Pet Refuge provides temporary shelter and care for pets while their families escape family violence and enter emergency housing, where pets are often not allowed. Too often, pets are harmed or threatened to control family members—causing over 50% of families to delay leaving violence to protect them. Pet Refuge removes this barrier by providing safe shelter, transport, food, vet care, and bespoke enrichment and training to help pets heal.
Each year, we see a surge in demand over the festive season with a spike in family violence cases. Stress, financial pressure, and family conflict mean more pets needing urgent safety and care to escape and heal from violence.
Your donation today can make the difference between a pet being left behind and being safe in our care. It ensures that when families call, we can say ‘yes’ immediately — no waiting, no risk, just safety.
Donate today.
pets that need your help these holidays
*Roe
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. Our team acted fast, giving her the urgent surgery and care she’d been denied as a form of abusive control. This Christmas, more pets will need critical veterinary care. Your gift today helps provide safety, healing, and hope for pets like Roe.
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*Ziggy
*Ziggy came to Pet Refuge after an urgent NZ Police call—he and his devoted owner were at risk from an abusive person on the run. Living rurally with no support, they had nowhere else to turn. This year, our waitlists have been longer than ever. Your donation ensures pets like Ziggy are protected over the holidays—no matter where they are, and without the risk of having to wait.
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*Kodi
Kodi arrived at Pet Refuge with his eyes painfully swollen shut, too frightened to let anyone help. Once he felt safe, vets discovered a severe condition threatening his sight — without complex surgery, Kodi could face permanent blindness. This Christmas, your support can help fund the urgent treatment he needs. A $25 gift today helps protect pets like Kodi and give them a safer future.
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The impact you make this christmas.
We say it often, but at this time of year it couldn’t be more true — we simply couldn’t do this without you. Over the holidays, when family violence rises and more pets arrive in crisis, your support gives them more than safety.
For every pet you help this Christmas, their days look completely different: cosy beds instead of danger, festive enrichment games, treats, playtime, and the comfort of a team who loves and protects them while their families rebuild their lives. Your generosity gives them stability, warmth, and the chance to heal.
And for families, you offer something priceless — weekly updates, photos, and videos showing their pets safe, happy, and cared for, helping them stay connected until they’re reunited.
This Christmas, your support brings security, joy, and hope when it’s needed most.