Love, travel, and purpose have shaped the extraordinary journey of Sanne and Ken, a couple who transformed their passion for animals into a global mission. Together for over two decades, their story began with a trip to Brazil in 2011, where they first came face-to-face with the harsh reality of stray dogs. What started as feeding and comforting those animals soon grew into a life-changing commitment to volunteer at shelters and rescue centers around the world, from Thailand and Belize to Morocco and Portugal. Through social media, they raise awareness, inspire others to take action, and even help shelter dogs find forever homes. In this conversation, Sanne opens up about their most unforgettable rescue experiences, the emotional highs and lows of their journey, and why senior dogs like their beloved Pipa deserve a chance at love.
Hey Sanne, Welcome to Dogopo! To begin with, can you tell us a bit about yourself and Ken, and how your global journey of volunteering with rescue animals first began?
Ken and I are both 38 years old and we’ve been together since high school, 24 years now. One of the things that connected us deeply is our shared love for animals.
Our journey with rescue work started back in 2011, during our first long-distance trip to Brazil. That’s where we were confronted with the heartbreaking reality of stray dogs. We spent a lot of time feeding them, connecting with them, and offering kindness. That experience really changed something in us, it gave us a sense of purpose.
Shortly after, in Thailand, we visited our first dog shelter. We walked the dogs, socialized with them, and took them to the beach.
Since then, helping rescue/stray dogs became a part of our travels.
And now we’ve been volunteering in shelters, and helping stray dogs so much as we can.
You’ve volunteered at shelters around the world – from Morocco to Portugal to Thailand. What are some of the most unforgettable experiences you’ve had during your travels?
There are so many moments that have stayed with us, but two stories in particular come to mind.
In Morocco, we volunteered at a shelter where I met a dog on the very first day who completely stole my heart. I was cleaning one of the sections, and all the dogs came running up to me excited, jumping, full of energy. But one little dog just sat behind the chaos, quietly watching me with the calmest eyes. I walked over, picked him up, and from that moment on, he never left my heart.
When I got home, I posted a reel of us together, and to my surprise, it went viral. Someone reached out immediately, wanting to adopt him. Exactly one year later,we flight Banji to his forever family. We would have loved to adopt him ourselves, but unfortunately, that wasn’t possible because of the needs of our own rescue dog.
And then there was Belize. We volunteered at a small shelter run by one man who truly lived for the animals. He didn’t have much, he fixed bikes on the island to earn money, and every bit of it went to caring for the rescue animals. Our time with him touched me deeply. His dedication and love inspired me and reminded me of what this work is really about: doing whatever you can, with whatever you have, to make a difference.
Your current efforts at SARA in Agadir and soon at ARA in Portugal are remarkable. How do these shelters differ from others, and what drew you to return to them?
SARA in Agadir and ARA in Portugal are both amazing shelters.
SARA has nearly 1,000 dogs and works in a country where millions of dogs live on the streets. The level of animal suffering on the street is heartbreaking, and unfortunately, adoption rates are very low
ARA in Portugal has around 100 dogs, but it’s a big shelter with more support and higher adoption rates.
What draws us back to both places is the same: the connection with the dogs and the beautiful people behind the shelters. Once you’ve been there, you feel part of their mission.
How do you use social media to raise awareness for the rescue animals, and what kind of support or response have you received from your online community?
I use social media to show what we do during our time at the shelters and how we help stray dogs. I regularly create adoption reels to help shelter dogs find loving homes, and I try to raise awareness about the huge number of dogs still waiting in shelters, and about the daily reality of life on the streets. I also try to show how beautiful and meaningful it is to adopt a rescue dog.
For a long time, we made personal donations in every shelter we visited, because we wanted to give a extra. But this year, we created a GoFundMe page, and thanks to our amazing community, we’ve been able to raise even more and support many more animals in need. It feels incredible to be able to give so much extra to the shelters that truly need it.
It means so much to see the impact. Dogs have been adopted because of the videos we shared, and I often receive messages from people saying they’ve felt inspired to start volunteering too. That’s incredibly special to me knowing that by sharing these stories, I can help the animals, and also spark something in others.
You’ve helped animals in heartbreaking conditions. How do you emotionally cope with the challenges while staying hopeful and motivated?
It’s definitely not always easy. Sometimes it’s really hard and emotionally heavy. You see things that stay with you. But I not push those feelings away. I let myself feel them.
I write a lot, journaling helps me process everything. I also meditate every day and do yoga, which gives me space to breathe.
What keeps me motivated and hopeful is the love the animals give back.
Even after everything they’ve been through their ability to trust again, to show love is incredibly inspiring.
Why do you think senior dogs, like your lovely Pipa, are so often overlooked in shelters — and what message would you give to encourage their adoption?
I think many people are afraid to adopt a senior dog because they know the time together might be short. There’s also concern about medical costs or health issues, so people often choose a younger dog or a puppy instead.
But older dogs deserve just as much love, maybe even more.
They’ve often been through so much, and when you give them a second chance, they know it.
They don’t ask for much, a soft place to rest, kindness, love, and someone to stay by their side. And what they give back is pure love and deep, quiet gratitude.
My message would be: please don’t look past them. Don’t let fear hold you back.Give them a warm loving home for their final chapter. You might not get a lifetime together, but the time you do get is so full of meaning.
Pipa has shown us that in the most beautiful way.
Lastly, what message would you like to share with people who don’t like dogs or don’t treat them with the love and respect they deserve?
I think sometimes people who don’t like dogs have simply never had the chance to really connect with one. To look into their eyes, to feel their trust, their softness, their loyalty. Dogs aren’t just animals, they’re souls with emotions, memories, and the power to love unconditionally.
My message would be try to see them for who they really are. You don’t have to be a dog lover to treat them with kindness. Every living being deserves respect!
And if you ever open your heart to a dog you might be surprised by how much they give you in return.
What message would you like to share with people who don’t like dogs or treat them poorly?
I think it comes down to empathy. You don’t have to love dogs to treat them with respect. They feel fear, pain, loneliness, and love, just like we do. No living being deserves to be mistreated or ignored.
My message would be: try to see beyond your own experience. Just because you don’t connect with dogs doesn’t mean their lives matter less. Every animal deserves a life free from suffering. Treating them with kindness is not about being a dog person, it’s about being human. How you treat the those with no voice says everything about who you are.
Lastly, for anyone reading this who feels inspired by your work, how can they connect with you or support your mission to help rescue animals around the world?
For anyone who feels inspired by what we do, the best way to connect is through Instagram @sannejjj or TikTok, you can find me at @sannejjj.
There are many ways to support this mission: sharing our posts, spreading awareness, adopting a rescue dog, or donating through our GoFundMe page.