Oscar the Traveling Dog: From a Shelter to a Trip Around the World
Here is the remarkable and touching story of Oscar, a shelter dog rescued just moments before losing his life who went on to travel the entire globe.
Oscar the globe-trotting dog who traveled the world to champion shelter adoptions
It all began in 2006, when South African animal advocate Joanne Lefson happened to walk into a local dog shelter.
Rescued from a Shelter and Launching the World Woof Tour
Among the dogs at that South African shelter sat Oscar, a medium-sized mixed-breed dog who was scheduled to be euthanized. For Joanne, it was love at first sight: “Oscar was the exact dog I had dreamed of my whole life.”
In 2009, Joanne announced that she and Oscar were setting out on a round-the-world journey to shine a spotlight on millions of homeless animals worldwide. No organization stepped up to sponsor the trip, so she sold nearly everything she owned to pay for flights and lodging.
After a few months of preparation, the “World Woof Tour” began. Over the next eight months, Oscar and his owner crossed five continents, met with animal welfare groups, visited shelters and showed how loyal and remarkable an ordinary rescue dog can be.
Photos of Oscar Around the World
Oscar in the mountains along the World Woof Tour
Oscar in Moscow by St. Basil’s Cathedral
Evening lights in Las Vegas
Oscar at the Statue of Liberty
A quick swim break during the tour
Oscar mid-flight :-)
Stopping by a famous bridge
Oscar in Egypt in front of the pyramids
Sunset over the desert
Oscar and his owner Joanne Lefson
Remembering Oscar
For so many people, Oscar’s second chance and global journey became proof that any shelter dog can have a bright future.
Life can be unpredictable, and on January 11, 2013, Oscar was hit by a car in California and passed away a few hours later. Still, the rescue mission he and Joanne started lived on through her shelter projects – helping hundreds more dogs find loving homes.