60 years of bringing pets and people together.
The Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge Society (SCARS) is a not-for-profit, no-kill shelter that has been rescuing cats and dogs since 1964.
Tucked into 16 acres of bushland at Tanawha, SCARS is home to hundreds of cats and dogs at any given time — animals who have been surrendered, abandoned, rescued from cruelty cases or pulled from council pounds just hours from euthanasia.
We rehome over 1,000 animals every year. We provide full veterinary care, behavioural assessment, rehabilitation and one of the most thorough adoption-matching processes in the country.
We receive no government funding. Every dollar raised — through donations, our op shop, fundraising events and business sponsorship — goes directly into care for the animals.
Pets rehomed each year
Years of rescue work
Community funded
What we stand for
Compassion First
Every animal that comes through our gates is treated with kindness, patience and the medical care they deserve.
No-Kill Refuge
We never put a healthy or treatable animal to sleep. Every life matters and every animal gets the time they need.
Community Powered
We're 100% community funded. Local donors, volunteers and businesses make our work possible every single day.
Forever Homes
We carefully match every cat and dog with the right family — not just a home, but a forever family.
Want to help us keep going?
There are so many ways to support our work — from a one-off donation to giving an animal a forever home.