Saving Skippy

Saving Skippy

From Cathie Barker

Rescued from a Hurricane in the Bahamas, travelled halfway across America and now trying to get to my forever home in South Africa!

Support this campaign

Subscribe to follow campaign updates!

Recent Updates

Update #6

almost 3 years ago

Home Sweet Home!

After recovering from his long flights, Skippy hit the road and got to meet all his family and new friends in Johannesburg, Durban and now, in Cape Town.

Skippy's days consist of waking us up with kisses, long morning walks in the bush where he sometimes bumps into small deer, funny looking birds called hadidas and cats! He loves lying out in the sun in his very own yard and going for drives with mum and dad to visit all the beautiful trails, waterfalls and beaches that are at our back door! He has met his very best friend, a 4 month old collie puppy called Olive, who lives right next door and they have play dates every week!

6 months ago we were told that bringing Skippy to South Africa was not going to be possible. It was too difficult and too expensive.

With your help, and God's grace, we made the impossible possible.

Thank you all so much and if you would like to stay in touch and see Skippy's new life in Africa- follow me on Instagram @thenomadicnutritionist or Facebook Cath Beukes.

Love to you all!!

More Info

2 Years ago, after hurricane Dorian, Skippy literally knocked on our door. All the Shelters and Rescue Homes were full, he had mange, heartworm and was in a bad state, we could not just leave him, so for the next 2 years we loved him back to life and he did the same for us. He was with me through a miscarriage, kept us company during lockdown and has been such an important part of our family.

We always knew we would take Skippy with us wherever we went, but when circumstances out of our control depleted our savings- we found ourselves in a very difficult situation. We want to go home, but cant bear to leave him, so we are staying until we have raised enough money to take him with us.

If 1000 people donate just $5, we can take Skippy to his forever home!

Campaign Wall

Join the Conversation

Sign in with your Facebook account or

Cathie Barker posted a new update:
almost 3 years ago

Update #6

Home Sweet Home!

After recovering from his long flights, Skippy hit the road and got to meet all his family and new friends in Johannesburg, Durban and now, in Cape Town.

Skippy's days consist of waking us up with kisses, long morning walks in the bush where he sometimes bumps into small deer, funny looking birds called hadidas and cats! He loves lying out in the sun in his very own yard and going for drives with mum and dad to visit all the beautiful trails, waterfalls and beaches that are at our back door! He has met his very best friend, a 4 month old collie puppy called Olive, who lives right next door and they have play dates every week!

6 months ago we were told that bringing Skippy to South Africa was not going to be possible. It was too difficult and too expensive.

With your help, and God's grace, we made the impossible possible.

Thank you all so much and if you would like to stay in touch and see Skippy's new life in Africa- follow me on Instagram @thenomadicnutritionist or Facebook Cath Beukes.

Love to you all!!

Join the Conversation

Sign in with your Facebook account or

Cathie Barker posted a new update:
almost 3 years ago

Update #5

Skippy has Landed!!!!

We said 'see you soon' to Skippy on a chilly morning in New York City after spending the day at central park. There were tears (from me) and a wagging tail from him.

Melissa kept us updated the whole trip (we were flying the same time and landed in South Africa only 2 hours before he did)

When we picked Skippy up he literally jumped out of the crate and tried to catch a rat in the bush!!

So far he is loving having SO many humans to give him love and is enjoying the African sunshine!

We have a long drive ahead of us, but Skippy has always loved road trips and we have a few days at the beach before we hit the road once again!

Thank you all so much and once we are settled we will send the final update :)

Join the Conversation

Sign in with your Facebook account or

Cathie Barker posted a new update:
almost 3 years ago

Update #4

Hello everyone! We have had so much going on this week and after receiving Skippy's import permit, dispensation approval AND health certificate...(The vet and staff fell so in love with Skippy we didn't know if they would give him back :) )

WE HAVE A FLIGHT DATE!

Skippy will be taking off on Wednesday next week (27th October) We take off just 5 hours after him and will meet him on the other side!

We are all very excited (and very nervous) for the flights and just cant wait to show Skippy his new forever home.

We leave Maryland on Monday so we can break up his trip to New York, he will fly to Amsterdam where he will get to walk, eat and do his business and then he will fly to South Africa and land 2 hours after us, once we land in South Africa it will be a 7 day trip down to his new home in Paarl.

You can follow his journey on Instagram @savingskippy and of course I will post an update on here when we arrive home.

His fund page will stay active until we reach the goal so please continue to share!

Skippy send you lots of sloppy kisses!

Join the Conversation

Sign in with your Facebook account or

Cathie Barker posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #3

Hi Everyone!

It has been 4 weeks and we are still waiting for the import permit from South Africa, we had news this morning that it should hopefully be this week. Our visas are starting to become a bit of a worry with the timeline but we are hopeful it will all tie up.

Skippy is not used to the cold so is spending most of his days lying out in the sun or under blankets, but he is healthy and happy to be with us.

Check out the update video and please share with friends and family- we are half way to our goal!!

Thank you so much for all your love and support! Hopefully next update we will have a date!

Join the Conversation

Sign in with your Facebook account or

Cathie Barker posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #2

Hi Everyone!

It has been 4 weeks and we are still waiting for the import permit from South Africa, we had news this morning that it should hopefully be this week. Our visas are starting to become a bit of a worry with the timeline but we are hopeful it will all tie up.

Skippy is not used to the cold so is spending most of his days lying out in the sun or under blankets, but he is healthy and happy to be with us.

Check out the update video and please share with friends and family- we are half way to our goal!!

Thank you so much for all your love and support! Hopefully next update we will have a date!

Join the Conversation

Sign in with your Facebook account or

Cathie Barker posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #1

Hi Everyone! Thought I would give you an update on Skippy's Journey. We are now in Maryland and he was great on the trip. Although he is feeling a little bit anxious, he is very happy to be with us!

We have applied for his import permit in South Africa which should be approved in 2 weeks, once we receive that we can move onto the next stage which is blood works ect. We have not had any donations for a while now, please share with your friends and family and don't forget to follow his journey on Instagram @savingskippy.

Join the Conversation

Sign in with your Facebook account or