Meet the woman saving Sydney’s abandoned dog population

The future is bleak for unloved dogs with hundreds of thousands abandoned to shelters and the streets. But Kiki Bermudez provides hope.

A Syndey real estate agent has turned her hand to animal welfare - setting up an adoption charity to take in fostered animals and raise funds for animal rescue.

For the past 16 years Kiki Bermudez has worked in the city’s eastern suburbs finding people homes to live in but now is looking to help animals too.

Ms Bermudez, alongside her husband Phil Williams and best friend Laura Stephenson, set up animal rescue charity Ozzie Tails of Hope Ltd.

Sydney advocate Kiki Bermudez is hosting a charity event in November called ‘Santa Paws’ to help raise funds. Picture: Supplied/Elliot Shakespeare

In a bid to raise awareness to alternatives to breeder or privately sold dogs, Ms Bermudez is on November 26 hosting a charity event at Sydney’s Centennial Park called Santa Paws. Picture: Supplied/Elliot Shakespeare

Ms Bermudez said she often met families who recently moved into a new home wanted to acquire a dog, often a larger, known breed.

She said breeds including german shepherds, greyhounds, and staffordshire terriers were sought after by families but often over-represented at pounds.

In a bid to raise awareness to alternatives to breeder or privately sold dogs, Ms Bermudez is on November 26 hosting a charity event at Sydney’s Centennial Park.

Known as “Santa Paws”, the event will feature a range of kids activities, including pet Santa photos, and is aimed at raising funds for animal charities in the city.

Among the different charities attending the event will be a number of dog psychologists who Ms Bermudez said would provide insight into common misconceptions.

Donations can be made to Ozzie Tails of Hope Ltd on the GoFundMe page. Picture: Supplied/Elliot Shakespeare

Ms Bermudez said many would-be dog owners too often overlooked adopting rescue dogs.

Donations can be made to Ozzie Tails of Hope Ltd on the GoFundMe page.