EMERGENCY BOARDING PROGRAM
Animal Welfare League Queensland is committed to ensuring that pets and their owners can stay together during times of uncertainty and hardship such as urgent hospitalisation, planned medical procedures or natural disasters. AWLQ’s Emergency Boarding and Outreach programs assist members of the public with advice, referrals and opportunities.
FREE 2-Week Emergency Boarding | Eligible Applicants Only
AWLQ’s Emergency Boarding program offers pet boarding services to people who require short-stay hospitalisation and have no other means for their pet to be cared for. The Emergency Boarding program supports planned or unplanned hospitalisation. For people who don’t have the resources, their animals are critical to their well-being. We have found these caring owners sometimes won’t proceed with hospitalisation or treatment because they cannot secure adequate animal care or pet boarding. Please be mindful that removing your pet from the comfort of their home and placing them into one of our centres and foster care homes can be extremely stressful for some pets. We recommend utilising our Emergency Boarding program as a last resort.
Emergency Boarding enquiry forms can be found below.
NOTE: Applications to the AWLQ Emergency Boarding program are by referral only. This includes community support workers, social care agencies, hospital staff or other relevant support coordinators.
For any enquiries about the program and more information about alternative boarding options, please contact [email protected].
We are proud to support our community and are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of both people and animals. Our Emergency Boarding program works closely with hospitals and support service providers to assist community members and their pets in times of need.
Did you know? Some pet insurance providers offer emergency boarding coverage.
Coverage can include hospitalisation, family violence, extreme weather events and more. Contact your insurer for more information.
FREE ADVICE AND REFERRALS
The AWLQ Community Directory is packed full of crisis support helplines, housing agencies, neighbourhood centres and much more!
Did you know many Pet Boarding companies including Veterinary Clinics offer payment plan options, give them a call to discuss options. Other options for urgent pet sitting are:
- In-house pet-sitting companies e.g. Mad Paws, PetCloud, Pawshake, Aussie House Sitters, Pet Sitters Gold Coast
- Private Facebook groups
It can be surprising how generous neighbours can be when asked for support, it’s always worth asking. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, reach out and we would be happy to provide advice.
FREE PET SUPPORT DAYS
AWLQ’s Outreach team often attend community days and events throughout the Gold Coast and Brisbane areas. Depending on availability, we supply FREE food, preventative treatments, bedding, pet accessories and advice.
Contact [email protected] for more information on which events we will be attending next.
FREE PET FOOD PANTRY
AWLQ’s Pet Pantry program offers pet food support to people in need.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW DO I APPLY FOR EMERGENCY BOARDING?
Emergency Boarding forms can be completed above or here.
HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAM COST?
The Emergency Boarding program is free and includes boarding of a pet, food for the duration of stay, preventative treatments (as required) and an Emergency Boarding veterinary health check.
*Emergency vet care during AWLQ boarding may be charged to the owner.
WHAT LOCATIONS DOES THE PROGRAM COVER?
The program covers the Brisbane and Gold Coast areas only. From Redcliffe (Moreton Bay/Brisbane border) to Coolangatta (QLD/NSW border). The catchment area map can be found here.
CAN MY PET BE COLLECTED FOR EMERGENCY BOARDING
A pet may be collected once accepted for Emergency Boarding. However, we may not always have the resources available for collection. Please advise Emergency Boarding, as soon as possible, if a pet requires to be collected.
WHAT HOURS DOES EMERGENCY BOARDING OPERATE? IS IT A 24-HOUR SERVICE?
Emergency Boarding operates Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm. Emergency Boarding does not operate on weekends or on Public Holidays.
For any urgent welfare concerns or emergencies, please call the RSPCA Emergency Hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).
WHO CAN MAKE A REFERRAL TO THE PROGRAM?
Community support workers, social care agencies, hospital staff or other relevant support coordinators. If a support person isn’t available or can complete a referral form, contact [email protected].
CAN I SEE MY PETS WHILE THEY ARE IN EMERGENCY BOARDING?
Unfortunately, we are unable to arrange owner visits when a pet is in the program, as we utilise our foster carers. However, we send pet updates to owners while an animal is in the program.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PET IS AGGRESSIVE WITH OTHER ANIMALS OR PEOPLE?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept referrals for pets who are aggressive with people or other animals because we rely on foster carers for the program. All animals must be handleable and relatively well-behaved. If this is not communicated during referral or if we identify such behaviours during boarding, emergency boarding will cease and owners will be contacted immediately.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PET IS AGGRESSIVE WITH OTHER ANIMALS OR PEOPLE?
Unfortunately we cannot accept referrals for pets that are aggressive, if this is not communicated during referral and this is identified during boarding, the Owner will be contacted immediately to collect their pet and emergency boarding will cease.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Download a copy of AWLQ’s Gold Coast Community Directory – click here
Please note that we are currently working on a directory for the Brisbane, Logan & Ipswich areas and they will be available shortly.
WHAT ANIMALS CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR EMERGENCY BOARDING?
Cats and dogs can be accepted at all AWLQ Rehoming Centres. The intake of birds and small animals (guinea pigs, rats, mice) depends on the AWLQ Rehoming Centre and space availability.
**Conditions apply** AWLQ Rehoming centres may not always have the capacity to care for or the resources to collect a pet. Our ability to take in pets for Emergency Boarding relies on the availability of space in each Rehoming centre and volunteer foster carers. It’s always advisable to plan for alternative boarding and transport options. We recommend providing enough food and water for your pet for up to 48 hours, if possible, to assist their needs temporarily. Once an enquiry has been received, we will discuss suitability and AWLQ centre capacity, meaning that boarding is not guaranteed until after consultation and approval. If accepted, animals will be placed into volunteer foster homes for up to two weeks of care, extended stays of up to 4-weeks maximum may be approved upon application. Alternative care arrangements must be organised if care is required thereafter. Animals must be social with people and animals to be eligible for the program, as we rely heavily on volunteer foster carers to support the program. If a foster carer is unavailable, pets will be kept temporarily in shelter care.
