A husband-and-wife team who fostered 70 children over 18 years are now finding safe homes for the stray dogs of the Hauraki Plains.
Chris and Darren Hannah are animal control officers for Hauraki District Council and are determined that no dogs, unless they are dangerous, will be destroyed on their watch.
The pair can see the similarities between their old life and their new one.
“It’s the simple things that help them to learn that they’re safe again and learn to trust again,” said Chris.
One of Chris’ success stories was saving Toa, who she found sitting “terrified” in the bushes alongside State Highway 25.
“We bonded sitting in those bushes for a good half hour or hour or so.”
They still visit Toa with his new owners and ended up being “very good friends.”
Last year, the duo adopted out 47 dogs – an adoption rate of 100%.
“So far, so good.”
Watch the duo give stray dogs a second chance in the feel-good video above.