Rescuoodle Stories

In 2023, Biggie was one of over 50 cats seized by RSPCA NSW after they were found living in unsuitable conditions.   As one by one, her many feline friends found their forever homes, Biggie was left waiting.   Despite her sweet and friendly nature, one year in our care quickly turned to two as she kept getting looked past.  Totally unbeknownst to her though, the black and white cat had been catching the eye of one person.  Jade had been considering adopting a cat for some time and kept coming back to Biggie’s profile.    “I’ve been looking at the RSPCA website for a few years, so I was always looking at her profile, thinking she’d be perfect for me,” Jade said.  “Then when I decided to get a cat and she was still there, I knew that we would be a perfect match.   “She settled in straight away, like the afternoon I brought her home, she was climbing all over me and exploring the place.  “She sleeps beside me every night. She’s perfect.  “I am studying for a big exam next year and…

When an RSPCA NSW Inspector arrived at the scene of a cruelty complaint in the Illawarra region earlier this year, they saw something that’s hard to forget.   A small white Pomeranian dog was seen wandering under the carport of a property. Covered in dirt and fleas, she appeared underweight and had a pus discharge coming from her mouth.    The dog was immediately seized by the Inspector and taken to the RSPCA NSW Sydney Veterinary Hospital for examination where the extent of her health concerns became even more apparent.   It didn’t take long to discover that the pus was the result of the most severe grade of periodontal disease which had resulted in the discharge, mouth ulcers and restricted jaw movement.   A dental procedure involving the removal of 31 teeth was required with her other 11 teeth already found to be missing.   “In all my years as an Inspector, I’ve rarely seen such a bad case of dental disease – it was a truly shocking sight,” said an Inspector involved in the matter.   “The animal clearly would have been suffering as a result for some time, and it is so important pet owners always seek veterinary treatment…

When Teddy arrived at the Illawarra Shelter, he hadn’t yet become the confident pup he was always meant to be. Timid and shy, he had all but given up on finding his second chance at happiness. With our shelters full and resources already being stretched to their absolute limit, finding a place for Teddy felt almost impossible. But even in his darkest moments, our team was resolved to provide him with the love he deserved. Where some saw a dog that was too far gone, our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and trainers recognised Teddy’s true potential. Day after day, they met with Teddy to celebrate the small victories: from a gentle tail wag to the unmistakably trustful look they began to see in his eyes. Slowly, the frightened pup began to unfold, revealing the sweet, spirited soul hiding beneath his tough exterior.   Teddy’s journey wasn’t easy – there were setbacks, doubts, and long days., but our love for…

When Ross arrived in care, he had already given up on living a happy life. Though only six months old, he wasn’t playful, he didn’t wag his tail, and he never greeted his carers from his kennel. He simply cowered, quiet and withdrawn, hoping that maybe, just maybe, tomorrow would give him a second chance. He was far too young to be living with so much fear. Occasionally, there were moments where Ross dared to trust, often when he was near his brother or another confident dog. In those moments, we saw what Ross could be given time, patience, and love. We knew what Ross needed wasn’t just a home, but an opportunity to learn what the kindness and love of a forever family felt like. Thanks to a heartfelt social media post, Ross’s story touched over 75 families who reached out to give him the second chance he deserved. After careful consideration, Ross was placed on a trial adoption…

We’re over the moon to share a heartwarming update on Benny, who found his forever home earlier this year. Benny’s adopter shared that from the moment he left the shelter he was calm and content. Sleeping soundly during his journey to his new home and enjoying the little stops along the way. He is said to have adjusted very well to his mum’s wheelchair, embracing this change with so much confidence, quickly bonding and adapting to her needs. He has learned to fetch items and bring them to her lap, so she doesn’t need to bend down. Whether he’s meeting new people or spending time with the younger members of the family, we’ve heard that Benny has an amazing ability to stay calm and bring a sense of peace to everyone around him. In addition to settling in so well, Benny’s new family said he has started puppy preschool, gained 4kgs, and learned some fun new tricks! We couldn’t be…

Tiger is a courageous little cat who began his story as a stray struggling on the streets. He was brought to RSPCA NSW with a broken leg and a severely injured tail.   Luckily for this sweet boy, one of our foster carers, Adam, welcomed Tiger into his heart and home. What began as a place for Tiger to stay for a two-week rest turned into an inspiring story of recovery and undying love! During that time, Tiger not only endured numerous bandage changes and splint adjustments but also faced the heart-wrenching challenge of ultimately losing his tail.  Through all his grueling trials, Adam remained by Tiger’s side, offering not just care but companionship, love, and unfaltering support. With each passing day, Tiger grew stronger, his resilient spirit shining through and leaving a mark on Adam’s heart.  Once Tiger had healed, he was finally ready to find the family of his dreams. But to everyone’s delight, Adam realised he couldn’t bear…

A wonderful couple recently made an incredibly heartfelt decision for their wedding day. Instead of asking for traditional gifts or setting up a wishing well, they invited their guests to donate to RSPCA NSW—a cause close to their hearts. Their generosity and kindness touched us deeply, and we were honoured to be a part of their celebration.  As a token of our appreciation, RSPCA NSW accompanied a special guest to the event – Meatball, one of our adorable Rescuoodles. While the bride and groom were, of course, the stars of the day, it was clear that Meatball came in as a close second. With his friendly, playful air and charming personality, he quickly captured the hearts of everyone in attendance.  But the best part of the story was still to come. One of the wedding guests fell head over heels for Meatball and decided to give him a home to call his own. Meatball had been a long-term resident at…

In September 2023, RSPCA NSW Inspectors responded to a disturbing complaint about a small, white Maltese Terrier being severely neglected in their owner’s backyard. When they arrived, they were met with a heartbreaking sight: the little dog was so heavily matted that he couldn’t see.  Upon closer examination, Inspectors found that his body condition was very poor. However, just how underweight the dog was could not be adequately determined due to the extensive matting of his coat. The dog was seized by Inspectors and taken to an RSPCA NSW veterinary hospital for examination, treatment, and urgent medical care.  Once there, the reality of his situation became even more alarming. The dog, later named Winston, weighed only 3.1 kg and was diagnosed with anemia. Veterinary staff estimated that he had been without proper nourishment for at least three weeks.   Winston was given a full body shave to remove his heavily-matted coat and it was calculated that his fur had accounted for…

Ivy was horribly injured by another dog in her own backyard. There were open wounds all over her face and body. But her owner didn’t take her to the vet.  “Ivy’s injuries couldn’t wait,” said Inspector Natalie, the officer in charge of the case, “but it was also clear that her need for urgent care was more than a few days old. She was very skinny, and the infection around her ears made me think there’d been issues there for a long time.”  When an animal like Ivy is injured, it’s important to act fast. Otherwise, wounds get infected. Injuries worsen. Conditions become more complicated to treat, and the animal’s chance of recovering may be at risk. That’s what happened to Ivy.    Ivy was being kept in a small backyard with another dog when a fight broke out. When a member of the public reported a serious welfare concern, Inspector Natalie went to the property to investigate. The owner was compliant and…

“Our journey with Lemon began when we decided it was time to open our hearts to fostering. It had been a year since we lost our cherished nine-year-old Frenchie, and we felt ready to welcome another dog into our lives. I mentioned my experience with the breed, and that’s when I was matched with Lemon—a one-year-old Rescuoodle who had come into RSPCA NSW’s care through the Inspectorate. She desperately needed time away from the shelter to decompress, and we were eager to help. Thanks to RSPCA NSW’s efforts, her previous owners surrendered her, giving her a chance at a fresh start. She began her journey to adoption, which included being desexed and undergoing BOAS surgery to improve her breathing. As Lemon settled into our home, we watched her transformation unfold. The quiet, reserved pup who first arrived slowly blossomed into an energetic, affectionate, and kids-loving Frenchie full of life. We completely fell in love with her sweet nature. When the…

We thought we would share the inspiring adoptions that touched our hearts in 2023. Here are some heart-warming tales of adopters making a difference in animals’ lives. TJ & Taylor Sydney’s favourite seniors were inseparable during their 185 days in care. After spending their days in each other’s embrace at our Sydney Adoption Centre, this dynamic duo found their forever home on a beautiful acreage north of Sydney. Finally home, they will enjoy their twilight years exploring rolling hills, spending lazy afternoons in the sun and sharing in the love of a family they truly deserve. Savannah & Her Puppies Super-mum Savannah turned to us for help with her 10 precious puppies. After raising them to be strong, inquisitive, and healthy pups, each one of her adorable children were quickly adopted into loving homes. The incredible and devoted Savannah also found her perfect home, she was finally adopted by the family she had dreamed of and deserved. Hansel Having grown…

Ivy was horribly injured by another dog in her own backyard. There were open wounds all over her face and body. But her owner didn’t take her to the vet. “Ivy’s injuries couldn’t wait – it was an emergency,” says Inspector Natalie. “But it was also clear that her need for medical attention was more than a few days old. She was very skinny, and the infection around her ears made me think there’d been issues there for a long time.” Up to 3,000 animals will come through our shelter doors this winter, having nowhere else to turn. They’ll all need immediate attention, but of course, we don’t know how many will arrive as injured and sick as Ivy. The rising cost of living is affecting everyone, and our shelters are feeling the impact. Not only are vital things like medications, veterinary equipment and electricity becoming more expensive, but we’re also seeing more animals being surrendered because people sadly aren’t…

RSPCA NSW has gifted a specially trained Irish Wolfhound crossbreed, named Teddy, to a disability facility in Sydney’s north. This is the second time Venee Burges House has welcomed an RSPCA animal into their home. Tyson, a Kelpie German Shepherd crossbreed, entered the lives of the Venee Burges House residents in 2008, and lived a happy life there until when he passed away last year at the age of 13. Venee Burges House resident Judith Geppert, who was Tyson’s owner, says he has left an enormous hole in her life and in the lives of those around her. “We miss him every day,” she said. “He was a one in a million, the best form of therapy we could possibly have had and he didn’t even know it!” “I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Tyson, but now I have a chance to give Teddy a new life, and I have a renewed sense of excitement…