ABOUT US
Mackay Animal Rescue Society Inc. (MARS) is a not-for-profit registered local charity that is completely run by volunteers. MARS is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of dogs and cats in the Mackay and surrounding region.
MARS aims to provide animals with the second chance at a long and happy life by taking them into loving and safe foster homes and providing them with the care they need until they find their new home.
All foster animals in care are up to date with their veterinary needs before adoption and MARS ensure they are placed in the perfect forever home.
Click on the links to view our dogs and cats who are waiting patiently for their new forever family or come and see us at one of our upcoming events.
BECOME A FOSTER CARER
The role of a foster carer is to give a temporary home to cats and dogs in care while actively assisting in finding a new forever home. MARS relies heavily on foster carers and the more carers we have the more dogs and cats we can bring into care.
MARS covers all vet costs for the animal, foster carers just need to provide a safe place for them to stay, basic training, food and of course LOVE!
When your foster finds their new home there is no greater feeling then knowing you helped save a life. Without foster carers, the majority of animals in the MARS adoption program would have had no second chance at a happy life.
To give your foster animal the best chance of finding a new home we ask you to attend our monthly adoption days. This is a very important event for the exposure of your foster to the public.
Adoption days are not only a chance for your foster to socialise with other foster animals but also for carers to come together and meet, talk to the coordinators and share hints, tips and training advice.
Carers work closely with the coordinators to ensure all vet work is up to date and that adoptions are approved to the best possible homes.
By completing our foster carer application form, we can endeavour to match you with the right pet that suits your home and lifestyle requirements be it a cat or dog, big or small.
If becoming a foster carer is something that you think you would like to do, please complete the attached application and one of our members will be in touch to answer any questions you may have.
DONATE
MARS relies completely on the generosity of the local community. All item donations are passed directly on to our foster carers to use for the animals in our care.
We have multiple donation locations for your convenience:
Petstock North Mackay and South Mackay - little green bins with our logo, for smaller donations.
Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre - the big red bins with our logo, for larger donations of food/litter/puppy pads/accessories; one in front of Best and Less, and one next to Master Cobblers.
Coles Rural View (currently unavailable for maintenance)
Or contact us by phone or email to ask us how to donate!
Items that are always in need are:-
Puppy food – brands preferred are:
- Black Hawk
- Advance
- Glow
- Optimum
- SuperCoat
Kitten food – brands preferred are:
- Royal Canin
- Advance
- Hills
- Proplan
- Optimum
- Felix Kitten
- Fancy Feast
- Dine
Adult dog and cat food
Treats
Kitty litter – brands preferred are:
- Breeders Choice
- Everclean
- Trouble&Trix
Other Items:
- Food and water bowls
- Leads/collars/harnesses
- Toys for cats and dogs
- Dog beds and kennels
- Carriers and crates
- Flea and tick treatments
- Cat scratching posts
All monetary donations are invested back into the running of the organisation and to the health and welfare of the foster animals in our care, some of which can have high vet costs attributed to injuries, ill health, specialised requirements or previous poor living conditions.
If you would like to assist please donate via our Paypal link or via bank transfer.
Bank Account details:
Mackay Animal Rescue Society Inc
BSB: 645 646
Acc: 105774790
All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.
LAST LITTER PROGRAM
MARS implemented the Last Litter Program when we realised there was a need within the community to help reduce the number of unwanted litters.
The Last Litter Program means that the pet owner agrees to surrender the entire litter of puppies/kittens to MARS where they will receive all their required vet work before rehoming and MARS will cover the cost to desex the mother through our affiliated vet.
This program not only assists those that may not be able to afford the cost of desexing their pet, but it also reduces the number of undesexed animals within the community.
MARS provides high quality food to the mother throughout the pregnancy as well as high quality food and regular worming to the litter. Two weeks from the date the litter comes into our care, the mother is booked in for her desexing appointment.
Throughout this process the mother remains in the care of the owner with a MARS representative keeping in contact to check on the health of mum and litter as well as fortnightly visits to provide food and worming for the litter.
Owners are encouraged to microchip and vaccinate the mother (at owners’ cost) while at this appointment if it is needed.
Click the link to submit an application to see if you are eligible for the program.
ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY
Your new best friend is only a click away.
EVENTS
MARS AGM
Mackay Animal Rescue Society Inc will be holding our Annual General Meeting on 10th November 2024 at 2 Meadowlands Road, Racecourse, with a 2pm start time. All positions will be up for nomination and you must be a financial member to vote. For information on committee position roles, becoming a financial member or you would …
DOG ADOPTION DAYS
MARS Dog Adoption Days are held on the last Sunday of the month from 9am – 11am. Check our Facebook to see when our next one is planned! Come down and meet our foster dogs in care, pat a perfectly adorable puppy and have a chat to our wonderful team of foster carers to find ...
CAT ADOPTION DAYS
MARS Cat Adoption Days are held fortnightly on Saturdays from 10am – 2pm at Petstock North Mackay. Come down and meet our feline fosters and you are sure to find the purrrfect companion to join your family. Meet our amazing team of foster carers and learn more about adopting from MARS.
BBQS
Who doesn’t love the smell of sausages and onions on the BBQ? Grab yourself a snag the next time you see MARS at a fundraising BBQ. Keep a look out for our next BBQ date and location by following us on Facebook.
