After struggling to settle in, a formerly homeless couple recently reunited with their pet cat.
When Deborah and Jonathan Vaughn moved into Greyhound, Dallas, it was difficult for them to find shelter in October.
The couple loved their pet, Wubdabewy, like family and wanted a home for themselves and their pet. They chose to remain on the streets when they didn’t find a house to provide shelter for them and Wubdabewy.
According to The Dallas Morning News, the Vaughns met Downtown Dallas Inc.’s Samantha Moran, coordinator of a special outreach team that connects the city’s most vulnerable to essential services. When they met Moran, they immediately connected to her and saw her as someone they could trust.
The DMN reports Moran said she wanted to help the couple as soon as the couple approached with a cat carrier. She said she could see that the cat was a barrier and the couple was willing to do whatever they could to find a home and get off the streets.
While most shelters operate on a no-pet policy, Downtown Dallas Inc. works to bypass the policy by partnering with animal welfare agencies like the SPCA of Texas. This way, they hope to provide situational fostering.
Per The DMN, vice president of marketing and communications for the SPCA of Texas, Maura Davies, said that the agency is all for keeping pets in homes with the people they love.
Davies further noted that Texas’ SPCA officials were happy to assist the Vaughns when Moran told them about the family with a cat.
The Vaughns were referred to the Dallas Life homeless recovery program and had to part with their pet while program members made efforts to get them off the streets.
Wubdabewy went to the SPCA of Texas. There, he underwent a wellness exam and received updated shots. The pet cat also got microchipped to be found if he got lost.
Parting with their pet evoked mixed emotions in the couple. However, they felt consoled that Wubdabewy was safe and that they would be reunited soon.
The Vaughns settled into a new apartment just before Thanksgiving. There, they reunited with their beloved Wubdabewy.
The DMN reports that the couple expressed excitement over their reunion with their pet. Deborah, 41, was relieved that Wubdabewy was finally free of his carrier and leash and could feel the warmth of a home.
Jonathan also expressed gratitude for having his companion back. Jonathan, a 47-year-old veteran, has enjoyed emotional support from the pet as he helps him deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.
Hopefully, the Vaughns’ story will inspire people who seek life-changing help and are willing to “put in the work.” That’s the Vaughns’ hope too.
