Pet and family advocacy
Helping keep pets and their families together through crisis support, care and connection.
Home Together program
Home Together is the first program of its kind in an Australian shelter, helping people and pets stay together through short-term, tailored support.
Meet Katie
Katie, our qualified social worker, supports pet guardians in crisis with practical help and links to services for pets and people.
How we help
We provide short-term, tailored support if you are facing hardship. We can step in quickly, offering practical advice, advocacy, and connection to relevant services. Whether it’s assistance navigating housing systems, accessing emergency pet care, or simply having someone to talk to about what’s happening with your pet, we’re here to listen and help. The goal is always the same: to remove the barriers that put the human–animal bond at risk.
Explore our
Program highlights
Keeping pets at home
Helping families stay together through emotional and practical support, case management, advocacy, and connection to resources during times of financial hardship or homelessness.
In 2024–25, we supported 150 families to reclaim or stay together with their pets during challenging times, preventing the surrender of 186 individual animals to shelters.
FAQs
What challenges put people at risk of surrendering their pet?
Many people love their pets deeply but face circumstances that make it hard to care for them. Some of the most common challenges include:
- Unstable or unsafe housing
- Hospitalisation for physical or mental health needs
- Financial hardship making it difficult to afford pet food, vet care, or pound release fees
- Experiences of family violence impacting safety, wellbeing, and financial stability, which can also affect a person’s ability to care for their pet
Who can access the Home Together Program?
You may be eligible for support if:
• If you’re experiencing financial hardship or housing instability
• If you’d like practical support and information on resources to help you keep your pet
• You live in one of The Lost Dogs’ Home’s partner councils: Bayside, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Frankston, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Macedon Ranges, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Moonee Valley, Port Phillip, Wyndham, or Yarra.
Do I have to give up my pet to get help?
No. The goal of Home Together is to help you and your pet stay together whenever it’s safe and possible. We work alongside you to explore solutions that support both you and your animal.
If, after exploring options, it’s determined that parting ways is the best choice for you or your pet, we will support you without judgment and provide the information and emotional support you need during this difficult decision.
How do I apply for support from Home Together?
You can email hometogether@dogshome.com. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible to let you know if we have capacity to take on your case. Even if we can’t offer ongoing support right away, we’ll do our best to provide guidance, information, and resources.
What kinds of support services could help me?
The right support will depend on where you live and the challenges you’re facing. Common services we can connect you with include:
• Charities supporting pet guardians in hardship
• Housing and homelessness services
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Financial assistance options
• Family violence support
• Legal services
• Pet food banks and supplies
• Community meals and resources
How to get in touch
We will respond to every enquiry as soon as we can. Even if we’re unable to take on new cases, we’ll do our best to provide helpful advice and information.