Saving Animals During A Pandemic
This pandemic has left us stranded, isolated, restricted, and far away from our floating home (and family support). Our moods change with the tides. Flowing in and out of a funk, feeling stuck with our hands tied and the future uncertain.
We’ve been grounded for almost three months now and there is absolutely no word on when we can go home.
But, lucky us, we found a little pipsqueak in need to distract us from our woes (See Pip’s story here https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/saving-life-isolation). Because we’re not alone, the whole world is suffering in various ways.
Here in Fiji, the coronavirus has affected the animals as much as humans. Animal shelters have closed their doors due to lockdowns, lack of funding, and canceled fundraising events. Which puts thousands of animals in need with nowhere to go.
So, with the discovery of our feline friend Pip and the lovely people at Animals Fiji we decided to rally our crew. Because while we all may be a little stuck right now, it doesn’t mean we can’t be helpful.
Pip volunteered to be the mascot and together we (you included) managed to do something amazing.
Sorry about all those tears at the end, we’re a tad emotional these days and you guys knocked it out of the park. We were sad, happy, and blown away all at the same time. Just incredible! I couldn’t be prouder of our community and how you showed up to help. Thank you so much for making a difference. Not only did you save a lot of animals, but you also helped keep an important, remote organization operating and employing people through a pandemic!
Thank you for being a part of our community.
Thank you for being a part of our journey.
Thank you for lifting our spirits, filling our hearts, and for the ongoing support.
We love you to the moon and back,
Nikki, Jason (and Pip too)
Resource!
Animal Charity Evaluators are dedicated to finding and promoting the most effective ways to help animals.
We also urge you to check out your local shelters. There’s always some little pipsqueak in need of help.
Animals Fiji Fundraiser Recap
Animals Fiji is a non-profit welfare agency for animals. Their goal is to reduce the epidemic of stray and diseased roaming dog and cat populations that plague villages, towns, and rural areas, through spay/neuter programs.
All while ensuring that basic veterinary services, and animal care education, are available to as many Fijians as possible.
Our goal was to raise $1,500 for Animals Fiji to sponsor 10 animals. Together we raised over $28,000 and it’s still climbing!
Animals Fiji Website: animalsfiji.org/
COVID-19 UPDATE IN FIJI
Fiji had a total of 18 coronavirus cases and ZERO deaths. There haven’t been any new cases of COVID-19 since April 21st. Fiji is officially COVID free! However, borders are still closed until further notice.
🙏 Made possible by you!
Ups, downs and all around, we share it all. We’re able to do so because people like you show up each week, read, watch, comment, share, shop our gear store, and toss a tip in our production jar. If you like what you see, there are lots of FREE ways you can show your support.
🎥CAMERA GEAR USED TO FILM THIS VIDEO📷
- See All Of Our Photo & Video Gear here: gonewiththewynns.com/photo-video-gear
🎶MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO:
- Source 2 Months FREE with this link: https://bit.ly/artlist-GWTW
- Artist – Rodellos Machine, Ian Locke, & Katrina Stone
Dani
Hello Nikki!
We are hauled out in Savannah, Georgia for a bottom job. Our trawler is Sea Horse, a 42’ Kadey Krogen. Can’t wait to get back aboard as well.
Dani
You guys are wonderful and an inspiration to so many. We moved aboard our trawler two years ago after catching the “bug” from your amazing videos.
Pip and the animals of Fiji are so lucky the Wynns blew into town. Hope you get back to your beautiful floating home soon.
Nikki Wynn
Thank you Dani! Where are you currently floating and what is the name of your trawler?
Dani
Hello Nikki!
We are hauled out in Savannah, Georgia for a bottom job. Our trawler is Sea Horse, a 42’ Kadey Krogen. Can’t wait to get back aboard as well.
Emily M
I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole (called Gone with the Wynns) and ended up finding that Pip has indeed found a home (that last part took some work). My autistic daughter LOVED that episode and we had to sit down and learn everything there is to learn about Pip and her story, and you two! What a journey! We want to extend our warmest wishes of fair winds and hope that you do find a pet to travel with, as much heartache as it is when they leave us, they make us better because of it.
Deborah Kerr
Very heart-warming story💙🐱
McNamara Grant
Not sure if you caught the announcement from Fiji Airways yesterday (17 June). Here’s a link:
https://www.fijitimes.com/fiji-airways-outlines-plan-for-travel-ready-program/
Basically they’ve extended the grounding another month till 31 July.
Regards Grant
Peter
Add another $100 FJD to the total…just donated. I did not see where i could reference y’all in the donation. Thanks for everything y’all do (yep, from Texas) and for entertaining us!!! My wife and I have been watching since right before y’all made the switch to boat life.
Glenn Adams
Just watched your video with the donation to Animals Fiji.
All I can say is… you two are living proof that angels do walk among us.
Alan Solomon
You guys did a great thing. Pip catches that cat toy pretty well. Nothing but energy. Pip will be a great catch for whoever gets her.
$28,000. It is hard to comprehend all that was donated. It all started with both of you!! Glad and Happy to Help Animals Anywhere.
By the way. I would also be interested in a Pip T-shirt as I am sure most would.
Best to you both and Pip and the Dogs and other Animals at Animal Fiji..
Steve Nicholls
Having a cry means you’re human…. nice job, Wynns! Thankyou.
Nikki Wynn
🤗 Thanks Steve.
Sue McKenney
I can still donate? Can we do it in your name? I’ve been catching up in sequence and now caught up I teamed I missed the first call. I’ll donate and try to mention Wynns. Well done. Fabulous achievement. ❤️
Nikki Wynn
Awe Sue, you can still donate and put Pip in the memo area if you want. Or check out the Animal Charity Evaluators if you want to find something closer to you.
Jane
Love all that you’ve done for the animals of Fiji. So inspiring!
Looks like you qualify for entry into Tonga https://fj.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/. Is that information inaccurate? Wishing you the best and hoping you get to your home soon.
Nikki Wynn
Sadly, that is very old. Those are the restrictions that landed us in Fiji in the first place just before they closed their borders. They are closed and allowing not even their own citizens to come home.
Stephen
That is awesome. I knew it was going to be sad seeing Pip go. I am so happy to have donated to Animals Fiji and our local shelter. I bet Animals Fiji could sell a gazillion Famous Pip tee shirts. I’m first in line.
Nikki Wynn
Ha ha, great idea! We’ll pass that one along!
AlainCh2
For sure you did a wonderful thing:
a stray kitten became a “30.000 dollars kitten” 😀
You did a worse thing a well:
You make crying nearly all your community
And one left-over:
Animals Fiji is now in need of a (small) statue for their 30K Pip.
Pat
What an amazing thing you both did. Tears are flowing here as well. Take care and stay safe
OjaiLynda
Thank you both for introducing us to this worthwhile charity! It’s nice to see the facility and warms our hearts to know, in some small way, we could help the animals of Fiji. Beautiful video, thank you for sharing. Well done, Jason & Nikki, well done, indeed!
Joy Gross
😭 ugh I can’t stop crying.. I know it a great thing for Pip but it was so hard to watch you walk down the hall as they were taking her to quarantine. I’m so excited that you all helped out Figi. Love you guys 😍😍❤️
Michael Larkin
Tears are flowing
mary
I had so much fun watching her play. I giggled so hard when her and Nikki were playing hide and seek. Happy moments in a difficult time.
I’m so proud of all of the money you and all your peeps have raised for Animals Fiji! What a difference that money will make for them during these hard times. I am sorry to say, I did not watch last weeks video. Can we still donate money?
Way to go everyone!
Curious Minion
Hey Mary! You can still donate! There are links to Animals Fiji for a direct donation in this blog post or paste this into your browser: animalsfiji.org/
We all hope you’re doing well and staying safe.
Curious Minion
Jeffrey Stenberg
Animals have such pure love and it was such a joy to share some of this beautiful journey with you both and Pip. Pip will always remember you both. When all this is over and your home again, wherever that ends up, I’m sure you will both will be living and loving with animals again. You both have such giving hearts, God bless you both !
Martine
Bittersweet to say the least. Even though I knew this day was coming I still cried with you. So proud of everyone who donated.
Hopefully you will get to go home to Curiousty soon. Your job here is done. Love you guys :):):):)
Joanie
Jason and Nikki, you two have such a big heart. I admit I had tears running down my face but tears of happiness in knowing all of those sweet babies are in good hands. As an animal lover thank you and God bless.
Marge Nehlsen
Cried along with you both. Know just how you feel. Hope you soon will be able to “set sail” again soon
Erica S.
I’ve never cried SO MUCH watching one of your videos! But I also think this might be my favorite video you’ve ever done! The world needs more people like the two of you!!
Andy Windsor
“Pair of amateur Charity Fundraisers manage to raise 18 2/3 times their ambitious target by asking only people who liked them for help”.
Wow, we’ll done Guys!
Many of us viewers and followers will never get the chance to go where you do, so we travel vicariously through you. If I had been in Fiji, I may have put a few Pennies in a jar, I can’t reach that jar without you, so thank YOU.
Sandra Behler
How sweet! Thanks for your good work and helping spirits!
Just wondering- no masks or social distancing in Fiji?
Curious Minion
Fiji’s last case is over and they have been declared Covid-Free. Way to go Fiji!
Curious Minion
About Creativity
Very good.
Louis Miller
Would someone please shut that dog up I’m trying to sleep .😎