Long-time St Vincent de Paul Society volunteer Corrie Johnston thought she’d likely seen it all when it came to unusual donations. But, she had no idea her usual Sunday shift at the St Vincent de Paul Society shop in Kingaroy, Queensland, was about to take an unforgettable turn into the truly bizarre.
While working at the shop, Johnston heard whimpering coming from a cooler bag that had been left in a donation crate outside the store. She carried the bag inside and placed it on the counter before opening it.
Inside was a two-month-old Chihuahua puppy.
“As soon as I lifted the flap, he leapt out of the bag and was instantly wanting to play,” Johnston explained.
Despite the puppy’s friendly nature, Johnston said the situation was upsetting, saying the little pup was “abandoned”.
Luckily, she had found him on time.
“Just a few minutes later, someone came and threw four big garbage bags full of donations in that bin, imagine if we hadn’t rescued him in time?” she said.
Although she was disappointed by the circumstances, Johnston noted that the person who left the puppy had chosen the perfect shop.
“I already have three chihuahua puppies at home, so I didn’t have to think about what to do with him – I knew immediately he’d be coming home with me,” she said.
“My co-workers were telling me to give him a name so naturally we decided on Vinnie.
“I called my husband and said he needed to come pick up a donation I wanted to take home; I doubt he expected a live puppy!”
Johnston said that, given she had previously spoken to customers about her love of chihuahuas, it was possible the donation had been intentional.
Vinnie has since settled into his new home and gets along well with the other dogs.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time a live animal has been dumped in a Vinnies donation bin, Vinnies Queensland General Manager of Operations Drew Eide said.
“In Cairns a few years ago, we had two live kittens left in the donation bin – thankfully the local RSPCA was able to take them in and they survived and were adopted out to happy homes,” he said.
For years the charity has been trying to educate the public about appropriate donations. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia last month, he said “of the millions of donations Vinnies Queensland receives each year, about 20 to 30 per cent are not suitable for sale”.
“And while the story of Vinnie had a happy ending, we cannot stress enough to please do not donate your pets to Vinnies – all other wonderful donations are welcome!” he said.
Images: St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland / Corrie Johnston
