Getting Dennis Home: A Rescue Jungle Pup’s Final Hurdle

David Brudnell is organizing this fundraiser.

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Help Us Bring Dennis Home to the UK

Hi, I’m David, and I’m writing this from the UK, while my wife Kathryn is still out in Mexico trying to bring home a dog who’s completely stolen our hearts.

This is Dennis.

We found him earlier this year while volunteering at an animal sanctuary deep in the Yucatán jungle. He was just 12 weeks old, abandoned in a hole in the ground, crying, covered in fleas and ticks, with an ear infection, and very hungry and thirsty.

We were only supposed to foster him… but Dennis had other plans.

He followed us everywhere, curled up in our arms, and quickly became the sweetest, most loyal pup. It didn’t take long before we became what’s known as “failed fosterers” and decided to adopt him. Now we just need to get him home.

But bringing a dog from Mexico to the UK is anything but easy.

Before agreeing to adopt him, we had no idea just how complicated and expensive it would be. The amount of UK red tape, regulations, and strict import rules is unlike anything seen in other countries. While many places allow dogs to fly in the cabin or as checked baggage, the UK requires animals arriving directly from Mexico to follow strict procedures. And with a current embargo on dogs entering the UK in May, Dennis can’t fly directly anyway.

The only option is to fly him to another European country, most likely Paris, and then travel overland via car and the Eurotunnel or P&O Ferry.

Kathryn has had to stay behind in Mexico to arrange everything, while I’ve returned home to dog-proof the house, gather all the necessary paraphernalia now that we’re officially dog owners, check our finances, and help with the ongoing planning to get Dennis safely home.

We've been quoted between £2,500 and £3,000 to do this! We were convinced there had to be a cheaper way, it just seemed like a ridiculous amount. But after hours of research and dead ends, it turns out that really is what it’s going to cost. And now that he’s part of our family, there’s simply no way we can leave him behind.

To add to the complications, the vet in Mexico can’t acquire the GB Pet Health Certificate we need to get into the UK via Paris. This means we have to stay in Paris, get a French vet to issue the certificate and get it approved by the DDPP. This is adding more cost, which we weren’t expecting.

If Kathryn were to fly home without Dennis, her TUI flight would have been just £400, a fraction of what this journey is costing us.

We’re doing everything we can to make this happen, but it’s a completely unexpected expense, and one we simply hadn’t planned for. A few of our friends suggested we set up this GoFundMe to help cushion the blow a little, and after some hesitation, we’ve decided to reach out and ask for support.

So, we’re asking for help towards the cost of bringing Dennis home - £3,000

If you’re able to chip in, we’d be unbelievably grateful. And if you know anyone with a spare seat on a private jet, feel free to send them our way – Dennis would be very well behaved, we promise.

With love,

David, Kathryn & Dennis

#BringDennisHome