The Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison for Women, in partnership with animal welfare group Dogs Behind Bars Rescue (DBBR), have established a foster care program for abandoned and unwanted dogs.
In a statement, the Prison said the six-month trial program involved rescue dogs housed at Wandoo and nurtured by prisoners for up to 30 days, or until an appropriate foster home could be found for the animals.
It said initially, four to six prisoners at a time would take part in the foster program.
Superintendent at the Prison, Sean Kelly said the first dog in the program was Floyd, a four-year-old English Staffordshire, who was rescued by DBBR on the day he was due to be euthanised.
Superintendent Kelly said Floyd was now the facility’s star resident, with four doting prisoners assigned responsibility for his care and training.
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say Floyd’s arrival has had a positive change on the overall mood of the prison,” he said.
“Expert volunteers from DBBR provide training for the prisoners to ensure they are providing Floyd, and future rescue dogs, with the correct care, exercise and training.”
Superintendent Kelly said, in addition to the skills acquired, it was hoped the program would help prisoners develop their sense of responsibility and compassion as they assisted Floyd through his rehabilitation journey.
He said the prisoners cared for Floyd during the day and at night he slept in a contained area in the yard of one of the units.
“Floyd has his own prison security tag complete with laminated photo,” he said.
“His prison name is Floyd Wandoo 1 in recognition of his status as the first dog to get a second chance thanks to this program.”
Superintendent Kelly said the ‘Behind Bars’ part of the DBBR group’s name had nothing to do with prison, but rather was a reference to dogs held in pounds.
