At just 10 years old, Dean Morris did what most adults only dream about—he turned his compassion into action and created a movement that would save countless lives.
It started with a dog named Hooch. In 2013, young Dean Morris from Western Australia went to a country pound intending to donate his savings. What he found there changed the trajectory of his life forever. Confronted with the heartbreaking reality that over 250,000 cats and dogs are euthanised in Australia every year, Dean knew he couldn’t just walk away. That day, he rescued Hooch—and in doing so, discovered his life’s calling.
Most 10-year-olds would have stopped there, content with saving one dog. But Dean saw the bigger picture, and he was determined to make a difference.
As part of his school project in the Gifted and Talented program, Dean founded GOSAC—Give Our Strays A Chance. What began as a student initiative quickly snowballed into something extraordinary. Dean started organising fundraising events at shopping centres, partnering with local businesses, and rallying his community around a cause that desperately needed champions.
The response was overwhelming. Within seven years, GOSAC raised over $500,000 in cash and item donations, transforming the landscape of animal rescue in Western Australia and beyond.
Why Dean Morris Is Extraordinary
He thinks beyond the pound. While many animal welfare organisations focus solely on shelter animals, Dean recognised that vulnerable animals exist everywhere. GOSAC assists homeless people in caring for their pets during holidays, ensuring that those on the margins aren’t forced to choose between their companionship and survival.
He responds to crises. When Australia’s devastating bushfires struck, particularly the 2021 Wooroloo Bushfire, Dean sprang into action. GOSAC collected and delivered surgical and medical supplies to wildlife rescues and provided over two tonnes of food for animals returning to fire-ravaged grounds. He understood that wildlife needed help just as urgently as domestic animals.
He adapts to community needs. During COVID-19, as Australian families struggled financially, Dean partnered with the Animal Rescue Cooperative and Petbarn Foundation on the Act of Kindness project, helping people feed their pets so families could stay together. When Western Australian borders closed, he launched “Operation Narrogin,” delivering donations to remote animal rescues that were suddenly stranded without supplies.
He educates and inspires. Now 21, Dean travels to schools and libraries across Western Australia, speaking about animal welfare, leadership, and how anyone—regardless of age—can change the world. Schools internationally have reached out to learn from his success, teaching students that young people have the power to create meaningful change.
Dean’s tireless work hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s been a finalist in the Young Achiever Awards, won the RSPCA WA Youth State Award, and was featured in a Citizen of the Year commercial on Channel 9. He’s authored a book, Saving The World – One Stray At A Time, sharing his experiences and the importance of animal rescue.
Despite juggling two university degrees, working to support himself and his charity, and meeting with business leaders and politicians about animal welfare policy, Dean continues showing up—for the strays, for the wildlife, for the families struggling to care for their pets, and for the countless animals who have no voice of their own.
Dean Morris proves that creating change doesn’t require permission or a certain age—just passion, determination, and compassion. When faced with a problem that broke his heart, he didn’t look away. He built a solution that became a national movement.
Dean didn’t just rescue Hooch from that country pound over a decade ago. He rescued the idea that one person—even a 10-year-old—is too small to make a difference. Through GOSAC, he’s saved countless animals, supported struggling families, responded to natural disasters, and inspired an entire generation to believe they can change the world.
That’s not just admirable—it’s the kind of story that reminds us why films like those celebrated at the Top Dog Film Festival matter. Because behind every great story about dogs is a deeper truth about humanity, compassion, and the extraordinary things that happen when someone decides that love is worth fighting for.
Dean Morris gave strays a chance. In return, he’s given all of us something even more valuable—hope that the next generation of animal advocates is already here, already working, and already changing lives.
Visit the GOSAC website HERE
