Australian Koolie Rescue has placed 17 Koolie dogs in foster homes after the RSPCA seized 51 dogs during two raids of the property on March 28 and April 3 following reports of animal cruelty.

Sixty-two-year-old Leith Gatenby pleaded guilty to nine charges of animal cruelty in Gunnedah Local Court on August 9.

The charges outline an act of aggravated cruelty in relation to a female Koolie with health issues so severe veterinarians deemed it cruel for her to be kept alive

They also included eight charges of failure to provide veterinary care for 50 dogs with flea burdens; 36 dogs with poor body condition (emaciation); 34 dogs with Otitis Externa (ear infections); 50 dogs with Gastrointestinal Parasites; 18 dogs with Conjunctivitis; 7 dogs with Entropion (untreated eye issues); one with a Tooth Root Abscess and one with a Necrotic tissue wound as a result of a dog fight. 

Veterinarians examined and treated the 51 dogs, finding extensive issues as outlined in the charges.

Australian Koolie Rescue president Christine Wilson said it had been a positive outcome for the 17 Koolies that there were able to be released from the RSPCA in the first instance, with all finding new foster homes.

“We needed to ensure that the foster carers were experienced with Koolies and understood that this would be a long term foster situation,” she said. 

“The dogs came to us with a multitude of issues. All the dogs were very frightened and unsure of how to react. 

“We have had some major successes, but for the most part there is a long road ahead for these dogs. 

“I cannot thank our foster carers enough for the time and effort they are putting in with these dogs to get them to the point where we can re-home them with a loving family.”

The rescued Koolies have been re-homed in places as far as the Atherton Tableland to rural Victoria. 

Ms Wilson is now gearing up to work with the RSPCA to assist in homing the remaining dogs rescued.

“We are again putting out a plea for foster carers and people who are interested in adopting a Koolie,” she said. 

“We understand that there are many people who are not in a position to foster or adopt but would still like to help support these dogs.

“When these dogs are in the right environment with loving families miracles can happen.”

Donations of money, food, bedding, coats and toys can be made by emailing australiankoolierescue1@gmail.com. 

1. MEET QUEENIE

My name is Queenie and I’m approximately 3 years old.

On the 3rd of June, I met my foster parents Catherine and Jonathon. They drove down from Newcastle to Sydney to meet me. I was very scared and nervous and hid at the back of my crate.

I didn’t know who these people were but my rescuer Christine kept reassuring me and telling me that they would take good care of me!

Catherine was so kind, gentle and patient with me. She sat beside my crate for a few hours hand-feeding me bbq sausage and talking softly to me. I finally built up the courage to come out and say hi to Jonathon who fed me more sausage and let me sit on his lap! I then met my foster sister Flick and we went for a walk together around the park and I watched her play fetch. After that, I said goodbye to Christine, got in the car and we went to my new foster home!

I didn’t know what to do at first everything was so scary, but my foster parents were so patient and reassuring and let me take my time. I then met my foster brother Obi-Wan (foster dad is a little Star Wars obsessed), and my two feline brothers Leo and Loki.

Jonathon and Catherine showed me how to be a puppy, we went on these things called walkies, I wasn’t sure of it at first and didn’t walk very straight but I started to copy Flick and Obi and now love going on walkies, I learned how to play fetch and tug o war. I have learned how to sit and wait for my meals too! Foster mum and dad even took me to the dog beach, I didn’t know what it was but I had Flick encouraging me the entire way I even got my feet wet!

I still sleep in my crate but only of a night time and I’m so happy and excited every morning. I still get scared every now and then but foster mum and dad talk me through it and I quickly forget what I was scared of. I’m still learning new things every day and still have a long way to go but foster mum and dad tell me I’m a clever girl and I can do it!!

My favourite things are pigs ears, cabanossi and my stuffed chicken but most of all I love cuddles and being everywhere Jonathon and Catherine are.

Foster mum and dad love me so much that today they told me that they are no longer my foster mum and dad, that they are just mum and dad forever!

​2. MEET FLASH

Flash is 15 years old!

Flash has been adopted and this is Flash in her furever home.

Flash discovered the joy of toys. Her favourite toy is her ball, but her octopus comes pretty close.

She will play ball all day every day given the chance.

She is constantly bringing the ball and putting it at our feet, and if you ignore her because you are bringing in the washing, she will put the ball into the washing basket to attract your attention.

Last week this little girl came with us to the Dog Lovers Show where hundreds of people were coming to find out more about Koolies.

Flash thought she was in 7 th heaven getting pats from so many people. She was not scared at all and enjoyed all the attention.

​3. MEET CRASH BANDICOOT 

Meet our new family member Crash Bandicoot!

We decided to foster from Australian Koolie Rescue because we were not ready to get another dog after the sudden loss of our beautiful boy Sam to a brain tumour.  

We successfully fostered our first Koolie for 10 days before she got a wonderful home, so we thought we were made for fostering!  We waited and were asked to foster another Koolie girl.  

On a sunny Sunday afternoon in Canberra a second Koolie was about to change our lives.  

We did not know it, but fostering a second dog was going to result in a permanent increase in our fur family.  

We had three dogs she needed to meet.   

First she met our 13-year-old Jack Russel Peabody and they had a slow short walk together (then it was time for Peabody to have a snooze!).  

Next she met our 7-year-old Kelpie Doza, and after few sniffs was ready for the next introduction.  

Quest the Koolie was catching Frisbees at great height and speed!  While Quest was a little over the top, Crash watched and seemed to think all was OK!  

So into the ute she went to prepare for a big second day with us - driving to the Mornington Peninsula.  

Crash showed us how she felt comfortable with not only our dogs but our friend’s 2-year-old Jack Russell.  

So into the ute we all got – 5 dogs, 3 people and a large trailer behind us!  

Crash has been an adventure! While she was very alert all the time with her new surroundings, she trusted that our family would look after her every step of the way.  

Each day Crash showed us how much she fitted into our family life by learning to go on walks as part of a pack, snooze on the couch after a long day, play at home, play at the park and go on working holidays.  

To fit into our family, she managed to learn skills very quickly – relaxing in a crate, meeting new people, meeting new dogs, playing with KONG toys and food dispensers, trying new food (FISH4DOGS), playing with a ball and tracking a Frisbee.  

Our biggest challenge was getting Crash to sit as she was only observed to sit when she was unsure of her surroundings.  

After persistence and patience Crash showed she could learn to sit when working and while playing.  

Crash fit so well into our family, that after a very short time (less than 2 weeks), we all decided we could not imagine a life without her. It seemed to be fate – we met us at a Frisbee workshop!

Crash did not come with her name.  

We decided that we needed to give her a special name that fit her fox-like looks and her fun and athletic nature! So, Crash Bandicoot it was, and the rest is history.  

We failed as foster carers but are doing really well as a forever home for Crash!  We hope that the adventures of Crash Bandicoot will entertain our friends and us forever.  

Stay tuned, as Crash shows how much she loves to work and play with her new family!