Harcourts Foundation Awards Grant to Pets in Crisis Program

The Harcourts Foundation has awarded $8,904.00 to RSPCA Queensland’s Pets in Crisis Program, helping provide temporary care for pets whose owners are facing domestic violence.

The program offers a safe haven for animals at a time when their owners are often making urgent and life-changing decisions. By ensuring pets are protected and cared for, Pets in Crisis removes one of the major barriers that can prevent people escaping unsafe situations and accessing support.

For many victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, a pet is far more than a companion. Pets can be a source of comfort, stability, and emotional support during periods of fear and upheaval. Yet animals are also frequently targeted by abusive partners as a means of coercion and control.

When refuges are unable to accept pets, people may feel forced to choose between their own safety and the safety of an animal they love.

Since 2005, RSPCA Queensland has partnered with DVConnect to help address that gap through the Pets in Crisis Program. The service provides up to 28 days of emergency boarding, along with basic preventative healthcare, free of charge. This gives owners peace of mind that their pet is safe while they take steps towards recovery and longer-term stability.

Pauline Smith, Head of Harcourts Foundation, said the grant reflects the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting practical services that strengthen community wellbeing.

“At Harcourts Foundation, we believe community welfare means caring for the whole person and the circumstances surrounding them,” said Ms Smith. “For many people in crisis, knowing their pet is safe can make the decision to seek help possible. We are proud to support RSPCA Queensland’s Pets in Crisis Program because it protects vulnerable animals while also helping individuals and families move towards safety and recovery.”

Melissa Green, Harcourts Queensland Foundation Ambassador, said the funding would make a meaningful difference for people across the state.

“This grant will have a direct impact here in Queensland, where too many individuals and families face the heartbreaking reality of leaving home in a crisis without knowing what will happen to their pet,” said Ms Green.

“Supporting this program means supporting local people in some of their most difficult moments, and helping them take the next step with one less burden on their shoulders.”

An RSPCA Queensland spokesperson for the Pets in Crisis Program said the funding would help sustain a service that is often critical at the point of escape.

“This grant directly supports our ability to continue providing 28 days of emergency boarding for pets whose owners are escaping violence or experiencing other serious crises,” Jim Green, General Manager Fundraising, RSPCA said. “That period of safe care can be vital. It gives people time to secure accommodation, access support services, and begin rebuilding their lives, all while knowing their pet is protected.”

The Harcourts Foundation said the partnership highlights an important but sometimes overlooked link between pet safety and domestic violence recovery. When animals are included in crisis support, people are better placed to leave dangerous environments earlier and with greater confidence.

By backing services such as Pets in Crisis, the Foundation aims to support stronger, safer communities and help ensure no-one has to delay seeking help because they fear for the welfare of their pet.