Rural Outback Animal Rescue (ROAR) has come along way since the initiative was developed by local women Leah Josephson, Wizzy Knezevic and Casey Vidot last year.
Mrs Josephson told The Cobar Weekly the initiative was started in August 2015 by the three local animal lovers who wanted to make a difference to the lives of unwanted, mistreated and abandoned dogs.
“We work with the local [council] rangers who are fantastic, letting us take the dogs that are due for euthanasia.
“They are microchipped and registered, prior to coming to us and then we treat them for worms, fleas and ticks, have them vaccinated and some de-sexed,” she said.
Mrs Josephson said initially they were providing this service at their own expense but what started out as saving two dogs very quickly turned into approximately 100.
She said they then registered as a non-profit business and opened a bank account because many people wanted to help and contribute.
“We now have regular donations from the public, which we are extremely grateful for.”
She said the majority of the dogs are picked up by animal transport services and taken to larger city rescues where they go to a foster carer until they are rehomed.
ROAR has successfully rehomed six dogs locally which Mrs Josephson said have all been beautiful matches with the families.
“Until they are rehomed, we care for them and give them everything they need with copious amounts of love, which is really all they want.”
Mrs Josephson said the job at times can be very sad but when they receive photos of the dogs with their new families they are overjoyed and it just makes them strive for more.
“Graham Harbison has confirmed that the euthanasia rate of dogs in the pound has dropped by 95 per cent since this has started.
“We get a lot of support from him and Dave Giurin, which we are very thankful for.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” she said.
