Australian TV personality Tayla Meath has died at the age of 30 after an “incredibly difficult battle with cancer”.
Meath starred on The Dog House Australia, with the TV show announcing the sad news of her passing on its Facebook page.
“Tayla will be remembered for the extraordinary love, kindness and care she showed our four-legged friends through The Dog House Australia, and for the lasting impact she made on everyone fortunate enough to know her,” the statement said.
“Our hearts go out to her family, friends and all who loved her during this incredibly difficult time.
“Working with animals wasn’t just a job for Tayla. It was her passion and a huge part of who she was.
“She loved being able to help give dogs the second chance they deserved and to play a small part in finding them their forever homes.”
The heart-warming reality TV show matches homeless rescue dogs with people looking for a new pet.
Meath was an animal shelter worker and matchmaker on the show from its premiere season in 2021 until her health forced her to step back.
In 2024, Meath was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), which is a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the glandular tissues of the head and neck.
She was just 27 at the time.
A GoFundMe set up by April Faulkner to raise money for Meath’s family revealed that her health deteriorated in June this year.
After feeling unwell and noticing her eyes and skin turning yellow, scans confirmed the cancer in Meath’s liver had “grown significantly” causing multiple bile duct blockages.
“Tayla was told there was nothing more that could be done to treat the blockages,” Faulkner said, via the fundraising page.
“A palliative care team visited her to discuss end of life care, as treatments such as chemo were not longer an option.”
On September 1, Meath passed away surrounded by the people she loved the most.
“Tayla’s family would like to thank every single person who has loved her, supported her, encouraged her and walked beside them through the hardest chapter of their lives,” Faulkner updated.
“They are now learning how to live with the unimaginable loss of their girl.”
Meath’s family and friends are now planning to give her the “celebration of life” she deserves.
“Her service will be beautiful, just as she wanted, and just as she was,” Faulkner said.
“Tay, you will be loved, remembered, and missed forever. Everyone’s favourite girl.”
Meath leaves behind her husband, Curtis, and their dog, a three-year-old Labrador named Archie.