Mareeba Animal Refuge

Mareeba Animal Refuge Donations gratefully accepted. 🐶🐱
BSB 633-000
Acc Number 113217335
Acc Name Friends of the Animals "Friends of the Animals Inc."

About Us

Mareeba Animal Refuge (MAR) is currently run and managed by Jennifer Walsh, who has many years experience in the care of animals. Jennifer is also a trained Homeopath and Natural Therapist and she has instigated many treatments in the care of the animals in this field as well. was originally established in Herberton around 2000 by our founder, Fiona Buchanan who had many years of work in

animal welfare before she was drawn to the Atherton Tablelands because of the great need here. Already elderly, she began a gift shop in Herberton and worked long hours in the shop as well as caring for several neglected and abandoned dogs in her own home. Later, a gallery coffee shop was established next door to the gift shop and these are both now thriving businesses staffed solely by volunteers with all proceeds either coming to us or assisting low income earners with desexing programmes. The original aim was to build a refuge in the Wongabel Forest on land purchased with the assistance of Cairns Animal Welfare, however after receiving too much opposition from local residents the land was sold and the idea abandoned. Shortly thereafter, Council put up the tender on the former TSPCA site in Mareeba. We applied and won, taking over on November 17, 2007. Sadly, Fiona passed away in August 2007 just before her dream was realised. The site had been allowed to become very run down and with the huge effort of a wonderful team of volunteers, it wasn't long before the Mareeba Animal Refuge opened its doors looking very neat and tidy. The refuge is going from strength to strength with collaberation between Mareeba Shire Council and all the dedicated supporters and very hard workers of Friends of the Animals. The Refuge could not function without the help of its volunteers who give up their time day after day, week after week to keep this place functioning as well as it does. The list is long but the main contributers are as follows. Faye Downie - dog trainer and assessor. Puts in long hours to walk, obedience train and temperament assess our dogs. The dog walkers - several helpers come very regularly especially Arthur who comes six days a week to help us walk our dogs, everyone of which is walked every day. Tony Clausen - Keeps our vast lawns and entry ways neat and tidy. He supplies his own mowing equipment and petrol. In the wet season this is a weekly task that takes many hours. All our paid staff also put in many extra hours to fund raise and help in many other ways. Jennifer and crew are extremely grateful to all these organisations who assist in sponsoring their Refuge, please contact her if you would like to become a sponsor.

Sharmari is this week's Weird Pose Wednesday
03/12/2025

Sharmari is this week's Weird Pose Wednesday

🐶💥 PUPPY PANDEMIC AT THE REFUGE! 💥🐶We are absolutely bursting at the seams with adorable, wriggly, toe-nibbling cuteness...
02/12/2025

🐶💥 PUPPY PANDEMIC AT THE REFUGE! 💥🐶

We are absolutely bursting at the seams with adorable, wriggly, toe-nibbling cuteness… 14 puppies aged 4 months and under are currently waiting for their forever homes!

From chunky Bull Arab mixes to cheeky Border Collie x babies, from sweet little sassy pups to calm cuddle-bugs — we’ve got a puppy for every kind of family.

But that’s not all…
We also have a beautiful group of young adult dogs ready to shine in their new homes, including two of our long-termers:

⭐ Remus — our gentle, goofy softie with the biggest heart
⭐ Sharmari — the cuddle queen who LOVES a walk and adores her people

These two have been overlooked for far too long and would love nothing more than a fresh start with a family who sees just how special they are. 💛

Whether you’re ready for puppy training adventures or want to skip the baby stage and welcome a more settled young adult, now is the perfect time to visit.

Adopting a rescue dog doesn’t just change their life…
It changes yours too.

🐶 Come Meet Your New Best Friend!
🏡 No appointment needed — just drop in anytime during open hours. 7 days!!!
💛 Meet the dogs in their kennels, take them to the play yard or (best of all and most recommended!)
take them for a walk to truly get to know them.
👨‍👩‍👧 Bring the whole family — kids included!
🐕 If you have another dog, bring them along for a meet & greet.

Our staff are always happy to guide you, answer questions, and help match you with the right dog.

✨ Trial Periods Available
Not quite sure if a dog is the perfect fit?
We offer trial periods so you can see how your chosen dog settles at home before finalising the adoption.
No pressure — just support.

📍 Mareeba Animal Refuge
35 Hickling Avenue, Mareeba
⏰ Open 7 days: 8am–4pm
📞 4092 3060

💬 Share this post, tag a friend, or come meet your new best mate today — let’s get these paws into loving homes! 🐾❤️

02/12/2025

📣 🔔 ANNOUNCEMENT! 🔔📣

Santa AND The Grinch are coming to Emerald Creek Ice Creamery for Christmas Photos - under the stars*! ⭐️🎄

We’ve teamed up with Mareeba Animal Refuge again this year with 100% of the photo proceeds going straight to The Refuge 🐶😸

Choose to have your photo taken with Santa or the Grinch… or both!

Details are in the flyer - be sure to mark this date on your calendar - it’s sure to be a Festive and Fun night to remember!

* Yes! We have a wet weather plan up our sleeve just in case ☔️

02/12/2025

🐾 Cattery Tour Time! 🐾
Take a peek inside our cattery and meet some of the sweet faces waiting for their forever homes. Come visit — they’d love to say hi in person! 😻

📍 Mareeba Animal Refuge – 35 Hickling Avenue, Mareeba
🕗 Open 8am – 4pm, 7 days a week
📞 4092 3060

🐱 Adoption Fees:
Females: $250
Males: $190
Select Cats: $100
Includes desexing, F3 vaccination, microchipping, and up-to-date parasite treatments.
Payment Methods: Cash or bank transfer (no EFTPOS).

Come for a cuddle, a chat, or just a visit — our cats can’t wait to meet you! 💛

🐾 Seal & Her Babies – Photo Dump! 🐾Seal's adorable little crew are now just over 2 weeks old, and we couldn’t resist sha...
01/12/2025

🐾 Seal & Her Babies – Photo Dump! 🐾

Seal's adorable little crew are now just over 2 weeks old, and we couldn’t resist sharing a bundle of cuteness! 😍

These tiny babies are thriving in foster care, growing fast with little eyes opening, wobbly legs learning to balance, and those early glimmers of personality starting to shine. Seal is being an incredible mum, keeping everyone fed, warm, and so deeply loved. 💛

This gorgeous family wont be ready for a long while yet but you can secure one of these precious kittens — or even put your name down for Seal herself once her mum duties are complete!

🐱 Adoption Fees
Females: $250
Males: $190
Includes desexing, F3 vaccination, microchipping, and up-to-date parasite treatments.
Payment Methods: Sorry, NO EFTPOS facilities — cash or bank transfer accepted.

📍 Mareeba Animal Refuge – 35 Hickling Avenue, Mareeba
🕗 8am – 4pm, 7 days a week
📞 4092 3060

Enjoy the sweetness — and get ready to meet them in person when they’re old enough! 🐾💛

Critty is still hoping to get out of the cattery ASAP! Please continue sharing so we can find this girl her happily ever...
01/12/2025

Critty is still hoping to get out of the cattery ASAP! Please continue sharing so we can find this girl her happily ever after. 💕

🎄✨ Christmas Wish: A Forever Home for Bear ✨🎄Our gorgeous girl Bear has starred in a few spotlights now… but we still ha...
30/11/2025

🎄✨ Christmas Wish: A Forever Home for Bear ✨🎄
Our gorgeous girl Bear has starred in a few spotlights now… but we still haven’t found her perfect match.
Maybe this adorable Christmas photo (thank you MiniBou Fotografia! ❤️📸) will finally reach the person she’s been waiting for.

Because Bear? She is SO deserving of her Christmas miracle. 💕

Breed: Schnauzer x Bull Arab
DOB: 30.08.24
Size: Medium
Energy: High
Adoption Fee: $200 (Includes desexing, C5 vaccination, microchipping, and up-to-date flea, tick, worm & heartworm preventatives.)
Payment Methods: Sorry, NO EFTPOS. Cash or bank transfer accepted.

Bear is a sweet, affectionate young girl who absolutely adores people. She’s clever, playful, and always up for an adventure. As much as she loves fun, she also melts into cuddles—she really wants to be someone’s best friend.

But this little lady needs a very specific home to thrive:

🌟 The Home Bear Needs
🐕‍🦺 Very active people – Bear is high energy and needs daily exercise, mental stimulation, and consistent engagement.
🏡 Secure, high fencing – Bear has shown she WILL wander if given the chance, even on a large property, so high, secure fencing is a must.
🐶 Preferably an only dog – She can be too boisterous with other dogs, so a solo-pet home is ideal.
👧 Great with kids – She loves people of all ages.
🐱 No cats
🐔 No chickens/wildlife

Bear is not a backyard ornament—she needs a home where she is included, active, and loved. The right family will see her for who she is: a bright, affectionate, joyful girl bursting with potential.

💖 Why Adopt Bear?
Because she has the biggest heart.
Because she will make you laugh every day.
Because she tries so hard to be the goodest girl.
Because every dog deserves a safe home for Christmas. 🎁🐾

Let’s make this the month Bear finally finds her forever family.

📍 Adoption Details
Mareeba Animal Refuge – 35 Hickling Avenue, Mareeba
Open 7 days | 8am–4pm
📞 4092 3060
💌 [email protected]
Payment Methods: Cash or bank transfer only (no EFTPOS).
✨ Trial periods welcome!

Please share Bear’s story—her home might be just one click away. ❤️✨

🌟 November Adoption Wrap-Up! 🌟It’s been a quieter month than usual here at the refuge, but that certainly didn’t stop th...
30/11/2025

🌟 November Adoption Wrap-Up! 🌟
It’s been a quieter month than usual here at the refuge, but that certainly didn’t stop the love from flowing! We are thrilled to share that 16 dogs and 14 cats found their forever families in November. 🐶🐱💕

Every adoption means another precious life safe, loved, and starting a brand-new chapter. These adoptions have also allowed us to open our doors to more pups in need, so you’ll be seeing some new arrivals early this coming week! 🐾

Our cattery remains closed to surrenders while we navigate a surplus of kittens and support a few cats who are feeling under the weather. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. 💛

To every adopter who opened their heart and home—and to everyone who continues to support, share, visit, volunteer, and donate—your kindness keeps rescue work alive.

Here’s to even more happy endings as we head into December! 🎄✨

🌟 ONE WEEK TO GO — WE NEED YOU! 🌟Annual General Meeting – Sunday 7th December, 12pm at Mareeba Animal RefugeFriends of t...
29/11/2025

🌟 ONE WEEK TO GO — WE NEED YOU! 🌟
Annual General Meeting – Sunday 7th December, 12pm at Mareeba Animal Refuge

Friends of the Animals Inc. (trading as Mareeba Animal Refuge) has been rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming local animals for 18 years — and now we need new members with fresh ideas, passion and community spirit to help guide us into the future. 💛

Joining our committee is one of the most impactful ways you can support animal welfare on the Tablelands. Committee members help shape decisions about:
🐾 Funding and grant applications
🐾 Long-term rescue sustainability
🐾 Events and fundraising initiatives
🐾 Community engagement and partnerships
🐾 Improving animal care and rehoming outcomes
… and so much more.

You don’t need experience — just enthusiasm, a willingness to contribute, and a heart for rescue animals.

✨ Why join?

Be part of meaningful change for local dogs and cats

Help strengthen the future of a charity that receives no government funding

Grow your skills in leadership, planning, teamwork and community advocacy

Make a real difference to vulnerable animals who rely on us every single day

Bring new energy and ideas to help us grow, innovate and thrive

📝 Annual Membership: $20
Sign up on the day or contact us for more info.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could do more to help,”
— this is your moment.
Your voice, your ideas, your passion… they could change everything. 💜

📅 AGM: Sunday 7th December
🕛 12pm
📍 Mareeba Animal Refuge – 35 Hickling Ave

Please share this post to help us reach future superstars for our committee! 🌟🐾

Looking to Adopt? Your New Best Friend Is Waiting! 🐈Our cattery is overflowing with beautiful cats and kittens — playful...
28/11/2025

Looking to Adopt? Your New Best Friend Is Waiting! 🐈

Our cattery is overflowing with beautiful cats and kittens — playful babies, gentle adults, shy souls learning to trust, and confident smoochers ready to leap straight into your arms. No matter what kind of feline friend you’re dreaming of, we have a kitty who’s hoping you walk through the door. 💛

From independent queens to lap-loving purr machines, tiny troublemakers to experienced cuddle professionals — each one has their own story, their own charm, and their own little heart just waiting to belong to someone.

🐱 Adoption Fees
Females: $250
Males: $190
Selected Cats $100
Includes desexing, F3 vaccination, microchipping, and up-to-date parasite treatments.
Payment Methods: Sorry, NO EFTPOS facilities — cash or bank transfer only.

📍 Mareeba Animal Refuge – 35 Hickling Avenue, Mareeba
🕗 Open 8am – 4pm, 7 days a week
📞 4092 3060

Upcoming Adoption Day!
Join us at our special adoption event:

📅 Saturday 13th December
⏰ 9am – 1pm
📍 Pets Domain Mareeba

We’ll be bringing a selection of our gorgeous adoptable cats and kittens, ready to meet their future families. Come for cuddles, questions, and maybe even your newest family member.

💬 Please like, comment, and share to help our cats find their forever homes — and come visit us now or on our adoption day to meet your new best friend!

We are set up here at the Mareeba Markets - 100 Park in front of the Historical Society shed and behind the Arts and Cra...
28/11/2025

We are set up here at the Mareeba Markets - 100 Park in front of the Historical Society shed and behind the Arts and Craft buildings. 100 boards, calendars, Christmas cards, liver treats and raffle

2026 Fundraising Calendars are still available as that last minute gift idea. Thinking of making a donation? With the pu...
28/11/2025

2026 Fundraising Calendars are still available as that last minute gift idea. Thinking of making a donation? With the purchase of a calendar every dollar for the calendar goes straight to the care of our animals as all printing costs were met by sponsorship.

We have already delivered 22 calendars to Cooktown and 20 calendars in Cairns.

With over $2400 raised so far 230 calendars are out in the community through presales, online orders and purchases either at our Volunteer Tables or at businesses selling on our behalf which include:

Atherton

Bunnings Christmas Family Fun Night Thursday 4th Dec 4-6pm
Tableland Veterinary Service
Volunteer Table at:
Big W Dec 12th; and
IGA Dec 13th

Kuranda
Kuranda & Mareeba Veterinary Services,
cnr Warrill Dr and the hwy

Mareeba
Central Veterinary Surgery, Walsh Street;
Kuranda & Mareeba Veterinary Services, Walsh Street;
the Refuge on Hickling Avenue;
Our volunteer table inside the IGA Complex, Thursday mornings; and
The Mareeba Markets - 100 Park 29th Nov and 13th Dec
Pets Domain Mareeba Adoption Day 13th Dec

Tolga Post Office

Yungaburra
Cowgirl Country & Handmade by Bec 33B Gillies Range Road between the Chapel and Nick's Swiss Restaurant.

Mail Order
email [email protected] with the subject heading: Calendars

Address

35 Hickling Avenue
Mareeba, QLD
4880

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 8am - 4pm
Sunday 8am - 4pm

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