Calling to help street dogs takes Warnbro family across globe

A calling to help street dogs on the other side of the world has led a Warnbro mother to sell her home, car and belongings and take her young family to Mexico.

Anne Cowley and her two sons, River and Eden, are preparing for their move, which will see them relocate to the town of San Cristobal de las Casas in southern Mexico.

Ms Cowley has spent the past 19 years working at the Dogs Refuge Home in Shenton Park and said she felt it was her calling to work in dog rescue.

After hearing about the number of stray dogs across Central America, she decided it was time for an adventure and to take her chance to make a difference.

“It had always been something I thought about and then I thought let’s go for it,” she said.

According to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, 70 per cent of Mexico’s estimated 18 million dogs live on the street.

A few years ago, the Cowley family spent three months living in Bali and volunteering with a dog rescue organisation there, which fuelled their desire to do so again.

Selling their home, car and belongings in anticipation for the move, the family are brushing up on their Spanish ahead of their September departure date.

Also coming along on the adventure is their beloved dog Honey.

Once there, the family will be volunteering at the Corazon Animal rescue.

Doing their bit to assist the organisation before they arrive, they have also spent the past few months collecting items to be taken over.

Leaving a box in the kitchen of the Dogs Refuge Home in Shenton Park calling for donations has now resulted in several boxes full of items such as leashes, toys, blankets, bowls and bandages.

“The response has been amazing — the people who have donated have been so generous,” she said.

There is still a call-out for more donations, with medications a particular request.

“If a pet has passed away and people have their medications there, we can definitely use those,” Ms Cowley said.

Planning to spend a few months volunteering before starting a teaching course, Ms Cowley said she would then work towards setting up her own rescue organisation.

For those wanting to donate items please phone 0404 029 345, and follow the family’s journey at their website https://familygoneferal.com.