Your Impact

Gadget’s story

When inspectors received a report about Gadget, they found her in a heartbreaking state, severely emaciated. She was seized immediately and rushed to our veterinary clinic for urgent assessment and monitoring.

We believe her owner realised inspectors were coming and fed her a large amount of food in a short timeframe. This was extremely dangerous for a dog in such poor condition. Animals like Gadget require a carefully managed feeding plan to safely regain weight.

Real impact. Real lives changed.

Despite everything she had endured, Gadget remained an incredibly gentle soul. She adored people and was rarely seen without a toy proudly carried in her mouth a quiet reminder of her resilience and trust in humans.

Your support ensures animals like Gadget receive immediate care, protection, and a chance to recover.

Breaking the cycle: The Last Litter Program

Prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have in protecting animals, and desexing is key to preventing unwanted litters.

For many years, RSPCA ACT has operated our Last Litter Program to support pet owners who unexpectedly find themselves caring for a litter. We guide families through the process and, once the puppies or kittens are old enough (usually around eight weeks), we desex the entire litter and their mum free of charge. The young animals are then rehomed, helping prevent future unplanned litters across the ACT.

This litter came into our care at just eight weeks old. They received full veterinary treatment before being adopted into loving homes. Their mum was later desexed at our clinic, free of charge helping to break the cycle for good.

Veterinary care when cost is a barrier

Our RSPCA ACT Veterinary Clinic provides financial assistance and low-cost veterinary services on a case-by-case basis every week, most commonly through Centrepay.

Around 20 clients each month receive support to access essential veterinary procedures they would otherwise be unable to afford.

This support keeps pets with the families who love them, while protecting animal welfare and preventing surrender.

Crisis and emergency boarding

Last year alone, RSPCA ACT provided emergency boarding on 141 occasions when pet owners suddenly found themselves unable to care for their animals.

These situations often involve some of life’s most difficult moments such as hospitalisation, fleeing domestic and family violence, house fires, or securing safe accommodation. While people focused on getting back on their feet, we ensured their pets were safe, cared for, and loved often in foster homes until reunification was possible.

Some of these pets included:

• Florence, a tiny senior dog who required treatment for a severe chronic ear infection and extensive dental surgery while her owner was hospitalised
• Bobby, Patch and Papaya one dog and two cats who entered care after a house fire left their home uninhabitable. All were desexed and placed in foster care while their family rebuilt
• Millie, a dog who spent over four months in foster care after her owner fled domestic and family violence and required intensive mental health support. In the end, Millie was lovingly surrendered so her owner could focus on recovery

Community Pet Pantry

No pet should ever go hungry and no one should have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pet.

RSPCA ACT’s Community Pet Pantry provides pet food and parasite prevention products (such as flea and tick treatments) to local organisations that support vulnerable Canberrans. We also deliver direct outreach to people experiencing hardship.

In just the first three months of the program, we distributed three tonnes of pet food. Since the start of this financial year, that figure has grown to over 6 tonnes helping families stay together and pets stay healthy.