Healthy dogs mean healthy people
Supporting people and their animals in remote Aborigional communities
About Us
About 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 .
Warlukurlangu Dogs Program
Aussie Desert Dogs and Warlukurlangu Dogs Program are seperate inititiatives, however each relies on the other to fully support the people and animals of their communities.
The Warlurlangu Dogs Proram 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 treament 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 extremly 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!
Donations are always welcome.
Dogs in Aboriginal Culture
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, songlines and ceremony.
Over time however, as dogs became more commonplace than dingos in community, the regular breeding patterns of the dogs in communities have lead 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.'
About Us
Aussie Desert Dogs HQ
Gloria is commited to the full time care of the dogs and animals in community, taking in strays, 'sick ones' and those inbetween 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.
In Community
Since Gloria started her work over 18 years ago, the dog population in Yuendumu and Nyirripi has decreased significantly to more manageable numbers. Dogs are fed regulary and treated for parasites, injury and illness out in the community, and are healthier and happier.
Educating and Empowering
It is important for the people in the community to take responsibility for the health and welbeing of their animals. They have learned so much through the program and Gloria's kind, gentle and non judegmental support and are actively involved in caring for their beloved pets.
There's more!
Adoptions
Aussie Desert Dogs are commited to finding loving forever homes for their stray and special needs dogs and cats and have an extended family of happily rehomed dogs and cats around Australia, and even other parts of the world! This rehoming program would be impossible without the many years of dedication and commitment from Aussie Desert Dogs adoption co-ordinators.