Dog Rescue Stories: Zoey & Australia’s First No-Kill Animal Pound

Zoey’s forever family adopted their first rescue dog Shelby (a staffy/ridgeback mix), 3 years ago. She is truly a best friend. Shelby’s previous family split up and no one was able to keep her, but she settled in quickly, and thankfully, knew affection and love in her previous home.

Zoey’s mom wanted to do something more for rescue dogs, so  she volunteered to walk dogs at her local shelter, Gosford Dog Paws ,  Australia’s first no kill pound.  She read the dogs’ profiles before volunteering so she could understand more about the pound.  She fell in love as soon as she read Zoey’s profile.  Zoey (a staffy/kelpie mix) was left in the overnight cage at the pound at the age of 8 after being used by a backyard breeder for numerous litters. She had suspicious lumps throughout her chest. After removing 7 cysts and 2 operations, it was discovered that she has mammary gland cancer, which also spread to her lymph nodes.
Zoey’s mom went home and couldn’t stop thinking about her. Their first dog, Scamp, died from cancer, so they had an idea what to expect. They discussed it as a family and decided that as long as Shelby and Zoey got along, they were going to adopt her.

3 months on and Zoey has given her family so much joy. Watching her experience her new life is so rewarding. Daily walks on the beach, car rides, sleeping wherever she wants, treats, toys and a ridiculous amount of cuddles are her life.

At the moment, Zoey appears very healthy. Her family has no idea how long she will be with them, but it doesn’t matter.  They just knew they had to give her a peaceful, loving end of life.

Follow Gorgeous Zoey (and Shelby) on Instagram @zoey._.shelby

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DAY 120. Took this photo the day Zoey came home with us, such a cutie pie! Seems like she’s been with us for much longer, she’s such a huge part of our family. #rescuefosteradopt #rescuestaffy #seniorrescue #oscarslaw #noneedtobreed #backyardbreederssuck #adoptdontshop #rescueismyfavoritebreed #saveasenior #seniordogsrock #savealife #secondchance #caninecancer #bestfriend #rescuedog #adogisforlife #adoptionistheonlyoption

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Jul 7, 2016 at 6:15pm PDT

DAY 148. We’re back with our babies! Couldn’t wait to get them to the beach. This is Zoey doing her thing again & again. #rescuedog #savealife #secondchance #adoptasenior #seniorrescue #caninecancer #oscarslaw #noneedtobreed #adoptrescuefoster #adoptdontshop #opttoadopt #seniorstaffy #seniordogsrock #rescueismyfavoritebreed #staffygram #bullybreed #staffydaily #beachdog #adogisforlife

A video posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Jul 28, 2016 at 1:56pm PDT

DAY 112. We are on our annual trip to visit my family in Boston and had to leave my babies for 4 weeks!!! Luckily, 3 years ago, we discovered the kindest, sweetest dog & house minder. And man did I cry saying goodbye! #rescuedog #rescuestaffy #adoptadog #adoptasenior #adoptdontshop #seniordogsrule #rescueismyfavoritebreed #adogisforlife #bestfriend #caninecancer #noneedtobreed #oscarslaw #opttoadopt #secondchance #saveadog #adoptionistheonlyoption #saveastaffy #backyardbreederssuck #adoptfosterrescue #missmybabies

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Jun 30, 2016 at 4:30am PDT

DAY 106. Zoey says gimme that toy! Suggestions please, they love tug of war and chewing on toys. Any tried & true toys for some serious staffy play? #adoptdontshop #opttoadopt #adogisforlife #bestfriend #bestfriendrescue #rescuedog #rescuestaffy #rescueismyfavoritebreed #saveadog #seniordog #shelterdog #staffylove #secondchance #caninecancer #adoptrescuefoster #backyardbreederssuck #noneedtobreed #oscarslaw #adoptionistheonlyoption #adoptasenior #seniordogsrule #seniorstaffy #dogtoydestroyer

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Jun 23, 2016 at 1:36pm PDT

DAY 102. Bossy boots Zoey telling Mum to hurry up, she wants to go cruisin’! She just makes us laugh ???? #rescuedog #rescuestaffy #rescueismyfavoritebreed #adoptadog #adoptdontshop #adoptrescuefoster #saveadog #shelterdog #secondchance #spayandneuter #noneedtobreed #bestfriendrescue #saveadog #seniordog #caninecancer #bestfriend #staffyxkelpie #oscarslaw #dogdriving

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Jun 20, 2016 at 1:49am PDT

DAY 96. They know their mama is not feeling well and haven’t left my side. I suffer from migraines and from the day we have had Shelby, she will spend the entire day with me when I’m hiding in a dark room. Zoey is now doing the same. Best medicine ever! The guilt for not walking them today is huge, extra walk tomorrow ???? #bestfriend #rescuedog #rescueismyfavouritebreed #adoptdontshop #opttoadopt #noneedtobreed #adoptfosterrescue #staffylove #bestmedicine #unconditionallove #seniorstaffy #adoptasenior #shelterdog #secondchance #backyardbreederssuck #oscarslaw #staffygram #spayandneuter #adoptashelterdog #savealife

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Jun 13, 2016 at 9:07pm PDT

DAY 155. Happy Gothca Day Shelby ???????????? 3 years ago this kooky lady stole our hearts with her big eyes, crazy zooming, ridiculously soft fur and cuddlability. Couldn’t love her more! #happygotchaday #adoptaversary #gotchaday #adoptdontshop #opttoadopt #noneedtobreed #rescueismyfavoritebreed #rescuestaffy #staffygram #adoptrescuefoster #shelterdog #savealife #secondchance #adoptionistheonlyoption #rescuedog #adoptadog #adogisforlife

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Aug 3, 2016 at 3:25pm PDT

DAY 87. Our little Zoey loving life. She’s beginning to show a very cheeky side lately ???????????? #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #shelterdog #noneedtobreed #staffylove #rescuestaffy #adoptasenior #seniordog #caninecancer #beachdog #rescueismyfavoritebreed #secondchance #staffymoments

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on May 30, 2016 at 1:02am PDT

DAY 76. Freedom!!! Making the most of the never ending summer ☀️ #rescuedog #seniordog #adoptdontshop #staffylove #seniorstaffy #staffygram #beachdog #rescuefactor #caninecancer #rspca #dogsaremytherapy #adoptaseniordog @gosforddogpaws_gdp

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on May 18, 2016 at 12:44pm PDT

DAY 69. 10 weeks ago this little nugget couldn’t swim. Now she’s goes in by herself and frolics away. She nips every wave, endures Humpty Dumpty (Shelby’s new nickname as she just can’t control the mounting urge on the beach ????) and is so free & happy. So much joy ???????????? She is making the most of life! #rescuefactor #dogsaremytherapy #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #adoptaseniordog #caninecancer #beachdog #staffyxkelpie #staffymoments #staffylove #alwayschooseadoption #seniorstaffy #howdoistophumptydumpty @gosforddogpaws_gdp

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on May 11, 2016 at 11:40pm PDT

DAY 54. Just to get this photo took 500 treats! Shelby’s bestie Finny (a rescue dog of course ????) came to visit, lots of Shelby obsessively licking Finny while Zoey & Finny just didn’t know what to make of each other. Until next time! #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescueismyfavoritebreed #staffy #ridgeback #kelpie #staffygram #staffycross #besties

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Apr 26, 2016 at 1:23am PDT

DAY 42. The Destroyer! Zoey:1 v Tennis ball:0 Zoey v Rope: In progress #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #seniordog #caninecancer #staffygram #staffylove #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedogsrock #staffymoments #staffyxkelpie #seniordogsofinstagram #rescueaseniordog #dogstagram #dogsofinstagram

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Apr 14, 2016 at 3:35pm PDT

DAY 28. Play time! Shelby always wins tug-o-war, but Zoey can out jump for the ball, sorry Shelby! ???? #adoptdontshop #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram #staffy #seniordog #caninecancer #staffygram #staffyxkelpie #staffylove #contentment

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Mar 31, 2016 at 1:20am PDT

DAY 22. Shelby: “There’s a dog, I must say hi! Zoey: “There’s a wave, I must nip it!” #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #staffylove #beachdog #staffy #staffygram #rescueismyfavoritebreed

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Mar 25, 2016 at 1:22am PDT

DAY 19. Yes, I would love to know what goes on in their minds. Yes, I wish they could talk. ☀️ #adoptdontshop #rescuedog #rescueismyfavoritebreed #seniordog #staffylove #staffycross #secondchance #staffyxkelpie #staffyxridgeback #dogswithcancer

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Mar 22, 2016 at 1:14am PDT

DAY 21. This face ???????????? #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #rescueismyfavoritebreed #seniordog #staffygram #staffyxkelpie #secondchance

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Mar 24, 2016 at 1:08am PDT

DAY 11. P L A Y T I M E! Finally, they play together! Shelby is very playful & Zoey is slowly beginning to play with her. They are happily sharing the lounge, our cuddles and walk beautifully together. #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #tugofwar #staffycross #staffyxkelpie #staffyxridgeback #playtime #seniordog #shelbyalwayswin

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Mar 14, 2016 at 1:50am PDT

DAY 12. R A I N Y D A Y! A very rainy run on the beach followed by lots of snoring…contentment! #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #seniordog #staffycross #staffyxkelpie #staffyxridgeback #seniordog #adoptionistheonlyoption

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Mar 14, 2016 at 11:21pm PDT

DAY 1. Hi everyone, I’m Zoey and today is the first day of the rest of my life. I have just been adopted and have cancer. My new family is going to spoil me and make sure I feel loved every day. #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #adopteddog #rescuedogsofinstagram #staffy #kelpie #dogswithcancer #adoptionistheonlyoption #rescuepet #seniordog @gosforddogpaws_gdp

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Mar 4, 2016 at 6:32pm PST

DAY 4. Training time, those faces!!!! #adoptdontshop #adoptionistheonlyoption #rescuedog #seniordog #staffycross #staffyxkelpie #staffyxridgeback @gosforddogpaws_gdp

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Mar 6, 2016 at 11:44pm PST

DAY 2. Zoey loves the beach! We kept her on the lead and she kept running in and swimming over and over. She was fearless! #beachdog #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #adoptionistheonlyoption #staffy #kelpie #staffyxkelpie #rescuedogsofinstagram #seniordog @gosforddogpaws_gdp

A photo posted by ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. (@zoey._.shelby) on Mar 5, 2016 at 1:00am PST