The threatened closure of Nambeelup’s K9 Rescue Group could have seen as many as 40 dogs relocated to alternative rescue centres, but large donations have given them a lifeline. 

“We have a revolving door at K9, as one dog gets adopted or fostered, two or three more will come in,” says longtime volunteer Maddi Barwise.

With 8-12 surrenders a day, and currently 123 surrenders on the waitlist, it’s easy to see how K9, near Mandurah, became overwhelmed financially.

“We were heading towards trouble,” says Treasurer Graham Carter.

“Adoptions were down, donations were down, we would have been lucky to survive September.”

Throughout its 25 years of operation, K9’s biggest donations have come from generous bequests exceeding $100,000, but large donations are rare. 

“If someone is kind enough to leave us money after they pass that should be treated as a bonus,” Mr Carter says.

“We should never be in a situation of such real struggle that causes those bequests to become vital.”

Since their call-out for help, K9 has received more than $200,000 in donations.

“With an estimate of $400,000 to run our facility this year, it’s pretty remarkable that we’ve been able to raise half of that in such a short space of time,” says Mr Carter.

Along with the Community Bank of Pinjarra which has pledged $5000 a month for the next twelve months, K9’S biggest sponsor is Halls Head Small Animal Clinic, who donate their veterinary services to a discount of 50%.

“Without Halls Head Clinic we simply wouldn’t be able to maintain ourselves. We probably would have closed five years ago without them.”

Besides monetary donations, K9’s biggest saviour is the kindness of strangers. The group is currently running with around a hundred volunteers and are always looking for more.

K9 volunteers are responsible for everything from the hands-on walking, feeding and grooming of the dogs to the behind the scenes roles of running fundraisers and community events. But another huge way to contribute is by fostering.

“The most beautiful thing to come from fostering is failed fosters.” Mr Carter explains the term ‘failed fostering’ as the person falling in love with, and eventually adopting the dog.

K9 volunteer and failed fosterer, Mirabai Nuttall, from Mandurah, says she couldn’t help but fall in love with the senior dog she fostered two years ago.

“Nibbles was left at K9 in such a horrible state, filled with cancerous lumps and in a lot of pain,” Mirabai says.

“I decided I would make it my main goal to fill her last years with fun and new experiences and almost two years later she’s still here living her best life.”

“Not all help has to be as magnificent as a twelve month commitment or $100,000 but we hope we’ll never reach that point trouble again,” says Mr Carter.

“It could be a one-off donation, sponsoring a single kennel, or fostering a dog even for a short period, every piece helps.”