Rottweilers are increasingly being abandoned, putting pressure on shelters that specialize in their care. Sue Ebert, owner of Iron Dog Rescue in Bethungra, northeast of Wagga Wagga, has seen a rise in the number of Rottweilers surrendered to her facility. "If I get too arrogant and think I can just handle a dog without any concern, I probably would find myself in a whole bunch of trouble," Ebert said, acknowledging the challenges of managing these large breeds.

Ebert noted that Rottweilers require significant commitment, including proper nutrition and training. "They are a large breed dog that requires a lot of commitment, a lot of good nutrition as they are growing, and a lot of training," she explained. While Rottweilers are generally good-natured, Ebert emphasized that they are protective by nature, which can be misunderstood by some owners. "Unfortunately, some people don't understand that. I think life in general has become quite disposable and unfortunately, I think animals have been caught up in that web," she added.

Iron Dog Rescue is one of the few organizations in Australia dedicated to Rottweilers, taking in dogs from across the country. Ebert has cared for up to 100 dogs consistently since 2021, but this year, that number has risen to 129. So far, she has successfully rehomed 134 dogs this year. Ebert highlighted the safety concerns associated with large dog breeds, stating, "We often get in very young, large dogs that could be anything from 40 to 60 kilos. We need to make sure we've got the skills necessary to train those dogs."

Georgie Caspar, a senior manager of animal care at RSPCA, noted that finding homes for large breeds like Rottweilers can be challenging. "They are always looking for homes and those homes can be quite hard to find," she said. Research indicates that rehoming large dog breeds can take twice as long compared to smaller dogs.

Iron Dog Rescue relies heavily on donations from pet food companies and community members. Ebert mentioned that adoption fees often do not cover veterinary expenses, especially for animals with special needs. "Often our adoption fees don't cover the vet work even in a healthy animal," she said, adding that the organization also provides desexing, vaccinations, and training for the dogs in their care. With the increasing number of Rottweilers, Ebert is seeking over $100,000 to upgrade the kennels at her facility.

Financial pressures are not unique to Iron Dog Rescue. The Smart Animal Sanctuary and Rehoming Centre, located near Batlow, has had to let go of three staff members due to a drop in adoptions. Owner Lorene Cross described the situation as "bad out there," with her team receiving numerous inquiries from people wanting to surrender their pets. Cross criticized the lack of adequate support from the state government, stating, "We have applied for quite a few [government grants] over the years. We've managed to get one."

In response to the challenges faced by shelters, a spokesperson for the Minister for Local Government announced that the NSW government has committed $6 million in funding for shelters and rehoming organizations. This funding will be distributed over four years, with $1.5 million available annually for rescue organizations through grants. Ebert expressed concern that while the funding sounds substantial, many rescues are struggling to survive. Both Iron Dog Rescue and Smart Animal Sanctuary have applied for grants of up to $100,000 to help with veterinary bills and staff retention. "It would help us with our vet bills and to keep the last of the staff I've got here employed," Cross said.