Nearly all labradoodles rescued from a notorious Tasmanian puppy farm have been successfully rehomed, the RSPCA has announced.
239 dogs were removed from Tasmanian Labradoodles in July last year after its owners agreed to permanently close in an out-of-court settlement with the animal welfare organisation.
In exchange, 70 charges of overbreeding that allegedly occurred between April 2021 and February 2023 were dropped.
“Of the 157 dogs who came into our care all but two have now been adopted,” RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Dawkins said.
“Sadly, five dogs were euthanised due to serious health issues and one is in palliative care with a serious heart condition.”
A successful fundraising campaign raised $343,000 to support veterinary and rehabilitation care for the rescued dogs, with about $1,000 set aside per dog.
Dawkins said that, so far, $269,000 has been spent and disbursed among various other rescue organisations assisting with the rehoming efforts.
“We have seen a myriad of issues ranging from low grade dental through to serious stomach issues and of course knee and hip complaints,” she said.
Dawkins said the “most significant issue” was the small percentage of dogs “affected deeply” by anxiety.
“For many of our adoptive families the struggle to help the dogs feel calm and safe is a daily task,” she said.
“When we first went into the site as the rescue team it was the sound of dogs, desperate for attention, which first assailed our senses.”
“There were too many animals to be properly socialised or given the love and attention they craved.”
In response to the puppy farm closure, the state government is reviewing dog welfare regulations. The RSPCA, along with other advocacy groups, is lobbying for stricter laws to prevent similar situations.
“We live in hope that this shared community experience will influence decision makers to tighten the dog regulations and ensure that this can never happen again,” Dawkins said.
