Already living in her loving home 💚🏠
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For the fourth year running, PetRescue wrapped up 2025 with our much-loved 12 Pets of Christmas campaign, which once again grew into 24 Pets of Christmas! This special campaign shines a spotlight on pets who have been waiting the longest, including large dogs and black cats, and gives them a boost to find love in time for Christmas.
Large dogs typically take twice as long to find their new homes compared to smaller dogs. While cats account for a staggering 70% of the estimated 100,000* healthy and rehomable pets unnecessarily killed each year in Australia, with outcomes four times poorer than those of dogs in many shelters and council facilities.
Thanks to the kindness and support of the PetRescue community, Dogs Rolo, Ken, Rose, Dbo, Felix, Bundhi, Lizzie, Shania and Cherry, and cats Walter, Jinx, Samantha, Coco, Carlo, Mystique, Panda, Cat, Marlo and Brigita have now found a loving family.
Dbo, Ballarat Animal Shelter
"Dbo is honestly one of the greatest dogs I could've asked for. He's so silly, full of personality. Anyone thinking about adopting, don't skip past the older dogs. They still run around, enjoy life, and they give the warmest cuddles. Despite the rough start he had, Dbo hasn't lost softness, he's loyal in a way that feels rare, and he shows every day how grateful he is to have a home to which choosing him was easily one of the best decisions I've ever made."
Lizzie, Sutherland Shire Council Animal Shelter
“We first saw Lizzie come up on our Instagram, and then did a deeper dive on her, finding her PetRescue listing. Her happy smile caught our eyes immediately, and we knew we needed to meet her. After our first meet and greet, we fell in love with Lizzie immediately and knew we wanted her to join our family. Lizzie is more than a dog; she is a bright, happy soul who brings us so much joy and love every single day. From bush walks to learning new tricks to daily games of tug, Lizzie has not stopped smiling since she joined us (except when we gave her a bath haha). Although Lizzie has some challenges, we are overcoming them together and have lots of treats and cuddles to make up for all the hard work she is doing. Lizzie has made our family a family, and we are so lucky we found each other.”
Felix, Shoalhaven Animal Shelter
"Our gorgeous old man Felix spent such a long time with us, and he quickly became a favourite with all of the staff. Felix also became a favourite with many of our dog walkers, so much so that one of them fostered him and then realised he couldn't let anyone else have him. Felix is living his best life going on holidays in the caravan and meeting so many new people." Shoalhaven Animal Shelter
Bundhi, Shoalhaven Animal Shelter
"Sadly, Bundhi boy had been in and out of our shelter a couple of times, and we desperately wanted his adoption to be his perfect home. His new person was touched by his story and wanted to show him how life should be. When speaking to him a couple of weeks after the adoption, he stated, "Bundhi is a perfect gentleman". We could not be happier for Bundhi." Shoalhaven Animal Shelter
Shania, Wollongong Pet Connection
Shania, a clever and playful 7-year-old German Shepherd, was in the care of a foster home through Wollongong City Council’s Pet Connection program. While the 12 Pets of Christmas campaign was running, her foster carers realised they just couldn’t let her go.
Read Shania's foster-fail happy tail here!
Coco, Shoalhaven Animal Shelter
"Our little old lady Coco was another one who bounced in and out of the shelter, Coco is now with one of our foster carers who has said that Coco now "rules the house" and is not the timid older lady we thought she'd be in a new environment. We're pretty confident that Coco is going to be a foster fail." Shoalhaven Animal Shelter
Samantha, Ballarat Animal Shelter
“I believe Sam spent 8.5 months at the shelter, spending a lot of time in her little igloo. And so, given the history, she is settling in really well.
Sam is loving the freedom of being in our house, with her bestie/boyfriend Mackie (our ginger cat, who was also adopted from the Ballarat Animal Shelter). The pair walk together, talk to each other, play together, sleep together, lie in the sun together - it's so beautiful to see. Pics attached of the pair being best friends/in love with each other."
Carlo (now Baby), Wollongong Pet Connection
"When Baby (previously Carlo) first arrived, he looked like he'd crawled out of a washing machine… that someone forgot to put detergent in. His white socks and chest were stained yellow, his fur felt like straw, and he stared at me like I might steal his lunch. I was even told the stains would never come out, which clearly sounded like a challenge, because look at him now: bright white socks, fluffy chest, and an attitude that says, "Yes, I know I'm handsome."
Slowly, he decided I was safe. Then he decided I was his. Now he won't go anywhere - inside or outside - unless I'm right there beside him. He sleeps pressed up against me, waits for me by the shower like a tiny supervisor, sits at my feet while I cook, and shamelessly demands a portion of anything I eat. He's a sweetheart… and an unapologetic little piglet.
He has a routine, too: every night he plays hide-and-seek and tip. He'll zoom around to "rev me up," wait for me to notice, then sprint off to hide somewhere he thinks is very sneaky (it's usually not). Then he'll leap out like a tiny, furry horror-movie villain, proud of himself every single time.
He's cautious with new people, but once he's introduced properly, he's affectionate, playful, and deeply loyal. He loves soccer with his toys, he loves surprising me, and he loves being loved.
Baby didn't just settle in, he bloomed. And honestly, so did I."
