31-07-2025
Animal welfare crisis unfolds in Geelong as woman surrenders 67 malnourished and injured dogs, sparking statewide rescue operation
A mass animal rescue is underway across Victoria after a woman handed over 67 dogs in dire condition to a Geelong shelter without warning, many of them thin, wounded, and severely neglected.
The dogs, described as 'starved' and 'covered in wounds', were surrendered in two separate visits earlier this month to the Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS), overwhelming the shelter's limited capacity and prompting emergency assistance from the RSPCA and rescue groups across the state.
GAWS operations manager Jess Lynn told The Herald Sun woman turned up initially with 45 dogs crammed into her vehicle.
'It was very, very challenging,' Ms Lynn said.
'We've only got the capacity to hold so many animals.'
Less than 24 hours later, the same woman returned, this time with 22 more dogs and six cats in tow.
With so many animals in poor condition, GAWS quickly called for backup.
The RSPCA took in 30 of the dogs for rehabilitation and rehoming, while the rest were spread between shelters and volunteer rescue organisations.
Among them was Starting Over Dog Rescue, which took 19 of the animals.
In a confronting Facebook post, the organisation detailed the horrific state the dogs were in.
'Starved, covered in wounds, missing fur, and carrying the heavy weight of neglect,' the post read.
'They lived in filth, surrounded by a stench too awful to describe.
'There was nowhere clean to lie down. Just cold, wet floors soaked in urine and faeces. No fresh air.'
RSPCA Victoria's chief inspector Michelle Green confirmed the dogs would need extended care, with some requiring months of recovery.
'It's clear some people are struggling to provide the basics for their animals, and we urge people not to wait until they are suffering like this before seeking assistance from us, local vets or their local council,' Ms Green said.
The surrender has placed further strain on the state's stretched animal welfare services, which have already seen a sharp rise in rescue operations this year.
At the start of July, RSPCA inspectors carried out a major operation involving nearly 200 horses across regional Victoria, rescuing almost 60 of the most vulnerable from a property in Towong Shire.
