ABOUT US

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ANIMAL RESCUE TABLELANDS INC.  

ABN: 87 453 296 525
P.O. Box 13, Mareeba QLD,4880
PH: 0487 430 443

BIN0000132404123 

Donations over $2 are tax deductible

Animal Rescue Tablelands Inc: Established since July 18, 2012, we have been the lifeline for countless animals in Mareeba and surrounds. 

We’re a privately run, volunteer-based organization with one unwavering mission: to give unwanted, abused, neglected, and owner-surrendered animals a second chance at life.

As the only no-kill rescue organization in Mareeba, we fight tirelessly to rehabilitate animals who, without us, would face a grim fate in pounds, refuges and shelters.

Our rescues are treated with love, compassion, and the care they deserve. No animal ever leaves our care until they’ve received all necessary vet work, including desexing and routine vet checks. Every life we save comes at a cost, but we remain steadfast in our promise to protect and care for them, relying entirely on donations, as we receive no government or council funding.

The Seconds Shop: In response to the growing demand for rescue services and to support our vital Last Litter Program, we opened The Seconds Shop on April 4, 2018, at 68 Byrnes Street, Mareeba. This shop isn’t just a store, it’s a beacon of hope. Every purchase helps us save lives, care for animals in need, and sustain our life-changing programs.

Our Support Programs:

Last Litter: As part of our Ethical Approach to reducing the number of homeless dogs/cats, Animal Rescue tablelands Inc. run a Last Litter Program where you surrender the whole litter from dogs/cats and we De sex the mum for FREE and she is returned to her owners, then we complete all vet work including De sexing of the pups/kittens and we rehome them. 

Domestic Violence Victims' Pets: For those enduring the heartbreak of domestic violence, we offer temporary care for their beloved pets at a reduced fee. We understand that pets are more than companions, they’re family and a source of healing. We work closely with The Women’s Shelter in Atherton to help survivors rebuild their lives without losing their furry friends.

Hospitalized Seniors’ Pets: Elderly pet owners facing hospitalization shouldn’t have to worry about their animals being left alone. Partnering with social workers at Atherton and Mareeba Hospitals, we ensure these cherished pets are cared for until their owners are ready to return home.

Support for the Homeless: Homelessness is difficult enough without the fear of losing a beloved pet. We step in to care for these animals until their owners find stable housing, allowing them to stay together and rebuild their lives.

Our dedicated network of volunteer foster carers ensures that each rescue gets the love, training, and socialization they need to thrive in their forever homes. They are the unsung heroes, helping these animals transform from scared and uncertain to confident and ready for a new beginning.

Our Partnerships:

Sundance Veterinary Services Address: 135 Byrnes Street, Mareeba (IGA Complex) Phone: 4092 1231

Animal Welfare Cairns: Their desexing and microchipping vouchers help lighten the financial burden of veterinary care, allowing us to save even more lives.

Our dedicated network of volunteer foster carers ensures that each rescue gets the love, training, and socialization they need to thrive in their forever homes. They are the unsung heroes, helping these animals transform from scared and uncertain to confident and ready for a new beginning.

Thank you all for your continued support

Adoption Fee's are as Follows: 

Dogs/Pups $350

Male Cats/Kittens $130

Female Cats/Kittens $160

Rescue's do not leave care until Vet Work is Completed, De sexed, Vaccinated, Microchipped, Wormed, Flea & Tick and Heartworm Treated. 

About Our Rescue and How We Operate.

Animal Rescue Tablelands Inc. is the only no kill rescue in Mareeba, proudly helping local animals and families since 2012.

We are a registered not for profit organisation governed by Queensland’s Model Rules under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981. These rules include:

Objects Clause authorising rescue, rehabilitation, community support, and education.

Powers Clause enabling activities necessary to fulfil those objects.

Not for Profit Clause prohibiting profit distribution.

Lawful authority to charge fees to cover costs like vet bills, food, and care only.

All activities are therefore charitable, non commercial, and authorised.

We also run The Seconds Shop at 68 Byrnes Street, Mareeba next door to the Ampol servo, which helps fund our rescue work and support our foster carers.

What “Boarding and Education Facility” Really Means

Our name describes our charitable functions, not a commercial kennel.

The term “boarding” refers exclusively to:

Short term, transitional holding of rescue animals.

Temporary crisis care for pets belonging to domestic violence survivors.

Temporary care for pets of elderly residents during hospitalisation.

Temporary care for pets of homeless families.

Short term, cost recovery community support boarding.

Temporary holding of rescue animals awaiting veterinary work.

We do not operate a commercial boarding kennel.

The term “education facility” refers to:

Training and support for foster carers.

Behavioural guidance and socialisation support for adopters.

Community education on responsible pet ownership.

These functions fall squarely within the Objects and Powers of our governance framework.

How We Care for Owner Surrendered Dogs:

All dogs are temperament tested on arrival.

They receive full vet work before going to a foster carer, including desexing.

No dog has ever left our rescue undesexed in over 14 years.

We take photos often inside individual pens only for initial advertising, then photos are updated from their foster carers. Dogs and Pups also have a fenced exercise yard where they:

Socialise.
Play with toys.
Enjoy shell pools.
Receive supervised enrichment.

Our Last Litter Program.

We help families desex their dog and responsibly rehome the puppies.

Puppies stay with us until 12 week desexing at Sundance Vets.

Pre adopters collect their puppy the same afternoon.

Unadopted pups go to foster carers the same day.

Meet and Greets.

Sometimes adopters meet dogs at our property when foster carers cannot host.

If adopted, the dog leaves with full paperwork.

If not adopted, the dog returns to their foster home the same day or Saturday.

Training and Support we provide:

Foster carer training.
Adopter support.
Short socialisation visits (1–2 hours).

These visits are temporary and supervised.

Our Kennel Area.

Our kennels are:

Bolted together on a concrete slab.
Fitted with spoon drains.
Connected to their own water tank.
Cleaned daily.
Supported by a professionally serviced waste pit.

They are not permanent structures and can be dismantled.

Our Commitment.

We are committed to:

Animal welfare.
Responsible rehoming.
Community support.
Transparency.
High standards of hygiene and care.

Thank you for supporting local rescue work. 

Animal Rescue Tablelands Inc. has proudly served the Mareeba Shire community for more than 14 years as a registered not‑for‑profit organisation.  

Every dollar donated to us is used exactly where the community expects it to go:

rescuing animals, covering essential vet work, preventing accidental litters, and supporting vulnerable people who rely on our programs.

We want to reassure our community that our programs will continue without interruption, including:

Domestic Violence Pet Safety Program

Elderly Hospitalisation Support Program

Homeless Community Pet Support Program

Last Litter Program

These programs exist because of our dedicated foster carers, our volunteers, and the trust our community has placed in us for over a decade.

About Council’s Recent Actions

We have been informed in writing that Mareeba Shire Council is monitoring our website and our page.

We are also aware that Council is attempting to require our registered not‑for‑profit organisation to pay them money in order for us to continue personally caring for our rescues and running our essential programs.

To be clear:

Council does not fund our rescue work.

Council does not contribute to our programs.

Council has not provided support for the animals we rescue, rehabilitate, or rehome.

As a registered charity, our funds are legally and ethically required to be used for charitable purposes only, not diverted away from animals or vulnerable community members who depend on us.

Our Programs Will Continue, Just in a Different Way

Because of Council’s position, our foster carers will now be supporting our programs from their own homes, not ours.

They are willing, capable, and committed to ensuring that:

animals continue to receive safe, loving care

community members continue to receive crisis support our long‑standing programs continue without interruption

Our organisation has always operated through family‑based foster care, and this model remains strong.

Our Commitment Remains Unchanged
Animal Rescue Tablelands Inc. will continue to prioritise:

animal welfare

responsible pet ownership

crisis support for vulnerable residents

prevention of unnecessary litters

community safety and wellbeing

We are proud of the work we do, and we are grateful for the unwavering support of our community.

Council will not stop us from doing what we have done for over 14 years  supporting animals and people who need us most.

Thank you to everyone who stands with us.
Your support ensures that every animal and every family who needs help continues to receive it.

We also own the Seconds Shop, 68 Byrnes St Mareeba, next door to the Ampol Servo, all money goes towards our Vets bills and maintaining our rescue's while in care with their Foster Carer's.  

We are seeking long term volunteers who can provide a safe and loving temporary home for our rescues.

We have dogs, puppies and occasionally cats/kittens who have been abandoned, neglected, abused or surrendered.

As a foster carer you will be required to provide a safe, secure home with basic training, food is often provided.

Requirements

• Over 18yrs of age
• Live in Cairns, Mareeba and surrounding areas
• Renters must have owner/real estate approval
• Fenced/secure property

Our non for profit rescue organization is volunteer based and rely on the kindness of those who give their time to save lives.

PLEASE NOTE: We are the ONLY NO KILL Rescue in Mareeba.

Also

PLEASE NOTE: We have absolutely no connection to the Mareeba Shire Council Owned and Operated KILL Shelter (Mareeba Animal Refuge-Friends of the Animals).

As part of our Ethical Approach to reducing the number of homeless dogs/cats, Animal Rescue tablelands Inc. run a Last Litter Program where you surrender the whole litter from dogs/cats and we De sex the mum for FREE and she is returned to her owners, then we complete all vet work including De sexing of the pups/kittens and we rehome them.