Explore the work RSPCA NSW does to help animals and their owners in the community. Home What we do Working in Communities Community Homelessness Program What we do Adoptions Dogs and Puppies Cat and Kittens Pocket Pets Birds Livestock Exceptional Owners Animal Welfare Our Inspectorate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1979) Care for Animals Birds Bathing and Grooming Housing Identification Nutrition Training Veterinary Care Cat Care Bathing and Grooming Breeds Housing Identification Keeping Wildlife Safe and Your Cat Happy Kitten Care Nutrition Training Veterinary Care Dog Care Barking Bathing and Grooming Breeds Dog Training Tips and Videos Dog Walking Guidelines Enrichment Housing Identification Nutrition Parvovirus in Dogs Puppy Care Veterinary Care Livestock Owning a Pet Adopting a New Pet Costs Disaster Management Plans Enrichment Locating a Lost Pet Pets and Rental Properties The Chain Exchange Veterinary Care Pet Hazards Bushfires and House Fires Christmas Season Droughts Fireworks and Storms Heat Stress Snake Bites and Pets Toxic Plants for Pets Pocket Pets Disaster and Alerts Bushfires and House Fires Droughts Fireworks and Storms Hot weather Education Animal Ambassadors Community Groups Early Learning Primary Early Stage 1 OOSH Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Professional Development for Teachers School Holiday Program Secondary Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Tertiary Lost and Found I’ve lost my pet I’ve found a pet Rescue and Rehabilitate Animal Ambulance Behaviour Drives For Lives Pet Rehabilitation Program Surrender Intervention Rescue Partners Training ACM20110 Certificate II in Animal Studies Basic Animal First Aid Microchip Implantation Veterinary Services RSPCA Broken Hill Veterinary Hospital RSPCA Hunter Veterinary Hospital (Rutherford) RSPCA Rouse Hill Care Centre RSPCA Sydney Veterinary Hospital RSPCA Tighes Hills Veterinary Hospital Working in Communities Community Aged Care Program Community Animal Welfare Scheme (CAWS) Community Branches and Programs Community Domestic Violence Program Community Homelessness Program Home Ever After Indigenous Community Animal Health Program (ICAHP) Volunteering for Community Programs Youth and Community Programs Headspace Collaboration Pathways Working in CommunitiesCommunity Aged Care Program Community Animal Welfare Scheme (CAWS) Community Branches and Programs Community Domestic Violence Program Community Homelessness Program Home Ever After Indigenous Community Animal Health Program (ICAHP) Volunteering for Community Programs Youth and Community Programs Headspace Collaboration Pathways Community Homelessness Program RSPCA NSW strongly believes in the emotional, mental and physical benefits of the relationships between people and pets. For some homeless people, their pet may be the only positive thing in their lives. The idea of having to give this much-loved animal up can cause major distress to someone who is already suffering hardship. Through our Homelessness program, we assist pet owners who are currently homeless. This includes pet owners who are couch surfing, sleeping rough or in temporary accommodation. Services our Homelessness program offers include: temporary foster accommodation and/or emergency pet boarding financial assistance for veterinary treatment financial assistance with impound fees This community program was previously known as Living Ruff. For more information please contact the RSPCA Community Programs helpline (02) 9782 4408. The helpline operates Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. During weekends and public holidays contact the RSPCA Contact Centre on (02) 9770 7555. Community Homelessness Program FAQsHow much does your Homelessness program cost? Each situation is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and cost may depend on which services are required. Please contact the RSPCA Community Programs helpline (02) 9782 4408 or fill out the form below to see how we may be able to assist. What areas does your Homelessness program service? The Homelessness program is available throughout New South Wales. All enquiries come through our Sydney office, so more regional area enquiries may take longer to action. Is your Homelessness program only available to pet owners who are sleeping rough? No, this service is available to all pet owners and their pets who are couch surfing, sleeping rough or in temporary accommodation. Who can make a referral about a homeless pet owner and their pet? We accept referrals directly from those needing our help, as well as from family, friends, or services that may ask for assistance on their behalf.
