How a progressive local council pound is changing the future for pets.

Today, adoption is the popular first choice for many Australians. There are currently thousands of families searching and waiting for a rescue pet to welcome into their homes.

Yet, it's reported that more than 100,000* healthy pets are being killed in pounds across Australia every year without ever even being offered the chance to be adopted.

Enter Port Macquarie Animal Shelter. This progressive local council pound joined PetRescue in November 2020. A change in their operations has seen their team now listing 90% of their unclaimed or surrendered pets on PetRescue with those needing extended rehabilitation finding care in approved rescue groups across NSW.

“What PetRescue has done is reduce the barriers to adoption, including for us as it’s free. We’ve been able to rehome pets to people living several hours away. Some have even been rehomed interstate!” said team member Emmalee.

“PetRescue gives our pets a platform where they are visible, connecting them to literally thousands of people, meaning they have a much better chance of finding a home. It takes just a few minutes to create a listing and we get enquiries straight away. Everyone on the team is thrilled with the success and the community are really supportive and getting behind this too.

“Pets just like Lilly who was surrendered due to a death in the family. We listed her on PetRescue and received over 10 enquiries in 24 hours. She was adopted by a wonderful lady who travelled from Sydney to pick her up. We are so happy she is in a new loving home.”

And “Ginger who was an 11-year-old cream-ginger male cat. He was surrendered to us as his owner was living out of a van. We listed him on PetRescue and received a suitable enquiry within 48 hours. Ginger travelled via a rescue pet transport company to his new home in Sydney. We love that this sweet old boy was given a chance to live out the rest of his days comfortably. 

Success stories like this make us feel excited and optimistic for the future. 

For the pets that end up in the pound system, we want to ensure they’re all given the chance of finding a new home. And we’ve learned that working step-by-step and one-on-one with council pounds will produce the best outcomes.

But this takes time and people. And this is why your support is so vital in helping homeless pets get the chance they so deserve.

With your support, pounds can overcome the obstacles and challenges they face in establishing direct-from-pound adoption programs. It helps us form strong relationships with amazing pounds doing incredible work. And it helps us identify the pounds that show potential to make positive change.

By trying new approaches, change becomes possible. It moves us one step closer to building a future where every pet is safe, respected and loved.

But it’s going to take commitment and time. And like you, we want to keep going until every pet is safe.

Can you help and make a generous donation today? Your support not only ensures we can continue helping pets through our free digital platform that saves thousands of lives every month; you’ll also be helping to change the future for pets as we ramp up our work in tackling old systems like pounds and making sure every pet has a second chance at life. 

With thousands of people searching for pets like Lilly and Ginger on PetRescue every day, we can make sure every single one is given a chance of adoption.

DONATE NOW