Running a rescue is hard enough without rats chewing through your freezer and mice moving into your air con.

That was the reality for Iron Dog Rescue, a charity in Bethungra, New South Wales, that rehomes surrendered and impounded Rottweilers. With more than 40 dogs in care at any time—and a serious amount of food stored on-site—the team found themselves facing a rodent surge they couldn’t ignore.

“We knew we had to act when rats damaged our rescue vehicle’s air conditioning system and died inside it” says Sue Ebert, founder of Iron Dog Rescue. “We’d also lost food to mice chewing through freezers. It was costing us money we didn’t have.”

The problem with poisons

Iron Dog had used baits before, but like many animal welfare groups, they were uncomfortable with the risks.

“Poison might work—but it puts our dogs and local wildlife at risk, especially if they eat a baited rodent” says Sue. “It felt like a lose-lose.”

That’s when a new volunteer—who had used Goodnature traps at home—suggested a different approach. With limited funds, Iron Dog reached out to Goodnature to ask for help.

We were proud to supply them with a Goodnature Mouse Trap and Rat & Mouse Smart Trap, helping them fight the infestation safely and sustainably.

Smart tech, fast results

The team placed the Mouse Trap around the main residence and storage containers, and the Rat & Mouse Smart Trap near the rescue vehicle. Within the first 48 hours, they caught 17 mice—including one, Sue says, that was “so chunky it jammed the mouse trap!”

Since then? The cooler months have brought a few mice back—but the traps are still working hard, with 35 kills in now four weeks. No rat sightings, and still zero risk to the dogs or local wildlife.

“It's a huge relief” Sue says. “The dogs don’t even notice the traps. And knowing we’re not putting toxins into the environment? That matters to us.”

When pest control protects more than property

At Goodnature, we believe that our world is better with less pests and less toxins. Pest control should never come at the cost of pet safety or the environment. For rescues like Iron Dog, where every dollar and every dog matters, it’s not just about preventing chewed wires or lost food—it’s about protecting their mission.

And with Australia currently in peak rodent breeding season, starting early makes all the difference.

Advice for other animal carers?

“Give it a go” says the Iron Dog team. “Gone are the worries of dealing with poison-based solutions. These traps do the heavy lifting—and they work.”

About Iron Dog Rescue

Iron Dog Rescue is a registered charity dedicated to rehoming Rottweilers across New South Wales. They provide veterinary care, food, housing, and lifelong support for dogs placed in new homes.

🔗 Support Iron Dog Rescue