Homeless Woman's Desperate Plea For Safe Haven With Her Loyal Dogs

All Tamara wants is a safe place to live with her beloved pets by her side. As a pet owner her entire life, the thought of giving up her dogs is unbearable. The South Australian woman has been through a tough time recently, having left a relationship and been moved to emergency accommodation with the help of not-for-profit charity Safe Pets Safe Families.

"My dad was a snake catcher," Tamara tells 9honey. "My very first pet was a carpet python when I was six. Then I had a frog, a turtle, and a bird. My dad started breeding black German Shepherds at the time, and I just fell in love with them all." She always dreamed of owning a Dalmatian, and at the age of 12, she finally got her chance.

"I got my first Dalmatian, and I called her Dice," Tamara says, nostalgia evident in her voice. "She was with me for 14 years. Dogs are my life, and it wouldn't feel like home without them by my side." Her love for dogs is so strong that she even has a Dalmatian tattoo.

The charity Safe Pets Safe Families has been instrumental in helping Tamara and her dogs during this difficult time. "They've helped me get to a safe place, somewhere where I can be with my dogs rather than giving them up," she explains.

However, the crisis center has a short turnover period, and Tamara is now facing the daunting task of finding a new home for herself and her dogs. The rental market is competitive, and having pets makes it even more challenging. "As soon as I write that down, they reject me for rentals," she says, frustrated by the system.

Tamara is not alone in her struggle. Many people who are escaping domestic violence or abuse face the impossible choice of giving up their pets or risking their own safety. "When you're going through trauma or leaving an unsafe situation, you need your pets," she emphasizes.

The charity has been providing Tamara with ongoing support, including help with transport, vet visits, food, and accommodation. "They're amazing," she says gratefully. However, the struggle is far from over. Tamara has been offered temporary accommodation by a Safe Pets Safe Families volunteer, but it's located two hours out of the city, making it difficult for her to attend upcoming court dates and work.