Thanks A Million: Adelaide pet owner praised for her dedication to homeless dogs

Despite being retrenched as a real estate agent during lockdown, Debbie Mundy used her own dwindling funds to save 21 rescue dogs.

Debbie Mundy cannot bear to see a dog without a home.

That’s how she and her team at Moving Paws ended up caring for 21 rescue dogs who could not be rehomed last year.

While COVID-19 saw families adopt pooches from shelters in record numbers, the funds keeping Ms Mundy’s not-for-profit operation going almost dried up due to rising financial hardship across the community.

Despite being retrenched as a real estate agent as the nation went into lockdown last March, Ms Mundy used her own dwindling funds and modest donations to keep her 21 rescue dogs healthy and happy.

Debbie Mundy is the Founder of "Moving Paws Inc", which is an Always and Forever Haven for Senior and Special Needs dogs. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Now she’s hoping an online fundraising auction scheduled for February will bring in much-needed funds so she can keep taking in rescues to rehome.

She was nominated in the Thanks A Million campaign by her former work colleague, Sharon Trowbridge, for her dedication to the homeless dogs of Adelaide.

“I used to be able to put $7000 to $10,000 into Moving Paws each year, but when I lost my job and went onto JobSeeker, I was on half of my salary,” Ms Mundy said.

“I was able to see first-hand how people were affected and so I didn’t feel right asking for donations from the community during this tough time.

“But at the same time, the dogs we were caring for had a lot of medical issues, which is why they couldn’t be rehomed. Between them they have dementia, epilepsy, heart issues, Cushing’s disease, which takes a lot in vet fees. And then they have to be fed and groomed.

Debbie has been nominated for the Thanks a Million campaign. Debbie with Betsy and Louie (blue wheels) Picture: Keryn Stevens

“There was one lady who has been following us for a while who made a sizeable donation and I don’t know what we would have done without her.”

Mundy founded Moving Paws in 2011 after helping a number of real estate clients rehome pets following the sale of their home, either because they were downsizing, going into a retirement home or because pets weren’t allowed in a new property.

September marks the organisation’s 10th anniversary.

“I hope we have cause to celebrate this year,” she said.

To nominate someone and say thanks, go to thanksamillion.net.au and they could receive a $200 Woolworths Gift Card.

Terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions, visit thanksamillion.net.au

Get your free Thanks A Million postcard in today’s paper and send to a worthy recipient – it’s postage paid.