Family separated from dogs in immigration disaster

A family who had lived in New Zealand for six years, and were trying to get permanent residency, have had to leave the country after their visas were declined.

They're now worried about reuniting their family; they were forced to leave behind their three dogs, two of whom were elderly.

Samantha and Jon Shawcross moved to Auckland from the UK in 2010, with their two dogs, Howard and Humphrey.

While in Auckland they rescued another dog, Zak the Dalmatian, and had a son.

But earlier this year, there was trouble. Ms Shawcross told Newshub when she tried to renew her work visa, the fourth time since she moved, it was "unexpectedly declined".

Tightened Immigration rules meant when her visa came up for renewals, the company she had worked for for six years should've advertised the job for Kiwis.

"The company paid for advice from an immigration lawyer, who advised that the best thing to do was for the company to write a letter and explain that they had never needed to do this previously and all visas had been approved with no issue. Now they were aware, they would ensure this was always done in the future," she said.

"This made absolutely no difference and we were simply advised that we could choose to appeal the decision but with no guarantees and obviously an additional cost associated with said appeal."

The family decided to move out, heading to Australia, when Mr Shawcross has family, to make their next plans.

But in the 30 days they had to leave, they couldn't arrange to get the dogs across.

Eleven-year-old Humphrey, 10-year-old Howard and four-year-old Zak have spent the past three months in a kennel in Helensville, and have just moved in with foster families while they wait.

The Shawcrosses are desperate to reunite the family.

"Our son, who has now just turned two, asks about them every day and cannot understand why they are not here," Ms Shawcross said.

"We are hoping that it won't be long, the sooner the better for us, but we have said hopefully, no longer than three months."

As of Monday afternoon, a Givealittle page created for the family has reached more than $2000, an amount of support which has stunned the Shawcrosses.

"So far it's been unbelievable - when people who don't know you donate money and send messages of support like they have done, it blows the mind," Ms Shawcross said.

"We are just so, so appreciative of what people have said and done. It's left us a bit speechless."

While she's hopeful they'll eventually be able to return to New Zealand, Ms Shawcross says wherever the family ends up, they're staying with the dogs.

"Wherever we go, they go," she said.

Both of the elderly dogs, Humphrey and Howard, were chosen by Mr Shawcross's parents before they died. It's an emotional link for the family.

"We view them as much a part of our family as we are," Ms Shawcross said.

Newshub.