Rescue pets - do you rescue them or do they rescue you?

There’s no shortage of reasons why pets find themselves looking for a second chance home - and in most cases, pets end up in rescue through no fault of their own. Vickie Davy from PetRescue says they helped 80,000 pets find their new family in 2015, and on any given day, they have 9,000 animals waiting for a forever family.

 

“The most common reasons can be traced back to owners’ lifestyle changes, health issues and the financial costs of owning a pet, as opposed to a problem with the pet themselves,” she says.

 

The sad reality is, rescue pets face a grim future without adoption, so by welcoming a rescue pet into your home you may be saving a life. “Giving an animal a new lease of life is incredibly rewarding and they will thank you every day with unlimited love and affection,” she says.

 

Rescuing a pet, especially one that needs a little extra love, also offers the opportunity to see firsthand how persistence, patience and love can change the world for another being – not to mention strengthen your skills in these areas.

 

Here are three adoptive pet-parents that have found themselves rescued by their rescue pet.

 

Shayne and Pepper

Shayne says when they lost their first adopted Jack Russell to old age, they felt their house was missing something. “As a family, we discussed in great detail what we needed to make our house just right. We discussed selecting a pure breed puppy, thinking it would give our kids the chance to bring home a puppy and raise it from the start, however the kids quickly dismissed this idea. The comment was made that there are too many animals out there that don’t have the love they need.”

 

She says their newest family member, Pepper, came to them already vet checked, desexed, and vaccinated. “The biggest benefit is knowing that we are giving the most gorgeous dog a second chance, and that we are receiving so much love in return. Our other dog, a rescued Scottish Airedale, has also got his zest for life back, which was considerably dampened when our Jack Russell passed away.”

 

Alice and Hazel

Alice says her family wanted to help a pet in need, and found a lot of gorgeous puppies that were looking for homes, including their newest addition, Hazel.

 

“We have been able to see her grow and develop. When we first brought her home she was very untrusting and it has been such a rewarding experience seeing her develop into the beautiful, trusting, gentle and loving dog that she is today. She has also become a best friend to our other dog, a 5 year old Labrador called Ruby, and it’s so nice seeing them play together.”

 

Mick, Kate and Alphie

Mick says he and partner Kate came to adopt their cat Alphie about a month after their rescue dog Hurley had passed. “We weren’t ready for another dog, but we both love animals, and we knew we needed the presence of a furry friend. We visited the shelter, and after sitting with the cats for a few minutes a little paw was tapping me on the ankle. I looked down and a little tortoiseshell cat with big eyes was looking back at me. So I picked her up and she cuddled into me and it felt like a good fit.”

 

“Sometimes we feel as though Alphie is grateful that we chose her, but doesn’t know that she was a great help to us during the healing process after losing Hurley. We are lucky to have her in our life.”

 

Find Love in February

Instead of picturing chocolates, roses, failed dates or a tub of ice cream to yourself and a bad rom-com, how about picturing a new furry best friend in your arms who will love you forever?

In conjunction with PAW by Blackmores, Animal Welfare League NSW is launching a ‘Find Love in February’ campaign to help match their furry critters with loving forever homes.

So if you want to feel romantically reenergised, come to one their events or visit one of their shelters and fill your life with the joy of owning an animal.

 

Events:

 

Sunday February 14, Noon – 3pm: ValenTails Day
At The Duck Inn, Chippendale

 

Saturday February 20, 10am – 2pm: The Hills Adoption Day
At Kellyville Pets

 

For the month of February Dogs, Cats, Puppies & Kittens, who have been with the AWL for over 60 days, will have half price adoption fees. So if you’re looking to fill a space in your heart, head on down to one of the AWL NSW shelters & adopt an animal in need. 

 

Find out more on the Animal Welfare League NSW Facebook Page

Do you have an inspiring rescue pet story? Share it in the comments below.