Pets in Crisis supported by the Petbarn Foundation

Pets in Crisis supported by the Petbarn Foundation is a program in partnership with DVConnect that provides 28 days of emergency boarding to care for pets whose owners are escaping domestic violence. It gives owners a chance to find safe accommodation and/or longer-term care options for their pets.

Contact the DVConnect 24-hour crisis line on 1800 811 811 for women and 1800 600 636 for men. A DVConnect case worker will go through the referral process with you over the phone and fill out a referral form that includes your details and your pet’s details.

We will assess capacity at your requested shelter and work with you and DVConnect to find temporary care for your pets at either an RSPCA Animal Care Centre across the state or with a trained RSPCA foster carer.

Our Pets in Crisis program is funded by a generous donation from the Petbarn Foundation and a grant from the Department of Justice. All basic health care and boarding costs for your pets are covered by this, so the program is free to access for those at risk of domestic violence.

Once they arrive at an RSPCA shelter, they will be health checked, treated for intestinal worms and fleas, and vaccinated if required. If not already desexed, they will undergo spay/neuter surgery under a general anaesthetic. If not already microchipped, they will have a microchip implanted. If they require grooming, they will be bathed, brushed, trimmed and/or clipped. Our team will then care for them at the RSPCA or your pet will be placed with an approved foster carer until their collection date.

We understand it can take time to find new, safe housing and can extend pet care and accommodation to suit your circumstances.

Yes! It can cost around $30 per day to care for an animal at the RSPCA, so any donations towards our Pets in Crisis program are truly appreciated.

Donate