Kobe the adventurous Pyrenean Mountain Dog who calls the Blue Mountains home has embarked on a new philanthropic venture ... raising funds for Thrive Services.
Together with his human Muriel Wang, Kobe is hoping to sell a bundle of his 2022 calendars. Proceeds will assist Thrive help pets find a place to stay while their owners are in temporary housing or escaping violence in the Blue Mountains and Lithgow areas.
"We are donating 25 per cent of profits from Kobe's calendar sales to Thrive Services to provide safe temporary homes for pets escaping homelessness or violence, to cover the costs of housing, food and care products," said Ms Wang on behalf of Kobe.
"2021 has been a tough year for people facing homelessness and domestic violence, and the situation can be exacerbated by the need to keep pets safe as they escape violence at home. Because emergency shelters generally don't allow pets, the result is that people can either delay leaving an unsafe situation at home or face leaving their pets behind.
"It's an issue that many people aren't aware of and doesn't seem to get as much airtime in the media as it should, so apart from raising money we also want to raise awareness of this in the community."
Ms Wang said that the aim was to keep families intact by providing short-term care for pets while a longer-term housing solution is found, where the owner can be safely reunited with their pets.
She said that in conjunction with the calendar sales, The Pet Health Hub at Lawson was hosting a donation drive for Thrive Services to collect goods for pets in need.
"Goods such as collars/harnesses, worming/flea/tick medications, food, grooming products (shampoos, brushes/combs) are all welcome," Ms Wang said.
"People can either donate something from home they no longer need or buy something from The Pet Health Hub to put in the donation box. The box will be there until Christmas, and all donated goods will be distributed to pets in need by Thrive Services."
The Pet Health Hub is located at 1/9 Staples Crescent, Lawson.
Copies of Kobe's 2022 calendar are available from Gleebooks Blackheath, Turning Page Bookshop in Springwood, Pet Health Hub and online at kotesbykobe.com.au