Who will care for your pets if you no longer can?

There is no cost to Home Ever After, it will always be free. But as you can probably imagine, there are costs to RSPCA Queensland when we take pets under our wing. Caring for and rehoming pets in the Home Ever After program can add up, often to thousands of dollars as the program caters for dogs, cats, birds and even farm animals. All we ask is that you include a gift to RSPCA Queensland in your Will to help us continue rescuing and rehoming animals, putting an end to suffering, cruelty and neglect. Taking this thoughtful step is also a beautiful way that you can give to other animals in need less fortunate than your own.

If you don’t have people you trust to care for your pet in the short-term should anything temporarily prevent you from looking after your pet, for example whilst you are in hospital, then RSPCA Queensland can provide temporary boarding for them during that time.

When you register your pets in our Home Ever After program you will be provided with a 24-hour emergency phone number to call. You will also be sent an emergency kit that includes a 24 hour phone number to display at your home and on your pet's collar.

RSPCA Queensland will look after your pets in the event of your passing, or if you are no longer able to care for them. They will not be left alone. We will support them in accordance with your wishes, providing them with love and care until they are ready to become a part of their carefully selected new family. As experts in animal adoption and rehoming, we know how to match animals and people, and we know how to assess adopters too. We have a team of adoption experts and animal behaviourists dedicated to selecting loving, caring, responsible adopters.

We will care for your pets if you are rushed to hospital. Should there be an emergency when there is no-one else to look after your pets, then RSPCA Queensland will care for them during that time you are in hospital.

In accordance with instructions left in your Will, a friend, a neighbour, a member of your family, or your solicitor, can bring your pet to your nearest RSPCA Animal Care Centre.

No one knows your pets like you do. If you want them to be cared for and rehomed by the RSPCA Queensland, then clear instructions in your Will ensure that your final wishes are carried out. We’ll also need a copy of your Will for our records to fulfil your wishes.

While RSPCA Home Ever After is primarily designed for cats and dogs, we do rehome other pets as well, such as birds, reptiles and small animals.

If your pets are bonded, we will do everything we can to honour your wishes and rehome them together.

Friends and family who know your pets and are in a suitable position to take on the responsibility are the best choice. If for some reason those intentions fall through, Home Ever After can act as your ‘insurance policy’ – this will ensure that you and your family have a secure second option in place should you ever need it.

To enrol your pet in the Program you must be over 18 and be the legal owner of your pet. However, there is no age requirements for your pet!