Pets you have helped heal and escape violence
This month we are taking you on the journey through our Safe Beds for Pets programme and how you, our amazing supporters, have transformed the lives of pets in need. Thanks to our regualr givers we can provide everything from transport across the country, food, vet care, enrichment, and a warm bed for all pets in need. Read more about the pets, families and the Safe Beds for Pets monthly giving program below:

Transporting *Cookie to safety
A South Island pup who needed Pet Refuge’s help in an emergency.
Our care for a pet’s welfare starts from the moment we take the call, and it’s important to us that they're kept safe and comfortable throughout their journey to us.
For Cookie, this meant pit-stops to stretch his legs, a cool mat to lie on in his crate, and of course, reassuring cuddles and treats while he made his way to a local partnered boarding facility to decompress ahead of his pre-flight veterinary check so he could board his plane to Auckland.
All pets travelling by air receive a pre-flight check to ensure their medical or psychological injuries won’t make flying dangerous.
We not only cover the cost of these pre-flight checks and transportation by road, plane or sea, but we organise all the little details, giving families peace of mind and the ability to focus on finding their own safe place.
“I can honestly say it's been easier trying to manage everything knowing that Cookie has been so well cared for right from the moment he entered your care. It's taken a huge amount of worry and pressure off my shoulders and really is allowing me to concentrate on finding safety and our forever home so we can be reunited again ❤️” - Eva
*Data has been collected using five average months at random through 2022-2024

A safe bed for *Pip
Pip was seeking refuge while her human-mum, Abby, found them their safe, forever home.
Every month we have between 50 and 70 pets just like Pip finding solace at Pet Refuge.
The shelter has been designed to give pets comfort and security in their home away from home. There are no wire cages, and the enclosures have underfloor heating and are specially designed to give pets a space to sleep, play, and feel secure.
Each pet is given some quiet time to integrate and adjust on arrival, before being behaviour assessed so our staff understand their needs. For some dogs, this is more isolated living quarters without extroverted neighbours, while for other social types like Pip, they love being close to their new pup-pals.
While the average pet will stay in our care for four months, we understand family violence isn't black and white, and everyone's journey is different. For families, knowing their pet is safe, cared for, and loved by our team for however long they need, gives them peace of mind while they search for a new, safe, pet-friendly home where they can be together again.
“Aw, my beautiful girl! Thank you so much for the cute pics I love that she is settled, I miss her so much! I’m praying so hard for a permanent home, hopefully not too much longer. I cannot thank you guys enough for loving my girl in my absence, while I can't be with her!” - Abby
*Data has been collected using five average months at random through 2022-2024

Vet care for *Mitzi
Mitzi is a little kitten suffering from severe ringworm due to the abuse she'd endured. It saddens us to say Mitzi is one of more than 500 pets who've required medical treatment above and beyond their initial health check when joining our care.
In fact, in an average month we’ll cover one major dental procedure, four pets requiring medication, four desexing operations, diagnostic testing for two pets, and one major surgery every other month.
Mitzi stayed in a quarantine catio to prevent spreading her infection. We use a consistent vet to give our pets a trusted person and provide pets stability in an unknown environment.
Mitzi’s care plan included regular bathing with medicated shampoo, topical treatments to ease itchiness, a course of oral antifungals, and antibiotics injections. On average we’ll see our vet 17 times a month either onsite or offsite to assist with treatment for pets like Mitzi.
Alongside Mitzi’s medical treatment our team ensured she received extra cuddles and love.
Although Mitzi has had a challenging start to life, thanks to the unwavering care of our team and the generosity of our supporters, she's now on the mend. Her rash has vanished, fur is growing back, and she's even started playing with our shelter attendants and climbing her cat tower.
Before she reunites with her loving human-mum she'll have one last vet check so we can send her home with any final medication to ensure she's ready to kickstart their new safe life together.
*Data has been collected using five average months at random through 2022-2024. Picture of kitten not shown to protect her identity.

Healing *Eddy through enrichment
Eddy was terrified of people after his traumatic experiences. He's been in Pet Refuge for nearly a month now and is already starting to come out of his shell.
A lot of Eddy’s reactions to our Shelter Attendants are fear-based. He came from a violent household where he was punished for doing what would be considered normal dog behaviour such as playing with toys, sniffing around the backyard, and wanting affection and quality time with people in his home.
Eddy lost all confidence in himself and even more so in people. So, our team created his enrichment plan with building trust in mind. To do this, Eddy had one Shelter Attendant to look after all his needs, giving him a consistent face he could learn to trust. With time, patience, and a bespoke enrichment plan Eddy’s anxiety began to ease.
We began by simply sitting with him and allowing Eddy to take his time to approach, rewarding him with treats when he made a step forward. In no time he was eating out of his attendant's hands and was asking for attention and pats.
Not only has he learnt that not all people are bad, but he's started to express his true playful personality. Eddy is now enjoying simple activities again such as catch and sensory walks outdoors - He particularly loves treasure hunts!
In an average month, we'll create *15 bespoke enrichment plans tailored to each pet as they progress through their healing journey. Our aim is always to reunite pets like Eddy to their loving families better than when they arrived - Ultimately giving them the chance at a new, safer future with their beloved humans.
*Data has been collected using five average months at random through 2022-2024.

We NEED your help to keep pets safe
There are so many more pets with their own stories who need our help and we cannot do it without you.
When we take a pet into care, we’re committing to providing everything they need to heal until they can be reunited with their family in safety.
The bigger our Pet Refuge family, the more impact we can make.
a month will provide a safe bed for one night

a month will provide a safe bed for two nights

a month will provide a safe bed for three nights

a month will provide a safe bed for four nights

This will provide shelter for a pet in need.

can help keep a pet warm, safe and looked after for one day and night.

can help give enrichment to a vulnerable pet to reduce stress and trauma.

can help keep a pet warm, safe and looked after for four days and nights.

can help provide veterinary care for a pet in need.

This will provide shelter for a pet in need.

