Ever seen the TV show The Dog House Australia?

Set inside a rescue centre, it’s where people come in search of a pet “soulmate”.

Sue Saliba and her fellow volunteers at South Gippsland Animal Aid know the scenario well.

“We’re a little bit like that, but they’re younger and glossier,” laughs the Cowes animal carer.

“In the same way we take in surrendered dogs and adopt them out, trying to find the best outcome for the animal and the human.”

Sue is one of two Phillip Island volunteers for South Gippsland Animal Aid, along with Michele Abbey, working with president Marion Munro, who cares for rescue dogs at her home at Corinella.

SGAA has been running for about three decades and takes surrendered dogs and kittens, always needing animal lovers for re-homing pets through adoption, as well as carers and volunteers, including foster homes for kittens.

Throughout her life Sue has taken in rescue dogs, but since volunteering for Animal Aid, she and her husband Brune Chene have taken in two from SGAA: Teddy, a 10-year-old chihuahua, which she has had for two years and Mr P, a 17-year-old Maltese-cross, which she adopted three months ago.

“They love to sniff and explore at the Blue Gum dog park,” she says.

“Some people don’t like the idea of taking on older dogs, but often older dogs can live a long time. People think 12 years is old but they can live to 18.

“Older dogs are gentle, loving and can give so much comfort. It can also be a privilege to be with a dog at the end of their life, giving them love. I personally get so much out of it.”

Surrendered

Dogs are generally surrendered to SGAA because their owner dies or goes into aged care, or also from a marriage breakdown, and often dogs are surrendered when people’s lives get too busy.

“We get so many different types: little old dogs that sit on your lap or energetic young ones.

“We try and match a dog with the person wanting a pet. It’s important that an active dog is with an active family.”

Anyone wanting to adopt a dog can take a prospective pet home for a trial run.

Sue says she doesn’t see dogs with behavioural issues, but they are rather “stressed because they’re in a strange place”.

“Sometimes people return a dog after 24 hours because they won’t settle but it’s because they’re stressed. Sometimes it can take a few days or few months for them to settle. They need time and space,” she says, adding there are local dog trainers who can help.

She says SGAA encourages people to adopt older dogs.

“They can be particularly good for older people who aren’t as active with the dog happy to potter in the garden.”

Sometimes there is an adoption fee for those dogs that have incurred vet bills, but dogs are also given away for free.

SGAA receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations, so Sue also volunteers once a week at the organisation’s op shop in Wonthaggi, where all money goes to the upkeep of the dogs in their care.

“We are always looking for volunteers at the shop too,” she adds.

Love

Sue was an English teacher and – after completing a masters in creative writing – taught at RMIT and Melbourne University.

Since moving to Phillip Island 16 years ago, she has written five published young adult fiction books and one self-published book about hooded plovers.

Given her love of dogs, it’s not surprising her stories feature rescue hounds.

Sue says in her late 20s she became interested in Buddhism and lived in Thailand for a couple of years, including in monasteries which underpins her love of animals and nature.

“We all want to live a peaceful life and have the right not to suffer or be exploited,” says Sue who is also vegan and worked with Animal Justice.

She is a member of the Phillip Island Conservation Society and for a decade volunteered with Nature Parks to protect hooded plover nesting grounds on beaches.

It was during this time that she became “frustrated” at the supposed clash between wildlife and domestic pets.

“In the debate about dogs on beaches it became quite polarised; people were either a dog person or a plover person.

“But if you care about all species how is there a contradiction? Birds and dogs are the same thing.

“If you want to protect hooded plovers you have your dog on a lead and walk at a distance past the plovers.

“As I say, we all have the right to exist without stress and in freedom. Helping with rescue dogs is the same thing.”

Details

South Gippsland Animal Aid

Phone: 0458 157 155

Website: www.animalaidsouthgippsland.org.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SthGippyAnimalAid/

Op Shop Paws Galore Thrift Shop, Watt Street, Wonthaggi

Cat and dog adoptions. Please call 0458 157 155 and/or check Facebook page

Other rescue groups:

http://www.startingoverdogrescue.org.au/
https://www.newbeginningsari.org.au/