SAHARA- a sad case of neglect and suffering
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UPDATE: 2025 RSPCA SA have recently launched a new investigation into SAHARA . This follows an article in the Adelaide Advertiser reporting underweight animals in bare paddocks still on the property. On February 17 and 18 2025, RSPCA SA, police, two independent vets and government authorities raided Sahara's Morgan property and seized 100 animals. Charges are yet to be laid.
South Australian authorities first started receiving formal complaints about neglect of the animals in SAHARA’s care in 2011.
Numerous complaints had been lodged by veterinarians, adopters, foster carers, volunteers and rescue groups. In 2019, 37 charges were eventually laid against SAHARA and the founders, Carole Morris and Shane Jones.
Authorities attended the SAHARA properties in Blacksprings and Morgan and discovered 450 cats and dogs, 130 horses, plus pigs, sheep and goats and possums that were kept in small cages covered in faeces and urine. A number of animals were seized due to the conditions, level of neglect, and an urgent need for veterinary care.
In November 2022, the founders of SAHARA were fined and convicted for animal cruelty. Collectively they were fined a total of $6650, with the 37 charges negotiated down to 6. The court also imposed supervision orders and regular inspections.
Between September and December 2022, our investigation team were able to obtain drone footage of two SAHARA properties and what we filmed shocked us all. Footage can viewed here
Oscar's Law lodged a number of written complaints and this triggered a new investigation by authorities resulting in a warrant being obtained and the property in question being inspected. As a result of the inspection a number of orders were placed on the owners of the animals.
This SAHARA case is not only one of animal cruelty and neglect, but it is also appears to be a devastatingly sad case of mental illness resulting in animal hoarding.
It is unfortunate that some have chosen to become involved in this case only to become enablers of this cruelty on both the human and animal fronts. These enablers see the end goal as winning at any cost. They tell the founders of SAHARA they have done nothing wrong on a consistent and daily basis, rather than assist them in seeking help, and assisting them to rehome the hundreds of animals that remain on their properties. Every time a light is shone on the animals neglect, a predictable diversion suddenly appears to take the focus away from the neglect of these animals. Its been interesting to watch stories of kennels being broken into and properties firebombed, all events miraculously occurring just out of view of extensive security cameras. Its a predictable pattern of behavior that many see through as they all stay focused on helping the animals.
Animals needing rehoming like the little blind dog our investigation team filmed between September and November 2022. This little dog has been with Sahara since it was only 8 weeks old. It has never been given the chance to find a home and family of its own and years later this dog remains penned in squalor living a life of deprivation. Animals like Diesel, a dog that arrived at SAHARA as a 1 year old, and 9 years later remains kenneled and now psychologically traumatized to the point its been declared dangerous.
And so the founders of SAHARA are denied the opportunity to get the help they need thanks to a small group of enablers who attempt to normalise and justify animal neglect and cruelty. Hundreds of animals continue to live a life with no quality, and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. The cycle continues, and the weak South Australian animal protection laws offer very little protection.
This case is indicative of how ineffective animal protection laws are in South Australia. However a number of South Australian MPs are taking notice and thanks to public pressure and political lobbying from groups like ours, the State Labor government has recently amended the Animal Welfare Act. More needs to be done of course, but this strengthening of the Act is very welcome
To the volunteers, foster carers, vets, adopters and everyone who has spoken out and tried to make a difference, thank you. Keep being a voice for these animals until they are all safely rehomed and given the care they deserve.
We expect charges to be laid in regards to the latest seizure. We will update as soon as that information comes to hand.
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