Adopt A Pet

At Second Chance Animal Rescue, it’s our mission to ensure that every cat and dog in our care has the best opportunity to have a fresh start, finding wonderful new families to call their own.

Choosing to adopt a pet is a significant decision that enriches both your life and the life of your new companion. Before you adopt, consider factors like your daily schedule, financial readiness for pet care costs, and compatibility with existing pets or children. Our team can provide guidance to ensure you find the perfect match for your lifestyle.

All pets adopted from us will have already been vet checked, desexed, vaccinated and had all essential health treatments required to be ready for their new home.

Our commitment extends beyond just finding homes; we will never euthanise an adoptable animal in our care, regardless of how long it takes to find them the right family. Join our community of compassionate adopters and experience the joy of transforming a homeless pet’s life while enriching your own.

Together, we can make a difference—one adoption at a time!

Adoption Process

Our adoption process is designed to match you with the right pet, and our pets into the right homes. Most of our adoptable animals live in foster care, where they receive loving care from their temporary families until they are ready to find their new homes. This process enables us to assess their personalities effectively in a home environment and then match them with the most suitable family.

Our adoption process works like this:

  1. Find the cat or dog you would like to meet by searching their adoption profiles via the links above.
  2. Once you’ve had a look through their profile, click on the ‘Enquire’ button at the bottom of the animal’s profile and let us know a little bit about yourself and the home you can offer this pet.
  3. Our adoptions team will then contact you to arrange an adoption meet at our Craigieburn shelter with yourself and the pet. If the animal is in a foster home, this could take a couple of days to coordinate.
  4. If the adoption meet goes well, you can take your new pet home on the day and start your adoption trial period. Our team will support you through the process, ensuring that you are supported on this journey even after taking your new pet home!

Let our highly experienced matchmakers help you find your new four-legged best friend today!

Fun Facts You Should Know

DONATE

Each year, we find loving homes for around 1,000 cats and dogs, many of which need extensive veterinary care prior to adoption. This dedication is made possible by the generous support of our community, whose contributions enable us to provide lifesaving treatments and care.

Help us continue to find these loving homes by making a donation today!

Check out our Online Shop to find some amazing items to set your pet up for success! Every purchase helps us continue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in need.

Got a question?

For more information about adopting, visit our FAQs Page 

Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.

Anatole France

Kennel Sponsorship Contact

Paws At Work Registration Form

If you are interested in taking part, please complete the following registration form, and we will add you to our waitlist to be contacted for the next available round of dates.
Group Organiser's Name *
*50% fee for cancellations within 14 days of your booking. 100% fee for cancellations within 7 days of your booking.

Corporate Volunteering Registration Form

If you are interested in taking part, please complete the following registration form, and we will contact you to discuss availability and make your team’s booking.
Group Organiser's Name *
Availability *
Acknowledgement
*Due to the physical nature of working in the shelter, volunteer roles may involve significant amounts of manual handling, and a reasonable level of fitness is required. Manual handling includes sustaining repetitive movements of lifting/bending, pushing/pulling, twisting/turning and walking for extended periods of time. Some heavy lifting up to 15kg may be required.
Details for Tax Invoice & Payment

Please make sure the following details are correct.
I acknowledge that my organisation will receive an invoice for a financial contribution of a minimum of $800 (inc GST) or more, depending on the number of people who are booked in. I understand payment is within 14 day payment terms for hosting our volunteers.
I acknowledge the cancellation policy*
*50% fee for cancellations within 14 days of your booking. 100% fee for cancellations within 7 days of your booking.
Contact Name For Invoice *

Volunteer Application

Date Of Birth
Is your tetanus vaccination up to date? *
Are you able to lift 10kgs comfortably and without injury?
Are you able to walk 3 kilometers comfortably and without injury?
Volunteering in the shelter is physically demanding, do you have any physical limitations that may prevent you from carrying out tasks, including, but not limited to: lifting, walking, reaching, writing, reading, cleaning?
Do you have a Working With Children Check?
Drag & Drop your Working With Children's CheckAccepted File Type PDF, JPG, PNG - Max Size 3MB
Do you have any prior convictions for fraud or offences involving animals or any other convictions other than minor traffic offences? (Australia or overseas)
Person to Notify in Case of Emergency
Availability

What days/hours do you have available for your volunteer commitment? Please note we ask for a minimum 6 month commitment on a weekly or fortnightly basis for the first three months.
How often are you available?
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday/Sunday
Are you available to work on public holidays?
Can you provide a minimum of 6 months commitment?
Volunteer Experience
Have you been involved with Second Chance Animal Rescue previously?
Are you currently a student at a Tafe/College/University?
Are you seeking work placement through Second Chance Animal Rescue as part of your studies?
Are you interested in assisting with volunteering your time and vehicle to drive critters and items for SCAR?
Interested?
Do you have access to a reliable vehicle?
Do you have a current Victorian Licence?
Agreement

Terms and Conditions *

Share Your Story

Tell Us Your Story:
Please upload any photos you wish to share with us of your pet:
Drag & Drop your Images hereAccepted File Types JPG, PNG - Max Size 3MB
Are you happy for us to share your words and images across our socials?
Second Chance Animal Rescue Volunteer Application

Personal Information

Please specify I.D type
Proof of current tetanus vaccination is required
Are you able to lift 10kgs comfortably and without injury?
Are you able to walk 3 kilometers comfortably and without injury?
Volunteering in the shelter is physically demanding, do you have any physical limitations that may prevent you from carrying out tasks, including, but not limited to: lifting, walking, reaching, writing, reading, cleaning?

Person to Notify in Case of Emergency

Availability

What days/hours do you have available for your volunteer commitment? Please note we ask for a minimum 3 month commitment on a weekly or fortnightly basis for the first three months.

Volunteer Experience

Are you interested in assisting with volunteering your time and vehicle to drive critters and items for SCAR?

Interested?
Do you have access to a reliable vehicle?
Do you have a current Victorian Licence?

Agreement

Corporate Volunteering Registration Form

Corporate Volunteering Registration Form

We are currently taking bookings for our Corporate Volunteering Program.

If you are interested in taking part, please complete the registration form below, and we will call you to discuss availability and make your team’s booking.

Group Organiser's Name
Group Organiser's Name
First Name
Last Name
I.e: Your preferred month to volunteer
Acknowledgement
*Due to the physical nature of working in the shelter, volunteer roles may involve significant amounts of manual handling, and a reasonable level of fitness is required. Manual handling includes sustaining repetitive movements of lifting/bending, pushing/pulling, twisting/turning and walking for extended periods of time. Some heavy lifting up to 15kg may be required.

Details for Tax Invoice & Payment

Please make sure the following details are correct.

I acknowledge that my organisation will receive an invoice for a financial contribution of $800 (inc GST) or more, depending on the number of people who are booked in. I understand payment is within 14 day payment terms for hosting our volunteers.
I acknowledge the cancellation policy*
*50% fee for cancellations within 14 days of your booking. 100% fee for cancellations within 7 days of your booking. Please refer to full cancellation policy above for more information.
Contact Name For Invoice
Contact Name For Invoice
First Name
Last Name
Organisation's Address to send Invoice To

Sponsorship Contact

How you’d like to sponsor

Employment Application

Job Title - Adopt A Pet
Drag & Drop your ResumeAccepted File Type PDF - Max Size 3MB

Paws at Work Contact

Vet Contact

Training Team Contact

APPLICATION FORM

This form will assist our staff to determine if your pet may be suitable for our Owner Assisted Rehoming Program. Your honest answers are necessary to ensure that we can help. Thank you!
About Your Pet
Has your pet shown any of the following behaviours?
Drag & Drop or Click to upload a photo of your petAccepted File Type jpg, png - Max Size 3MB