Here at AWL NSW, we don’t put a time limit on care. Some animals arrive and find their people quickly while others need more time, time to heal, to trust, and to wait for the right match.
In 2025, we said some of our most emotional goodbyes to animals who had been with us for months, and in some cases, years. Seeing these long-term residents finally leave the shelter and start the next chapter of their lives reminded us exactly why “as long as it takes” isn’t just a saying, it’s a promise.
Hazel: Progress, Patience and Trust
Hazel, came into our care as a 1 year old in 2023 following welfare concerns. From the beginning, it was clear Hazel needed more than just time. She needed understanding, structure and support.
Through ongoing behaviour training, foster care and patient handling, Hazel began to build confidence and trust. She patiently waited for the right people to come along, spending her 2nd and 3rd birthday with us.
This year, she took a huge step forward by entering her first foster-to-adopt placement and now, has been officially adopted into the loving forever home she was waiting for! Our team couldn’t be happier for her and the bright new chapter she’s beginning.
Zipper: Finding Safety on His Own Terms
Zipper’s journey was all about patience. After being rescued in 2024 following abandonment and serious health challenges, he struggled to trust in new environments.
With the help of enrichment, our Behaviour Modification Program and plenty of quiet encouragement, Zipper began to thrive. He enjoyed his independence, snack breaks and choosing when to engage, and that’s exactly what his foster-to-adopt family understood.
After 481 days in care, in July 2025, his foster family made it official.
“He is now best friends with our other boy,” his adopters shared. “They play together, groom each other and hate being separated. He loves sleeping on the lounge every night. He’s a very loud snorer, and the vet told us he’s a very healthy boy. Thank you for caring for him for over a year while he was at AWL.”
Rigger: 800+ Days, Then Home
Rigger waited more than 800 days for his happy ending, and when it came, he settled in like he’d been there all along.
After initially hiding under the bed, Rigger slowly began exploring his new home, gaining confidence with every passing day. Now, his family says his personality is shining through. He enjoys playful bursts, affectionate pats on his own terms, toy time, long naps on the lounge and an impressive radar for food.
“We’re so grateful for him,” they told us. “Thank you for helping us find him.”
For our team, watching Rigger finally head home was one of the most rewarding moments of the year.
Other Long-Stay Legends Who Found Their Match
In 2025, we also celebrated these happy endings:
- Baloo, adopted after 285 days in care
- Summer, adopted after 314 days in care
- Charlie, adopted after 324 days in care
Each waited patiently for the right home, and each found it.
Because Every Wait Is Worth It
To everyone who helped make these happy endings possible, adopters, foster carers, volunteers, supporters and staff, thank you for standing by our long-stay legends until their moment came.
