beaches: a genuine community of people who look out for each other,
and their animals.

Could Your Dog Be a Donor?

Check the List:

• Between 1 and 8 years old
• Over 25 kg
• Up to date with vaccinations and worming
• Calm and confident
  at the vet
• Not on any regular medications
• Never had a blood transfusion

Ready to register your dog as a blood donor?

Dogs that meet the criteria can be registered at nevs.net.au or thepetspecialists.com.au, or by calling (02) 9452 2933. It could be the most important thing your dog ever does. •

16 Myoora Rd Terrey Hills (02) 9452 2933 | nevs.net.au  | thepetspecialists.au

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Sydney Animal Hospitals – The Pet Tax is Real

You love your dog or cat unconditionally. Your bank account, however, has conditions. With the cost of living doing what it's doing, more Beaches pet owners are having an honest conversation about what it actually costs to keep an animal healthy, and what happens when you don't plan for it.

Nobody talks about the pet tax. Not really. You see the adoption photo, you feel the feelings, you say yes, and then somewhere around month three, you're staring at a vet bill you weren't expecting, wondering how a creature that weighs four kilos can cost this much.

It's not a reason not to have a pet. It's a reason to go in with your eyes open.

Dr Ben Brown from Sydney Animal Hospitals at Newport and Avalon sees this play out regularly.

"The hardest conversations I have are with owners who genuinely love their animals but haven't been able to budget for what's needed," he says. "A lot of the time, a small amount of planning earlier would have changed everything."

So what does it actually cost? Roughly speaking, a healthy dog on the Beaches will set you back anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 a year once you factor in food, registration, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and at least one routine vet visit. Cats tend to run a little lower, but not by as much as people assume. And that's when nothing goes wrong.

The real financial risk isn't the predictable stuff; it's the 11pm emergency, the swallowed sock, the mysterious limp that won't quit. Emergency vet care can run into the thousands quickly, and it doesn't care about your timing.

The smartest thing you can do, according to Dr Brown, is treat preventative care as the investment it is.

Sydney Animal Hospitals offers one way to take the guesswork out of at least one recurring cost: their LifeVAC program covers annual vaccinations, including a full veterinary health check – for the life of your pet – for a single one-off payment of $750. Vaccinations alone normally start from $137.50 for cats and $212 for dogs each year, so for most pets it pays for itself within a few years and keeps going.

"The animals I see regularly are the ones that tend to stay healthier longer," says Dr Brown. "I get to know them, I notice changes, and owners feel less anxious because they're not waiting until something's wrong."

Programs like LifeVAC also solve a problem many owners don't admit to: forgetting. SAH sends regular reminders, so the annual check-up actually happens rather than slipping quietly into the too-hard basket.

It's also worth looking into pet insurance while your animal is young, before any pre-existing conditions come into play. It won't cover everything, but having it in place means an unexpected emergency doesn't have to become a financial crisis.

Our Beaches lifestyle is one of the best in the world to share with an animal. A little planning means you can actually enjoy it, without the financial dread hovering in the background.

Ask about LifeVac at Sydney Animal Hospitals, with locations in Newport and Avalon. •

Sydney Animal Hospitals  |  Newport: 1 Palm Rd  |  Avalon Beach: 710 Barrenjoey Rd | sydneyanimalhospitals.com.au

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Glow: Hair, Skin, Nails & Sauna

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Northern Beaches Skin Cancer Clinic

Your skin has done a lot lately.

Now's the time to check in.

Getting your skin checked isn't vanity; it's one of the most important health decisions you can make. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, and early detection saves lives. A winter appointment means you're ahead of the rush – and ahead of the damage.

Book your skin check this winter.
It's an investment in your skin and your life.

Scan to book online or call (02) 9999 0336.

Building Q1, Level 2, Suite 9, 4 Daydream St, Warriewood | www.nbscc.com.au

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Bare Beauty House – The Third Option

The hair and beauty industry is changing. First came chair rental and co-working spaces for independent stylists and therapists. Now we're seeing a different shift, and at Bare Beauty House in Manly, they believe there's a better way.

There are professionals who still want the support, education, stability and team culture that come with being part of an established salon, but they also need more flexibility and more control over how they work.

For a long time, it felt like the only way to get that freedom was to go out on your own. That's exactly why co-working spaces were born. They filled a gap by combining the flexibility of self-employment with the connection of a team environment, and they've helped many stylists thrive.

But there is still a missing piece.

For some, it's culture. For others, it's support. And for many, it's access to ongoing education, mentorship and career growth.

At Bare Beauty House, we operate differently. We work with our team to create schedules that support their lives while also supporting the needs of the business.

When a team member is thriving, their clients thrive too. And when both of those things happen, the salon thrives as well.

We believe there's a third option. One that suits professionals who are accountable, reliable and driven. People who value flexibility but also understand that flexibility comes with responsibility. They know how to manage their column, plan ahead, look after their clients and contribute to the success of the team around them.

In return, they get the best of both worlds. The freedom to create a work week that works for them, combined with the backing of an established salon. Ongoing advanced education. A supportive team culture. Consistent clients. Predictable income.
Career growth. And for those who fully embrace the opportunity, the potential to earn extremely well.

The future of our industry isn't about choosing between employment and independence.
It's about creating a workplace where talented professionals can build a career on their terms while still being part of something bigger.

At Bare Beauty House, we're always open to conversations with passionate hairdressers and beauty therapists who are looking for something different. The industry is evolving, and we believe there should be a better way to build a successful career than choosing between freedom and support. •

Let's talk; call us on (02) 8593 0264 | 35 Pittwater Rd, Manly | hello@barebeautyhouse.com | barebeautyhouse.com  

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Xtraclubs Manly – Your Body Will Thank You

Manly has always known how to make the most of the water. Cold, restorative, a little addictive. XtraClubs understands that instinct better than most. Now at 32 The Corso, a short walk from the beach and right in the middle of everything, Manly's newest wellness club brings serious recovery facilities to the neighbourhood they were always meant for.

Saunas, ice bath, and a steam room – all under one roof, in a space that earns the time you give it.

Inside, you'll find a traditional Finnish Sauna, four Infrared Saunas, six Ice Baths chilled between 3°C and 12°C, and a beautifully-designed Steam Room. Natural light, travertine flooring and a calm, considered fit-out make this somewhere you seek out rather than simply tolerate. Doors open at 6am and close at 11pm every day. The routine, once started, tends to stick.

Founder Anthony Simonetta has had Manly on his radar for years. After hosting ice bath events on the beach back in 2023, he saw exactly what the local community was missing.

"We met so many people who were very engaged in their wellness," he says. "We knew we had to find a location that would make sauna, ice bath and steam room facilities accessible to everyone."

Memberships start from $18.95 per week. Casual sessions are $39 for 90 minutes with full access to everything inside. Those who build regular recovery into their week tend to notice the same results: better sleep, sustained mental clarity, and less of that low-grade tension that accumulates during a busy schedule. It’s about having a body that responds to whatever you ask of it, whether that’s a hard training session, a long day at a desk, or just keeping up with life on the Beaches.

It doesn’t take long to feel the difference, and it takes even less time before you’re planning your next visit. The heat and cold do the work. You just have to show up.

"The reaction from the community since we opened in Manly has been overwhelming. We are so happy to finally be delivering on the promise of unlimited sauna, ice and steam to the Northern Beaches!"  Anthony Simonetta, Founder, XtraClubs

Book your first session or explore memberships at xtraclubs.au. •

XtraClubs Manly  |  Open 7 days  |  32 The Corso, Manly |  xtraclubs.au

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AHHA Jewelry – Art & Jewelry Classes

Jewelry | Ceramics | Painting

Evening and Weekend Classes

From hens parties to birthday catch-ups, teen hangouts to solo creative escapes, there’s a class for every occasion. You design it, you make it, you take it home. No experience needed.

Get creative, book a class.

11–13 Avalon Pde, Avalon Beach | Classes fill up fast | Book in early at ahhajewelry.com

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Jati – Balcony Life

Few things are built to last. Jati's premium teak outdoor furniture is one of them, lasting decades, not seasons. A family business with over 40 years of craft, care, and an unwavering commitment to quality. The new Brunswick range brings that same legacy to balconies, courtyards, and compact outdoor spaces, with bar furniture and small-footprint tables designed to make every square metre count. Readers of Beaches COVERED. are invited to a Private Consultation at Jati's Artarmon Showroom, where the collection and the story speak for themselves.

Sydney Showroom: 79 Whiting Street, Artarmon NSW 2064 | jati.com.au

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Osier Belle – The Resort life, At Home

For those who believe the outdoors deserves the same reverence as any room within, Osier Belle has spent fifteen years proving it is entirely possible. Designers first and retailers never, the Neutral Bay studio brings together form, proportion, materiality and an intimate understanding of how light falls across a terrace at dusk. The difference, for the discerning homeowner or trade professional, is felt from the first conversation.

The showroom at 41 Military Road is worth the visit on its own terms. Established during Sydney's early 20th-century industrial boom, the building flourished alongside the nearby tram depot and brickworks, and its bones remain gloriously intact: soaring ceilings, oversized industrial windows, and magnificent exposed timber roof trusses. It is deeply connected to Sydney's past, and thoughtfully reimagined as a destination for those who appreciate enduring quality. To step inside is to understand immediately that this is not retail in the ordinary sense.

Where other furniture businesses curate catalogues, Osier Belle creates collections. Every piece is produced in Osier Belle's own purpose-built factory. This means uncompromising quality control, genuine craftsmanship, and a direct relationship between design intent and finished form.

Australia demands more of its outdoor furniture than most countries appreciate. Intense UV, coastal salt air, humidity, and heat bear no resemblance to the temperate climates many imported ranges are designed
for. Osier Belle's materials have been tested and proven against these conditions, and backed by a five-year warranty that speaks for itself.

The bespoke service is comprehensive at every level. Scale, silhouette, materials, fabrics, finishes: every element is the client's to define. The team guides each client through a world of possibility, whether the brief calls for a singular statement piece or a complete outdoor sanctuary. Osier Belle works closely with interior designers, landscape architects, and architects across Sydney, regional NSW, and interstate.

Their reach extends well beyond the Sydney basin. Bespoke pieces are delivered to addresses throughout Australia, and the reputation for quality has drawn clients across the Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe, a testament to a standard of making that transcends geography.

The result, in every project, is the same: a luxury resort atmosphere, created at home.

“We don't simply sell furniture. We design it, we make it, and we stand behind every piece because we know exactly what went into it.”

• Est. 2010 | Fifteen years of extraordinary outdoor living
• Designed in Australia
• Five-year warranty
• Fully bespoke
  design service
• Delivered across Australia and beyond
• Working with designers, architects, and landscape architects throughout Sydney, NSW, and interstate

Visit Osier Belle at 41 Military Road, Neutral Bay, and step into a space where your outdoor living possibilities take shape. Free parking is available outside the showroom or at the nearby Big Bear Shopping Centre on Military Road.

41 Military Rd, Neutral Bay, Sydney | osierbelle.com.au | (02) 9949 9466 | Open 7 days: 9am - 4.30pm