Helping Paws and People: Pets In The Park Expands Free Vet Care in Northern Rivers
Pets In The Park (PITP) has received $29,754 in funding from the Ingrained Foundation’s 2025 Northern Rivers Grants Program to support the growth of its Northern Rivers clinic in Byron Bay, which officially launched in January this year.
This funding is part of $184,000 awarded to nine not-for-profit organisations making a difference across the region.
As the only charity offering free recurring veterinary clinics for people in the Northern Rivers dedicated to the companion animals of people experiencing homelessness, PITP is helping fill a critical gap in local community support services.
The grant will support the purchase of essential veterinary equipment, protective scrub tops, Mental Health First Aid and animal behaviour training for volunteers, animal transport to and from local vet aƯiliate clinics, and the provision of urgent procedures such as desexing and surgeries.
“This grant will have a significant and direct impact on the lives of people and pets doing it tough and we could not be more grateful to have been selected,” said Dr Gabby Lawson, PITP’s Program Support Officer. “For many of our clients, their pet is their only constant - providing emotional support, protection and a sense of purpose. Our clinics help protect and preserve the animal-human bond.
As a small, volunteer-led grassroots charity that receives no recurrent government funding and relies solely on the generosity of our donors, partners and supporters, funding of this nature will make a profound difference to the lives of people and their companion animals.”
For many of our clients, their pet is their only constant - providing emotional support, protection and a sense of purpose.
Across Australia, more than 122,000 people are experiencing homelessness. In the Northern Rivers, where housing stress and the long-term eƯects of recent natural disasters have compounded hardship, PITP’s services are more vital than ever.
Through clinics led by volunteer veterinarians, vet nurses, and community members, PITP helps ensure that people doing it tough are not forced to choose between feeding themselves or caring for their animals.
“This year’s recipients are leading the way in community capacity building, climate action and ecological regeneration, social cohesion and systems change,” said Jodie Littlewood, Executive Officer of the Ingrained Foundation.
Grassroots not-for-profits are on the ground doing the work, they’re tuned in to strengths, needs and knowledge systems in our community. The PITP Northern Rivers clinic is a powerful example of that grassroots impact - creating safe, inclusive and caring spaces for people and their pets, and fostering healthier, more connected communities.”
PITP Northern Rivers takes place on the third Sunday of every month from 11.20am to 2pm. Attendance to a PITP clinic is via referral from Specialist Homelessness Service providers or organisations that provide services/care for clients experiencing homelessness and are valid for six months.
To learn more about how to access PITP services or to help support the work of Pets In The Park, visit www.petsinthepark.org.au. PITP is a registered charity and relies solely on the generosity of its donors to provide its services.
PITP understands the housing crisis is extreme with Byron Shire Council seeing a large increase in housing stress and homelessness across the shire in recent years. The 2025 Street Count conducted by Department of Communities and Justice, found Byron Shire LGA had the second highest number of people sleeping rough (291) in NSW. PITP recognises people are often choosing to live out of their cars and stay with their pets rather than surrender them. PITP recognises much of the available temporary or emergency accommodation does not allow pet ownership.
About Pets In The Park
Pets In The Park is a national Australian charity that provides free professional veterinary care to the pets of people who are experiencing homelessness. Our clinical programs are delivered by hundreds of volunteer veterinarians and vet nurses, helping thousands of Australian pets and their people each year.