Adopt a pet
Pets are a great addition to your family, providing companionship and protection.
Council does not adopt pets from our pound. But there are a range of organisations in Cairns that have rescue cats and dogs for adoption.
If you are looking for a new furry friend for your family, consider getting in touch.
Adopt Me Kittens
Adopt Me kittens is dedicated to rescuing kittens left homeless, whether they are abandoned or surrendered by their owners.
Animals in care are fully vetted - desexed, wormed, flea treated, vaccinated and microchipped - and placed with foster carers while they await placement in their forever homes.
Contact details:
- 0461 566 573
- Email: adoptmekittens@hotmail.com
Animal Rehoming Cairns and Tablelands
Animal Rehoming Cairns and Tablelands District has been rescuing and rehoming companion pets in the region for the past eight years, working with local councils, vet clinics and the community.
During this time they have also taken in, rehabilitated and rehomed more than a hundred greyhounds.
Contact details:
North Queensland Animal Rescue
NQAR is a volunteer-run, foster-carer based rescue organisation in the Cairns region. The group aims to rescue homeless and abandoned pets from local pounds and private surrenders.
All pets are de-sexed, vaccinated, micro-chipped, wormed and flea and tick treated, before being adopted out to new, approved homes.
NQAR is a registered charity that can accept tax deductible donations.
Contact details:
- Mail: PO Box 283, Westcourt, 4870
Rags to Riches
Rags to Riches a small, home-based, self-funded rescue and re-homing service dedicated to finding forever homes for at-risk animals.
The group focusses on cats and kittens but the group will always try to find space for any animal in need.
Rags to Riches is committed to spreading the message that desexing pets is an essential part of responsible pet ownership and can facilitate heavily subsidised desexing for cats and dogs.
Contact details:
- Phone 0487 413 645 (Emma)
RSPCA
The RSPCA Cairns Animal Care Centre takes in dogs and cats for rehoming. They come in via the inspectorate, surrender appointments or from other organisations.
Animals stay in care at the shelter, or go out into foster homes until they are ready to be adopted out.
All animals are behaviourally tested, health checked, microchipped, desexed and up to date with their vet treatments when available for adoption.
The campus also offers a boarding facility for dog and cats.
Contact details:
- Phone: 4055 1487
- Email: cairns@rspcaqld.org.au
YAPS
YAPS Animal Shelter takes in and care for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats.
Animals in care are vet checked, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and desexed before being rehomed back into the community. Adult dogs are heartworm tested.
Cats:
- 167 McCoombe Street, Cairns (see web for opening hours)
- Email: yapsasdoptcats@gmail.com
- Phone: 0408 37 44 11
Dogs:
- 233-239 McGregor Road Smithfield (see web for opening hours)
- Email: yapsasdoptcats@gmail.com
- Phone: 4057 6373
4 The Love of Cats
4 the Love of Cats is a closed intake rescue that has been established to work in conjunction with local pounds and rescues to help reduce their euthanasia rates.
Each cat or kitten will be microchipped, desexed, vaccinated, wormed and flea treated before being adopted to the public.
Felines will remain in care from the time of collection from the pound until their forever home is found. It does not matter the length of time it takes to find a cat their human, they will not be euthanised.
4 The Love of Cats adoptees will always have a place at the rescue. If an adopters circumstances change 4 The Love of Cats will bring the cat back into care as soon as there is space. This is in effect for the life of the cat.
Last Updated: 21 February 2025
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