Working with regional pounds to save more lives

In Australia, an estimated 140,000 healthy but unwanted dogs and cats are killed in Australian pounds each year.

Animal Welfare League Queensland was founded on the Gold Coast when a small group of animal lovers were concerned with the inhumane treatment of impounded dogs. If their owners did not claim them within 48 hours they were taken to the council dump and shot.

In the 1990’s, Animal Welfare League Queensland went on to work with other regional councils and pounds to provide unclaimed animals a second chance at life. In the early days, Animal Welfare League Queensland assisted regional councils and pounds where possible by taking animals they could not rehome due to over population of pets, uncontrolled breeding and the councils having limited or even no rehoming facilities or programs. Melinda Phipps, State Rehoming Manager, said these regional areas often struggle with a lack of resources and sadly rehoming abandoned and homeless animals often isn’t a priority compared to other needs. “Sadly, the only other alternative is euthanasia of healthy and rehomable animals. “Animal Welfare League Queensland is able to provide an alternative rehoming option, providing hope for these animals and the people who care for them,” Ms Phipps said. In 2017 this initiative was expanded to include 19 rural and regional pounds. Animal Welfare League Queensland has been able to increase this assistance and has regular animal transfers set up for at risk animals in struggling communities from Northern NSW to South East Queensland. “Working with animals from regional areas comes with its challenges as they often have infestations of intestinal worms or ringworm. “There are also older puppies and dogs who have never been on a lead, haven’t been socialised around dogs and sometimes have had limited interaction with people,” Ms Phipps said. Animal Welfare League Queensland is committed to providing these animals with a second chance at life and promises to never euthanise a healthy, sociable or treatable animal in our care.

Since 2017 Animal Welfare League Queensland has rehomed 1,641 animals from regional councils and pounds. Most are stray or are surrendered litters from undesexed dogs. There is always a demand to expand this initiative further and Animal Welfare League Queensland continues to reach out to regional councils and pounds that require assistance with the rehoming of cats and dogs.