Maggie’s Story

She’d been found abandoned at a property. The caller explained that she was finding it difficult to get Maggie into care. If nowhere could be found to accommodate her, the next stop would be the pound. Determined to help, our early founders asked that she bring Maggie to them, so they could assess her and provide the most appropriate care.

When Maggie was finally delivered, evidence of her severe neglect was immediately obvious. Her nails were over an inch long and her coat was one big matt. She was incontinent, riddled with arthritis and starved. That night Maggie was unable to settle, so the foster carer comforted her, feeding her small amounts of food.

The vet said Maggie was suffering from long-term neglect, cancer and chronic arthritis. She was so ill, he felt she couldn’t be treated and the devastating decision had to be made to euthanise her. Convinced action should be taken, our early founders hoped that Maggie’s poor withered body could be used as evidence of her neglect, but unfortunately this wasn’t possible.

In the conversations that followed, it was decided that while the world might forget about the Maggies who remain locked up, ill treated and overlooked, they simply couldn’t forget.

Maggie’s story was the catalyst, spurring them to create something bigger than a rescue group - a co-operative, which would provide a safe haven for animals in need. This is her legacy and today the work of Maggie’s Rescue continues, honouring her memory. 

It was “Maggie’s Rescue” that was the last nudge needed – run free sweet girl.

This story is an edited excerpt from a longer piece written by the founder of Maggie’s Rescue in 2011.