Friends of the Animals Inc trading as Mareeba Animal Refuge has been rescuing cats and dogs from the Mareeba Shire, Tablelands, Cairns, Innisfail and all over the Cape since 2007. We take in owner surrenders, found, dumped and unwanted pets. We see countless litters of unwanted puppies and kittens. Animals arrive to our care in all sorts of conditions we do our absolute best to rehabilitate and provide the best care possible. We work closely with our local vet, council, businesses and community.
We are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, 8am to 4pm at 35 Hickling Avenue Mareeba.
Adoption Policy: Flexible
Friends of the Animals Inc. Trading As Mareeba Animal Refuge Adoption Policy
At Mareeba Animal Refuge, our goal is to match every animal with a safe, loving, and suitable forever home. To ensure the best outcomes for both pets and families.
🐾 Step 1: Enquiry
Interested in adopting? Please reach out to us in one of the following ways:
Call: 4092 3060
Email:
[email protected]
Visit: Mareeba Animal Refuge, 35 Hickling Avenue, Mareeba (open 7 days, 8am–4pm). Same day adoption is available IF there is a suitable match. 🥰
When enquiring, please provide:
The type of companion you’re looking for (e.g. “active dog for jogging,” “quiet indoor cat,” “family-friendly puppy, "farm cat")
Your living situation (e.g. home owner, rental with pet approval, acreage, suburban yard, apartment etc.)
⚠️ Please note: We must confirm that you are able to legally and practically keep an animal on your property. Renters will need to show proof of landlord approval.
🐾 Step 2: Matching Process
We work with you to find the most suitable match for your home and lifestyle. Our team knows the personalities of our animals and will help guide you toward the right companion.
🐾 Step 3: Adoption Paperwork & Payment
Once you’ve chosen your new family member, there is some paperwork to complete:
Purchase agreement
Microchip change of ownership
Desexing Voucher ( For Puppies/Kittens UNDER 6 months)
You will also receive a take-home folder with all your pet’s medical records, including vaccination history, desexing certificate, microchip details, and any other relevant health notes.
Adoption Fees: Cover desexing, microchipping, C5 (dogs) or F3 (cats) vaccinations, flea/tick/worm prevention, and other vet care.
Payment: Full payment is required at adoption/the start of the trial. (Cash or bank transfer only – no EFTPOS).
🐾 Step 4: Trial Period (Optional)
We offer a 2-week trial adoption period.
If the adoption doesn’t work out, the animal must be returned to us within this time.
Adoption fees will be fully refunded during the trial period.
🐾 Step 5: After Adoption
Our team will follow up by phone or message at around the 3-month mark to check in.
Adopters are encouraged to contact us anytime with questions, concerns, or happy updates.
You’ll also be invited to join our Facebook group:
Rescue Family – Adoption Support by Mareeba Animal Refuge
Here you can access training tips, health care advice, and share your rescue’s progress with our supportive community.
🐾 Lifetime Guarantee
We offer a 100% guarantee to take back any animal adopted from us if, for any reason, things don’t work out.
If our facility is full, they will take priority on our surrender waitlist.
Our animals are family for life—we will always ensure they have a safe place to go.
💜 Thank you for choosing adoption. Every adoption saves a life, opens a space for another animal in need, and gives a deserving companion a second chance at happiness.
