Joanne Lefson adopted Oscar from the local shelter in her hometown of Capetown, South Africa. He was one day away from euthanization. After a short period of falling in love with her new best friend, Joanne realized that there were way too many potential companions locked up in shelters around the globe.

To help make a difference in the lives of animals throughout the world, Joanne took it upon herself to sell her home and take Oscar on a $40,000 trip around the world to help bring attention to the plight of shelter pets. To the left, you can see Oscar at Machu Picchu.

During their trip, Joanne and Oscar fell in love with another pup in Romania, and their new friend Zara will soon join them at their permanent home in South Africa.

Names: Jug and Coffey
Ages: 3 years old and 2 years old
Mixes: Jack russell/pug and Corgi/Staffordshire Terrier
Hobbies: Jug likes walks, visiting the beach, cuddles and his daddy. Coffey likes going on trips, playing fetch, swimming, snuggling and clinging to mom.
Owner: Sassy, Victoria, Australia

Name: Bob
Age: 12 years
Mix: Jack Russell/Collie
Hobbies: Eating, playing, eating, going for walks, eating, sleeping, eating, getting rubs and tickles, eating, watching the world go by sitting on the windowsill, eating. Oh, and eating.
Owner: Liz in Newcastle, UK

Names: Sophie and Picasso
Ages: 1 year old and 13 years old
Mixes: Totally unknown
Hobbies: Chewing, running, napping and maoing
Owner: Billie Hill

Name: Coco
Age: 2 years old
Mix: Treeing Feist/Dachshund/Wire-haired Jack Russel Terrier
Hobbies: Cuddling, chewing on faces, running around, racing around on stubby legs, and eating everything available.
Owner: Kaitlyn, Greenville, NC

Name: Fredrich von Stinkenhammer
Age: 10 years
Mix: Boston Terrier/Beagle
Hobbies: Playing with rope toys, barking at cats and hanging out at the family surf shop.
Owner: Amber Gavel, Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Names: Otis and Rilo
Ages: 7 months old and 3 years old
Mixes: Pittbull mix, with possible lab and a rat terrier and chihuahua
Hobbies: Otis likes to cuddle, play, eat and bark. Rilo likes to dance, guard her family, play tug of war, sleep and steal from her brother.
Owner: Danielle Ward, New Mexico

Name: Olivia
Age: 6 years old
Mix: Poodle/soft coated wheaton terrier
Hobbies: Being affectionate with people and taking joy rides in car.
Owner: M. Hernandez, Chicago, IL

Jennifer Aniston’s Corgi/Terrier Mix was voted the best celebrity dog of 2008 by their users. Bonus points to the pup for disliking John Mayer. Go muttskis!

Name: Mary Lou Hou
Age: 4 years
Mix: Boston Terrier and Italian Greyhound
Hobbies: Getting butt scratches, ripping stuffing from stuffed animals, biting her mommies toe nails and napping on the beach.
Owner: Jane Ortega, Houston, Texas