National support. Local impact.
Helping pets and families affected by family violence in Auckland
Pet Refuge provides free, confidential, temporary care for pets while their families escape family violence. Our purpose-built shelter is in the wider Auckland region, and our service supports families across New Zealand.
Whether you need help for your pet or want to support an Auckland-based charity making a difference, you’re in the right place.
A safe place for pets while families find safety
For someone experiencing family violence, worry about a pet can delay leaving. Pets are family, and leaving them behind may put them at risk.
Pet Refuge provides free, temporary care for pets while their families move to safety. Our confidential shelter is in the wider Auckland region, and we support eligible families across the North Shore, West Auckland, Central Auckland, East Auckland, South Auckland and surrounding rural communities.
You do not need to live close to our shelter to ask for help. Our caseworkers work with families and the agencies supporting them to arrange safe care and transport that considers each pet’s needs.
What support is available in Auckland?
Pets have a secure place to stay while their families find safety. Our team provides nutritious food, a warm bed and daily care throughout their stay.
Pets have a secure place to stay while their families find safety. Our team provides nutritious food, a warm bed and daily care throughout their stay.
Getting a pet to safety can be difficult when a family needs to leave quickly. We coordinate safe travel by land or air where appropriate, taking each pet’s needs into account.
Every pet receives a health check, and those who need further care can receive treatment during their stay. This may include medication, tests or support for an existing condition or injury.
Our team gets to know each pet and provides activities, attention and training suited to their needs. This helps support their wellbeing while they are away from their family.
Families receive weekly updates about their pets while they are in our care. Pets reunite with their families when it is safe to do so.
For many people experiencing family violence, a pet is family. Fear of leaving them behind can delay or prevent someone from reaching safety.
Based in Auckland. Supporting families across New Zealand.
We help families across Auckland, from the North Shore and West Auckland to Central, East and South Auckland, and surrounding communities.
Our confidential shelter is in the wider Auckland region, but our service reaches families nationwide. We arrange safe transport by land or air where appropriate. When travelling to the shelter is not suitable for a pet’s medical or welfare needs, we work with trusted, confidential boarding partners across New Zealand.
We do not publish our shelter address, to protect the safety and privacy of the families and pets in our care.
412petsfromAucklandhelpedbyPetRefuge
Auckland is home to our shelter. Its impact reaches nationwide.
From our confidential Auckland-region shelter, our team helps pets stay safe while their families take the steps they need to escape violence. Our transport network and boarding partners extend that care to families throughout New Zealand.
Click on the map to view statistics and stories from different regions.
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.
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.
SUPPORT BEHIND EVERY JOURNEY
Trained teams and safe travel
Our caseworkers and transport partners are trained in pet handling, pet first aid, health and safety, and low-stress care. Pets travel in secure crates with bedding and comfort items, with regular stops for food, water, toileting, and care on longer journeys.
Supporting transport-only cases
We help families who already have a safe place to go but are unable to transport their pet. In these situations, we provide transport-only support so pets can safely reach their destination.
Working in partnership
Where required, we coordinate with trusted agencies, such as the New Zealand Police, to ensure safe and secure transport arrangements. All activity is carried out with strict confidentiality, with the safety of pets and people remaining our highest priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Pet Refuge supports eligible families throughout Auckland and across New Zealand, including:
- Auckland CBD
- North Shore
- Manukau
- Papakura
- Henderson
- Albany
- Pukekohe
- Orewa
- Waiuku
- and surrounding communities, including rural areas.
If you need help for your pet, contact our caseworkers on 0800 PET REFUGE or at help@petrefuge.org.nz
Pet Refuge’s purpose-built, confidential shelter is located in the wider Auckland region. Its address is not publicly shared for safety reasons. We support families throughout Auckland and across New Zealand.
No. Pet Refuge services are free for all eligible families. We cover 100% of the costs, including safe transport, temporary care, food, veterinary treatment, and ongoing wellbeing support for pets while they are with us.
For pets who are unable to travel due to medical or welfare needs, we work with trusted confidential boarding partners across New Zealand.
Pet Refuge does not offer volunteering at its confidential shelter. You can support our work by donating or exploring other ways to help.
Our caseworkers can help arrange safe transport for your pet in Auckland. Whether collection from your home is possible depends on your circumstances and what is safest for you, your pet and our team. Call 0800 PET REFUGE or email help@petrefuge.org.nz to discuss the options.
If you or one of your clients need help, contact us on 0800 PET REFUGE (0800 738 733 843) or help@petrefuge.org.nz.
Other family violence support in Auckland
Are you in immediate danger?
Call 111 and ask for Police. If you need Police but cannot speak safely, stay on the line and follow the prompts to request emergency assistance.
If you need support for yourself or your family alongside care for your pet, these services work with people in Auckland:
Shine — Confidential family violence advice and support. Shine also provides advocacy and safe housing services in Central and North Auckland.
24/7 helpline: 0508 744 633
Family Action — Family violence crisis support, refuge and counselling for children, young people and adults in West Auckland.
Call: 0800 326 327
Shakti Women’s Refuge — Multilingual crisis support and safe housing for migrant and refugee women and children in Auckland.
24/7 crisis line: 0800 SHAKTI (0800 742 584)
Find an Auckland Women’s Refuge — Find refuge services across Auckland, including South Auckland, East Auckland and Rodney. The crisis line can connect you with a local refuge.
24/7 crisis line: 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843)
Fale Pasifika Women’s Refuge — Refuge and community support for Pasifika women and children experiencing family violence in Auckland.
24/7 crisis line: 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843)
HELP Auckland — Confidential crisis support and counselling for people affected by sexual harm.
24/7 helpline: 0800 623 1700 or text 8236
Auckland Women’s Centre — Non-emergency support, advice and referrals for women in Auckland, as well as counselling.
Contact: 09 376 3227 or info@womenz.org.nz