Safe House For Pets

Welcome to the Safe House for Pets Program

At Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR), we recognise the deep bond between pets and their owners. Our Safe House for Pets Program offers emergency pet boarding to pet owners facing crisis, so they don’t have to relinquish their beloved companions during challenging times.

How the Program Works

Whether you’re facing a sudden illness, leaving a situation of family and domestic violence, or even homelessness, we understand the importance of keeping pets safe during difficult times.

Sadly, many human shelters for individuals needing safe refuge do not accommodate pets, which can mean that pet owners facing family and domestic violence or homelessness may remain in unsafe situations rather than leave their pets behind.

Our program provides a temporary safe haven for these pets, giving owners the opportunity to secure their own safety, take a breath and then work out a plan moving forward. We aim to reunite pets with their owners as soon as possible, removing a significant barrier to escaping a violent or unsafe situation. This initiative can potentially save lives by providing a secure environment for pets until their owners achieve stability and safety.

The Link Between Family and Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse

Substantial evidence exists worldwide documenting the connection between animal abuse and family and domestic violence. Abusers often exploit pets to hold control over their victims, inflicting both physical and emotional harm in many cases.

This can increase the emotional and psychological toll of an already traumatic situation. In response, SCAR established the Safe House for Pets Program with the following objectives:

Emergency Care and Comfort: We offer emergency boarding and care during critical moments, recognising the gravity of all forms of violence.
Reuniting Pets with Owners: Upon ensuring their safety, we facilitate reunions between pets and owners.
Collaboration with Local Organisations: We partner with local human service agencies to address family and domestic violence in Victoria.
Information Resources: We provide resources for individuals escaping family and domestic violence, prioritising pet safety.
Support for Pet-Friendly Housing: We explore avenues to keep pets together with their owners, escaping violence.
Advocacy for Pet-Friendly Rentals: We advocate for expanded rental housing that accommodate pets.

Ensuring Safety

Safety remains our number one focus within this program. Precautions are always taken to ensure the safety of not only the pets in our care, but also of the clients themselves. Animals in emergency boarding are housed in a dedicated, secure section of our shelter and, when required, placed in foster care under the supervision of foster care volunteers who are specifically trained to assist with this program. Each case receives individual assessment to provide appropriate assistance or referrals.

Contact for Help and Support

If you are experiencing family and domestic violence, please seek assistance by contacting the following:

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or chat online at https://1800respect.org.au
In emergencies: Always call 000

For more information about our Safe House for Pets Program or to reach out for assistance, contact our team directly below:

Phone: (03) 9357 0834

Email: outreach@secondchanceanimalrescue.com.au

Testimonials

Mia

I’m forever grateful for the miracle you’ve performed. I was a little scared to ask for help, but knowing Ruby was loved and cared for meant I could think clearly and get things done so Ruby could come home with us. It’s honestly been everything to me.

Testimonials

Tina

I would like to thank you with all my heart and soul for all the help, support, understanding and kindness you provided. I am so thankful and grateful for everything. You all do an amazing job and I cannot thank you enough.

Testimonials

Lisa

Thank you so much for the wonderful service you have given to myself and my team by taking in a dog at a minutes notice, when we really had nowhere else to turn. Knowing that the dog had somewhere to go and be safe on a difficult day for us was very much appreciated and such a relief! You are amazing and do such a wonderful and important job. Once again, thank you so much and keep up your amazing work!

Testimonials

Michelle

Thank you for helping me, Bingo and Harry. I’m trying to do everything on my end not to lose my babies

Support our Safe House For Pets Program

Your support can make a significant difference. By donating today, or becoming a regular donor, you can help us continue to run this life-saving program. Together we can keep pets in homes with the families who love them!

Learn More

Want to know more about SCAR? Visit our FAQs Page

A dog doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.

John Grogan, “Marley and Me”

About

Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that relies heavily on donations to continue our lifesaving work in the community.

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Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, which includes the existing family members of the Gunung-Willam-Balluk clan as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to Ancestors, Elders, families and communities, past, present, and future.

At Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. (SCAR), respect and compassion guide us in everything we do. We believe everyone deserves to be valued and heard, and we are committed to making SCAR a safe, inclusive environment where individuals of all backgrounds feel welcome, safe and empowered to make a difference.

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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 *

First Name

Last Name

Group Organiser's Job Title

Group Organiser's Phone Number

Group Organiser's Email

Additional Notes

*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 *

First Name

Last Name

Group Organiser's Job Title

Group Organiser's Email

Availability *

I.e: Your preferred month to volunteer

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge that my volunteer team must be fit for manual handling.

^{*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.

Yes

I acknowledge the cancellation policy*

Yes

^{*50% fee for cancellations within 14 days of your booking. 100% fee for cancellations within 7 days of your booking.}

Contact Name For Invoice *

First Name

Last Name*

Contact Number For Invoice

Contact Email For Invoice *

Name of Organisation for Invoice *

Purchase Order Number / Your Reference

Organisation's Address to send Invoice To *

Share Your Story

Name

Your Pets Name

When Did you Adopt Them From SCAR:

Tell Us Your Story:

For Instance - We’d love to know what made you adopt your pet when you met them for the first time, how life has been since you adopted them, and all the things you love and adore about them! But feel free to tell us anything you like!

Please upload any photos you wish to share with us of your pet:

Drag & Drop your Images here^{Accepted File Types JPG, PNG - Max Size 3MB}

Please upload any photos you wish to share with us of your pet:

Are you happy for us to share your words and images across our socials?

Yes No

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

First Name

Last Name

Group Organiser's Job Title

Group Organiser's Phone Number

Group Organiser's Email

Availability

I.e: Your preferred month to volunteer

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge that my volunteer team must be fit for manual handling.

*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.

Yes

I acknowledge the cancellation policy*

Yes

*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

First Name

Last Name

Contact Number For Invoice

Contact Email For Invoice

Name of Organisation for Invoice

Purchase Order Number / Your Reference

Organisation's Address to send Invoice To

If you are human, leave this field blank.

Sponsorship Contact

Name

Company

Phone

How you’d like to sponsor

Additional Information

ShelterVet

ShelterVet

Our Location

Welcome to the Safe House for Pets Program

How the Program Works

The Link Between Family and Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse

Ensuring Safety

Contact for Help and Support

Testimonials​

Mia

Testimonials​

Tina

Testimonials​

Lisa

Testimonials​

Michelle

Support our Safe House For Pets Program

John Grogan, “Marley and Me”

About

Social Media

Quick Links

Need Help?

Get in Touch

Subscribe Newsletter

Kennel Sponsorship Contact

Paws At Work Registration Form

Corporate Volunteering Registration Form

Details for Tax Invoice & Payment

Volunteer Application

Person to Notify in Case of Emergency

Availability

Volunteer Experience

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

Agreement

Share Your Story

Personal Information

Person to Notify in Case of Emergency

Availability

Volunteer Experience

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

Agreement

Corporate Volunteering Registration Form

Details for Tax Invoice & Payment

Sponsorship Contact

Employment Application

Paws at Work Contact

Vet Contact

Training Team Contact

APPLICATION FORM

About Your Pet

Has your pet shown any of the following behaviours?

Shelter
Vet

Shelter
Vet

Testimonials

Testimonials

Testimonials

Testimonials