After moving to Kaitaia in 2012 with my two daughters I found employed as a veterinary nurse in a local veterinary clinic. I was shocked at the number of healthy animals that were being humanely euthanized as a result of being unwanted, or the incidence of horrific neglect/abuse and dumping. I just scooped them all up and brought them home, but the financial and emotional burden was taking its toll and thanks to my tech savvy daughter they created a Facebook page to communicate to the community what I was doing. I never thought in a million years that a Facebook page would mean 12 years later I would still be running a rescue of this capacity, supported by an amazing immediate team, volunteers, fosterers and a massive support network.
Every day is a challenge whilst working 12 hours days as a Head Veterinary Nurse at Phoenix Animal Wellness in Waipapa. Exhaustion is real, but when I see our rescue animals embark on their journey to their forever home, it reminds me why I do this, and why I must keep going.
