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The country of Australia is not only known for its wildlife, but also it’s famous for its animal welfare and protection. Now, some of the fittest Australian firefighters have decided to take protecting animals a step further. In the latest Australian firefighters calendar, they are posing with cute little critters in order to help endangered wild animals!

Burning Hot On Christmas

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What better way to raise money for wildlife than have hunky firemen posing with adorable pets and endangered native wildlife? Well, that’s what the Australian Firefighters Calendar, now in its 29th year, though. So, that’s precisely what they did! Firefighters from all over the country posed with their beloved pets, endangered wildlife, farm animals, rescue animals, and so much more for the 25-month calendar. They’re also selling special editions for those that love a particular animal: cats, dogs, and horses are all available, including the mixed animal edition.

Last year the Australian Firefighters Calendar made its way to over 100 countries worldwide. This year’s cover firefighter, known as “Australia’s fittest firefighter,” is Matt Haydon. While Haydon has been on the calendar before, there are many new faces appearing in the 2022 calendar. Like Ben Church from Western Australia!

“I wanted to do it for my grandma and mom. They were so proud that I was selected to take part in the photoshoot,” Church said. “They embarrassed the heck out of me by emailing the calendar co-ordinators advising them I was the most handsome firefighter in Western Australia and the guys have not stopped reminding me of that! Thanks grandma and mom!”

The animals, however? Well, they came from across Australia, and hundreds of people entered in their animals for the chance to appear in the calendar…

Supporting Rescued Animals

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This year, the Australian Firefighters Calendar asked its 75 million Facebook fans for animals to participate in the calendar’s photoshoot. “We received over 5,000 photos of every type of animal you can imagine to take part in the photo shoot, and they entered from all over the world,” said Crystal Doohan, Australian Firefighters’ Calendar Creative Director. “We even had a lady from Moscow that wanted to fly her cat to Australia. It takes one month to sort through all the eligible entrants.”

David Rogers, Director of the Australian Firefighters’ Calendar, says the the company wanted to commemorate firefighters’ dedication to wildlife. Not only that, but the money raised will go to several non-profits, including Wildlife Inc., Native Animal Rescue, Healing Hooves, and the Kids with Cancer Foundation, among many others.

“The unsung work that many of these volunteer-based organizations do is outstanding,” Rogers explained. “Without these dedicated wildlife warriors, many sick and injured domestic and wildlife animals simply would not survive…These wonderful people are the reason we try so hard to produce calendars that not only help raise funds and awareness but also honor their work.”

If you’re looking to pick up a calendar for yourself, or someone you love, head on over to the official website!