Toby and Remus
I adopted my puppy ' Toby' from the Refuge and 8 months later, when we decided to get a playmate for Toby we didn't hesitate to go back there and adopt 'Remus'. My impressions of the Refuge are that all the staff there go above and beyond their duties and give so much extra. Their main goal is to ensure the animals are as happy as possible till they find their forever homes. If we get another dog, it will be from the Refuge!
Beverley Eastmond - Mareeba
How to Adopt
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: foamar@bigpond.com
-
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.
Success Story - Felicity and 'Love'
❤️ Love’s Story: A Tiny Survivor with a Huge Heart ❤️
From a terrified kitten hiding in a van engine to a deeply cherished family member, Love truly lives up to her name. Some animals come into rescue and instantly leave pawprints on your heart. Love was one of those animals.
In 2021, while I was working at Mareeba Animal Refuge, a frightened mother cat and her kittens arrived at the refuge in a cardboard box. As the box was lifted from the car, disaster struck—it broke open, sending terrified cats scattering in every direction. Despite desperate searching, only one tiny kitten was found days later after crawling from the engine bay of the refuge work van. That kitten was Love.
Love was in heartbreaking condition. She was severely underweight, parasite-ridden, weak, and suffering from serious eye problems. Yet despite everything she had endured, she was gentle, trusting, and affectionate from the very beginning.
The moment I picked her up, I knew she was mine. There was something so incredibly special about her, and despite how tiny and fragile she was, our bond formed instantly. Knowing the level of care she would need, I made the decision to adopt her from the very start.
Veterinary assessment revealed she had eyelid agenesis, a congenital condition where the eyelids do not develop correctly. In Love’s case, her upper eyelids were missing, allowing fur to constantly rub against her eyes and cause ongoing damage and pain. Tragically, her right eye could not be saved and had to be removed.
But Love wasn’t ready to give up—and neither was I.
With months of dedicated care, medication, nourishment, sleepless nights, and endless love, Love slowly grew strong enough for a complex surgery to try save her remaining eye. Thanks to the incredible work of Dr. Phil at Central Veterinary Services, Love underwent reconstructive surgery where a new eyelid and tear duct were carefully created using part of her salivary gland. Against the odds, the surgery was a success. ❤️
Today, Love continues to thrive. While she still requires lifelong eye gel and ongoing monitoring, she doesn’t let anything slow her down. She is one of the happiest, most affectionate cats you could ever meet. She adores people, loves to chase scrunchy toys, have naps in sunny spots, and has become a gentle companion to many foster kittens over the years.
Love’s story is a reminder of why rescue matters. Animals that may seem broken, unwanted, or too difficult are often the ones with the most love left to give.