03/10/2026
π§ππ βππ’π & ππ’π‘βπ§πβ π’π πππ‘ππ’ π₯ππ¦ππ¨π
There is something deeply wrong when the words βdingo rescueβ are used as a shield for practices that can put dingoes β and people β at risk.
We are increasingly hearing reports and seeing examples across the dingo rescue community that deserve serious scrutiny. The following reports are not limited to just one 'rescue' organisation but several:
βοΈ Rehoming known dangerous dingoes without fully disclosing their history or risks.
βοΈ Introducing young pups into groups of adult dingoes with tragic consequences.
βοΈ Claiming credit for rescues or rehoming that were actually undertaken by another organisation.
βοΈ Publicly opposing conservation breeding while accepting pups from a community where uncontrolled breeding continues year after year.
βοΈ Using uncomfortable orphaned pups for clickbait and selfies.
βοΈ Placing dingoes together without properly considering compatibility, behaviour and social dynamics.
βοΈ Fundraising for orphaned pups while not actually accepting or caring for orphans.
Rescue should never be about numbers, social-media content, reputation, fundraising or claiming ownership of someone else's work.
It should be about the welfare of the dingo and the safety of its human carers β first and foremost.
That means asking:
βοΈ Was the dingo properly assessed before rehoming?
βοΈ Were its behavioural history and risks honestly disclosed?
βοΈ Was the placement genuinely appropriate?
βοΈ Were introductions managed by people with appropriate dingo experience?
βοΈ Was the organisation transparent about where the dingo came from and who actually rescued it?
βοΈ Are breeding and rehoming practices consistent with its publicly stated conservation principles?
If we genuinely care about dingoes, we need consistency, transparency and accountability.
Putting the word βrescueβ in an organisation's name does not automatically make everything it does ethical.
Dingoes aren't a commodity.
They aren't content. They aren't a fundraising tool. They are sentient Australian animals whose welfare must come first.
If you are considering adopting a dingo or donating to a rescue organisation, we highly recommend Highlands Dingo Rescue Ltd and / or Perth Dingo Rescue Ltd.
Photo credit: Joshua Prieto Photography
