SEND IT FOR THE STRAYS

4×4 Rescue dog campaign from Melbourne to Cape York

Every rescue dog has a story, and too often, those stories start with hardship. When Bec and I were brainstorming how to combine our love of adventure with giving back, we knew we wanted to create a project that not only raised awareness but also made a real impact on the ground. That’s how Send It for the Strays was born.

From February to August 2026, we’ll be taking our rugged 1984 LandCruiser HJ47 on a 4x4 journey from Melbourne to Cape York, tackling some of Australia’s toughest tracks along the way. We deliberately swapped our 2022 Troopy for this old farm truck, rough around the edges, full of character, and ready to prove its worth, just like the rescue dogs we are backing up. At each stop, we’ll be visiting animal shelters, helping re-photograph and edit their websites and social media imagery, and delivering goodies like food, treats, bedding, and toys, making sure every dog and cat has a little extra love.

The project is about showing the value in the overlooked, celebrating the resilient, and using our skills in storytelling, photography, and videography to amplify the incredible work these shelters do. Send It for the Strays isn’t just a road trip, it’s a movement to give rescue dogs the visibility, care, and support they deserve.

Freeroamchicks’ old and new LandCruiser rigs – 4×4 vehicles for adventure and rescue animal storytelling

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER v8 2022

OLD RIG

1984 LandCruiser HJ47 used for campaign journey – rugged overlanding vehicle for rescue dog campaign

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER HJ47 1984

NEW RIG

BE PART OF THE STORY

Dog carrying toy in mouth with overlay text 'Donate to Shelter' in white capital letters.
A young woman filling up her vehicle with gasoline at a gas station, with the phrase "Fuel the Ride" superimposed over the image.
A large truck driving through water and mud, splashing water in all directions, with the text "Become a Partner" overlaid.
Woman holding orange maxtrax while running on a sandy beach, with the text 'Spread the Word' overlayed.

WE ARE RAISING FOUNDS FOR HAPPY TAILS ANIMAL RESCUE

At the heart of our upcoming campaign is Happy Tails Animal Rescue, a Queensland-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to giving abandoned and unwanted animals a second chance at life.

Happy Tails operates without a shelter, instead, they rely on a passionate network of foster carers who open their homes to dogs and cats in need. This model not only saves lives but also prepares animals for their forever homes by giving them love, stability, and training in a family environment.

Why Happy Tails needs us

Rescue groups like Happy Tails face daily challenges: limited funding, endless vet bills, and an overwhelming demand to take in more animals than they have carers for. Their biggest need is more foster families, people willing to provide temporary homes while animals wait to be adopted. By raising awareness and funds, we aim to help Happy Tails recruit more fosters, cover medical costs, and continue saving lives.

Why we chose Happy Tails

When we met the Happy Tails team, we knew they were the right rescue to partner with. They stood out immediately as genuine, grateful, and incredibly dedicated. Their openness, friendliness, and passion for animal welfare made it clear that every dollar raised and every story shared would go directly towards helping animals in need.

Happy Tails is not just about rescuing animals, it’s about building a compassionate community. That’s why we’re proud to support them, shine a light on their work, and encourage more people to consider fostering or adopting through Happy Tails.

  • 'Send It for the Strays' is Freeroamchicks' 4×4 overlanding campaign from Melbourne to Cape York, aiming to support rescue shelters by delivering supplies and providing professional photography services.

  • The campaign runs from February to August 2026.

  • At each stop, we visit shelters to deliver food, bedding, toys, and treats, while also re-photographing and editing their websites and social media imagery to enhance their visibility.

  • We selected the 1984 HJ47 for its rugged charm and reliability, symbolising resilience and aligning with the campaign's mission to support overlooked rescue dogs.

  • You can support by subscribing for updates, donating to the shelter, partnering with us, or sharing the campaign on social media :)