Gold Coast locals urged to adopt pets as Coombabah animal welfare shelter reaches capacity

Gold Coasters are surrendering their pets at an alarming rate due to rising cost of living and experiencing homelessness with a Coombabah shelter nearing capacity.

Gold Coasters are surrendering their pets at alarming rates due to rising cost of living, with a local shelter nearing capacity.

There are currently 230 animals at the Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) shelter in Coombabah, with 100 of those in foster care.

“In the last financial year, we looked after about 4500 animals in total just on the Gold Coast

and rehomed about 3700,” AWLQ chief executive Sam Jacklin said.

“We are seeing an increase in surrenders around rising cost of living and more people experiencing homelessness so they are living in their cars with their pets.

“They are at a point where they don’t know what else to do so we’re trying to keep pets and their people together.

“We have a number of community outreach programs like our pet food pantry and can help to provide vet support as well.”

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate visited the shelter on Friday and encouraged locals to consider adopting an animal to give them a second chance at life.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate with 10-week-old mastiff cross pup Zena at the Coombabah shelter. Picture Glenn Hampson

“People love their pets and sometimes they land in unfortunate circumstances so through animal welfare we can help them be rehomed to another family,” he said.

“If you feel that you can adopt one, I guarantee if you visit here, there will be one that will suit your life and tug at your heart strings.”

Mr Tate has a poodle cross rottweiler, which he adopted.

“(My wife Ruth) didn’t want a dog that sheds hair … but I’m a big dog person,” he said.

“He is a very chunky pup.”

With the rise in surrenders stretching staffing resources thinner, Ms Jacklin said AWLQ’s many volunteers were the “lifeblood” of the organisation.

“We really rely on the volunteers to help us with the day to day tasks whether that is walking dogs, cleaning or being a part of our foster program,” she said.

For more details, head to awlqld.com.ay/adopt

Originally published as Gold Coast locals urged to adopt pets as Coombabah animal welfare shelter reaches capacity