Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc.

Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. Onsite, we also house our Community Animal Hospital, offering a broad range of high-quality, low-cost treatment options for all pet owners.
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Our facility in Craigieburn is home to our lifesaving animal shelter, where, to-date, we have rescued, rehabilitated, and ethically rehomed over 12,000 animals and assisted countless pet owners to keep their beloved pets during times of hardship via our Community Outreach Programs. Those who have ever formed a loving connection with a companion animal will know the strength of this precious and un

ique relationship and why it should be championed. We are dedicated to providing our community with accessible resources and support, high standards of care, and compassion in order to keep pets and their people together where they belong. Over the past decade, we have embarked on a journey to evaluate the needs of animals (and their owners) in our community, to identify barriers and find innovative ways to deal with the grass root problems that see companion animals being abandoned. We aim to strengthen the human-animal bond and confront animal abandonment at its root causes. Through innovative programs, accessible services, community education and public advocacy, we have become a community resource hub for pet owners and an unwavering champion for animals who need us most. Our focus is to keep community pets with the families that love them by offering preventative pet retention programs, which work to avoid pets from needing assistance in the first place.

Peek-a-boo from Marshmallow! 😽After a long wait in the SCAR shelter, this little hide and seek champ headed off on a tri...
22/06/2025

Peek-a-boo from Marshmallow! 😽

After a long wait in the SCAR shelter, this little hide and seek champ headed off on a trial adoption this week and we have all our fingers and toes crossed for her! 🧡

She’s such a dreamy little cat with a playful heart and a loving soul. Good luck little Marshmallow!

🙏 Special thanks to our long-term friends over at Chandler Cat Litter for keeping the litter trays here at SCAR nice and stocked with their top-tier cat litter! Their ongoing support means that kitties just like Marshmallow have all they need before landing in their loving homes! 🐾

ℹ️ Source: BR100692
📍 Second Chance Animal Rescue, Craigieburn VIC

Your next roll of toilet paper has the power to save lives! 🧻 🐾Stock up on eco-friendly loo rolls from About A Dog Austr...
21/06/2025

Your next roll of toilet paper has the power to save lives! 🧻 🐾

Stock up on eco-friendly loo rolls from About A Dog Australia before June 30th and select Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) at checkout to send 50% of the profits from your order directly toward helping us saving lives! 🧡

So, if you’re looking for a way to:
🐾 Back a small Aussie business that gives back to animals in need
🐾 Choose recycled, sustainable essentials for your home
🐾 Help SCAR continue to rescue animals and help people and pets in our community

This is your sign to hit that checkout button!

🙏 A huge thank you to everyone for your support and for spreading the love for SCAR one roll at a time!

Click the link below to stock up and help SCAR keep fighting for those who need us most. 🐶🐱

ℹ️ Shop now: 👉🏻 aboutadog.com.au

Five beautiful cats. Zero adoption applications. 💔Steve Buscemi, Paris, Madeline, Marshmallow and Hera have been waiting...
18/06/2025

Five beautiful cats. Zero adoption applications. 💔

Steve Buscemi, Paris, Madeline, Marshmallow and Hera have been waiting to be adopted here at SCAR for over two months… and in that time, they’ve had no applications or enquiries, and we’re heartbroken for them!

These kitties have so much personality and so much love to offer – all the need is a chance! 🧡 Will you SHARE this post and help us find these cuties the loving homes they deserve?

🐱 Hera – is a sassy little chatterbox who’s ready to steal your heart and your shoelaces!
🐱 Steve – is a quirky little dude who wants to smooch his way into your spotlight!
🐱 Madeline – is a gentle but playful little legend who loves to snuggle up for a nap!
🐱 Marshmallow – is just as soft and sweet as her name but has a cheeky, playful side too!
🐱 Paris – is easy-going, curious, and affectionate and adores people and other cats!

Click on their photo to find the link to their individual adoption profiles or check them all out here 👉🏻 bit.ly/SCAR-Adopt-A-Pet

With your help we can get all these cuties home where they belong! 🧡

ℹ️ Source: BR100692
📍 SCAR – 23 Grasslands Ave, Craigieburn, VIC

How good is Ginny looking?! 😍It's been about a month since this cheeky girl popped into the shelter after accidentally o...
18/06/2025

How good is Ginny looking?! 😍

It's been about a month since this cheeky girl popped into the shelter after accidentally opening her surgery site in her excitement to play. 😅 But if there's one thing Ginny's shown us, it's that nothing can hold her back.

At just 7 months old, Ginny's transformation from the sad little pup who arrived at SCAR with a fractured kneecap into the happy, playful sweetheart she is now has been heartwarming to watch… and it's all thanks to YOU! 🧡

Your generous donations, which provided for Ginny's specialist surgery, gave her the pain-free life she so desperately deserved!

We're also thankful for the support from our longtime friends and major nutrition sponsors at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, whose ongoing donations of delicious pet food helped keep Ginny happy, healthy and well-fed while she recovered. 💙❤️

Providing for sick, injured or traumatised animals is very costly, never easy and rarely short-term. With the support of Hills Pet Nutrition and animal lovers just like you, we hope to continue offering every animal – just like Ginny - the love and care they deserve for as long as they need it.

Very soon, Ginny will be ready to bounce her way into the hearts of a loving family and a big, bright future. If you'd like to be a part of that, keep an eye on our adoption page here 👉🏻 bit.ly/SCAR_Adopt_A_Pet

🙏 And, if you'd like to help us transform the lives of animals (just like Ginny) for many more years to come, please consider donating to our Save SCAR Appeal today 👉🏻 bit.ly/Save_SCAR 🧡

ℹ️ Source: BR100692
📍 Second Chance Animal Rescue, Craigieburn VIC

Poor little Henley hasn’t had a single adoption application! 🥹😭Sweet, snuggly and only 6-months-old, Henley has been wai...
17/06/2025

Poor little Henley hasn’t had a single adoption application! 🥹😭

Sweet, snuggly and only 6-months-old, Henley has been waiting so patiently to find his family…. but for some reason, no one seems to want to bring him home. 💔

With the help of his devoted foster carer and some extra support from our behavioural team, Henley has come such a long way from the scared little dog who walked through our doors.

We’ve watched him blossom into the sweetest, most intelligent little gentleman who has so much love to give! 🧡 All he needs now is someone to believe in him!

Henley will:
💋 Greet you at the door every day with a big kiss and a hug!
✨ Impress you with all his skills and manners!
🧸 Share all his toys and always invite you to play, too!
🥰 Curl up with you at the end of a long day of sniffs and zoomies!

Henley is looking for a Foster To Adopt home where he can be the only doggo and have access to a big yard to play in and a loving family who will adore him just as much as he will YOU! 🧡

So, what do you say? Can Henley come home with you?

🐶 Adopt Henley here 👉🏻 bit.ly/446CRSI
ℹ️ MC: 956000019557598 | Source: BR100692
📍 Second Chance Animal Rescue, Craigieburn VIC
🎥 Catch Henley in action in our latest Reel 👉🏻 bit.ly/4kGbt4O

🐶 Help your pup grow into a calm, confident, well-mannered doggo with SCAR’s fun, family-friendly Puppy Pre-School! 🐶Per...
17/06/2025

🐶 Help your pup grow into a calm, confident, well-mannered doggo with SCAR’s fun, family-friendly Puppy Pre-School! 🐶

Perfect for pups aged 8–16 weeks, our classes focus on socialisation and use food and play to help your puppy build positive associations with people, animals, and everyday experiences. ✨

Our goal is to support you in teaching your puppy to feel as joyful and confident about the world as they do about treats and toys, laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted life and a strong bond with your family.

Why You’ll Love It:
🐾 Start anytime - no waiting for term dates!
🐾 Whole family welcome (especially kids!) so everyone’s on the same page at home
🐾 Reward-based, science-backed training with our certified trainer (Companion Animal Sciences Institute, Science Matters, Behaviour Works)
🐾 Full 1-hour classes to give you and your pup more time to learn… and play!

✨ Just $190 for 5 fun-filled sessions + loads of take-home training resources!
Classes run every Saturday at 9am, but spots fill up quickly, so hop online and book your pup’s place today!

ℹ️ BOOK NOW 👉🏻 bit.ly/SCAR_DogTraining
🕒 Saturdays at 9am
📍 Second Chance Animal Rescue, Craigieburn VIC

NOTE: All puppies must be up to date on vaccinations!

Do you remember Miss Catberry Jam? 😻We introduced you to this floofy ray of sunshine back in May after she had been drea...
16/06/2025

Do you remember Miss Catberry Jam? 😻

We introduced you to this floofy ray of sunshine back in May after she had been dreaming of a loving family for over a month in our care.

With her stunning appearance, big gentle heart, and playful spirit, we were sure that Miss Catberry Jam would find her people very soon. But then our team noticed something wasn’t quite right…

Miss Catberry Jam, usually so full of life, had begun to quietly retreat into herself, which told us something was wrong.

Our vet team acted quickly, and a careful check-up in the clinic revealed Miss Catberry Jam had developed an aural hematoma – a painful swelling on her ear that was causing her significant pain.

Surgery was performed right away to relieve her discomfort, and our dedicated foster carer, Beverley, welcomed Miss Catberry Jam home to recover with some antibiotics and pain relief.

Now, thanks to Beverley’s constant love and care, Miss Catberry Jam is back! 🧡 She’s fully healed, happily batting ping-pong balls across the room again and curling up for cuddles with her big, rumbly purr.

After a little detour on her journey, Miss Catberry Jam is once again ready to find the loving home she so deeply deserves! 🧡 And she’s everything you could want in a feline friend! Calm, affectionate, playful, and endlessly loyal, all Miss Catberry Jam needs is a quiet home filled with love! Could that home be yours?

🐱 Adopt Miss Catberry Jam here 👉🏻 bit.ly/4m30TpC
ℹ️ MC: 953010007745763 | Source: BR100692
📍 Second Chance Animal Rescue, Craigieburn VIC
🙏 Help us keep our doors open for cats like Miss Catberry Jam! Donate to our Save SCAR Appeal today 👉🏻 bit.ly/Save_SCAR

There’s still time to make a difference! 🐾Until June 30th, when you shop with About A Dog Australia and choose Second Ch...
15/06/2025

There’s still time to make a difference! 🐾

Until June 30th, when you shop with About A Dog Australia and choose Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) at checkout, a generous 50% of the profits from your purchase will go directly to helping us stay open for the pets and people who need us most. 🧡

We’ve already heard from so many of you who’ve jumped on board, and we cannot thank you enough! From the bottom of our hearts, your support means the world to us! 🙏

So, if you’re keen to:
🐾 Support a small, Aussie-owned business doing good for animals in need
🐾 Buy eco-friendly, recycled products for your home (and the planet)
🐾 Help SCAR continue to rescue animals and help people and pets in our community

…then this is the moment!

Click the link below to stock up and help SCAR keep fighting for those who need us most! 🐶🐱

ℹ️ Shop now: 👉🏻 aboutadog.com.au

Meet Tank, a tiny fighter who’s every bit as strong and resilient as her name implies. 🧡Terrified and in unbearable pain...
13/06/2025

Meet Tank, a tiny fighter who’s every bit as strong and resilient as her name implies. 🧡

Terrified and in unbearable pain, Tank was just a few weeks old when she was rushed into the SCAR Community Animal Hospital.

Her eye had been severely damaged, likely from a nasty bout of cat flu, and the infection had advanced so far that her eye was protruding from its socket.

Our incredible vet team moved quickly, gently cleaning the area and starting Tank on strong antibiotics and pain relief to ease her suffering. We did everything we could to keep her comfortable.

But the damage was too severe, and Tank’s eye couldn’t be saved.

As she went into surgery to remove her eye, the quiet resilience of this tiny kitten touched every single member of our team. And as she began the process of adjusting to a world seen through one eye with the help of her dedicated foster carer, Tank’s spirit never faltered.

With her pain finally behind her, Tank blossomed into a bouncy, playful kitten, running around like the cheeky little whirlwind she was always meant to be. And the best part? Last month, Tank was adopted by a loving family! 🥰

“She’s settled in really well and adores her big brother, Bandit,” says new mum Anne-Marie. “Tank is just an adorable girl. The perfect mix of feisty and playful, and she’s also a big purring snuggler! Thank you again for everything.”

Tank is just one of the many sick and injured animals who come through our doors with no one to fight for them.

But with your help, we can change that.

Your donations to our Save SCAR Appeal make stories like Tank’s possible, providing them hope, healing and second chances.

So, please help us continue our life-saving work.
Donate now 👉🏻 bit.ly/Save_SCAR

Together, we can change lives — one little fighter at a time. 🧡

This gentle boy is Hughie. A 4-year-old Kelpie with a big smile, a soft heart, and a loving mum who would do anything fo...
12/06/2025

This gentle boy is Hughie. A 4-year-old Kelpie with a big smile, a soft heart, and a loving mum who would do anything for him. 🧡

Like many in crisis, Hughie's mum found herself without a home. Forced with the unthinkable choice between shelter and the beloved dog who had stood by her side through everything life had thrown at her.

She’d lost almost everything, but Hughie was the one thing she refused to give up on. And thanks to SCAR's Safe House For Pets Program, she wouldn't have to.

While she searched for stability, Hughie stayed with us here at SCAR and quickly became a staff favourite! His tail never stopped wagging, especially on walks, and he was always up for a cheeky cuddle with our volunteers. 🥰

We’re overjoyed to share that Hughie and his mum have recently been reunited! She’s found a home where they can start again… together, as it should be.

Our Safe House for Pets program exists to keep people and pets like Hughie and his mum together through unimaginable hardship. It gives people time to find support, while their pets who have been through so much receive plenty love and care.

Because pets aren’t “just animals.” They’re family. They offer comfort when there is none, hope when things seem impossible, and unconditional love when the world turns away. 🧡

But we can’t do it alone. These reunions, these second chances are only possible because of generous supporters like you.

Every donation, every share, every kind word helps. Right now, we need you more than ever. 🙏

Hughie’s story is just one of many. Please help us keep more families together and donate to our Save SCAR appeal today: 👉🏻 bit.ly/Save_SCAR

Need a Vet You Can Trust? We're Here to Help! 🏥Your pet deserves the best and that’s exactly what we offer here at the S...
12/06/2025

Need a Vet You Can Trust? We're Here to Help! 🏥

Your pet deserves the best and that’s exactly what we offer here at the SCAR Community Animal Hospital! From routine health checks to vaccinations, desexing and other surgeries, our vet clinic is here to keep your pets happy, healthy, and thriving. 🩺

Whether your pet is a wagging, purring cuddlebug or a little nervous about the vet - our friendly, experienced team treats every animal like family. And the best part? Every dollar you spend helps rescue animals in need. 🧡

Here’s why pet parents love us:
🐾 Affordable, high-quality veterinary care
🐾 A calm, pet-friendly environment
🐾 Gentle, fear-free approach for all animals
🐾 All proceeds support SCAR’s lifesaving rescue work

Choosing us means you're giving your pet top care and helping animals who haven’t had their second chance yet. 🧡 So, book your pet’s appointment today and be part of something bigger.

ℹ️ bit.ly/SCAR_CommunityAnimalHospital
📣 Share the love and tag a fellow pet parent who needs a great vet with a great cause!

Address

23 Grasslands Avenue
Craigieburn, VIC
3064

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 3:30pm
Thursday 10am - 3:30pm
Friday 10am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+61393570834

Website

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Our Story

Second Chance Animal Rescue was founded in 2008 after vet nurse and local shelter volunteer Marisa Debattista witnessed firsthand how many beautiful animals needed help, versus how little resources were available.

Knowing she could make a change, Marisa launched Second Chance Animal Rescue with a few vet nurse friends and a handful of animals. Since then, we've grown into a network of hundreds of foster carers and other volunteers, with just as many cats and dogs in care. We're proud to say that by the start or 2019 over 10,000 animals had been rescued from not-so-pleasant fates in pounds and shelters throughout Victoria, and are now happily settled in new homes around the state. (Of course, our adopters will tell you, the question remains about just who saved who!)

On April 19th, 2015, after many years of planning and endless fundraising efforts, our first animal shelter opened in Campbellfield, Victoria. This first facility allowed us to save more animals and give potential adopters the chance to meet animals in a happy, relaxed space. Following this, in August 2019 SCAR moved from Campbellfield to Craigieburn, Victoria to open a MUCH bigger new facility which included our open-to-the-public community animal hospital, animal shelter, an education hub and cat boarding facility.

Second Chance Animal Rescue is a not-for-profit organisation with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, meaning all donations over $2 are tax deductible.