A heartwarming show of community spirit was on full display in the Burdekin Shire earlier this month, as hundreds of locals banded together to reunite a much-loved dog with his family after more than a week on the run.
Ayr resident Machelle Slatcher raised the alarm on social media on 5 February after her border collie–kelpie cross, Rusty, went missing from Lisa Drive.
“MISSING in Ayr 4807. Border collie x kelpie went missing yesterday from Lisa Drive. Rusty is extremely friendly,” she wrote, sparking an outpouring of support.
What followed was an extraordinary community effort. Hundreds of people shared posts, phoned in sightings and kept watch along roadsides, paddocks and riverbanks, many for a dog they had never met, but were determined to help bring home.
As updates rolled in, Rusty was spotted across several locations, with Machelle regularly posting updates to keep the search going.
“He loves a ball, so he’ll become your best friend immediately,” she wrote.
Despite days passing and sightings becoming less frequent, the community didn’t give up. Then, in the early hours of 13 February, the message everyone had been hoping for arrived.
“STOP LOOKING!!! Rusty is home safe,” Machelle posted.
“I want to thank everyone and I mean everyone, literally half of the Burdekin has been out looking for him. I can’t thank you all enough, people I don’t even know have been contacting me and have been out and about. I can’t successfully put into works how grateful I am. I am so blessed to be living in such a caring community - thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
After eight days and an incredible community-wide effort, Rusty is now safely home, and his family are determined to keep it that way!
“He’s currently soaking up the aircon in the house, and I’m glad he’s stopped making that movie,” Machelle joked.
“GPS tracker is on its way- he’s not going on an eight-day journey ever again!”
CAPTION: Rusty is now home safe and sound. Photo credit: Machelle Slatcher
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