Every dog deserves a forever home — and now one of Perth’s most loved and oldest dog shelters has one too.
After more than 90 years of giving Western Australia’s abandoned, neglected and unwanted pups a second chance at life, the Dogs’ Refuge Home in Shenton Park has been handed the keys to a secure future.
The State Government has transferred the land at 30 Lemnos Street to the much-loved animal welfare organisation for just $1.
The deal means the shelter, which has more than 1500 canines pass through its doors each year and has been rescuing and re-homing dogs since 1935, can continue at the site
Dogs’ Refuge Home president Karen Rhodes said securing the land was vital as the number of dogs needing to be rehomed continued to grow each year.
“We are absolutely delighted to secure freehold land tenure in this our 90th year and so grateful to the State Government for recognising the important work we do and have done for so many years,” she said.
“Helping to have our future secured gives us additional peace of mind knowing how much we are needed as the never-ending number of dogs and puppies being abandoned sadly seems to be increasing every year.”
The shelter has been a lifeline for dogs from across WA, taking in animals that have been abused, abandoned or surrendered by owners who can no longer care for them.
And for Dogs’ Refuge Home its philosophy couldn’t be simpler: every dog deserve a second chance.
With a no-time-limit policy, the shelter cares for its animals for as long as it takes to find them a loving family, rather than euthanising healthy dogs simply because they have not been adopted.
The $1 land transfer comes with a condition that the property continues to be used for animal welfare and related activities, as well as preserving its 80-year-old pet cemetery.
Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the deal recognised the shelter’s long and extraordinary contribution to the WA community.
“Each year, Dogs’ Refuge Home saves the lives of neglected and abandoned dogs by taking them in and finding them a new home,” he said.
Ms Rhodes said the shelter’s future would not be possible without the generosity of the community.
“We celebrate this support together with the support we receive from our dog loving community each year which enables us to do the critical work we do,” she said.
The Dogs’ Refuge Home has around 30 staff and more than 250 volunteers.
The Home is always looking for people to foster, adopt, volunteer and donate to help continue their vital service.