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From wild dogs to crocs—Terri Furwin’s extraordinary fight to save her puppies and find a home
From Far North Queensland comes a story of courage, resilience, and unconditional love that is nothing short of extraordinary. Terri Furwin, a stray Kelpie cross, has captured the hearts of Queenslanders after overcoming a series of life-threatening challenges while fiercely protecting her puppies.
Locals first spotted Terri heavily pregnant and doing her best to survive on scraps of food. When she suddenly disappeared, fears for her safety grew—until she was later discovered 50 kilometres away on a remote station, now with a litter of frail puppies.
One camper recalled hearing Terri bravely fend off wild dogs believed to be targeting her vulnerable pups. They moved Terri and her three puppies back in town near the beach for her wellbeing, where other locals reported the courageous mother later facing off with a crocodile in a desperate bid to keep her babies safe.
When Remote Animal Assistance (RAA) were contacted and finally located Terri and her pups, her situation was critical. She was suffering from pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection, and was also diagnosed with heartworm. Despite the excruciating pain she must have been in, Terri remained gentle and affectionate. But her situation was extremely dire.
An urgent appeal went out, and the community rallied to save her. Donations quickly poured in to cover Terri’s emergency surgery, which cost more than $4,000. Thanks to this outpouring of generosity, Terri survived—and so did her puppies.
“The story of the Furwin family is remarkable, but sadly, it is not unique. At Remote Animal Assistance we see this level of resilience every single day in dogs from remote Far North Queensland communities,” said Jessie Hardie, RAA General Manager.
“The Furwin family reminds us of the strength and spirit within every animal we rescue, but they also shine a light on the countless others still suffering in silence. Their journey is a testament to why our work matters, and why ongoing support is critical to giving more dogs the second chance they deserve,” she added.
After recovering in foster care, where she gradually learned to trust the comforts of a real home, RAA reached out to Animal Welfare League Queensland for assistance to help rehome the family. Terri and two of her puppies, Roberta and Steve, began the long car journey to AWLQ on the Gold Coast. The other puppy, Dundee, remains in RAA’s care and is recovering from parvovirus.
The team at AWLQ instantly fell in love with Terri and her pups. “Terri is such an incredible mum and a truly special dog,” said Mikaela Thrift, AWLQ Gold Coast Rehoming Manager. “She’s full of love—kind, gentle, and forgiving, despite everything she’s been through. We believe Terri deserves nothing less than a lifetime of love now.”
Terri has since found safety and love with a loving foster carer, while her puppy Roberta is still waiting to find a forever family at AWLQ Gold Coast. Anyone interested in adopting can visit www.awlqld.com.au for more information.
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About Animal Welfare League Queensland
Established in 1959, AWLQ is a leading name in animal welfare, providing a safe haven for over 11,000 stray and homeless animals each year. As Queensland’s voice for animal care, we are committed to prioritising the health and wellbeing of every animal entrusted to us. Beyond shelter services, we offer vital support and resources to help keep pets with their owners and advocate for legal changes benefiting animals. Our unique initiatives include Community Vet Clinics, the Getting 2 Zero model, the Golden HeartsTM Seniors’ Support Program, and the National Desexing Network.
About Remote Animal Assistance Remote Animal Assistance Ltd is a Far North Queensland based charity dedicated to reducing animal suffering in remote communities and was established in 2022. Their aim to address key issues such as uncontrolled breeding, insufficient access to pet supplies, community distrust of external assistance, and limited rehoming avenues. RAA’s comprehensive approach includes building trust, providing resources, and educating pet owners to create sustainable and ethical improvements in animal welfare.
