Rescue effort after woman leaves 67 starving and wounded dogs at a regional Vic pound

A Victoria-wide rescue mission has been launched to rehome 67 dogs “covered in wounds, missing fur” that were surrendered without notice to a Geelong shelter. They all arrived in just two car loads, with 45 in the first batch.

The Geelong Animal Welfare Society was thrown into chaos when 67 dogs in shocking condition arrived at the beginning of July. Picture: Supplied

A statewide rescue effort is under way after a woman ­surrendered 67 “starving and wounded” dogs to a Geelong pound.

Thirty of the neglected dogs have been taken by the RSPCA to rehome and animal welfare organisations across Victoria have been contacted to help.

Many of the dogs remain at the Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) shelter, where the woman arrived without notice earlier this month with 45 dogs in her car.

Picture: Supplied

GAWS operation manager Jess Lynn said the woman ­arrived again the next day with another 22 dogs, and also ­surrendered six cats.

“It was very, very challenging,” Ms Lynn said.

“We’ve only got the capacity to hold so many animals.”

GAWS called on the RSPCA and Geelong council’s animal management team to help care for and treat the dogs that were “in a bad condition”.

Picture: Starting Over Dog Rescue

The RSPCA took 30 dogs to rehome, and the rest remained with GAWS, who contacted multiple rescue organisations – some as far away as Horsham – to help.

A post to Facebook from Starting Over Dog Rescue – which took 19 of the animals – revealed the dogs were “all in the same appalling state” when they arrived at the shelter.

“Starved, covered in wounds, missing fur, and carrying the heavy weight of neglect,” the post said.

“They lived in filth, surrounded by a stench too awful to describe.

“There was nowhere clean to lie down. Just cold, wet floors soaked in urine and faeces. No fresh air.”

Picture: Starting Over Dog Rescue

Picture: Starting Over Dog Rescue

RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michelle Green said it would take “weeks, if not months” of rehabilitation and specialised veterinary care for the dogs to recover.

“It’s clear some people are struggling to provide the basics for their animals, and we urge people not to wait until they are suffering like this before seeking assistance from us, local vets or their local council,” Ms Green said.

Picture: Starting Over Dog Rescue

RSPCA Victoria’s inspectors rescued 131 animals across the state at the start of July.

The largest and most complex operation involved a team of five inspectors assessing almost 200 horses.

That culminated in the surrender of nearly 60 of the most at-risk, which were removed from a Towong Shire property over several days.

Originally published as Rescue effort after woman leaves 67 starving and wounded dogs at a regional Vic pound