Community & Business
8 April, 2026
Desperate times for refuge
THE Mareeba Animal Refuge is in desperate need of help after experiencing a huge surge in animal surrenders, especially cats.
The local refuge is brimming at capacity, with over 60 cats currently in care. Since 1 January this year, the refuge has already taken in 88 cats and 57 dogs, with another 20 dogs and puppies still on the surrender waitlist.
“That’s a lot from Cairns, a handful from Mareeba, and even some puppies from Mt Garnet. So it’s been a big issue all over Far North Queensland,” refuge staff member Felicity Pollard said.
In relation to the facility’s capacity, Felicity said the cattery numbers should be half of what it currently is.
“It should only be housing 20 to 30, and that’s including some litters of kittens,” she said.
“Dogs, we’ve got 18 kennels for, and then again with puppies, we can house up to 20 to 25. But there’s just been so many needing help – lots of surrenders.
“People moving is still a huge reason, with the rental crisis. Cost of living has also started to become a really big factor and we feel that’s why we’re not seeing quite as many adoptions as well.
“February was a very quiet month for us adoptions wise, and still just litters of puppies and kittens and animals not being desexed are ending up here.
“Just about 80% of female cats that come in, come in heavily pregnant or with a litter of kittens. Having the council impound here as well, we get a lot off the streets – that’s another reason our intake is so high too, because we have to be open to strays found in the Mareeba Shire. It’s just been manic.”
Felicity added that they currently had 15 dogs in care but adoptions were still needed to free up room for those on the waitlist. However, the biggest pressure they were facing was definitely the number of cats that need taking care of.
“It puts a huge strain on our workers, both physically and mentally,” she said.
“It’s very long hours and we’re worried about them finding homes. There’s some cats that have been here since last year that are just beautiful and lovely natured – there’s nothing wrong with these animals.”
Felicity said adoptions were crucial at the moment, but people could also help through donations of money and food.
“We go through a lot of kitten food, especially the wet food, and adult food as well,” she said.
“We tend to use a lot of puppy tin food too. Cat litter – lots of that. Financial donations are a huge help too, each cat is costing $300-$400, and dogs even more.
“And the adoption fee only covers a part of that of course. All our monthly vet bills for this year have been over $10,000 – the costs just keep going up, and it’s hard to be able to say yes to an animal in need.
“So adoptions are definitely most critical to reduce the number of cats that are in the facility, which will improve the health of all the cats as well.”
The Mareeba Animal Refuge is located at 35 Hickling Avenue, Mareeba and can be contacted on 4092 3060.
Alternatively, donations can be made directly to the group. Details are:
Account name: Friends of the Animals
BSB: 633-000
Account Number: 113 217 335
