SAFE is a registered charity, founded in 2003, that rescues animals and cares for them humanely. We use foster care so there is no time limit for how long an animal can be in care. Animals can relax and live in a loving home while waiting to be adopted. This use of fostering instead of shelters also lets us get to know the animals' personalities which helps us make better matches - helping people find companionship with the pets who suit them.
With the vast distances in Western Australia, and many of our branches being located in remote areas with small populations, the prospect of rehoming locally can be very limited. So we regularly fly our animals to their adoptive or foster homes in areas where there is a larger population.
SAFE volunteers operate from their own homes. The SAFE Karratha branch, along with our HQ, are based in Sue Hedley's home. Our organisation includes a Perth-based branch, SAFE Metro, and 10 other regional branches state-wide (12 branches altogether).
Our founder, Sue Hedley OAM, is supported by hundreds of volunteers across the country carrying out a variety of roles such as fostering, writing, social media, photography, administrative tasks, fundraising, governance, policy development, transport etc.
We have the equivalent of 2 paid positions - funded partly by SAFE, partly by one of our local councils.
We have a board of directors who volunteer their time and expertise to ensure SAFE meets regulatory requirements and is a sustainable organisation.
WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED?
Currently 26,000+ animals rescued, desexed and rehomed
Currently the largest volunteer-based animal rescue and rehoming organisation in Western Australia
2019 Sue Hedley, SAFE Inc Founder honoured with Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) (General Division) for service to animal welfare
2018 National Winner - Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards, Outstanding Rescue Group
2016 SAFE Dogs, Heidi & Kowa star in Red Dog: True Blue
2014 Endorsement by Animal Welfare League of Australia - to be their member for Western Australia
2013 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards – Excellence in Volunteer Management, Sue Hedley, SAFE Inc Founder
WHERE DO THE HOMELESS ANIMALS COME FROM?
We work closely with rangers, vet practices, other rescue organisations and local and remote communities to save animals in need.
We also take on rehomable animals relinquished by owners who love their pets but can no longer care for them due to changed life circumstances. This could include reasons such as change in relationships, loss of employment, moving to a rental property that won't accept animals.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN ANIMAL COMES INTO OUR PROGRAM?
Intake
The animal is vet checked and we ensure that it receives parasite treatment, is microchipped, that vaccinations are up to date and that desexing is arranged
ID number allocated
Dogs are bathed; cats are groomed
Database is updated
Foster care is arranged
Preparing For Advertising
A profile is written
Photos are taken
The website is updated
Where Do We Advertise?
Our website https://safe.org.au/
Pet Rescue
Social media
Print media
Radio
Applications To Adopt
Applicants complete an application form, are interviewed and receive a home visit.
If they're a suitable match, the adoption is finalised with payment of the adoption fee and transfer of documents.
Post Adoption
The animal is considered to be connected with SAFE for its lifetime, so if there is any change to the adopter's or animal's circumstances, SAFE is always approachable whether it be for advice or rehoming
We encourage updates which we love to share with our supporters
WHERE ARE OUR BRANCHES LOCATED?
The SAFE teams operate from their own homes. HQ and the SAFE Karratha branch are both based in Sue Hedley's home. We have 12 branches statewide, 11 regional, and our Perth-based branch, SAFE Metro.
WHAT SPECIAL PROGRAMS DO WE RUN?
Desex and return programs - for low income earners and residents of communities where animal management is problematic
Barn cat program - which adopts pairs of shy, fully vetted cats that bond to a building that needs vermin management such as farm buildings, warehouses and factories
Community education - in schools, youth and mental health programs, expos, radio, social media and print media
Adoption days at community venues
Educational visits to schools, youth and arts programs in remote, regional and urban areas
Therapeutic visits to aged care facilities
WHO ARE OUR MAJOR SUPPORTERS?
Private donors, including our social media supporters
JB-HiFi Helping Hands
Workplace Giving programs - where people make small, regular donations from their pre-tax pay by setting up an agreement with their employers, many of whom match their employees’ donations. For employers, these programs build staff engagement, enhance reputation and create connections.
QANTAS Freight
Pet Rescue
Purina
CFL (Collins Foods Limited)
Government of Western Australia
The local vet clinics across the state who discount their costs for us
HOW DO WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SUPPORTERS?
In our social media
On our website https://safe.org.au/
FOLLOW OUR WORK
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/safe_inc/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SAFEpetsAU/
LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/company/safe_inc
YouTube [@SAFEpetsAU] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvbgZD9Up_bbEX4WdPevpoQ
DONATE
https://safe.org.au/donate - You can choose to donate statewide or to individual branches.
ADOPT
https://safe.org.au/find-a-pet/ - To find the right pet for your home check out our website.
VOLUNTEER
https://safe.org.au/volunteer/ - SAFE’s work depends on a volunteer team of foster carers, branch coordinators, event organisers, photographers, animal profile writers, grant writers, administrators and many more.
CONTACT US
For more information on how to support SAFE’s life-saving work, please contact Sue Hedley at [email protected] or 0448 893 033.
