While the PetStar Australia Rescue Directories are under construction, you can search the following platforms:
Australia-wide Websites
Authorised Rehoming Organisations
New South Wales: Go to the Office of Local Government (OLG) for a list of NSW Approved Rehoming Organisations and Guidelines for registering ... scroll to the end and download the list.
Victoria: Uses the Authorised Pet Rehoming Organisation (APRO) status under the Domestic Animals Act framework. The APRO scheme will not start until 10 April 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 via 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 singular centralised rehoming database run by a single 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 does not have a single centralised companion animal legislative framework or statewide rescue registry. Animal management, microchipping, and facility rules are handled independently by local by-laws by individual municipal councils (such as Darwin or Palmerston).
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.
Australian Capital Territory: The ACT does not feature an official government registry explicitly for approved rehoming organisations. Rehoming and animal control are overseen directly by ACT Government Domestic Animal Services (DAS).
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 handles approvals for specific Cat Management Facilities rather than 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 instead list themselves publicly through cross-border platforms like PetStar Australia, PetRescue Directory and
Savour-life to verify operations and coordinate adoptions.