Hunter Shelter

Finding loving homes and giving pets a second chance.

The RSPCA NSW Hunter Shelter provides housing and veterinary care to vulnerable, abandoned, surrendered, or mistreated animals. Animals who turn to our shelters for help come from a range of backgrounds and homes, from surrenders and injured strays to animals seized by our inspectorate.

Located in Rutherford, the Hunter Shelter offers countless opportunities to learn and volunteer, supporting a network of foster carers and facilitating adoptions. The shelter offers TAFE tours and registered training courses, nurturing compassionate animal advocates with every training and holiday program.

Serving as a haven for animals in need, the Hunter Shelter is also affixed to our Hunter Veterinary Hospital, which offers its services to both the public and the animals in our care. With an on-site pet retail shop, our shelter team also provides the community with essential pet care products, ensuring animals receive the supplies and necessary care they need to thrive.

If you’re looking to start your journey with an adorable animal companion, consider adopting or joining our network of foster carers today. Our dedicated Hunter Shelter staff can introduce you to the animal of your dreams and help you open your heart and home to your future forever friend!

Where We Are

Contact Details
6-10 Burlington Place
Rutherford
NSW 2320
Opening Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Wednesday: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Thursday: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Friday: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Sunday: 9:30am – 3:30pm

Our Hunter Veterinary Hospital can help you provide your beloved pet with high quality care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the RSPCA NSW Hunter Shelter accept stray animals?
Our Hunter Shelter can only take in injured strays. If you find an uninjured stray animal, please refer to your local council pound.

Our Hunter Shelter facilitates adoptions for a range of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, pocket pets, horses, and more! If you’re planning to meet the animals currently available for adoption, consider reaching out to our staff at (02) 4939 1555.

Please note that although we update our online lists of available animals every day, there is a chance that an animal you are interested in will have found a home prior to your arrival at our shelters.

If you’re planning on visiting the shelter to adopt, don’t forget to bring a photographic identity document complete with your name and current address. If you already have a dog at home, you may need bring them in for a meet and greet to ensure they’ll get along with your newest furry friend.

Every animal in need of desexing, microchipping, parasite treatment, or vaccinations undergoes all necessary procedures prior to adoption. Additionally, RSPCA NSW animals go through a series of comprehensive veterinary checks along with any necessary training, quarantine, and rehabilitation.

As a charity, we use our adoption fees to help cover a portion of these costs, so we can allocate more of our resources to supporting people and pets in need.