$10 million worth of free food delivered to those in need!

Hold onto your seats. We’ve got some mind-blowing news to kick off 2023!

Since its beginnings in 2011, PetRescue’s food donation program has donated over $10 million worth of food to rescue groups and community organisations across the country. 

The program, which started with a small-scale food donation drive thanks to our dedicated partner Mars Petcare in 2011, has grown to provide food donations far and wide in collaboration with Mars Petcare and PETstock.

Delivery locations are shown on the map above. There wasn’t enough room to include an icon for each individual delivery over the years!

In addition to providing free food for homeless pets in the care of PetRescue member rescue organisations, the program has helped to build ongoing relationships and grown to deliver food to community cat carers and community organisations helping people and their pets. 

Thanks to generous logistics companies who have offered their spaces and services free of charge, homeless pets can access much-needed, nutritious food. Because of these community collaborations, food can now be delivered across the country, including to rural communities and even an island! 

Image via SAFE Avon Valley

These food donations are so impactful for rescue organisations and the pets in their care, as they allow them to direct funds toward the costs of other essential services required in saving the lives of Australia's homeless pets, such as vital veterinary treatments.

We’re taking this op-paw-tunity to celebrate just some of the many hardworking organisations and pets who have received yummy, nutritious free food!

Image credit: Australian Animal Protection Society

Thanks to PetRescue partners Pedigree and Woolworths, more than 31,000kg of food was delivered to vulnerable pets in 2018. That’s roughly the same weight as five elephants! Thanks to the legends at SeaDog Vet Clinic and Cook Shire Council, almost $400,000 worth of food was distributed across the country to pet owners in need, animal rescue organisations and animal managers in Indigenous communities. 

Image via Hooves, Feathers & Claws Rescue & Rehab

It's a massive operation! Alongside our partners and collaborators, PetRescue is able to ensure pet food is delivered to the right place at the right time. From pets in bushfire-affected areas of NSW to farmers in Queensland experiencing droughts to organisations affected by flooding in NSW and QLD, the program has reached those most in need.

‘’A huge thank you to PetRescue and Mars for their amazing donation of essential dog food products. It is already making such a vital impact to primary producers who are facing the devastations of flooding and other hardships’’.

 ~ Drought Angels

Images thanks to Edith Hill.

Most recently, in collaboration with Pilbara Meta Maya Regional Aboriginal Corporation and RGR Road Haulage, a huge truckload of food was delivered to indigenous communities in WA, helping to feed community dogs for a whole year;

‘’The donation you have worked so hard for will last Punmu a whole year and help keep the dogs and it's members happier and healthier. I am so very grateful.’’

~ Edith Hill, shopkeeper and community feeder in Punmu

Image via K9 Rescue Group Inc

More than just filling the tummies of dogs and cats - food donations have provided relief for the people caring for them too. Thanks to the generosity of our partners and collaborators, the food donation program has expanded its reach further into the community, providing free food to incredible community organisations working hard to help people and their pets.

‘’Thank you PetRescue for all your wonderful donations of pet food and treats, there are a lot of happy pets and pet owners who LOVED the kind donation from you!’’

~ The Salvation Army

Image credit: Ollie’s Legacy

We’re overjoyed to be able to celebrate this monumental milestone and excited to deliver even more much-needed, nutritious food in the future! 

Find out more about PetRescue’s nationwide food donation program, thanks to the generous support of our partners, sponsors and donors.

We're currently on the lookout for delivery and storage facilities to make even more food and product donations in the future possible. If you know any generous organisations that may be able to help, please reach out to us at info@petrescue.org.au. 

Banner image: Rusty and Frank from Shepparton Animal Rescue and Rehoming.