Animal welfare league

In the 1950’s, with no rehoming strategies in place at the local pound, stray dogs and cats were shot and dumped in landfill if unclaimed.

The Animal Lovers League (now AWLQ) was formed in 1959 by former President Neil Andersen and a small volunteer group that assisted council by taking unclaimed strays from the pound to find them new homes, with the group saving the lives of tens of thousands of dogs and cats.



AWLQ moved to its current Gold Coast rehoming centre at Shelter Road, Coombabah in the mid 1980’s. The organisation now operates four rehoming centres and two Community Veterinary Clinics (CVC’s) in South East Qld and an additional CVC in Hobart. Since its humble beginnings, AWLQ has grown to currently employee over 200 staff and has successfully rehomed a colossal 130,000 animals during its history.

The organisation has grown in the past 58 years to become one of the largest animal organisations in Queensland, with AWLQ retaining a strong commitment to the rehoming of abandoned cats and dogs.

AWLQ works closely with council’s, state government and stakeholder groups to develop legislation to reduce the tragic killing of over 200,000 pets in Australia each year.

In 2009 a milestone was reached when AWLQ achieved zero euthanasing of healthy animals at our Gold Coast rehoming centre. City of Gold Coast is the largest city in Australia to achieve zero euthanasia of all healthy and treatable cats and dogs.  

In 2015, the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG became AWLQ’s Patron and in 2015 Ita Buttrose AO OBE, became our ambassador of Golden Hearts - AWLQ’s flagship program for senior-aged people in the community.

Today AWLQ continues to uphold its promise to: never euthanise a sociable, healthy or treatable companion animal in our care. AWLQ also works tirelessly with the help of committed staff, volunteers and supporters who share in the aspirations and vision of that small group of people who first came together in 1959.

If you would like to find out more about AWLQ contact Jodie Burden, Community Outreach Co-ordinator

Animal Welfare League Qld:
Phone: 07 5509 9061
Email:   jodieb@awlqld.com.au
Visit: www.awlqld.com.au

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