Pets for Life
Pets for Life
Supporting those who need it most
Supporting those who need it most
Difficult financial and personal circumstances force many loving pet owners to surrender their cat or dog - losing a member of their family, as well as a crucial comfort and emotional support in the midst of crisis. Through better awareness, more humane policies and practical support, we can change that, and help keep pets with their people.
More support for those who need it most
Help us campaign for change
No one should be denied the comfort, joy and benefits that come from the human-animal bond. But many human factors can result in dogs and cats being surrendered, including:
financial difficulties
housing insecurity
job loss
medical emergencies or health issues (either owner or pet)
personal emergencies
relationship breakdowns
pet behavioural issues
the inability to fund pet microchipping and health care – including desexing, which can amplify the problem if more puppies and kittens and born
lack of personal transport (and the inability to take pets on public transport).
None of these are a true reflection of an owner’s love and care for their pet. In fact, if provided with the support and interventions they need, most people would welcome the chance to hold on to their pet and do whatever is necessary to keep them safe and well.
In many parts of Australia, systemic inequity creates immense challenges and institutional barriers for millions of people in accessing pet resources and information. Supportive models involve: (1) creating better pathways to local services to help during crisis and reduce inequity (often services that already exist); and (2) increasing the support focus of animal welfare officers, shelter staff and others in the community.
The financial benefits of keeping pets with their people outweighs the cost of supportive interventions that reduce surrenders. Pet ownership saves the Australian community at least $3.86 billion per year in healthcare costs (including through proven impacts like decreased blood pressure and cholesterol, reduced asthma in children, greater physical activity, improved self-esteem, reduced depression, lower mental stress, better dementia and outcomes for older people, and even faster recovery after a heart attack).
Keeping pets with their people is good for individuals, good for shelters and pounds, and good for the health of Australia overall!
What we’re doing
Providing evidence of the impact of inhumane approaches to animal management (both financial and on human health and wellbeing)
Championing the benefits of a supportive, assistive model that helps people navigate the financial and personal challenges without surrendering their beloved pet
Shaping legislation so that animal management (at all levels of government, and across Australia) is based on a ‘One Welfare’ approach that reflects the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental wellbeing
Lobbying for ‘Veticare’ (an animal-focused funding model like Medicare)
Creating awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of pet ownership
Highlighting the reality that those least able to pay for things like secure fencing, vaccination, microchipping and neutering are often most in need of a pet’s love and companionship
Lobbying for funding for proactive, targeted and free cat desexing in disadvantaged areas with high pound and shelter intake rates and frequent complaints to councils
What you need to know
Your rights as a pet owner will depend on where you live (both your location and housing type). Check out our guide to understand your rights, some of the processes involved and possible avenues for complaint.
Maximise the likelihood of your rental application being accepted by following our suggestions, including using our pet ‘resume’ template.
How you can help
Volunteer at a pet rescue organisation or shelter that works to keep pets with their owners through challenging circumstances
Offer a struggling pet owner practical help with things like walking, pet-sitting and trips to the vet
Raise awareness within your community about the importance of human-animal relationships, the part we can all play, and the support available to help keep pets with their people
Make a donation to save more lives - and safeguard the human-animal bond
Mabel deeply loved Bella, her 14-year-old Belgian Shepherd. The two were inseparable, and the elderly woman was committed to giving her furry friend the best possible life.When a big storm hit one day, a terrified Bella panicked, escaped and was soon lost in the neighbourhood. Picked up by the local council’s animal control officers, Bella couldn’t be identified. (She didn’t have an ID, registration tag or microchip, as she was born before they were made compulsory.)
A desperate Mabel was incorrectly told by the local shelter that they didn’t have a dog like Bella. (The Council’s process didn’t include taking a photo of impounded animals to help with reuniting lost pets.)
But two weeks later, Mabel recognised Bella being advertised for adoption on the shelter’s website. Her relief quickly turned to devastation - she was unable to pay the $540 impoundment and housing fee. The shelter also insisted that Mabel sign a letter committing to $2000 in vet fees for Bella’s arthritis and skin condition. A tearful Mabel was forced to leave Bella there. Unfortunately, no one wanted a 14 old arthritic dog and eventually Bella was euthanised.
It was likely that with the confinement in a cage, her arthritis was much worse and with some gentle movement and medication for arthritis and some inexpensive therapy for her skin, she would have been fine.What could have been done differently…Even if one of the many possibilities had been done differently, it would have saved her life – if the pound and shelter had implemented best practice or if the owner had one piece of accurate ID on her dog (even though she “never” strayed).
