• Help pets this Christmas
    • Donate Monthly
    • Donate Once
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Corporate Partnerships

    Christmas Appeal

    *Arley and *Pablo, a dog and cat pair, tried to escape violence with their loving human-mum — but their abuser found them.

    Give the gift of safety these holidays →
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    • Our Why
    • Getting Help

    Christmas Appeal

    *Bella arrived at Pet Refuge with her five tiny puppies, fleeing a violent, drug-affected home. She needed urgent care while her puppies relied on hand-feeding.

    Help us provide urgent care these holidays →
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    • Safe Beds for Pets™
    • Pet Stories
    • Our Shelter

    Christmas Appeal

    *Roe arrived at Pet Refuge with a painful, infected head wound caused by family violence — a piece of wood was still lodged in her head. She needed urgent surgery.

    Donate to give pets like Roe essential vet care →
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      Contact the Main Office

      If your enquiry is not related to urgent support, such as questions about donations, partnerships, fundraising, or general information about our services, please visit our main office contact page. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with all non-emergency enquiries.

      Get in Touch →

    • Help icon

      Do you need help escaping violence with your pet?

      For urgent support escaping family violence with your pet, contact our Caseworker team directly here. Your safety and privacy are our top priorities, and we will work with you to find the best solution to provide temporary shelter and care for your pet(s) until you can be reunited in your new safe home.

      Get Help →

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Donate
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  • Help pets this Christmas
  • Donate Monthly
  • Donate Once
  • Other Ways to Help
  • Corporate Partnerships

Christmas Appeal

*Arley and *Pablo, a dog and cat pair, tried to escape violence with their loving human-mum — but their abuser found them.

Give the gift of safety these holidays →
No Alt Tag
  • Our Why
  • Getting Help

Christmas Appeal

*Bella arrived at Pet Refuge with her five tiny puppies, fleeing a violent, drug-affected home. She needed urgent care while her puppies relied on hand-feeding.

Help us provide urgent care these holidays →
No Alt Tag
  • Safe Beds for Pets™
  • Pet Stories
  • Our Shelter

Christmas Appeal

*Roe arrived at Pet Refuge with a painful, infected head wound caused by family violence — a piece of wood was still lodged in her head. She needed urgent surgery.

Donate to give pets like Roe essential vet care →
No Alt Tag
  • Help Icon

    Contact the Main Office

    If your enquiry is not related to urgent support, such as questions about donations, partnerships, fundraising, or general information about our services, please visit our main office contact page. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with all non-emergency enquiries.

    Get in Touch →

  • Help icon

    Do you need help escaping violence with your pet?

    For urgent support escaping family violence with your pet, contact our Caseworker team directly here. Your safety and privacy are our top priorities, and we will work with you to find the best solution to provide temporary shelter and care for your pet(s) until you can be reunited in your new safe home.

    Get Help →

Pet Refuge: Temporary shelter for pets affected by domestic violence

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Could you leave
your pet behind
to escape family
violence?

Every bit helps

Right now, families are delaying their escape because they fear for their pets safety. Your donation can change that.

Next

Every day, pets are used as tools to control and harm families experiencing family violence.

Many families have emergency housing arranged, yet most refuges don’t allow pets. This heartbreaking barrier forces many to stay in dangerous situations.

At Pet Refuge, we offer a safe haven for pets, providing expert care, compassion, and security so families can flee without fear of what would happen to their pets. When the time is right, we reunite them to start a new life—together.

  • +

    Pets saved from dangerous situations

  • %

    Pets reunited with their families

  • %

    Costs covered for families in need

  • Nights of safety

For many victims, emergency housing means leaving their pet behind—an impossible choice that keeps over half of them trapped in violence.


Your donation removes this barrier, ensuring pets receive expert care at our purpose-built facility, from veterinary treatment to tailored enrichment programs to help them heal. We provide this service at no cost, giving families peace of mind while they rebuild their lives.

Donate today
Learn how we help →

Nooneshouldhavetochoosebetweentheirsafetyandtheirpet’s.

pets that need your help these holidays

Pablo and Arley need safety these holidays

Give Arley safety these holidays

$ /$10000

Donate today →

Bella and her puppies

Puppies need urgent care

$ /$10000

Donate today →

  • Pablo and Arley need safety these holidays

    Give Arley safety these holidays

    $ /$10000

    Donate today →

  • Bella and her puppies

    Puppies need urgent care

    $ /$10000

    Donate today →

We help pets across the whole country

Though our shelter’s location remains confidential for safety, thanks to generous people like you we provide free transport nationwide.

Click on the map to view statistics and stories from different regions.

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Escaping violence cannot always be planned, *Bianca didn't have much notice for the day she had to move out and leaving her pet *Skipper behind was not an option.

Read Full Story

67+

Northland

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Escaping violence cannot always be planned, *Bianca didn't have much notice for the day she had to move out and leaving her pet *Skipper behind was not an option.

Read Full Story

Every Dollar Makes
Healing Possible

Right now, families are delaying their escape because they fear for their pet's welfare. Your support can change that. Whether you donate once or monthly, spread the word, or fundraise—every action helps.

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Donate Monthly

Learn more →

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Donate Once

Learn more →

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Fundraise

Learn more →

  • No Alt Tag

    Donate Monthly

    Learn more →

  • No Alt Tag

    Donate Once

    Learn more →

  • No Alt Tag

    Fundraise

    Learn more →

Need Help Now? We’re Here for You
If you’re experiencing family violence and worried about your pet’s safety, Pet Refuge can help. We provide a safe, confidential haven for pets, so you can focus on getting your family to safety.

Get help now →

Proud Partners

View all partners →
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Join our mission

Sign up for our email updates and follow our mission to provide safety for pets while their owners escape abuse.

How to Help

  • Monthly Donation
  • One-off Donation
  • Other ways to help
  • Corporate Partnerships

Helpful Information

  • Statistics
  • FAQs
  • Board
  • Annual Report

Social

  • Facebook icon
    Facebook
  • LinkedIn Logo
    LinkedIn
  • Instagram Icon
    Instagram

Main Office

  • 09 975 0850
  • info@petrefuge.org.nz

Help to escape

  • 0800 PET REFUGE
  • help@petrefuge.org.nz

How to Help

  • Monthly Donation
  • One-Off Donation
  • Other ways to help
  • Corporate Partnerships

Helpful Information

  • Statistics
  • FAQs
  • Board
  • Annual Reports

Main Office

  • 09 975 0850
  • info@petrefuge.org.nz

Help to escape

  • 0800 PET REFUGE
  • help@petrefuge.org.nz

Social

  • Facebook Icon
    Facebook
  • Linkedin Icon
    LinkedIn
  • Instagram Icon
    Instagram

Resouces

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Site Credits

© Pet Refuge New Zealand Charitable Trust

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  • Terms of use
  • Site Credits