Here we are again, looking back over another momentous year, filled with the ups and downs of rehoming our precious animals from research. You can read our annual update here.
It has been a challenging year with demand for rehoming services stretching our resources and our finances. Cost of living pressures have made it harder to find loving homes for companion animals in recent years, meaning our little guys are spending longer with us in foster care.
If 2022-23 was the Year of the Guinea Pig, then the past 12 months would definitely be dedicated to our delightful rats and mice!
We’ve been blessed since we started operations in 2017 to receive all domestic species for rehoming from dogs and cats, to rabbits and rodents. This means we have the equipment, experience and skill to care for any animal who might need our help.
We’ve received many rats and mice for rehoming over the past seven years but the numbers have increased since early 2024, with a new research establishment partnering with us for rehoming.
This contributed to another rise this year in our overall rehoming numbers. From July 2023 to June 2024, we rehomed 169 animals (up from 148 in 2022-23 and 116 in 2021-22). These included guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and mice. By the end of the financial year we had rehomed around 790 animals since we commenced operations in late 2017.
We would never have dared to dream we could help so many animals find a different kind of life after their time in research. And, form productive partnerships with the research community to produce better outcomes for animals across Australia.
We continue to direct all our funds and resources towards supporting our primary objective: to facilitate the release, rehabilitation and rehoming of animals from research.
We’re more aware than ever that our work would not be possible without the dedication and support of our donors and volunteers.
Over the past year we have expanded our network of sanctuaries and other rehoming services who assist us at times to take on large groups of animals.
We want to extend our thanks and appreciation to these other charities who have opened their doors to help us to fulfill our rehoming mission.
We’d like to acknowledge some special people who have been true heroes, including Ali, Anna, Ann-Marie, Arrabella, Fiona, Jane, Kellin, Oscar, Sophie, Tam and Dr Kat. As well as our wonderful adopters who have taken our animals into their hearts and homes.
I’m fortunate to be supported by two dedicated fellow volunteer directors, Michelle and Carol, who attended six meetings during 2023-24.
With the NSW Government due to announce its funding allocation under its first ever Research Animal Rehoming Rehoming Grant, we are hopeful we can soon share our exciting plans for the coming year.
Finally, I’d like to thank all out loyal supporters, who make it possible for us to continue our valuable work.
On behalf of myself, my fellow directors and the animals, thank you one and all!
Best wishes,
Paula Wallace
Director and Founder
You can access our 2023-24 annual update here.
