Why we're at Paws in the Park

When Paws in the Park asked us to come on board as a sponsor, it was an easy yes — and for our family it's personal.

Eighteen months ago we lost Billy, our 8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, to a cane toad. He was the kind of dog you'll know if you've ever owned a Cav — gentle, curious, his whole world was the back yard and the people in it. It happened in the space of an evening, and by the time we understood what was going on, it was too late.

That night is the reason No More Toads exists. We started this company so that other families on the Gold Coast wouldn't have to learn the hard way what cane toads can do to a much-loved dog. Every yard we toad-proof, every emergency kit that goes out the door, every barrier we install — it traces back to Billy.

So when we're at Paws in the Park, we're not there as some random sponsor with a banner. We're there as a Gold Coast family who copped this in the worst way and built a business so it stops happening to other people's dogs.

Mudgeeraba sits right in the middle of cane toad country. Between the creeks running off the hinterland, the dams on acreage blocks, and the warm humid nights, you've got the perfect storm for toad activity. Most local dog owners we speak to have either had a close call themselves or know someone whose dog ended up at the emergency vet.

This post is the short, practical guide we wish we'd had eighteen months ago. No scare tactics. Just the stuff that actually helps.

The 5-minute backyard check

Before your dog goes out at dusk or first thing in the morning, run through these five things. It takes less time than a cuppa.

1. Check the water bowl. Cane toads sit in dog water bowls to rehydrate, and their secretions can leach straight into the water. Tip it out, rinse the bowl, refill. Every time.

2. Walk the dark edges. Toads hide in mulch, under outdoor furniture, in pot plants, and along fence lines where it's cool and damp. Sweep these spots with a torch before letting your dog out at night.

3. Look near outdoor lights. Porch lights, sensor lights, and pool lights attract insects — and toads follow the insects. If you've got lights on at night, expect company underneath them.

4. Lift any food bowls left outside. Pet food left out overnight can attract cane toads. So can fallen fruit and open compost.

5. Watch the gates and gaps. Toads can squeeze under fences and gates through surprisingly small gaps. If there's a finger-width gap at the bottom of your dog gate, a toad can usually get through too.

If your dog mouths a toad

Stay calm. The toxin works fast, but what you do in the first two minutes matters most.

  • Wipe, don't wash first. Use a damp cloth or wet flannel on the gums and tongue, wiping forward and out of the mouth so toxin comes out, not back down the throat.
  • Then rinse. Slowly trickle water across the gums and tongue for several minutes, with your dog's head pointed down. Don't blast a hose into their mouth — they'll swallow it.
  • Contact an emergency vet now. Even if your dog seems okay. Symptoms can show up later. They need to hear from you straight away.
  • Watch for: drooling, bright red gums, head shaking, weakness in the back legs, vomiting, or seizures.

These steps are first-aid only — not a substitute for veterinary care. We've written a full step-by-step guide here — worth bookmarking on your phone before the wet season.

A note on the hinterland

Mudgeeraba, Bonogin, Worongary, Tallai, Reedy Creek, Springbrook — anywhere with creek lines, dams, or bushland edges can sit in higher-risk territory than the beachside suburbs. It's not a reason to panic. It is a reason to take prevention seriously, especially on humid nights after rain.

A Toad Proof Barrier — fine mesh fitted directly onto your existing fence at ground level — is designed to dramatically reduce cane toad access to the area of yard where your dog spends time. We've installed them across the Gold Coast hinterland and we're happy to talk you through what would suit your block.

Come find us at Paws in the Park

We'd love to meet you and your dog. Stop by the No More Toads stall — we'll have:

  • Free toad safety info to take home
  • A live look at what a Toad Proof Barrier actually looks like up close
  • Our team on hand to answer any questions about your yard
  • A few small giveaways for the dogs

If you can't make it on the day but you've got concerns about toads where you live, you can get a free indicative estimate for a Toad Proof Barrier any time at nomoretoads.com.au/toad-proof-quote, or grab one of our Emergency Toad Kits to keep on hand — they're built for exactly the moments described above.

See you at Paws in the Park.

— The No More Toads team
In memory of Billy