Updated 14 May 2026
For those experiencing homelessness with a pet, the human-animal companion bond plays a significant role in their lives. Petbarn and the Petbarn Foundation are proud to support the many pet parents who are experiencing homelessness.
Quick facts:
- Over 100,000 Australian currently experiencing homelessness: 1 in 5 of those are pet owners
- Over 40% are under 25 years old
- 30% are single mothers with children (a high incidence of these have experience domestic violence)
Why support Pet Parents experiencing homelessness?
- An animal companion provides them with a sense of security
- Improved societal inclusion and community interactions
- Provide companionship and emotional support in an otherwise isolating environment
- Creating purpose and responsibility as a pet owner
To date The Petbarn Foundation has donated $100,000 to help 2750 pet owners experiencing homelessness, including providing preventative care and emergency veterinary treatment partnering with Pets in the Park.
A very special story:
A Greencross employee was walking down a street in Sydney and noticed a homeless man trying to keep his dog warm, so he stopped and asked if he needed any help. After a good chat, the two exchanged numbers and organised to meet again to supply products needed for “Boo” the dog. Fast forward a few weeks and the employee receives a call from the man who says Boo hadn’t eaten for a week. We organised an appointment with Greencross Vets Chatswood. Boo was critically ill and needed emergency care within 12-24hours or he wouldn’t make it. Boo was rushed to Animal Referral Hospital where we received the treatment he needed to save his life. The two were reunited after being separated for 6 days while Boo was in hospital. As you can see, this meant everything to man and dog!
Pets in the Park core program and service is its Preventative Health Care Clinics.
These clinics pop up monthly clinics physically delivered through the philanthropic support of professionally qualified Vets and Vet nurses in addition to non-vet industry volunteers who provide the coordination, administrative and logistical requirements. The focus on preventative health care has a compounding cost effect in that it reduces the potential future need for procedural or preservation services and the associated costs accordingly.
As a result of COVID-19 we were forced to suspend the monthly clinics until recommencement could be undertaken cognizant of the safety of our volunteers and our homeless clients. Most of our 14 monthly clinics have been able to recommence operations however during the suspension period we established and maintained alternative service delivery models that included mail and drop of support for parasite control plus the engagement with Vet Practices where consultations, vaccinations, prescriptions and procedures were required.
In addition to the Preventative Health Care Program, we also operated an Out of Clinic (Preservation / Procedures) Program for our registered homeless clients.
This program operates through our referral to commercial veterinary practices to address injury and illness issues required to be conducted within a registered / certified veterinary environment as this is unable to legally and responsibly be conducted in the pop up environment of our monthly clinics. This service can only be provided where Pets in the Park is able to gain the free support of a commercial practice or where the practice can provide the service at cost and we have the funds available. Otherwise the service cannot be provided.
The combined effect of the two programs is essentially no different to that of a commercial veterinary practice and the desires and or financial choice / capabilities of their clients in support of their companion pets.
Specific to the Homelessness sector (as opposed to the general society population) there is an array of extenuating and unique circumstances that our services address across the Health and Welfare of the companion pets, the benefits to both the animal and their owners regarding the human animal bond and companionship as well as the wellbeing of those members of our society who are experiencing homeless and living with companion pets.
In addition, our services support the retention and reduce the forfeiture and or potential termination of companion pets as a result of those who cannot afford or sustain the health care of their companions and or their ability to retain the companionship as they try to or may need to when taking up respite / emergency accommodation options for themselves.
Financial View
Pets in the Park has incurred an accelerated cost in the commercial support requirement to sustain our service across both the Preventative and Preservation Program Service as a result of Covid19. Currently this equates to 55 commercial consultation nationally at a cost of $22,529.00 within the first half of this financial year (funded by Petbarn Foundation), already exceeding the full costs of the previous financial year. This was a conscious choice taken as both a non-profit organisation and to retain the ongoing support of the homeless sector and their pets especially at a time where there vulnerability, isolation and difficulty in obtaining support was exacerbated as a result of Covid19.
It is also worthy on noting that the funds will carry a multiplying effect in that all commercial procedures are negotiated for provision at cost only, meaning that the funds do not make any contribution towards commercial profits of our supporting vet practices
About the Author
Petbarn Team
At Petbarn, we believe that life is better with pets. From high quality products to trusted advice, we're here to provide you with everything you need to care for your furred, feathered, and finned friends.
