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Australian Dog Lover
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As the Aussie sun beats down and the festive season approaches, a perfect storm is brewing in animal shelters across the country.
It’s a time when many Australians consider welcoming a new furry family member, but industry experts, led by PetSure, are sounding an urgent alarm: Australians are being called upon to adopt or foster a pet during the festive and New Year period to give much-needed relief to animal shelter organisations.
The Perfect Storm: Full Shelters and Falling Adoptions
The need is critical. RSPCA NSW 2024 data indicates shelters are at or near capacity in the lead up to Christmas, with waitlists often up to 12 months for people wishing to surrender an animal. This December and holiday period, we see the 'perfect storm': increased or steady pet surrenders meeting fewer adoptions, stretching the capacity for intake.
The latest figures paint a worrying picture of this pressure cooker environment. The Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) July 2024 – June 2025 Impact Report reveals that while fewer animals entered shelters and foster care, adoptions fell, leaving animal rescue services under pressure. The data reflects the current cost-of-living squeeze, finding that surrenders fell by 6%, but adoptions also dropped by a significant 17% during the year.
While the need for rescue is great, many Australians still look elsewhere for their companions. The 2025 Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) “Pets in Australia” report highlights that breeders are still the most popular channel for acquiring a dog, with just 14% of respondents saying they got their dog from an animal shelter.
The New Year Welcome: Planning is Key
Despite the strain on shelters, welcoming a new pet remains a popular start to the year. PetSure data shows the festive and New Year period is a popular time to welcome a new pet. In 2024, January recorded the highest number of new policies taken out compared to any other month.
This popularity, however, comes with a stark warning. Introducing a pet into the family—or considering gifting one for Christmas—without proper preparation risks negative outcomes for the animal, the new guardian, and the already-stressed shelter organisations. For those surrendering, the reasons are heartbreakingly familiar: a third of surrenders are due to financial stress, while one in five are due to rental housing issues.
PetSure Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Dr Simone Maher underscores the importance of due diligence:
"Pets can be a treasured part of any family. But it is a long-term emotional and financial commitment – it might be 15 years or more. Research and planning is important not just to find the right match, but to set the foundation for a long and happy future together.”
Vet-Approved Steps for a Happy Adoption
For those ready to step up and open their homes, Dr Maher and her team offer essential, vet-approved tips:
1. Consider your lifestyle: Pets need daily care, exercise, and attention. Consider animals with energy levels and space requirements that match what you can offer. A puppy may feel constrained in an apartment, while a vast backyard and young kids may be wasted on a wise old cat.
2. Understand the financial commitment: Pets are often surrendered due to financial pressures. Beyond the initial outlay, ongoing costs are significant: food, routine vet care, pet insurance, and more. The AMA report shows food is the highest cost for pet carers at $9.8 billion followed by veterinary services at $1.9 billion. Make sure you carefully consider the long-term financial commitment before you adopt a pet.
3. Choose the right pet for you: Focus on temperament, lifespan, exercise needs, and potential health issues. Consider adopting from shelters to help reduce overpopulation and support animals in need, especially during this time of year.
A Glimmer of Hope: The Power of Fostering
While the adoption statistics reveal the scale of the challenge, individual stories prove the immense joy and relief that Australians can provide.
Cally and her family opened their home to Bo, a dog in need of a soft landing, proving that fostering is truly a family affair.
“Being our first time fostering, we were not entirely sure what to expect, but my gosh this has been an incredible experience,” Cally wrote to the SAFE team.
“Bo has been the sweetest, loving, well-behaved boy and has brought so much joy and love to our lives in the short time we had him.”Bo, initially quiet and timid, quickly flourished under the family's care. Cally’s kids, Nate (14) and Skye (11), took on the role of dedicated carers, teaching Bo how to play.
“We love that we were able to give this beautiful boy a soft place to land while he found a forever home that he truly deserves. We seriously got more from this than we gave.”
Despite the tears when Bo was dropped off to his new forever family for the drive to Exmouth ("A few tears from my boy on the way home and he is asking already when can we get another foster!"), the experience was truly enriching.
Despite the tears when Bo was dropped off to his new forever family for the drive to Exmouth ("A few tears from my boy on the way home and he is asking already when can we get another foster!"), the experience was truly enriching.
“Thank you SAFE for all the amazing work you do and allowing us the opportunity to foster. It truly has been a highlight of our year, and we can't wait to do it again.”This beautiful tale underscores that even a temporary commitment can change a dog's life and significantly ease the strain on Australian animal rescue organisations battling stretched capacity.
Addressing the Unknown: Rescue Pet Insurance
Don't let a rescue pet's mysterious past deter you from being prepared. Some pet insurers offer cover for rescue pets, even when the pet’s breed or medical history is unknown.
Not knowing an animal’s exact age or medical history shouldn’t deter people from considering pet insurance as vets can provide good estimates to help guide cover and care decisions,” advises PetSure.
When selecting a dog, remember they are individuals. Dr Maher reminds us:
“While some behaviours or characteristics are more evident in some breeds than others there’s a lot of variation between dogs of the same breed... If adopting an adult, take time to talk to the shelter staff to understand what they’ve come to know about the dog... If adopting a puppy and it’s possible, meeting one or both of the parents can help you understand what personality your pup may inherit.”
PetSure’s direct brand, petinsurance.com.au, even has a special offer for new customers bringing home a rescue pet.
The call has been made: this holiday season, consider giving the ultimate gift—a second chance at a loving home—to a deserving Australian pet.
Don't let a rescue pet's mysterious past deter you from being prepared. Some pet insurers offer cover for rescue pets, even when the pet’s breed or medical history is unknown.
Not knowing an animal’s exact age or medical history shouldn’t deter people from considering pet insurance as vets can provide good estimates to help guide cover and care decisions,” advises PetSure.
When selecting a dog, remember they are individuals. Dr Maher reminds us:
“While some behaviours or characteristics are more evident in some breeds than others there’s a lot of variation between dogs of the same breed... If adopting an adult, take time to talk to the shelter staff to understand what they’ve come to know about the dog... If adopting a puppy and it’s possible, meeting one or both of the parents can help you understand what personality your pup may inherit.”
PetSure’s direct brand, petinsurance.com.au, even has a special offer for new customers bringing home a rescue pet.
The call has been made: this holiday season, consider giving the ultimate gift—a second chance at a loving home—to a deserving Australian pet.
Ready to Help? Find a Shelter Near You
The festive season needs heroes, and by choosing to adopt or foster, you can be one of them. Whether you are ready for a long-term commitment like Cally's family, or can only offer a short-term foster home to relieve shelter capacity, your local CANA member organisation needs you.
To find a dog available for adoption or a foster program in your state, contact one of the leading national animal welfare charities that form the Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA):
Queensland:
Animal Welfare League Queensland Victoria:
Lort Smith New South Wales:
Sydney Dogs and Cats Home Tasmania:
Dogs' Homes of Tasmania Western Australia:
Saving Animals From Euthanasia Inc. (SAFE Inc)
Make this holiday season a fresh start—for you, and for a deserving dog.
