About SAFE

How SAFE Began

SAFE began in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in Karratha, in February 2003 to address the lack of an animal rescue service for homeless cats and dogs. At the time a large percentage of these animals were euthanised because there was no organisation to facilitate their rescue and rehoming. Since then SAFE has grown into a successful multi faceted animal welfare organisation with regional entities in Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Carnarvon, Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Newman, Perth and Tom Price - with smaller networks across Western Australia.

Our Goals

SAFE has set up a network of temporary foster carers who open their homes to homeless cats and dogs whilst permanent homes are sought. It is our vision that where needed, further SAFE branches will be established in locations where there is currently no rescue program or animal shelter or where pets are facing euthanasia.

SAFE is proactive in helping to bring about positive change in the areas which cause so many unwanted, abandoned and neglected dogs and cats and strongly supports and promotes desexing of all domestic pets. Through positive change, the primary goal of SAFE is to make a difference in the quality of life for cats and dogs and to promote the immense value to humans of pet ownership.

SAFE Philosophies

SAFE's main philosophies are:

Happy Homes
Our pets deserve the same opportunities which exist in our human world, where people are no longer institutionalised if they don’t fit “the norm”. SAFE does not believe in caging animals. Pets are so much happier in a natural home environment where their true personality can be shown. It assists to match the right pet with the right owner and allows us to better assess the pet for any health or behavioural needs.

Positive Change
We live in an ever changing world where both human and pet relationships are subject to change. At SAFE we don’t waste time and energy judging people, but rather we put our time and energy into finding a solution based on what is best for the pet.

Fluidity
SAFE has standard procedures but is also aware that there can be unusual circumstances surrounding a particular situation. SAFE always maintains fluidity in its operation to make exceptions where necessary. However, some issues, such as desexing being mandatory, are not flexible unless the procedure was deemed to be life threatening.

No Time Limit
It is SAFE's belief that a pet will be adopted to the right owner at the right time. We have had some pets in foster care for over a year before they are adopted and it is always these “long term residents” that find the perfect match. We do not have a "death row", every pet is unique and worth waiting for their perfect match.