Nobody should have to sacrifice shelter for their beloved pet.
Most crisis accommodation and refuges don’t accept pets. This forces many people who are facing homelessness to sleep on the streets, in their cars or in unsafe environments, rather than part with their only companion.
Evidence also indicates that perpetrators of family violence often threaten or harm family pets as a way of exerting power and control over family members. In many cases, women remain in abusive relationships because they are concerned for their pet’s safety. Some individuals require medical treatment but lack family or friends to care for their pets, causing them to postpone necessary care.
Nobody should be forced to stay in a violent situation, delay medical care or live on the streets rather than give up their best friend. That’s why we arrange as well as fund temporary care for pets in need through our Safe Shelter program. We provide care for the pets as their person focuses on getting back on their feet, reuniting them when their situation improves.
Foster Care
We provide up to 12 weeks of foster care by placing pets in carefully matched foster homes. Our service is currently available in metropolitan Victoria only and there is a nominal care fee to access this support. We recognise that sometimes circumstances require more time, so extensions beyond the initial period will be individually assessed.
Emergency Boarding
In situations where a pet cannot be accommodated in a foster home, we also provide capped funding for temporary boarding at a commercial facility. Additionally, if a pet is unvaccinated, we can cover the cost of vaccination to ensure access to a boarding facility.
How To Access Help
If you reside in Victoria and require assistance with safe shelter for your pet, please click here for more information. If you are outside of Victoria, we have compiled a list of services interstate that might be able to assist you.
FAQs
Do I need to be experiencing homelessness to qualify for help?
No. Pets Of The Homeless supports people experiencing financial hardship, which can include—but is not limited to—people experiencing homelessness.
To be eligible for assistance, the minimum requirement is that you are currently receiving government welfare benefits, such as a Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card.
Can I apply directly for help myself?
No. To access support from Pets Of The Homeless, you must be referred by a support worker. This helps us ensure assistance reaches those most in need and that the right supports are in place for both people and their pets.
To find out who can refer you, please visit https://www.petsofthehomeless.org.au/how-we-help/get-help-individual
Is there a cost to access the Safe Shelter program?
Yes. There is a nominal service fee to help contribute to the cost of caring for pets while they are in foster care.
Additional fees apply for pets that are not desexed, as these help cover part of the cost of desexing while the pet is in our care.
We understand that people accessing Safe Shelter are experiencing hardship, and we always aim to keep costs as low as possible while ensuring pets receive safe and responsible care.
What types of pets can be placed in Safe Shelter?
If you have another type of pet, please contact our team to discuss your situation and we will do our best to advise on possible options.
How long can my pet stay in Safe Shelter?
Safe Shelter placements are temporary and time-limited. The length of stay depends on the individual situation, the needs of the pet, and foster carer or boarding availability.
Timeframes are discussed at the time of placement and reviewed as circumstances change. All placements are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and we’re unable to offer open-ended or long-term care.
What costs are covered during Safe Shelter?
During a Safe Shelter placement, Pets Of The Homeless will cover essential costs related to your pet’s care, such as boarding costs, food, and approved veterinary care where required.
Any costs covered will be discussed and agreed upon at the time of placement.
Can I visit my pet while they are in care?
This depends on where your pet is placed. Visits are not possible for pets in boarding kennels.
For pets in foster care, visits may be arranged with advance notice, subject to foster carer availability. Please note that visits are only available for dogs — visits for cats are not offered, as they can be stressful for them.
Regardless of placement, we will always strive to provide regular updates and photos so you can stay connected to your pet while they are in care.
Can the placement be extended if my situation hasn’t improved?
Extensions are assessed on a case-by-case basis. While we do our best to support each situation, extensions are only possible if a suitable foster carer remains available and program funding (for emergency boarding) has not been exhausted.
We encourage clients to keep in regular contact with their support worker and our team so we can plan for the best outcome for both them and their pet.
Best Friends Reunited
When she finally saw him again, her sweet face broke into a broad smile that lit up the whole dog park. Her body soon followed, wriggling, twirling and leaping in the happiest dance. For he was her person. Her very best friend. “You’re a lunatic,” he smiled affectionately, giving her the warm hug he’d been pining for ever since they’d been separated 103 days earlier. And just like that, they were inseparable once more.
For the last nine years since she was a pup, Rodney and Molly had always been together. By day she would join him at work, and by night they would snuggle up in bed together. Meal times were her favourite times, complete with her signature happy dance. Wherever he was, she was right by his side. But one day Rodney’s life came crashing down around him. Facing hospitalisation, bankruptcy, and a long stint in rehabilitation, he had nowhere to go.
Moving into turbulent transitional housing with others who were facing their own battles, he was unable to bring his best friend. He urgently needed to find someone to care for Molly while he got the help he needed. It was just before Christmas, and time was running out. That’s when his case manager reached out to Pets Of The Homeless. We were able to place Molly in a foster home just in time for Christmas, and there she thrived with lots of love, toys and tasty meals.
More than three months passed. Every day that they were apart, Rodney thought of Molly. She was his reason to keep going. When Rodney finished rehab, he was able to move in with a family member. And then, the moment finally came that he and his Molly had both been waiting for. They were finally together again. “The service you provided to Molly was second to none,” Rodney said, his voice shaking. “It really took a load off my mind. Without your help I would be lost without my Molly. She is more than a dog. To me, she is family. I cannot thank you enough.”
