Peninsula Pet Net


RSPCA Victoria’s Community Outreach and Education teams are running a safety net and intensive animal welfare program in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Why does the south-east need Peninsula Pet Net?

The south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne have some of the highest numbers of animal cruelty reports in the state. In 2023/24 there were 1,261 animal cruelty reports across Casey, Cardinia, Greater Dandenong and Frankston local government areas.  The key issues reported related to animals being intentionally beaten or abused, insufficient food and shelter and vet treatment.  

Common drivers of animal cruelty and neglect include; a lack of understanding, impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, knowledge and resources, gender-based and family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental health issues are also strongly linked to increased levels of cruelty and neglect.

What is the Pet Net program?

The Peninsula Pet Net Program addresses the core drivers of animal cruelty and neglect through education, low-cost vet services, pet pantries, advice, and working with human service agencies across the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. The program aims to build empathy, change behaviours, improve human and animal health while providing a safety net for pets in the region.  

Our goal is to work closely with local communities including school children, the general public, and those who are particularly vulnerable or disadvantaged. This includes people experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, gender-based and family violence, or those newly arrived in Australia. 

The components of the program are:  

To book a school incursion, please contact education@rspcavic.org.au

For human services caseworkers, please contact outreach@rspcavic.org.au  

For more information on the services we provide, contact outreach@rspcavic.org.au