Co-founder Peri Chappell’s passion for the project has seen it — and Deniliquin — gain national attention, most recently through celebrity vet Dr Chris Brown on the Channel 10 program The Living Room.
Dr Chris spent a few days in Deniliquin in November. The segment aired in December, and can now be watched at any time on ‘Ten Play’.
Herd2Home’s most recent honour is winning Edward River Council Community Event or Initiative of the Year.
The award will be officially presented at the council’s Australia Day ceremony in Waring Gardens.
Peri’s enthusiastic response when hearing about the honour mirrors her attitude towards the success of the initiative.
She and her founding partner Jennie Dryden show an aptitude for the re-homing, saving and feeding dogs.
With Peri based in Deniliquin and Jennie at Wyee, they each aim to branch out their organisation to support and create a diverse range of care.
‘‘I was extremely shocked and incredibly humbled (to hear about the award),’’ Peri said.
‘‘I just want to help people to keep and care for their animals.
‘‘It has turned into something neither of us could even dream of. It is just all blowing up — it’s busy and crazy.’’
H2H’s initial focus was on rescuing working dog breeds, such as border collies, cattle dogs, kelpies, coolies and cross-breeds.
The program has expanded, and Peri and Jennie have plans to do even more.
They started the ‘Drought Dogs Initiative’ and have successfully helped 100 farming families and 300 working dogs stay fed and well looked after throughout this intense drought period.
They also founded a ‘Litter Program’ and help families cover the cost of caring for their pets, including helping to pay for expensive veterinary bills and worm treatments.
‘‘We are aiming to do more than just rescue dogs,’’ Peri said.
‘‘We want to create a place where families can afford to take their dogs after unwanted litters to get de-sexed.
‘‘We do not want to see any more homeless or abandoned dogs.
‘‘We plan on expanding into the western New South Wales area and focus our help more locally as well.’’
For more information about Herd2Homes, or to donate to support its services, go to www.herd2homes.com.au/donating.
~ Tiarna Condren