Departures of note

Tayla Meath was an Australian animal shelter worker and TV personality best known as a matchmaker on the reality series The Dog House Australia, which pairs homeless rescue dogs with prospective owners. She appeared on the show from its premiere season in 2021 until her health forced her to step back, and was remembered by the production for the extraordinary love, kindness and care she showed the animals in her charge. Working with animals was her passion, and she was credited with helping give dogs a second chance at finding their forever homes. In 2024, at age 27, Meath was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the glandular tissues of the head and neck. Her health deteriorated in mid-2026 after scans showed the cancer had grown significantly and caused multiple bile duct blockages, and she died on 1 September 2026 surrounded by family. She is survived by her husband, Curtis, and their Labrador, Archie.