While the PetStar Australia Animal Rescue Directories are under construction, you can search trusted Australia-wide and state-based platforms, including the PetRescue national rescue directory, the Savour-Life rescue directory, and the official NSW Office of Local Government-approved list of rehoming organisations.
Australia-Wide Websites
Authorised Rehoming Organisations
New South Wales: Visit the Office of Local Government (OLG) for a list of NSW-approved rehoming organisations. Scroll to the end and download the list. You can also download the Guidelines for registering as an ARO.
Victoria: Uses the Authorised Pet Rehoming Organisation (APRO) status under the Domestic Animals Act framework. The APRO scheme will not start until April 10, 2027. This provides time to develop detailed requirements to support the scheme. The Domestic Animals Regulations 2025 will be amended to include these requirements.
https://engage.vic.gov.au/authorised-pet-rehoming-organisation
National Directories: Because state registries are fragmented, many groups instead list themselves publicly through cross-border platforms like PetStar Australia, PetRescue Directory and Savour-life to verify operations and coordinate adoptions.
Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia: Manage rescue groups primarily through local government laws, mandatory breeder/source numbers (e.g., supply numbers or BINs), and recognition through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), rather than a single centralised rehoming database run by one department.
Groups operate under general incorporation/charitable status or use independent platforms rather than a government-run rehoming registry at: PetStar Australia, PetRescue Directory and Savour-life.
Northern Territory: The NT lacks a single centralised companion animal legislative framework or statewide rescue registry. Local by-laws, set by individual municipal councils (such as Darwin or Palmerston), govern animal management, microchipping, and facility rules.
Groups operate under general incorporation/charitable status or use independent platforms rather than a government-run rehoming registry, such as PetStar Australia, PetRescue Directory and Savour-life.
Australian Capital Territory: The ACT has no official government registry for approved rehoming organisations. ACT Government Domestic Animal Services (DAS) oversees rehoming and animal control.
Rescue groups operating in the territory follow standard ACT animal welfare laws and utilise community or national identification numbers (such as breeder/rehoming identifiers on adoption platforms) rather than a dedicated state-level approved list.
Groups operate under general incorporation/charitable status or use independent platforms rather than a government-run rehoming registry at: PetStar Australia, PetRescue Directory and Savour-life.
Tasmania: Tasmania does not operate a statewide approval register for rescue groups analogous to the NSW model. Under the Cat Management Act 2009, the state approves specific Cat Management Facilities rather than maintaining an open registry for general foster-based rescue networks.
Dog management and general animal control are delegated to local municipal councils, and statewide pet listings rely on independent networks rather than a central government rehoming directory.
Groups operate under general incorporation/charitable status or use independent platforms rather than a government-run rehoming registry at PetStar Australia, PetRescue Directory and Savour-life.
National Directories: Because state registries are fragmented, many groups list themselves publicly on cross-border platforms like PetStar Australia (under construction), PetRescue Directory, and Savour-life to verify operations and coordinate adoptions.