Australian Working Dog Rescue

I asked about re-homing a neglected kelpie which I was intending to purchase from the owner. They called me a "dog dumper. " When I asked how this was dog dumping, they just said they only re-home dogs on kill lists from shelters and from owners who are terminally ill and cannot care for their dog. So I am a dog dumper because the owner is not terminally ill, but neglectful and I am trying to find a home for the dog. Arrogant and stupid.

I emailed regarding a neglected kelpie that needed re-homing. They accused me of "dog dumping. " When I asked why a neglected kelpie who would be purchased by me and re-homed would be dog dumping, they could not answer. Arrogant. The email originator actually seemed unhinged. I gave them one star, if I could I would give them -10.

IN RESPONSE TO THEIR RESPONSE:
The funny thing is, it wasn’t my dog, it was a rescue from someone who I’m helping to try and find them a forever home yet they don’t even listen and copy paste their response to each negative review. RUN from this place, you’ll notice all their “media” appearances are from <2013, they haven’t had anything since. They have multiple complaints against this “charity”. Money hungry gronks who have nothing better to do

Their 5 star reviews are most likely paid bots. They are rude, entitled and have multiple complaints against them. They class themselves as a “world leading” organisation yet their reputation and questionable duty of care tells you otherwise. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is cruelty happening behind the scenes. Save yourself from messaging these lowlife scums who think they are god.

Amazing people that do so much to help the working dog breeds. I've been blessed to have been able to adopt two incredible dogs (heeler kelpie X and a kelpie X) through AWDRI. I will forever be grateful to them for these beautiful family members that they rescued.

Sadly, far too many working dog breeds end up getting re-homed, which I find absolutely inconceivable that people can do to them! Dogs love you more than anything and they are for life. If you don't understand that concept, then move along and don't get a dog.

It's heartbreaking too that so many poor dogs get re-homed because people adopt these working dogs, without understanding what training etc is needed with working dog breeds. They are the most amazing and rewarding dogs, so faithful and loyal, but you have to do right by them and give them plenty of your time.

If you are serious about adopting a new family member, that you will include heavily in your life, then I highly recommend AWDRI. If you would ever consider re-homing a dog, for any reason, then please don't get a dog at all from any rescue group or breeder.

Hi All, I just wanted to bring into light the insensitivity and negativity with which my partner and I were treated with while reaching out for help from this shameful organisation. Without even considering what our personal situation was we were sent out this below Email-

Unless a person is terminally ill, or in some other way incapacitated to the point they can no longer care for their family dog then rehoming it is classed as dog dumping, and AWDRI does not facilitate dog dumpers or dog dumping.

Please ensure that you provide proper care and attention for your family member for the term of its natural life, just as you swore to when you first brought it home with you.

We recommend you engage the services of a reputable behaviourist who has extensive working breed knowledge, and who does not use drugs for reasons of behavioural modification, to attend your home and teach you what you are doing incorrectly in relation to training and socialising your dog in a proper manner.

If you wouldn't dump your first born child for the same reason then do not consider dumping any other family member either.
Kind regards,
AWDRI Administration
Australian Working Dog

We are posting this above EMAIL to create awareness for how people are being abused and judged by this organisation in the name of service without any consideration for their personal circumstances or feelings. To the person who wrote us that email, i am sincerely sending you heaps of love and i hope one day you would learn to love people too!

Telling a woman who lost her cattle dog and was asking for advice that she's not looking hard enough and insinuating she's a poor owner is pretty disgraceful from a dog rescue charity.

*Thanks for your on-brand horrendous reply! Apparently AWDRI doesn't concern itself with showing human decency. You have no idea how her dog went missing, you're assuming that she's a bad owner. What if someone stole it? Looking forward to reporting you lot to the ACNC for harassment.

What horrible person whoever returns the emails is. Accusing my son of “dumping” (her words) his dog when she knows NOTHING about his situation

If I could give zero stars I would! I asked about rehoming a cattle dog my grandparents own! That was a big mistake! The replies are nothing short of horrendous! They judge without even know ANY of the information! And when they did find out information they still were horrible! It’s bad enough I have to deal with a grandfather that might not come home from hospital I had to cop this just for asking for help! They are calling my grandfather being in hospital his lifestyle choice HE MIGHT DIE! If you are reading this then you have either had a similar experience or you haven’t had the pleasure yet to cop what they have to offer and trust me you don’t want it there are plenty of other rescue places that offer the services you need without the judgement that isn’t warranted, don’t even bother with this place!

I would not call them a rescue that are disgusting! I tried to get them to help a dog in need they told me to basically get stuffed and then blocked me for no reason! After delving further they are well known in the rescue world for their arrogance and not helping dogs at all, they are just in it for the glory and ego. No one in rescue likes to deal with them and I know why now. Discovered there is even a page about how terrible they are and how bad they were to deal with! They should be stripped of their rescue licence.

Would give them a much lower score if I could!
Having to re-home our dog is hard enough as it is and we thought we were doing the right thing by contacting these people that we thought may be able to give our boy a good home where there may not be kids or many people coming and going but we were judged and spoken to like scum of the earth for doing so. Unfortunately our 7 month old is showing aggressive, unpredictable behaviours that we have spent hours and so much money trying to correct before making this decision as we are expecting a baby soon and would rather not risk something bad happening and having him put down instead, but straight away we were made to feel like this is not a good enough reason. I bet they wouldn’t risk having him and putting him with their own children or someone else’s though.

It only takes a quick look at the reviews from people in the unfortunate situation of needing to rehome their beloved pet to realise the people running the organisation are judgemental and seriously lacking compassion. Today their Facebook posts regarding Australia Day have really cemented their reputation as judgemental bigots, and worse yet they are deleting comments and blocking those pointing out their blatant racism and erasure of First Nations people. There are plenty of rescue organisations out there - better you go with one that isn't run by bigots.

I adopted Boots, a Border Collie cross from AWDR and although adjustments had to be made (particularly by our existing Border Collie, Mack!) we are so pleased to have him as part of our family. Both Mack and Boots have their own personalities and quirks and as a pet owner, you accept that as part of your job to manage and work with. Love your dogs, warts and all, because at the end of the day, they love you unconditionally! PS - I hate picking up two lots of poop but again, our choice!

Great cause, unfortunately if there was a minus star option that's what they'd be getting.
Rude, patronising and absolutely unprofessional.
After reading the reviews it looks like I'm not the only one that has had to deal with their wrath.
They could definitely take a few etiquette classes. Shameful!

And before you start with the "you're trolling" BS, this is where people write reviews - good and bad. If you don't like to hear the negatives.make a change!

Went to them for help in rehoming my puppy and was met with rude sarcasm and insinuations I was "dog dumper" as they put it. Then continued to email me after I requested for them to stop seeing as they had judged my situation to their liking and obviously weren't interested in helping me, or my poor dog. A simple no would've have sufficed if they didn't want to help a good dog and an owner trying to do right by his best friend when he could no longer care for him. Piss poor.

**Reply to your reply - yes my partner is part of the reason and the other part is that I suffered a severe work place injury which is restricted my ability to care from the dog. According to vets though, it is not your business why a dog needs to be rehomed and you should be reported.

I received terrible treatment by this organisation when trying to check my application for adoption went through. Their website was clunky and when I emailed to ask how long it would take to hear back I got told
"Pushy people like yourself making demands of selfless volunteers are a major problem with society. Your application will be denied. Do not contact any person from our charity again. " I am absolutely heartbroken and feel for the dogs in their care who are missing on out awesome homes because of their unprofessional behavior. I have owned dogs for many years and have an awesome home to offer. This person has absolutely broken my heart for no good reason. Read the correspondence and be the judge for yourself.

Adopt A Dog Australia

Me:
Hey guys, I sent in an app for Dozer and was wondering how long it typically takes you to get back to an applicant? Many thanks

Adopt A Dog Australia:
You will have received an automated reply in minutes.

Me:
I just re-checked my email and dont seem to have anything. Does that mean you havent received anything? It seemed to go through successfully online.

Adopt A Dog Australia:
If you completed a form then you were sent an automated reply instantly.
No reply means you did not complete a form in full.

Me:
Thanks but I spent a huge amount of time on it. Everything was filled out to great lengths. Oh well

Adopt A Dog Australia:
Not as much time as it would take to care for a dog for the rest of its natural life.

Me:
I have filled it out again and would hate to miss out due to a glitch which is why I contacted you to ask about timeframe. I have an awesome home to offer the next dog that joins our family. This is what was received online (again) but still no email from AWDR

Adopt A Dog Australia:
Please learn to check your email account correctly, including your spam folder.

Me:
I have - there is nothing.

Adopt A Dog Australia:
Then you cannot adopt from our charity.
Goodbye.

Me:
OMG! Are you completely serious? I cannot believe what I have just read. I am extremely hurt by your attitude and feel for the dogs missing out on awesome homes. I have submitted two applications and was merely wanting to make sure you received it and to ensure you don't have a glitch with your site. I am absolutely shocked by your rudeness.

Adopt A Dog Australia:
Pushy people like yourself making demands of selfless volunteers are a major problem with society.

Your application will be denied.

Do not contact any person from our charity again.
_
I have to add that after this communication I received an email from their 'Adoptions Coordinator' stating that I could meet the dog so obviously they did receive my application and AWDRI did see what I had a great home to offer. His email was polite - contrary to the above communication which I learnt had come from the founder of the organisation. I also uncovered that he had treated many people (even those who fostered for him) in a far worse way than I had encountered. They are losing supporters left right and centre because of this man which is most unfortunate for the animals in their care.

Please continue to adopt however I warn you of this organisation and its extremely rude & nasty & threatening conduct.

Great organisation. Have rehomed a few dogs from AWDRI over the years. Kelpies are great dogs for runners ;)

Great idea for an organisation, beautiful dogs. Unfortunately, if they don’t like you it won’t matter how much you could love a dog or how good a home you could give it, they’ll never let you adopt one. And they’ll most likely lie to you about the reason why.

We adopted this ball of fluff from AWDRI, we have had our ups and downs but now we have to admit that it was the best idea to adopt from them #adoptdontbuy

AWDRI demonstrated extraordinary commitment to matching working dogs with possible adoptive owners. I was confident in "trialling" pets I was interested in, especially as there were numerous details about the dogs including their habits, likes/dislikes, abilities and needs: it assisted with my selection and meant that the chances of success were high. I was super impressed by the folks who came to check my place and the foster home from where I collected "my boy". That was 3 years ago and I have never regretted my decision to adopt a rescue dog. I can only imagine how lonely I'd be without him and appreciate the funny things he does every day. I'd had my previous dog for 18 years and she was a hard act to follow! None the less, Barry's a perfect match for me and my lifestyle.well done AWDRI!

AWDRI does hard, thankless work. There are plenty of us who appreciate you. Our Zeke, who you saved, and let my family adopt almost 5 years ago is a testament to that thankless work. He's a character, and we love him. Without you, that wouldn't have happened.