Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc.

What Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. does

Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. (SCAR) is a registered Australian not-for-profit animal welfare organisation headquartered at 23 Grasslands Avenue, Craigieburn, Victoria, founded in 2008 by veterinary nurse Marisa Debattista. The organisation operates an integrated animal welfare platform built around three core facilities: an Animal Shelter that rescues and rehomes dogs and cats (approximately 1,000 adoptions per year, 120+ animals in care at any time, 17,600+ animals rehomed cumulatively), a Community Animal Hospital delivering low-cost veterinary care to keep pets with their owners (33,750+ pets served, 9,960 desexings), and an on-site Boarding Cattery ("Comfy Cat BNB"). Surrounding service lines include dog grooming, a structured dog training programme led by a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (Puppy Pre School, 1-on-1 training, Separation Anxiety Program), and a Pet Therapy Program.

SCAR's revenue model is diversified across eight streams with no recurring government funding: individual donations and bequests (the largest source, tax-deductible under DGR status for gifts over A$2), adoption fees, Community Animal Hospital services, boarding cattery (A$23–41/day), grooming (A$30–100), training (A$190/course for Puppy Pre School), recurring giving via the Guardian Angel Program, and corporate kennel/feline-room sponsorship. Distribution is multi-channel: direct from the Craigieburn site, through seven Human Service Organisation referral partners across northern Melbourne and regional Victoria for the Free Pet Food Pantry, through workplace giving platforms (Good2Give, GiveNow, Benevity), and via a community of 88,000+ social media supporters, hundreds of volunteers, and 120+ foster carers. The underlying technology stack is non-proprietary, consisting of commercial tools (Shopify, MyCause, Acuity Scheduling) rather than a custom platform.

Name

Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc.

Legal name

Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc.

Website

https://secondchanceanimalrescue.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. is a Victorian, Australia-based not-for-profit that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes dogs and cats through a Craigieburn shelter, low-cost Community Animal Hospital, and outreach programs serving vulnerable pet owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Rescue and Welfare Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (541940), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Animal Boarding (Kennels, Catteries) (AFAEALAA), Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Pet adoption services
• Community veterinary care
• Pet boarding grooming
• Animal welfare outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Craigieburn

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: As a not-for-profit organization with Deductible Gift Recipient (DNR) status, SCAR relies heavily on donations from individuals, community fundraising events, workplace giving programs, and bequests/gifts in wills. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
2. Adoption Fees: Fees charged when pets are adopted, helping cover costs of rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming.
3. Veterinary Services Revenue: Low-cost and accessible veterinary and pet care services provided through the Community Animal Hospital to all pet owners, regardless of financial situation.
4. Boarding Cattery: Onsite boarding cattery services offering various suite options (Nuzzle Nook, Cuddle Cabin, Luxury Loft) with pricing from $23-$41 per day.
5. Grooming Services: Dog grooming services including hygiene clips, full grooms, bathing and drying, with prices ranging from $30-$100 depending on service and dog size.
6. Dog Training Programs: Training services including Puppy Pre School ($190 for 4-week course), 1-on-1 Dog Training consultations, and Separation Anxiety Program.
7. Kennel Sponsorship: Corporate and individual sponsors can sponsor dog kennels or feline rooms, providing essential financial support for animals that stay in sponsored areas.
8. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Sponsorship programs where companies provide goods, services, or financial support in exchange for recognition and branding opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. (SCAR) operates an integrated animal welfare hub in Craigieburn, Victoria that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes displaced companion animals. It runs a Community Animal Hospital providing low-cost veterinary care, alongside paid service lines including a boarding cattery (Comfy Cat BNB), dog grooming, and puppy and behavioral training programs. Community outreach is delivered through the Free Pet Food Pantry, Safe House for Pets emergency boarding, Pet Therapy visits, and an Owner Assisted Rehoming Program.

Product overview

Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. (SCAR) operates as a not-for-profit animal welfare organization offering a multi-service platform centered around animal rescue and community support. The core offering consists of an animal shelter facility in Craigieburn, Victoria that provides rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming services for displaced companion animals. This is supported by a Community Animal Hospital offering low-cost veterinary care to help keep pets with their owners. The organization operates multiple distinct service modules including dog training programs (Puppy Pre School, 1-on-1 Dog Training, Separation Anxiety Program), a boarding cattery called Comfy Cat BNB, grooming services, and the Pet Therapy Program. Community outreach is delivered through the Free Pet Food Pantry, Safe House for Pets emergency boarding, and Owner Assisted Rehoming Program. Additional giving programs include Kennel Sponsorship and the Guardian Angel monthly giving program. All services work together to fulfill SCAR's mission of rescuing animals, providing accessible veterinary care, and preventing shelter relinquishment through community support programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Safe House for Pets: Emergency pet boarding program supporting pet owners facing crisis situations including domestic violence, sudden illness, or homelessness.
• Comfy Cat BNB
• SCAR Gift Shop
• Guardian Angel Program
• Keep Them Together Appeal

Products and services

• Animal Shelter and Adoption Program Shelter facility-based service that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes dogs and cats facing euthanasia in pounds and shelters across Victoria, with potential adopters matched to suitable animals.
• Community Animal Hospital (Veterinary Services) Low-cost community veterinary clinic delivering affordable general and surgical veterinary care, desexing and preventative treatments to pet owners regardless of financial situation.
• Comfy Cat BNB Boarding Cattery Onsite cat boarding service featuring three suite tiers - The Nuzzle Nook, The Cuddle Cabin, and The Luxury Loft - with daily rates ranging from $23 to $41.
• Dog Grooming Services Dog grooming service using positive reinforcement techniques, offering hygiene clips, full grooms, bathing, deshedding, nail clipping and ear cleaning across small, medium and large breeds at $30-$100.
• Puppy Pre School Four-week positive-reinforcement training course for puppies aged 8-16 weeks covering basic manners, socialisation and troubleshooting challenging behaviours, priced at $190 including GST.
• 1-on-1 Dog Training Personalised individual dog training consultations addressing specific behavioural issues including separation distress, aggression, leash reactivity and multi-dog household issues.
• Separation Anxiety Program Evidence-based program helping dogs overcome separation anxiety through gradual desensitisation, virtual consultations and personalised treatment plans delivered by a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer.
• Pet Therapy Program Visits by specially trained therapy dogs to nursing homes, schools and community centres across Victoria to provide emotional support, reduce loneliness and foster well-being.
• Owner Assisted Rehoming Program (OARP) Service supporting pet owners in finding new homes for their pets directly while the animal remains in the owner's home, reducing shelter intake and freeing resources for vulnerable animals. A surrender fee of $80 per pet applies.
• Safe House for Pets (Emergency Boarding) Emergency pet boarding service for pet owners facing crisis situations such as domestic violence, sudden illness or homelessness, providing temporary safe housing at the shelter or with trained foster carers.
• Free Pet Food Pantry Outreach program distributing free pet food and supplies (flea treatments, worming medications, cat litter) through partner Human Service Organisations across Victoria to pet owners in financial hardship.
• Lost and Found Pet Services Support services helping reunite lost pets with families and assisting community members who have found stray animals, including guidance on microchipping and reporting.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17,600 animals rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Hills Pet NutritioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor providing nutritious diet food (Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+) to support rescued animals' recovery. Provided support for Rosie the Golden Retriever's post-surgery recovery. Listed as primary sponsor across multiple programs.
• ChandlercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting SCAR's lifesaving work and programs for vulnerable animals.
• ElancocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing animal health products and support for SCAR's veterinary programs.
• ChurusupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing pet treats and products for animals in SCAR's care.
• 4CytesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing pet health products (4CyteDog and 4CyteCat) for animal care.
• PetwellsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting SCAR's animal welfare programs.
• MatsSharpeningsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing grooming equipment support for SCAR's dog grooming services.
• PureLogicFiresupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting SCAR's shelter operations and safety programs.
• MoonDogsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing pet products for animals in SCAR's care.
• MyConnectsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting SCAR's community programs.
• JoysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting SCAR's animal welfare initiatives.
• Goodwill WinesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAward-winning, vegan-friendly wine retailer that donates half the profit from every bottle purchased through SCAR's charity link to support rescue operations.
• About A DogsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAussie-owned eco-friendly toilet paper brand that donates 50% of profits to animal welfare organizations including SCAR. Customers select SCAR at checkout.
• Entertainment MembershipsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEntertainment App provides savings on dining, shopping, groceries with 20% of every membership purchased through SCAR's charity link supporting their life-saving work.
• Good2GivesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkplace giving platform partner enabling employees to make regular donations to SCAR through payroll systems.
• GiveNowsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline giving platform partner for workplace giving and direct donations to SCAR.
• BenevitysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate giving platform enabling employee donations and matching programs for SCAR through workplace giving.
• Careworks SunburycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHuman Service Organisation partner at 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury 3429 distributing free pet food to struggling pet owners in the Sunbury area.
• Helping Hands MissioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHuman Service Organisation partner serving Airport West & Sunshine locations by appointment (1300 892 010), distributing free pet food and supplies to pet owners in need.
• Love In Action WallansupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity organization partner in Wallan distributing free pet food to local pet owners facing hardship. Contact via Facebook, phone 0436457154, or email.
• Merri Outreach BroadmeadowscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHuman Service Organisation partner at 22 Lakeside Drv, Broadmeadows 3047 distributing free pet food and supplies to vulnerable community members.
• Northpoint Centre Food Pantry TullamarinesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner at 3 Trade Park Drive, Tullamarine 3043 distributing free pet food to local families in need.
• Reservoir Neighbourhood HousesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity organization partner at 2B Cuthbert Road, Reservoir 3073 providing emergency food relief including pet food for struggling pet owners.
• Whittlesea Community HousesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner at 92A Church Street, Whittlesea 3757 providing emergency food relief for pets to local community members facing hardship.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Best Friends Animal Society: Largest animal welfare nonprofit in the United States, operating a sanctuary, no-kill shelter, and community programs via an integrated hub model. Comparable to SCAR's 'shelter + vet + outreach' template but at much larger scale and in a different geography; useful as a strategic reference point for what an integrated model can become.

Direct peers

• RSPCA Victoria: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) is the state's largest animal welfare charity, operating shelters, veterinary clinics, inspectorate services, and rehoming programs. Directly comparable as a Victorian nonprofit running an integrated shelter, vet, and adoption service model similar to SCAR.
• Pets Haven: Victoria-based rescue and rehoming organisation focused on cats and dogs, run on a community-led, foster-driven model. Comparable to SCAR as a similarly sized nonprofit rescue with comparable intake, foster, and adoption workflows operating in the same state.
• Victorian Animal Aid Trust: Long-standing Victorian animal rescue and shelter that rehomes cats, dogs and other animals. Comparable to SCAR as a regional nonprofit rescue and rehoming organisation serving similar suburbs in the same Australian state.
• Lort Smith Animal Hospital: Iconic Melbourne animal welfare organisation founded in 1936, providing full-service veterinary hospital, adoption services, and community outreach. Directly comparable to SCAR for integrating veterinary care with rescue and rehoming under a single nonprofit brand serving pet owners across Victoria.
• Lost Dogs' Home: Long-running Melbourne animal welfare organisation operating shelters in North Melbourne and Cranbourne offering adoptions, desexing, low-cost veterinary services and community education. Closely comparable to SCAR's multi-service hub model combining rescue, veterinary hospital, and community outreach in the same metro geography.
• Safe Pets Safe Families: Australian nonprofit addressing the intersection of animal welfare and family violence by providing emergency pet accommodation for DV survivors. Closely comparable to SCAR's Safe House for Pets program — both organisations work in the same niche of temporary boarding for people fleeing crisis, though Safe Pets Safe Families also operates nationally.

Others

• PetRescue: Australia's largest online pet adoption platform that aggregates rescue listings from shelters and rescue groups nationwide. Ecosystem participant rather than direct operator — comparable to SCAR as a sector enabler that drives adoption demand to participating rescues like SCAR.

Regional players

• Animal Welfare League Australia: National animal welfare organisation operating primarily in New South Wales with shelter, veterinary, and adoption services. Comparable in integrated nonprofit rescue model but does not directly compete with SCAR due to its NSW-centric geography.

Emerging players

• Pets in the Park: Australian charity providing free veterinary care and pet food to the pets of people experiencing homelessness. Comparable to SCAR's Community Animal Hospital and Free Pet Food Pantry in addressing pet welfare through low- or no-cost community services for vulnerable owners, but currently narrower in scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@secondchanceanimalrescue4251
• Facebookfacebook.com/SecondChanceAnimalRescueInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/secondchanceanimalrescueinc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/second.chance.animal.rescue
• TikToktiktok.com/@secondchanceanimalres_au

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc.