It’s not often a dog gets to travel from Lawrence, Kansas to Africa! Chili, a mastiff labrador retriever, was just in luck when owner Jaime Fiorucci decided to move to Africa and take him along for the ride (or flight). Adopted at 11 months old in 2020, Chili, now named Hunter, was just a small fellow looking to be rescued at the Lawrence Humane Society during the COVID era when many could no longer keep their animals due to issues of moving. At the time, dogs were facing an uncertainty of where their next home may be as owners struggled to keep them housed.
“Not everyone could keep those dogs for one reason or another but our rescue from Lawrence Humane Society is a world traveling guy”, said Fiorucci.
She explains that through Hunter’s leadership and love, he has influenced Fiorucci to start a movement in the countries they have traveled to and continues to find, spay/neuter, and rehome dogs in those areas- where there is little regard to the safety of animals. There are differing sentiments about the influx of street animals in countries where Fiorucci has travelled and after witnessing these negative attitudes towards animals, she has attempted to create a positive change in every area she goes. She explains that often in these countries there is “throwing (of) poisoned meat on the road to control the population.”
Fiorucci herself is a leader in healthcare and education and the co-founder of the NGO Voluntary Rural Empowerment based in Uganda. She splits her time between East Africa and the United States and has taken Hunter along with her everywhere she goes.
“Hunter might as well have a passport, he has been to Dubai, he settled in Uganda and who knows if this his last adventure as we continue to expand our work in Africa,” said Fiorucci.
Fiorucci herself is a leader in healthcare and education and the co-founder of the NGO Voluntary Rural Empowerment based in Uganda. She splits her time between East Africa and the United States and has taken Hunter along with her everywhere she goes.
“Hunter might as well have a passport, he has been to Dubai, he settled in Uganda and who knows if this his last adventure as we continue to expand our work in Africa,” said Fiorucci.
These days, Hunter is enjoying his time in Uganda alongside a new addition to the family, a brother who is an Egyptian German Shepherd, also rescued by Fiorucci through her travels. It’s uncertain where their next adventure may be but what Fiorucci is certain about is that Hunter “is family and forever”.
