Second Chances Start Here: How You Helped SCAR Change Lives

Meet the rescue saving lives in Melbourne and how $7,510 worth of toilet paper made a real difference.

Who Is SCAR?

Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) is a not-for-profit organisation doing big things for little paws in need. Founded in 2008 by veterinary nurse Marisa Debattista, SCAR has grown from a lounge-room rescue into a full-scale animal shelter and community vet hospital.

Based in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, SCAR gives vulnerable animals the second chance they deserve—offering safety, medical care, and the opportunity to be rehomed with families who will love them for life. Whether it's a dog rescued from the pound or a cat surrendered during a housing crisis, SCAR steps in where others can’t.

How Does SCAR Work?

SCAR’s mission is simple: Keep pets in homes and out of shelters. To make that happen, they do far more than just adoptions.

Their team runs a low-cost veterinary hospital, a pet food pantry (with over 1.2 million meals already distributed), and even provides emergency boarding through their Safe House for Pets program—supporting people fleeing domestic violence by keeping their animals safe until they’re ready to reunite.

They also run community desexing programs, education initiatives, and adoption campaigns that have helped rehome thousands of animals. SCAR believes in supporting both ends of the leash—and they’re out there doing it every single day.

About A Dog’s Support for SCAR

At About A Dog, we believe in backing the little guys—the grassroots organisations doing the heavy lifting, quietly and consistently. SCAR is one of those places.

Thanks to our incredible community of customers, we’ve been able to raise $7,510 for SCAR—funds that go directly toward vet care, food, enrichment, training, and rehoming efforts. That’s thousands of dollars helping animals get healthy, get seen, and get adopted.

Every roll of toilet paper you’ve bought has helped us do this. Your support isn’t just soft on the planet—it’s powerful for rescue groups like SCAR.

How You Can Help SCAR

If you’re inspired by SCAR’s work, there are a few simple ways you can help them keep going:

Adopt: Give a rescue pet a second chance at life.

Foster: Open your home temporarily and help ease the pressure on shelter space.

Donate: Every dollar goes directly to animals in need—SCAR is a registered charity.

Volunteer: From cleaning kennels to helping at events, there’s a job for everyone.

Spread the word: Share SCAR’s mission with friends, family, or on socials.

Together, we can help even more animals get the second chance they deserve.