“Bridging the gap between animal welfare and human services, keeping pets safe, supported, and home where they belong.”
Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. (SCAR) was founded with a simple but profound purpose: to give vulnerable animals a second chance at life. Over time, we recognised an even deeper truth, that the welfare of people and their pets are inseparable. When people thrive, their animals do too.
Today, as a National Registered Charity and Public Benevolent Institution, SCAR stands at the intersection of animal welfare and human services. We provide compassionate relief to people experiencing financial, social, or personal hardship by alleviating the burden of caring for their pets. Through practical support, emergency care, and systems that remove barriers to pet ownership, we help families stay together and prevent the heartbreak of surrender and abandonment before it begins.
Our work is grounded in empathy and driven by innovation. We rescue and rehabilitate animals in need while creating pathways that empower pet owners to overcome crisis with dignity and hope. Together with our partners and community, we are reimagining animal welfare, not as a stand-alone cause, but as part of a broader movement to build stronger, safer, and more compassionate communities for all.
Since 2008, SCAR has grown from a rescue organisation into a vital social support network, uniting people, pets, and purpose. As we look to the future, our mission remains clear: to protect the human–animal bond, provide care when it’s needed most, and ensure that every pet, and every person who loves them, has a second chance.
Our Vision
“A future where no person has to give up a beloved pet due to crisis, and every pet is safe, supported, and loved in the home they deserve.”
We envision a community where no one is forced to choose between their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of their pet. A place where the bond between people and their animals is protected, where support is accessible, and where pets remain in the homes they belong, not surrendered due to preventable hardship.
We strive to strengthen the human-animal bond and tackle animal abandonment at its root causes. Through innovative programs, accessible services, community education, and public advocacy, we continue to be a community resource hub for pet owners and an unwavering champion for animals in need.
Our Core Values
Compassion in Action
We treat every person and every animal with empathy, dignity, and kindness. We meet people and pets where they are, without judgment, and stand by them through their challenges. Whether it’s a struggling pet owner or a frightened rescue animal, we show up with understanding, support, and a fierce commitment to their wellbeing.
Growth for Impact
We believe that when we grow, so does our impact. We listen, learn, and adapt, using evidence, lived experience, and innovation to guide our work. We lead with purpose, share what we know, and uplift others so that both pets and their people benefit from better systems, stronger services, and lasting change.
Stronger Together
We achieve more when we work together, both within our walls and beyond them. From our staff and volunteers to our partners and community members, we build inclusive, respectful relationships that centre around shared goals: keeping pets and people together, safe, and supported. Everyone has a role to play, and we value each voice in the journey.
