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Our shelters offer accommodation and care for abandoned, neglected, sick and surrendered animals.

Hunter Shelter

Please note: RSPCA NSW shelters are unable to accept surrendered or stray felines for the next 30 days due to vaccine supply shortage – For more information, click here.

Our Hunter Shelter provides care, shelter and veterinary treatment to abandoned, injured, neglected and sick animals. Animals arriving at shelters come from a variety of sources, including those:

  • handed in as an injured or sick stray
  • seized by an inspector under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979
  • surrendered by an owner

Located in Rutherford and 38 km from Newcastle, the shelter offers an extensive Foster Care program, volunteering and corporate support opportunities and a retail shop. A number of school holiday and training programs, including TAFE tours, are also offered.

Our Hunter Veterinary Hospital is located onsite, offering services to shelter animals and the public. You can find out more here.

All animals suitable for adoption can be found here.

Where we are

Contact Details

6-10 Burlington Place
Rutherford, NSW, 2320

Phone: (02) 4939 1555
Fax:(02) 8331 1935

Normal Opening Hours

Adoptions:

Tuesday – Sunday

9:30am – 3:30pm.

Closed Mondays and public holidays

Shelter FAQs

Our shelters do not have the means to accept uninjured stray animals. If you find an uninjured stray animal, you will be referred to your local council pound.

You can see all animals available for adoption here.

Animals available for adoption have undergone a comprehensive veterinary check, and have undergone any other veterinary treatment and rehabilitation necessary. The adoption fee helps cover part of these costs and allows RSPCA NSW to continue caring for animals in need.