Aussie Desert Dogs

Aussie Desert Dogs is run by Gloria Morales, Warlukurlangu Art Centre’s assistant manager, and supports the Aboriginal communities of Yuendumu, Nyirripi, Yulamu and surrounding areas. Gloria is dedicated to helping any animal in need, either out in community or in her own home, providing daily support, medical assistance and the provision of food. Gloria also oversees the Warlukurlangu Dogs desexing and worming program, arranging vet visits quarter yearly.

Gloria is committed to the full time care of the dogs and animals in the community, taking in strays, ‘sick ones’ and those in between homes. Long nights can be spent caring for the sick and injured, and there are no closing or clocking off times at Aussie Desert dogs HQ.

Aussie Desert Dogs and Warlukurlangu Dogs Program are separate initiatives, however each relies on the other to fully support the people and animals of their communities.

The Warlurlangu Dogs Program specifically funds and supports the quarter yearly desexing program that Gloria organises, bringing vet Stephen Cutter and his AMRRIC volunteers out to sterilise dogs and cats (and even horses), distribute parasitic treatment and undertake any treatments and operations required. On top of this, Aboriginal owned Warlukurlangu Art Centre provides regular funding to Aussie Desert Dogs through a percentage of sales of their paintings, to support Gloria’s ongoing daily work with dogs and animals in the community and in her care.

Art Centre manager Cecilia Alfonso is extremely supportive of Aussie Desert Dogs and the work Gloria does in the community, not only generating funding but also finding herself transporting dogs into town for rehoming and bringing food back into the community!

Dogs and dingos hold a significant place of importance in their relationship with Aboriginal People and their culture. Valued in both the physical and spiritual realms as companions, pets, physical and spiritual protectors, water sources and warmth, they feature strongly in Jukurrpa (Dreaming and dreamtime), playing significant roles in Creation stories, song lines and ceremony.

Over time, however, as dogs became more commonplace than dingos in the community, the regular breeding patterns of the dogs in communities have led to overpopulation, starvation and illness.

Many communities such as Yuendumu are hundreds of kilometres away from a vet clinic and people don’t have access to simple parasitic treatments, medical care, desexing operations and vaccinations. Most of the community shops have limited stock and often don’t supply basic and important animal care products. Purchasing food and medicine can be costly and a journey to the vet, long and expensive.

In the words of AMRRIC, ‘Nobody should be forced to watch their beloved animal suffer simply because they cannot access treatment.’

  • Listing ID: 29426
Contact details

Yuendumu, NT, 0872, AustraliaOceania/Antarctic,Global,0872 ***** https://aussiedesertdogs.org

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