The Fellowship of the bonded BFFs

Sam left ‘The Shire’ brokenhearted, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Lucky for him, he got to go on this journey with his best friends, Merry the cat and Pippin the dog. Moving house is hard, but moving across the country is harder! 

Pippin has been in Sam’s life for nine years since he rescued the sweet puppy at eight weeks old. Merry joined them five years later, and the three of them have provided plenty of love and support to each other over the years. When things got tough for Sam in his domestic situation, he knew a fresh start was needed. 

Many pet owners get in touch with the Home2Home program as they are seeking alternative options because no one wants to be faced with surrendering their pet to an uncertain future. Feeling overwhelmed and desperate, Sam reached out to Home2Home, believing that rehoming his beloved pets was the only option. The thought of parting with them broke his heart, but he saw no other solution. He did not have the financial means to transport his furry BFFs with his interstate move already locked in. He said if the transport costs were more affordable, he would bring his pets with him without hesitation. 

Recognising the deep bond between Sam, Merry and Pippin, the Home2Home team presented an alternative option and provided guidance, resources and support to keep them together. Using PetRescue’s network, the team were able to find a solution! With the help of Virgin Airlines, Fetchapet, Sam’s family friend and some incredible boarding kennels in his new city, Merry and Pippin made it safely to their destination. 

Although this was great news, Sam’s journey was far from over due to the national rental crisis impacting his ability to source a pet-friendly home. Merry and Pippin were able to continue boarding at their respective locations until Sam found the right place. He kept in touch with the team and let them know about his progress. The whole PetRescue team was overjoyed to receive the below update from Sam:

“I'm pleased to let you know that after two months of searching, 20 rental applications completed, two properties falling through my fingers at the very last minute, we finally found a wonderful 3 bedroom house with a grassy area out front and a large deck out back for the pets to enjoy.”

When Merry and Pippin arrived at their new home, they wasted no time exploring their new environment. Sam was pleasantly surprised with the way Merry took to her new surroundings, as he thought she might be more comfortable in his bedroom while she settled in.

“To my surprise and delight, she couldn't wait to discover the back deck and find herself a comfortable resting place in the sun.”

Pippin took to his new home very well and has adjusted to his daily routine, which includes a walk to the local Pet Barn store. 

“He is particularly fond of the Pet Barn store at the end of our street (yep, a Pet Barn on our street) and has made sure to ingratiate himself with the staff, who like rewarding him with food treats whenever he comes in. It goes without saying that Pippin chooses our daily walking route, and we seem to always end up inside the pet store!”

Sam is grateful for the incredibly special bond he shares with Merry and Pippin, to which he compares a parent and a child. 

Sam says about his experience with PetRescue’s Home2Home program:

“I'm so incredibly thankful to PetRescue for helping me continue to have Merry and Pippin in my life. My worst fear was that I would be forced to give them up (along with everything else), and I can now continue the next chapter having the peace of mind that my furry friends will join me on the adventure. I can't thank PetRescue enough!”

After working with Home2Home to keep his fur family together, Sam is looking forward to a brighter future and big adventures in a new city.

“All's well that ends better.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

To protect the privacy of Sam, Merry and Pippin, their names and locations have been changed.

HELP PETS & THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM

Pet owners contacting PetRescue for help are seeking options. In times of crisis, they’re looking for the right support and an alternative to surrendering their pet into the rescue system when they have nowhere else to turn.

This year alone, 658 new requests flooded into PetRescue’s Home2Home program from pet owners facing circumstances that they can’t change. 

Sadly, right now, people are facing numerous challenges, such as economic hardship, mental health struggles, and a housing crisis. Unfortunately, these challenges are not limited to humans - they are also impacting pets. As a result, more pet owners are finding it difficult to provide the care their pets need and are reluctantly considering rehoming them. To prevent this, we need to support pet owners to help them keep their pets during these tough times. 

This is why we urgently need to expand the Home2Home program into other states and help these pets and the people who love them, and your donation can make that happen.