After nine long months, the dogs are back
New yards complete, turf settled, and full operations resumed at our Launceston Home.
In September last year, storms swept through Launceston and pushed long-standing maintenance issues at our Dogs’ Home to breaking point. The exercise yards — already in poor condition — were left completely unfit for use. The damage forced us to scale back operations immediately, limiting intake to only the most urgent cases and moving most dogs into foster care or transferring them to our other Homes.
It’s been a long road to recovery — but we’re finally back.
Over the past nine months, we’ve kept you updated every step of the way. From the demolition of the run-down yards to the slow but steady progress of new ones taking shape, our community has been right there with us — cheering us on and offering support while we navigated the challenges of working on a council-owned site where major repairs were out of our hands.
Thanks to the team at Launceston City Council (LCC) — especially Chelsea, Georgia, and Liam — six brand new dog yards have now been completed. We’ll be adding more enrichment items and play equipment soon (pending donations), making the yards not just functional, but enriching and enjoyable for every dog waiting for their second chance.
Even after construction wrapped up, we had to wait just a little longer — giving the new turf time to take root and establish properly before we could let any paws on it. That final wait has now passed, and we’re officially back to full operations.
The reopening of the Launceston Dogs’ Home means more dogs can stay closer to home, more families can be supported locally, and our team can continue to do what they do best — help dogs in need find safety, comfort, and love.
We want to thank everyone who’s followed this journey and supported us along the way. Your encouragement has meant the world — and helped us stay focused on what matters most: making sure every dog gets the care they deserve, no matter how long it takes.
Want to help make the new yards even better?
If you’re able to donate a large wooden kennel, heavy-duty play equipment like bungee chooks or bungee balls (suitable for large dogs), or large dog day beds, we’d love to hear from you.
Please email mdm@dhot.com or call 03 6243 8570 to arrange — and kindly do not drop items directly to the Home, as we need to manage space and deliveries.
All donated items must be new or near-new, please. Thank you for helping us create safe, happy, and enriching spaces for every dog in our care.
