General News
12 September, 2025
Growing need for support after demand swamps animal rescues and pounds
Despite more than a decade of effort saving the lives of thousands of animals on “death row” a local animal rescue is overwhelmed — and they’re not alone.
Founder of Robyn’s Nest and All the Rest Animal Rescue, Robyn Hunter, has lost track of the lives she’s saved.
Among the thousands of cats she’s helped rehome are creatures of all shapes and sizes — dogs, bunnies, farm animals, and more.
“One of the reasons why I decided to start it was because there was a lot of perfectly healthy cats … being euthanised due to no space and no options,” she said.
Since its founding in 2012, Robyn’s Nest has expanded out to almost 50 foster carers spanning the length of the state — all trying to save four-legged lives.
“They don’t deserve to die,” Ms Hunter said.
According to State Government data, in 2024 there were 12,666 cats euthanised across the state.
More than half were considered wild, unidentified, or diseased.
The same data shows 39 cats were euthanised by the Central Goldfields Shire Council last year, dropping from 68 the year prior.
But thanks to Robyn’s Nest, far more are transferred into their foster network.
Of the 130 cats transferred locally in 2023, and 110 in 2024, council’s compliance officer Khiara Jenkinson estimates Ms Hunter’s animal rescue accounts for 80 percent.
“We are fortunate that they prioritise the animals most in need, or not thriving in a pound environment,” she said.
She explained that Central Goldfields Rehoming, the local pound currently operating at or near full capacity, has built successful relationships with many rescue services over the years.
“The support of these rescue groups means the animals that need extra time, care or rehabilitation before becoming ready for adoption is available,” she said.
“This has significantly reduced the need for euthanasia at our facility and given some animals a chance that wouldn’t be otherwise available.”
Although Ms Hunter’s animal rescue takes in all kinds of animals, cats are their specialty, from lively youngsters to geriatric seniors.
Where her work, alongside the many volunteers, is lifesaving are the cats without adoption prospects.
Among that category was the oldest cat they took in this year at over 17-years-old to a foster carer in Warrnambool.
“So many people just want to take kittens but I’d rather take the oldest, most decrepit cat and give them a home,” Ms Hunter said.
But to offer this service, to bring 40 needy cats back from Mildura in her station wagon, money is everything.
“Fundraising is pivotal to our survival,” she said.
The support she used to be able to offer foster carers, possible through product and financial donations, has gone away.
“We do supply food when we can but in this financial climate food donations have dried up,” she said.
It means she’s always after donations of food, litter, flea and wormer — alongside blankets and cat beds.
It’s the same with volunteers. She’s always after people willing to volunteer their time either to help fundraise or foster an animal.
“We are always looking for foster carers because without foster carers we can’t take in any cats,” she said.
Ms Hunter encourages those wanting to get in touch to reach out at: robynsnestanimalrescue@gmail.
com
Ms Jenkinson also reminds the community they play a role in getting the best outcomes for local animals.
“The pound and rescues play a vital role but ultimately are a limited solution to a much larger issue,” she said.
She encourages locals to make a real difference by taking advantage of council's desexing programs for cats and helping educate others about responsible pet ownership.
“For those who are able, giving an animal a second chance by adopting from pounds and rescues is one of the most impactful ways to support these efforts,” she said.