Rescue
Homeless Man Asks For Help After His Pet Rat Is Stolen
This homeless man's whole town came together to help him find his pet rat, Lucy.
Rachel Shapiro
04.19.19

For years, Alyson Pearce has passed by the same homeless man as she walks into her office in Sydney, Australia. The homeless man, Chris, is the proud owner of a black and white rat named Lucy.

Alyson Pearce via Facebook
Source:
Alyson Pearce via Facebook

Chris loves the rat more than anything, and it always makes Alyson smile when she sees how happy the two of them are.

“Almost everyday since I started my job in the city Chris & his pet rat Lucy have sat in the same spot, Chris chatting to passersby & Lucy happily munching, sleeping & looking on. They are a feature of Sydney city life & I have always smiled when I see them & felt glad they had each other,” Alyson wrote on Facebook.

Alyson Pearce via Facebook
Source:
Alyson Pearce via Facebook

One morning in April 2019, Alyson walked by Chris and saw he looked distraught. Then, she saw a heartbreaking note on Lucy’s cage. The note said:

“My pet rat Lucy was stolen on Saturday. Lucy is black and white with a bit of brown. -Chris.”

Alyson Pearce via Facebook
Source:
Alyson Pearce via Facebook

Alyson was heartbroken for Chris—she knew how much he loved Lucy. Alyson posted about Chris and Lucy on her Facebook page, hoping that someone in her network would be able to help Chris and Lucy out.

“Taking a homeless persons loved pet – seriously, what a really low act. Please re post this story in the hope that the power of social media may find someone who knows where Lucy is,” Alyson said.

Alyson Pearce via Facebook
Source:
Alyson Pearce via Facebook

Alyson’s post quickly went viral—everyone was touched by Chris’s love for his pet.

Chris and Alyson also contacted the police, and they said they would check the CCTV camera to see if they could get any leads. In the meantime, Alyson set up a GoFundMe page for Chris. She quickly raised over $1,000 for him.

Alyson Pearce via Facebook
Source:
Alyson Pearce via Facebook

A few days after Lucy was stolen, the police contacted Chris and told him they had good news: they had found Lucy!

The whole thing turned out to be a misunderstanding. Chris had left Lucy alone on her cage when he went to use the bathroom, and a woman walking by had thought she had been abandoned. The woman took her home and cared for her. When the woman saw Chris and Lucy’s story on the news, she realized she was mistaken and quickly contacted the police.

NSW Police Force via Facebook
Source:
NSW Police Force via Facebook

The police brought Chris to the police station, where he was reunited with Lucy. Chris and Lucy were both so happy to see each other!




Alyson was so happy to see Chris and Lucy reunited. She shared an update about their reunion on her GoFundMe page.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped make this happen. The funds raised will go to support Chris and Lucy with accommodation and food and to a local charity that cares for the homeless community and their pets in Sydney,” Alyson wrote.

NSW Police Force via Facebook
Source:
NSW Police Force via Facebook

When Chris lost his beloved pet rat, his whole community came together to help him. We’re so glad these two are back together again!

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