The following is an email, recently received from a pet lover. I have removed names for privacy…
Dear Saving Pets,
I wanted to share Thomas’ story with you to hopefully make a difference and save other dogs like him.
My mother and I were foster carers for the RSPCA Yagoona shelter in Sydney. We had taken in three puppies who had found new homes, and we were very happy with the system. Then, in May this year, we got Thomas.
Thomas was the sweetest dog yet. A white Coolie puppy about 6 months old. He was blind, partially deaf, and had a broken leg (the reason we were caring for him). Our instructions were to keep him still while he recovered from the break. We could crate train him to make sure he was always still and do behavour training to keep him calm, but the main purpose was to let his leg heal.
We did as we were asked and grew to love the puppy. He sometimes cried when we left him (as all puppies do) and we found he was slow to detach from us as we were a guide in his limited sensory world. He liked when we were around making noise so he could orientate himself. After one month, he was allowed to move around more and to our delight he began exploring the house on his own. He would go into our bedrooms when we turned our backs to explore.
Then he had to have an x-ray. We took him back to the RSPCA thinking it would be a physical check-up then maybe a few more weeks in our care as his leg was much better. We were looking forward to walking him as coolies are sheep dogs and he had so much energy, keeping him still was taking its toll on him and us. It was clear he just wanted to run.
We left him at the shelter to see the vet.
The next day we got a phone call. Thomas had been diagnosed with separation anxiety and was going to be put down.
We were shocked. The RSPCA told us he was always being watched for this disorder, and since he cries when we leave and cried in the shelter he clearly had it. We said we never knew he was being watched for this. When we went through his paperwork there was no mention of it.
We told them he was gaining independence. He needed time. He hadn’t lived without a broken leg, you couldn’t tell his temperament until you let him run. Let him release his energy and be a normal dog. We asked for one more week to help rehabilitate this. We told him he was confident in our home, why couldn’t we adopt him? If he’s anxious being away from our house, why not just let him have a happy life in our house? If their only option is to kill, then we’ll take him.
They said they’d call us back.
The next day they called and said the decision was still final. We pleaded with them for over an hour to see sense. They kept saying this was a last resort they were sad to take, except every other option we offered was rebutted. We could think of dozens of other options, but they ignored us. They had spent months rehabilitating him for a broken leg and not one day rehabilitating him for his supposed separation anxiety.
The biggest shock was next.
We called back later and spoke to an assistant in the hopes we could speak to someone higher up and save Thomas. She told us Thomas had been killed earlier that day. The last time on the phone, as we begged for his life, he was already dead. The RSPCA never told us, they pretended he was still alive as we tried to bargain to save him.
This is not the prevention of cruelty. This is cruelty. This dog could have had a life with us, but they refused him life. They preferred to kill him than to allow any other intervention. It is clear to me that the RSPCA does not take death as a last resort, but as a first resort.
We will never foster care for them again. We are in grief for the lost puppy who was never given a chance and I fear for any dog in that “shelter” now.
Thanks for reading my story. I wanted to share it with you so that maybe the puppy I loved and lost will have some voice in this world. I’ve attached photos of Thomas from the time he lived with us.
{Name removed}
A royal commission is needed into all RSPCA around Australia look at the new 20 million building at rspca melbourne what or how does this help the animals.try and get a inspector out to do a rescue or complaint?? joking they never leave the office .bring on a royal commission they are accountable to no one at all
Devastating. My thoughts are with you and Thomas. This is a disgrace.
This is a complete disgrace, Thomas was given the chance of a great life and it was wiped out by the RSPCA! I cannot believe this story, it makes me so angry. Euthanasia should be a last resort for all animals. May Thomas rest in peace… :-(
RSPCA Shelter who did this, shame on you, you are not humans you are low life to rob these lovely people who loved this beautiful dog. This dog now has a place in heaven but you lot won’t as this dog has taken your place.
How very very sad, and also do not forget that someone out there caused this poor creature to be born without his hearing and sight when they chose to breed a merle to a merle. People who knowingly do this are killers too. Please do not buy pups from anyone who calls themselves a breeder and then breeds a merle to a merle and all breed association should be forced to disallow registry of any dog that results from a merle on merle breeding. Poor Thomas never had a chance with the irresponsible humans he met all along the way in his short life except for the wonderful family who tried to save him.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a terrible thing to have happened. Thank you for speaking about it as hopefully it will raise awareness and stops anything like his from ever happening again. Stay strong and know you did your absolute best. Much love.
A petition should be started for RSPCA to be held accountable for this gross misconduct and make a formal apology to the foster family of Thomas and provide an explanation!!! It won’t bring him back but they should be sorry! If they want any more donations they will be.
. It’s so sad. No more RSPCA for me
Thanks goodness I didn’t leave baby Guinea pigs with them as I was trying to rid the males as poor females keep breeding. RSPCA charged each one if I want to rid. It’s made me shuddered. It’s possibility put them sleep. As why need Money
My biggest thank you to two rescues took all the boys and found them home whilst the 4 females can enjoying their life without breeding
I only go for rescues group as they are more honest. As I am with dachshund, Labrador and jack Russell. Also with cavy. As I can see they try to re home old dogs as enjoying the rest of their life not putting down
If u are in love a specific animal then u find rescues group and follow them. You can see how amazing they are unlike RSPCA. No love or cuddle which rescues does
What a shame! The dog was blind and partially
Deaf and they call it seperation anxiety? What did
They expect! Rip Thomas
This absolutely broke my heart…
Media need to shine light on this. Common sense does not prevail.
A blind being (any being, be it a dog or a human) needs further time to adjust to ANYTHING, let alone overcoming whatever Thomas went through before he came to you..
Thank God you played a role in his life, to help him in the little time you had him. Bless you….
According to their theory, should children who display separation anxiety also be put down?
I will be sending this link to 3AW as we need attention bought to what Thomas experienced.
This is absolutely absurd. If you are willing to foster and special needs animal there is no need to put it down, especially when it can have a good quality life with such caring and loving people. Don’t give up, keep pushing through and being a voice for those who can’t.
Much love and hugs.
I am so furious. I want answers and those held accountable fired.
I’ve always said,we should do to people,what people do to pets!!!!Wouldnt you agree??
I agree 100% Tina!
One million % agree Tina x
How could the rspca MURDER such a beautiful dog as Thomas. He had a disability, but, he had a loving family who wanted to adopt him. People who had cared for him already and loved him. Who gives them the right to KILL where there is still hope. If you take any dog out of its environment it will have separation anxiety particularly in a place where it will feel “death” already in that place.
This is so very sad! A full explanation needs to be told. :(
People should face the facts, RSPCA kill 100,000 pets a year in Australia. But worse, RSPCA seize puppies from people they demonise as puppy farmers and sell them for their own profit. In my book this is equivalent to the criminal activity of stealing and conversion. The worse fact behind all this is how much support RSPCA gets from the public and governments. It is a cruel unjust world we live in with tyrants running the show every where.
So incredibly sad. To kill an animal when he could have been adopted by people who loved him and who he loved, and where he also had two other dogs for company, beggars belief. I can only imagine the pain, shock and grief you’re going through.
I suggest you write to your state MP about this.
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
I used to support the R$PCA and the Lo$t Dog$ Home. Not any more.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I have read your story and its awful! !!!, I am shocked but not suprised, ive always admired the rspca but my partner read out a story to me a while back about an elderly lady who left all her money etc in her will to the rspca on the condition that they took great care of her beloved dog and found it a good home, they too put the dog down!!!!!!!
This is typical of Yagoona shelter, as I have had first hand experience with their inspectors up there, they are not interested in the well being of the animals, its just a numbers game to them, that is why I resigned my membership and had standing arguments with them over similar occurrences, SIMPLY PATHETIC, why simpathies go out to you, but please don’t give up all your good work. Neil
This is just sohard toeven look at. Backyarders don’t know the consequences of breeding merle to Merle, the deadly white gene comes through. Thomas deserved even more than the average dog… he was well balanced with his carers and in a very loving home. His face says it all. Time stories like this were published by the media… The RSPCA need to be held responsible and accountable for any and all deaths in their Shelters as do the Lost Dogs Home. Killing is not an option unless the dog is extremely savage and not suitable for rehabilitation. All dogs suffer some form of separation anxiety and a wee dog like this would experience it all the more. Our own children cry when we leave them, we don’t kill them….. Shame Shame Shame and my sincerest condolences to thhe loving carers with the courage to expose this needless and heinous killing. Thomas, run free at the bridge with your sight restored and wait for those who loved and cared for you so very well. Tis time the tables were turned on these supposed ‘shelters’.
Separation anxiety takes usually a year to work with to a reasonable level- if they truly are into rehab- they know this- they just didn’t want to spend the resources and instead choose to lie to their volunteers. It is a power play of the worst possible sort when you deliberately lie to your volunteers. Not only that but they did not look for any solutions- complete and utter fail. They may be doing some good for animals but they certainly aren’t interested in the welfare of animals
I will never give a single dime to the RSPCA. And I will spread this word and story and photo’s around just what they do to poor helpless animals. I never did believe they were reliable. I will advertise what they did to as many people as I can.
My mother lost her dog Toby about 20yrs ago so she went to the RSPCA at Yagoona to see if they had him, she was told to look in a specified area that had ‘stray’ dogs to see if he was there, he wasn’t. As she was leaving she thought she heard his bark coming from an area that was closed to visitors, she got entry to that area & found him there, he was earmarked to be put down with no opportunity for the owner to identify him. Mums story went into the local papers at the time, & I’ve never fully trusted the RSPCA since then…
I will never give another red cent to the RSPCA. I will spread this story far and wide. All the money that goes to them is paid out in salaries I am sure.
This was heartless and mean and cruel. The RSPCA says they help the dogs. TRASH.
Dear Pet Lover, I know how hurt and upset you are over Thomas. As a fellow Pet Lover myself i could never imagine what i would do if such a thing had happened to a dog i cared so deeply for especially one i had fostered in hopes of giving a new life. But please don’t stop fostering animals. You and your family are very kind souls and thank God we have people like you in the world. But if you were the stop fostering animals, RSPCA is going to kill them off quicker. Perhaps we could see it as supporting the animals and not RSPCA. I do hope someone is RSPCA is help accountable.
May this poor beautiful animal Rest in Peace and the RSPCA people burn in Hell for their actions!
That is disgusting , why put the poor dog & you through healing the broken leg only to do that. Of course he was going to get close to you , you cared for him & helped him recover. I cant believe that you or the dog were treated so badly. You should be proud of the help you gave that little dog in his time of real need , the photos of him look like he had a very comfortable life with you . Thankyou there should be more people like you in the world.
one thing I have noticed in all these pictures is after being stated the dog had a broken leg… where is the plaster or the splint?
Why was this leg not supported?
Common veterinary practice, even support bandage is better than nothing.
Heartless assholes!!! I hope they get theirs some day!!!
get this story on a current affair or today tonight, and get some answers from the heartless people who made this decision.
I will never ever donate to that organization again or watch their programmes on tv can anyone give me
names of non kill shelters in NSW?
That shelter seems to be run by animal abusing psychopaths, who enjoy harming the very creatures entrusted to their care. I’m sure someone here knows the name of this facility. The workers need to be charged, and the establishment shut down, as soon as possible.
OMG!..:( Who even suggested that killing dogs are ok?…cos i want to meet that asshole who started this.
There has got to be another way…
I am shocked to hear of this. I often look up links to the RSPCA, but think I may not now. My daughter loves watching the Animal Planet shows about the ASPCA and obviously here in Aus we don’t hold the same values as over there in America, as they seem to try to do everything they can to rehabilitate and find the forever home for animals. I will keep this in mind now if I ever need to look for a new pet, and ensure I go to a no-kill shelter. Thank you for your story, has opened my eyes.
They stuffed up! its obvious that wires were crossed and this dog was put down in error and they realised and tried to cover up. Disgraceful error that cost a pup with a certain happy future his life. Someone is to blame but I dont think the whole organisation is bad. The person responsible should be investigated and removed. Procedures need to be revised to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Sad sad story
Absolutely disgusting. I don’t support the RSPCA because of the way they treat animals. Every animal has a beautiful soul & we humans need to look hard at what we are doing to these beautiful creatures. Not all of us are bad Many many of us aren’t. We got a German Shepherd who we found out had been abused both physically & mentally for 2 1/2 years we got her when she was 4 1/2 yrs old & we were her 4th home. Little did we know the trauma she had gone through & she had really bad separation anxiety to the point she destroyed furniture & things, & when she see’s someone who looks like her abuser she gets worse. Yes we could of gotten rid of her but absolutely NOT we knew deep down she has the most wonderful soul & personality. 1 1/2 years later with lots of TLC & never being put in a situation where she felt afraid she is now a new girl. My point, they all deserve a chance at life & need the time & love to blossom. And because of our journey we have establish an obedience/friend group where other dogs who have behavioural problems can come & together we work with the dogs & their owners so both can in time have a wonderful relationship & we don’t give up on them either we work with them little by little. The RSPCA disgusts me & other organisations like them they should be ashamed of themselves.
this is very sad and upsetting.
it is time that human society which is so self obsessed in the preservation of its own species starts applying basic human rights to the animal world – starting with those closest to us, the pets.
My second comment of the day…….I have just terminated my pet insurance with the RSPCA and am going to another provider…if this is how they treat surrendered animals…I cant stop crying…..
This is awful. I have always donated to the RSPCA. I won’t do so again – I’ll choose an animal charity that cares about animals
Clearly the RSPCA is not what it claims. No more support from me to this organization that can be so spiteful. This poor soul had a home offered with love. To put this dog down is criminal and an email will follow to RSPCA in NSW. Not good enough and heads should roll.
The RSPCA have clearly lost there way BIGTIME… This dog could of lived a long happy life with the foster family yet RSPCA saw killing him was the only option. Absolutely disgraceful. The only reason why this poor dog was killed by the RSPCA is because they can…… Its not about the animals its about the control. RSPCA have and still are losing popularity with the people, animal rescuers, and no kill shelters for good reason.
Another disgusting story about the RSPCA being death happy! It is appalling that this boys life has been taken when he was not suppose to being leaving this soon! Absolutely disgusting!!!
damn …………………….I had hoped that my story was an unusual case and my disatisfaction was just with one particular RSPCA……im beginning to understand why there are so many furbaby rescue groups now. obviously the organisation that we thought we could all trust is the worst/last resort for any poor furbaby. My first incident involved a 12 week old pup that we got for our son as his first/own furbaby. we picked the dog up on friday arvo and by saturday it was desperately ill. our vet said he had parvo and would have to be PTS. this was devistating for my son BUT then when we notified the RSPCA that they obviously had parvo rampant in their kennels they didnt seem to care……we asked for a refund of our money as the dog died within 48 hours and we had a vet bill to pay. it took three phone calls and two letters before a refund arrived BUT they had deducted an admin fee. it took a few years to get over that BUT a friend that volunteered at the RSPCA begged me to take a 6 year old lady with a tragic past that had been demmed for PTS but he was hiding her in an old shed at the RSPCA to try and buy some time for her. She was a fantastic placid caring angel but petrified of men. We had 5 years of happiness with her and never saw any reason for her to have been on the PTS list in the first. I shudder to think how many other furbabies have been needlessly PTS over the years. All of our furbabies ( 7 in total over the years) have rescues of one type or another. how can we assure that RSPCA is held accountable, made to change their practices, or closed down so that funds can be used to save NOT destroy?????
I do not believe that any animal that is physically well should be put down and this family have been badly treated in relation to their genuine care for this dog
This is so so sad for a poor pup Thomas and its the most disgusting thing I have heard for along time……RSPCA should be ashamed and the staff that done this needs to be sacked.VERY HEARTLESS. Myself and my family and friends may have to reconsider where we send our donations too as this is the second horror story of the RSPCA in 1 week
this is a tragic tale. Know you, as his carers, did all you could. Thomas will know that. It was a senseless decision given that you were aware of who you were taking on, had proved your abilities as responsible carers and Thomas was assured of a safe, loving home. Let us hope for change. Goddess Bless Thomas and you.
Un Bloody Believable!!!!!!!!!!! I am so sorry for your loss and I will NEVER support them again when there are so mant shelters that actually give a damn about animals who are desperate for money and assistance but don’t have access to the governments teet like the RSPCA. This is just pathetic and shows their complete disregard for actually trying to help the animals they are supposedly there to assist – they just want to kill a perfectly lovable dog because he didn’t fit their “model” of what a rehomable dog was – I am disgusted betyond belief.
I am an RSPCA supporter and to learn that they behaved like this truly shocks me. It is unbelievable that an organisation perpetrating to save animals lives would put to death a dog who had a loving home to go to. Outrageous!
Reading stories like this I always think why you taxpayers of the states we used to name civilized could allow your tax spenders to do anything like that for YOUR money you pay them. I will not say anything like humanity, warm hearts, care and love to animals because those ones never knew what is it. But should not you report all this because they are paid with YOUR money???
Nothing surprises me anymore with the RSPCA this only just disgusts me even more. Do not support them in anyway shape or form. So sorry Thomas had to end his short life with these monsters. May he now run free at the bridge. May those from the RSPCA meet their own judgements when it’s their time and that they pay for all the unnecessary slaughter of perfectly fit animals that could have had loving furrever homes instead of being killed. The RSPCA HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST KILL RATES IN AUSTRALIA.
My friend use to volunteer for these assholes. She gave 15 years of her time because she loved animals. Well when she needed them desperately for help they turned her away. Short story her male German Shepard had gotten out of her yard and had been hit by a car. As she was on a widows pension she did not have the money for a vet straight away she managed to get the dog to their yagoona shelter and they refused to help her. Her dog died in her arms. I have never heard anything good about about this facility. All they are is a blood sucking money machine and have no compassion for any of the animals that are held there.