After taking custody of more than 250 dogs from a disgraced labradoodle breeding facility, the RSPCA announced they have likely found a new home for each and every one.
Chief executive Andrea Dawkins described it as a “hectic” period for the organisation since sharing the shut-down news on Tuesday, with over 300 people applying to adopt the dogs.
“We had so many applications for foster carers that we crashed our website and that’s never happened before,” she told Local Radio.
Thousands of dollars have also been donated to cover the dogs’ vet bills, which were estimated to cost the organisation around $1,000 per dog.
“We’ve also raised over $100,000, so we’re a third of the way towards our target which is amazing,” Dawkins said.
“[That] means we’ll be able to fund every desex surgery, vaccinations and any veterinary needs that these dogs will have.”
The RSPCA initially laid 70 over-breeding charges against the owners of Tasmanian Labradoodles, Elizabeth and Paul Bartlett, but those charges won’t be pursued following the “landmark” settlement.
Dawkins said the not-for-profit is now seeking additional volunteers and foster carers to help with the mammoth task of rehoming so many dogs.
“We’re going to go all the way for these animals, we are not going to euthanise a single healthy animal,” she said.
“We’ll keep them in foster care or keep them with us until we can find safe and happy homes.”
The organisation aims to rehome all the dogs within eight to ten weeks.
Tasmanian Labradoodles have declined to make any public comments.
