The Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Animal Care Facility is run by dedicated rangers committed to caring for lost, abandoned or surrendered animals, making sure they find their way back to their homes, whether new or beloved.
The facility’s newest occupant, a two-year-old Siberian Husky named Fen, was surrendered after his owner was no longer able to care for him.
Since entering the facility, staff say he struggled, likely missing his beloved owner.
Using prior connections, one officer reached out to Husky Rescue WA to see if they could assist with Fen’s situation. Thankfully, the organisation was unable to resist Fen’s cheeky face and infectious love for life.
“I contacted PetRescue, who run a Pet Transport Program in conjunction with Jetpets, offering free flights for rescue animals in urgent need of specialised care,” said Emily, one of Fen’s new ranger friends.
“I submitted an application for Fen, and we were incredibly fortunate to be successful in obtaining a free flight to get him to Western Australia.”
From here, staff reached out to Rural NSW Critical Pound Pledges, an organisation dedicated to generating pledges and rescue homes for pets in need.
This organisation, Emily said, was instrumental in helping the rangers get various animals they have housed into rescue facilities this year when local adopters cannot be found.
The organisation was able to raise enough funds needed to give Fen a once-in-a-lifetime plane trip from Cootamundra to Melbourne.
“Fen will be transported from Cootamundra to Melbourne by Byron from BB’s Animal Transport, who regularly assists us with transporting our animals to rescue organisations throughout NSW and interstate,” said Emily.
“Fen will leave Cootamundra on Thursday and travel to Melbourne, before flying to Western Australia on Friday. Anne, the Husky Rescue WA Coordinator, will meet him when he arrives [to] begin the next chapter of his journey.”
Although it will be a bittersweet goodbye for Fen, who has become something like family for the Coota rangers, Emily says his new home is a fantastic example of the work that can be done through rescue networking.
“From our shelter, to Husky Rescue WA, PetRescue, Jetpets, Rural NSW Critical Pound Pledges, BB’s Animal Transport and everyone who has helped along the way, so many people and organisations have come together to give one dog a second chance,” she said.
“It’s a really positive story about what can happen when rescue organisations, community members, transport providers and shelters work together to achieve the best possible outcome for an animal in need.”
Fen is known to love a good game of fetch, and will happily chase after a ball for as long as you throw it.
His new home will be full of adventure and love, and it’s all thanks to the rangers who didn’t give up on fighting for him.
Elizabeth Kovacs
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