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ABOUT US

ABOUT US

MARS is a completely volunteer run, not-for-profit charity organisation dedicated to providing dogs and cats in the region a loving and safe foster home while waiting for adoption.

WHO WE ARE

Mackay Animal Rescue Society Inc. (MARS) is a not-for-profit registered local charity who is committed to improving the wellbeing and quality of life of dogs and cats in the Mackay and surrounding region.

Our aim is 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.

Foster animals primarily come into care from owner surrenders as well as from our Last Litter Program. MARS also work with local regional councils and out of area rescues for animals that have found themselves homeless.

MARS was incorporated in January 2011 when it became apparent there was a lack of services for the pets that find themselves without a family to call their own. We have since been a safe haven for the dogs and cats of the Mackay region and will continue to do so for as long as we are needed.

The founder’s dream was to establish a shelter to take in animals in need and find them second chance homes. While the plan to establish a shelter is still the aim of the organisation, it will not replace the in-home foster system but provide a short-term facility for pets in urgent need of care until a foster home becomes available.

All our members are volunteers which ensures all fundraising endeavours and community donations are 100 percent directed to the health and welfare of the animals in our care.

All foster animals in care are health checked, microchipped, vaccinated up to date, wormed and flea/tick treated as well as desexed. This ensures that all MARS fosters are healthy and ready for adoption.

who we are

GET INVOLVED

ADOPT AN ANIMAL.

When you adopt, you are giving an animal a second chance at a wonderful life.

VOLUNTEER.

Join the MARS team and become a foster carer.

LAST LITTER PROGRAM.

Have an unplanned litter? Find out how MARS can help.

DONATE.

MARS relies on the generosity of the local community.

adopting from mars

ADOPTING FROM MARS

Find the perfect addition to your family by adopting from MARS. When you adopt a rescue pet from MARS you know that you have saved the life of an animal who will love you unconditionally. All necessary vet work is provided so you can know that your new companion will be healthy and happy.

View all the animals that are waiting for adoption Adopt a Cat, Adopt a Dog and if you would like to know more about a particular pet, please contact the carer direct on the number provided on each profile to arrange a time to meet the animal. You are under no obligation to adopt after a viewing so please feel free to meet as many foster pets as you need to find the right fit for you.

When you have had a meet with the pet that you would like to add to your family, you will be required to complete an application questionnaire that will be forwarded to the relevant coordinator for adoption assessment.

On approval of your application, you will then be emailed all relevant information to begin the adoption process. Once all steps have been completed the coordinator confirms with the foster carer that the animal is now ready to leave MARS care.

CURRENT ADOPTION FEES

Our adoption fees are inclusive of vaccinations up to date of adoption, microchipping, desexing, worming and health check.

Cats

Males: $250

Females: $250

Dogs

Males: $450

Females: $450

Please note council registration cost and microchip transfer fee are in addition to the adoption fee and are paid directly to Mackay Regional Council and HOMESAFEID respectively.

Questions? If you have any questions about the process of adopting an animal with MARS
contact us to learn more – your new best friend could be waiting.

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 12th November 2023 at 2 Meadowlands Rd Racecourse with a 4pm 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 …

FIND OUT MORE

DOG ADOPTION DAYS

MARS Dog Adoption Days are usually held on the last Sunday of the month from 9am – 11am. For the moment location and times are TBA, check back to see when our next one is planned! Our next Dog Adoption Day will be held at Bunnings Paget, December 3rd 9:00am - 1:00pm. Come down and ...

FIND OUT MORE

CAT ADOPTION DAYS

MARS Cat Adoption Days are held weekly 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.

ADOPT A DOG

ADOPT A CAT



🐾 CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTION DAY🐾
Saturday 27th January
Petstock North Mackay
10:00am - 2:00pm

Thinking of adopting a furry baby? Come visit us for our Cat and Kitten Adoption Day! We’ve got heaps of kittens available of all colours and personalities, we’ll help you find the perfect new addition to your family.
We have a coin donation box, shopping bags, key rings, calendars.
Also some cat toys from @Designer Kitten Keepsakes
Come and say hello! Hope to see you there!

We desperately need foster carers for kittens. We have over 30 kittens in care and more to come in.
Can you help with kitten wet food. Just 1 tin is 1 meal for a kitten.
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G A R N E T ✨ this sweet kitty is ready for adoption and eagerly waiting to meet her forever family, please contact her carer today!
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#adoptdontshop #mackayanimalrescuesociety #rescuecat #kitten #catsofinstagram #catsofig #catsoftheworld #catsofworld #sleepingkitty #kittycat #supportlocal #mackaypets #adoptme #fosterkittensofinstagram
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Who guessed correctly?! Daisy Mae has two sweet babies! Much to our surprise considering how big her belly was! But these two angels don’t need to compete at the milk bar and will be big in no time 😻🥰
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#catsofinstagram #cataofinsta #catsofig #kittens #kittensofinstagram #adoptdontshop #mackayanimalrescuesociety #rescue #meow #cutecats #cutekittensofinstagram
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Who doesn’t love two sisters that match 🥰🫶🏻 Flame and Maple are the purrfect addition you need to make your house a home, contact their foster carer today 💗
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#catsofinstagram #catstagram #kittens #kittensofinstagram #kittenlovers #sweet #sisters #adoptdontshop #mackayanimalrescuesociety #fostercare #animalshelter #animals #animalsofinstagram
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Mumma Daisy Mae is about ready to pop! Can anyone guess how many kitties are in this tummy? 😻🩷 if you look closely, you can see them all wriggling around in there 😍🫶🏻🤭
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#catsofinstagram #catlover #catmumma #adopt #adoptdontshop #kittens #kittensofinstagram #rescuegroup #mackayanimalrescuesociety #MARS #animalshelter
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A big Big BIG thank you to ARC and supporting organisations for this epic donation for our fosters! With the massive influx of Last Litter applications we will certainly put this to good use feeding our 50+ kittens coming into care over the coming weeks! We can’t spell “Rescue” without “U”!

#petbarnfoundation
#royalcanin
#proudlymars
#hillspetnutrition
#coles
#thankyouarc
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Say hello to some of our newest MARS babies! Breeding season is heavily upon us and there is no shortage of little ones who desperately need a loving temporary home.
If you have ever considered fostering, please apply now! We’re bursting at the seams with puppies and kittens, and have so many more waiting patiently for foster care. Adults too! Be the safe harbour and save a life, please help us help them 💚🐾

https://mackayanimalrescue.com.au/foster-carer-application/
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🎊COMPETITION TIME!!🎊
We love our animals to the moon and back! Enter your best photo of your pet dressed as a Martian, Alien, Robot or Star for your chance to win!
Good luck and happy snapping!! 📸
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These gorgeous girls are in our last litter program and have just arrived in care. Their 2 mums will now be desexed as part of our last litter program so it`s Last Litter for everyone including mum.
Keep an eye on our page for their profiles once their vet work is done.
If you would like to find out more about our last litter program pm us or go on our website and fill out a Last Litter Application and we will be in touch to discuss further.
www.mackayanimalrescue.com.au
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