Sophie’s dogs, Slick, Sahara, Sargent and Solē.
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Local mother-of-two Sophie Taiki has founded a registered Australian not-for-profit charity operating under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
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The 4S Legacy Inc offers support to families and pet owners experiencing financial hardship when facing the loss of a beloved pet.
Its mission is to help cover cremation costs and memorial keepsakes, giving families the opportunity to say goodbye with dignity and love during an incredibly emotional time, if that is their wish.
To ensure transparency and accountability, approved funds are paid directly to our private pet cremation provider.
The charity was founded from Ms Taiki’s personal experience and heartbreak after losing one of her beautiful dogs, then unexpectedly losing another during surgery 13 weeks later.
After already carrying the emotional and financial strain of losing her first dog, she was unable to afford cremation and memorial options for the second loss.
“Four days after my second dog passed, I thought I cannot let anybody ever feel like this,” Ms Taiki said.
After eight months Ms Taiki received the ACNC registration, and The 4S Legacy has now been running for five weeks.
“It's the first of its kind in Australia, there are no other not-for-profit charities like this one,” Ms Taiki said.
“It’s something I can be very proud of.”
A similar story happened to a retiree widow whose beloved dog suddenly passed and she could not afford to have him cremated.
“So I had my situation as well as this one in my head and I came up with the idea for 4S Legacy,” Ms Taiki said.
This experience, along with her own, led to the creation of the charity, helping struggling families financially during an already devastating time.
Australian charity The 4S Legacy supports families in financial hardship with pet cremation and memorial costs.
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“Owning pets in general is not cheap, and with how hard the economy currently is.
“People shouldn’t have to choose whether they’re going to buy groceries or bring their pet home.”
The 4S Legacy is hoping to build trust, community awareness and local support so people know this help exists when they need it most.
“Losing both my dogs after all these years, I just wanted to turn this grief into something good and help other people,” Ms Taiki said.
“My two dogs have their pride of place in my lounge room and I know that they are with me now.”
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