Looking for dingo soft toys, t-shirts and more merch? I’ve got good news: you can get your goods and support dingo conservation, rehabilitation and rescue at the same time.
Why is this important? The Australian dingo needs saving.
Here’s the 411: Australian dingoes are officially recognised as a native Australian animal. Dingoes are Australia’s apex predator, playing a key role in our ecosystem — despite this, dingoes are not protected like other Australian animals, such as koalas, kangaroos or wombats, with the exception of (very few) locations such as K’gari.
This means Australian dingoes are legally, inhumanely and intentionally killed with 1080 poison, shooting, and steel-jaw and other traps. Australia even has bounty systems in place.
Our country abides uncomfortably in this contradictory state of loving dingoes and despising them, referring to them affectionately as “dingoes” yet referring to them as “wild dogs” when dingo eradication is the priority. Dingoes are not wild dogs.
A handful of passionate researchers and conservationists are fighting to protect Australian dingoes. When you buy dingo merchandise, support dingo conservationists and their work.
The best places to buy dingo merchandise in Australia
Where to buy dingo soft toys
When you drop into your local store, you’re probably not going to find a dingo plushie. If you’re shopping in-person, try your local zoo or animal park. Often, these parks also have online stores and you’ll also find dingo soft toys online through dingo conservation groups.
Here are my top picks for buying dingo soft toys:
- The Australian Dingo Foundation
The Australian Dingo Foundation is “the home of dingo education, research and protection”. Located in Victoria, you can visit the Australian Dingo Foundation’s Dingo Sanctuary and Research Centre in Toolern Vale, north-west of Melbourne, where you can take a tour or even volunteer.
What I love about the Australian Dingo Foundation’s online store is that you can choose a dingo of any colour. Most retailers only sell the typical golden dingo, however dingoes are not always golden or ginger. In the Dingo Foundation’s store, you’ll find a white dingo, black/tan, ginger dingo and more.
- Zoos Victoria
Their motto is “Fighting extinction”. Zoos Victoria is home to Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Kyabram Fauna Park. Click here to buy a dingo soft toy from Zoos Victoria.
- Australia Zoo
Founded by Australian icon, Steve Irwin AKA The Crocodile Hunter, Australia Zoo seeks to act as a world leader in wildlife and environmental conservation. You can visit Australia Zoo on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, where you can even book a dingo encounter. Visit the Australia Zoo website to buy a dingo soft toy, or check out their other dingo merch including magnets, signs, keyrings, stickers and pins.
- Dingo Den Animal Rescue
Dingo Den Animal Rescue rehabilitates and rehomes dingoes from their base in Western Sydney. Dingo Den Animal Rescue also offers dingo soft toys of various colours, including ginger, white and black/tan.
- Your local zoo or museum
You can also find dingo soft toys at your local zoo, animal or reptile park or museum, such as Taronga Zoo, Perth Zoo, The Australian Museum and more.
Quick tips for buying a dingo soft toy: look for white paws and erect ears — bonus points if it has a white tip on its tail and is made of recycled materials.
Where to buy dingo t-shirts in Australia
Support dingo conservation by buying a dingo t-shirt from a dingo conservation group such as:
- Defend the Wild
Defend the Wild is working to safeguard Australia’s unique wildlife and their habitats. They’re doing pivotal work to bring the voice of First Nations people to the forefront of dingo conservation and are campaigning against the inhumane treatment of dingoes in Australia. I highly recommend checking out their Instagram page @defendthewild.
2. Balu Blue Foundation
Balu Blue Foundation is led by conservationist Brinkley Davies, who works to improve outcomes for dingoes on Western Australia’s Ningaloo Coast. The Ningaloo Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering a massive 604,500 hectares along 300km of the Western Australian coast. Click here to read about Balu Blue Foundation and click here to buy dingo t-shirts from the Balu Blue Foundation
3. Dingo Den Animal Rescue
Drop by the Dingo Den Animal Rescue website to buy a white or gold dingo t-shirt. It’s cotton, so it’s nice and breathable.
4. Big Desert Dingo Research
Based in Victoria, Big Desert Dingo Research contributes to “vital ecological research and advocacy for the protection of dingoes and their essential role in the environment”. Drop by the Big Desert Dingo online store to find dingo t-shirts, as well as dingo stickers and tote bags.
5. Sydney Fox and Dingo Rescue
Sydney Fox and Dingo Rescue rehabilitates and rehomes dingoes, as well as provides a sanctuary for wildlife which can’t be rehomed or released back into the wild. Sydney Fox and Dingo Rescue probably has the widest range of dingo t-shirts, and with RedBubble, you can choose to put the dingo print on the front or back of your t-shirt. In their store, you’ll also find a dingo notebook, stickers and dingo socks.
6. Coalition Against 1080 Poison
1080 poison kills inhumanely. Death from 1080 poison is long and painful and it doesn’t only kill its target species. Anywhere that 1080 is used, all wildlife is at risk, as well as domestic animals, including your four-legged friend. Visit the Coalitions’ website to learn more or visit the Coalition Against 1080 Poison’s store to buy a dingo t-shirt, dingo hoodie or bandana.
A word on Dingo Flour t-shirts, Dingo Flour hats and other Dingo Flour merch
The Dingo Flour image is an iconic red dingo silhouette in the middle of a round-cornered square, with the words, “DINGO FLOUR”. If you’ve driven along the Fremantle coast, you would have seen it on the side of the historic flour mill — it’s actually heritage-listed.
It’s no surprise that the rest of the world has picked up on the Dingo Flour image and you’ll find it plastered all over the internet: you’ll find Dingo Flour t-shirts, Dingo Flour hats, totes, hoodies, stickers and more.
But the thing is, the Dingo Flour image is trademarked, owned by Western Australian farmers and their brewery. This means, when you buy Dingo Flour merch from an online seller (that is not this brewery), chances are you’re buying illegal merch… so, before you buy from a random seller, reconsider.
Thank you for supporting dingo conservation
Do a good thing and buy dingo merch from a store that supports dingo conservation. By buying a dingo soft toy or dingo t-shirt from one of these stores, you’ll be supporting dingo research, rehabilitation and rescue.
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Wondering why I care so much about dingoes? Click here to read about Rusty and Jalba, our rescue dingoes from outback Western Australia.
I love dingoes!!!!
Me too!
Dingoes are so fascinating!!!!! I find it so unique how they adapted to the Australian environment! Like how they have webbed paws to help them swim, and how their shoulders are more narrow than dogs.