Project Underdog Rescue Inc.

Project Underdog Rescue Inc. We believe every animal deserves the chance to live a life full of love and happiness, even those who may be seen as different.

Project Underdog Rescue is a not for profit animal rescue charity located in Melbourne, Australia.

We had our last pet pantry delivery for the year today at Nourishing Neighbours 🫶We dropped off a whopping 1200 pet meal...
17/12/2024

We had our last pet pantry delivery for the year today at Nourishing Neighbours 🫶

We dropped off a whopping 1200 pet meals that our dedicated volunteers had packed into easy talk home bags, along with dog parasite prevention, cat treats and other assorted goodies 🎁

It’s truly heartwarming to see the community come together to ensure no pet goes hungry this holiday season 🎄🎅

A huge thanks to our amazing volunteers and supporters who make this possible including Cenvet and Animal Rescue Cooperative

Together, we’re not just feeding pets; we’re keeping families together and animals out of the shelter system 🐾

Here’s to an even bigger impact in the year ahead! 💪

Every time 🤦✏️
15/12/2024

Every time 🤦

✏️

Someone’s been making themselves right at home with their new foster carers…And her name is Cherry 🍒❤️If you’ve ever tho...
13/12/2024

Someone’s been making themselves right at home with their new foster carers…

And her name is Cherry 🍒❤️

If you’ve ever thought about giving fostering a go, there’s no better time to start than now. As we head into our busiest time of year, we’re urging people to please considering fostering so that abandoned animals can find safe homes this Christmas 🎄

Find out more here: https://www.projectunderdogrescue.org.au/foster/

Christmas came early for little Benji who’s been battling a cancer diagnosis. Read all about this incredibly special vis...
12/12/2024

Christmas came early for little Benji who’s been battling a cancer diagnosis. Read all about this incredibly special visit below👇

After generously donating to cover Benji’s dental procedure, pathology testing and foster care costs, Rosamaria reached out to let us know she was putting together a little Christmas gift for Benji 🥹

It got us thinking, how great would it be if she could deliver it to him in person? And so we set up a meeting for Benji and his guardian angel to meet in person 💗

Benji was beyond excited to have visitors doting on him, he pranced around his foster home like a kid on Christmas morning when Rosamaria and her friend arrived 🕺

Rosamaria was equally as smitten and begun to unpack Benji’s gifts that she’d carefully chosen, wrapped up and packed into a Santa sack for him 💝

Inside were treats, toys, clothes, a blanket and a cooling mat. There were even gifts for Benji’s foster carer and our team 🥰

She’d even hand written him a Christmas card 🎄

It was truly the most heart warming, uplifting experience and has put a pep in our step as we head into the silly season.

This incredible act of kindness reminds us of the power of compassion and the profound impact one person can have on an animal’s life. With supporters like Rosamaria by our side, we’re reminded that together, we can create a world filled with hope, love, and second chances for animals like Benji 🩵

If you’d like to send a Christmas gift to an animal in need, please pick something off our Wishlist here: https://www.projectunderdogrescue.org.au/wishlist/

and have it delivered to 328 Sydney Road, Coburg VIC 3058🎅🎁

Merry Christmas 🎄🎉

Last week, Falcon and Phoenix visited where they were sedated to allow the team to undertake a thorough health check. T...
11/12/2024

Last week, Falcon and Phoenix visited where they were sedated to allow the team to undertake a thorough health check.

This also included:
🦷 Checking their teeth
👀 Examining their eyes
🫀Taking their blood pressure
🦵Feeling their joints
🩺 Listening to their heart and lungs
🩸 Comprehensive blood and urine testing
✂️ Groom
💅 Nail trim

Originally, we were told the boys were likely around 2-4 years of age however it appears we’ve actually got some senior gentleman on our hands 😮

In addition to that, we found Phoenix has luxating patellas (kneecaps which pop out of place) and there’s a lot of arthritis around his joints. This likely explains why he hasn’t been able to groom himself. He’ll now start on supplement and pain relief medication 💊

Falcon was in pretty good shape other than having a weepy eye which is likely a result of chronic cat flu 🤧

Both boys recovered well from their sedations and have been extra cuddly since returning back to the safety and familiarity of their foster home 💗

It’s heartbreaking to think these boys endured so many years of neglect, but their resilience is awe-inspiring. Despite everything, they’ve remained gentle, loving souls, showering their foster carers with affection. Now, they’re ready to find a forever home filled with love, where they can finally experience the life they’ve always deserved 🐈

These two really are something extra special 🧡

To find out more and apply to adopt, please visit our website or comment below and we’ll message you the direct link.

Microchip: 956000007359502
Microchip: 956000015783383
Source Code: RE100240

10/12/2024

Meet Barney: your future couch buddy and movie night companion! 🎥🩵

Barney loves snuggling up during your favourite shows and soaking up the sun in the yard. He’s a playful boy who thrives in a calm, familiar environment and would do best in a quiet home with one or two adults and no other pets.

Could you be the one to give him the cosy spot on the couch he deserves? 🏡✨

Please read through his adoption profile on our website to learn more: https://www.projectunderdogrescue.org.au/animal/barney/

Microchip number: 956000016687789
Source number: RE100240

It’s been almost 15 months since we rescued senior brothers Billy (pictured) and his brother Tom.At the time they were s...
09/12/2024

It’s been almost 15 months since we rescued senior brothers Billy (pictured) and his brother Tom.

At the time they were surrendered, we knew Billy had hyperthyroidism but when we couldn’t get his thyroid levels under control, our vets gave us the sad news that Billy likely had thyroid cancer 💔

In April this year we made the decision to let him live out his days with his foster carer (and his brother, Tom) under our palliative care foster program.

We’ve been able to keep Billy happy and comfortable these past 8 months with the help of pain relief, anti-nausea medication and the most dedicated and loving foster mumma.

However, in the last week Billy hasn’t been doing too well. He’s had some difficulty swallowing, vomiting and has been withdrawing from his foster parents and Tom.

We brought him in for a check up at PUR HQ with where we did some more blood and urine testing. Sadly, his disease has progressed quite a bit and it will soon be time for Billy to cross over the rainbow bridge 🌈

Please send your love and strength to Billy’s foster mum (who is also our cat case manager, Grace), his foster dad, Nathan and his best friend and brother Tommy 💗

Seems urgent to me 🤷 ✏️
08/12/2024

Seems urgent to me 🤷

✏️

In some good news for your Saturday morning, Benji has been feeling a whole lot better since starting on some additional...
06/12/2024

In some good news for your Saturday morning, Benji has been feeling a whole lot better since starting on some additional pain medication 😍

Go Benji 💪💪💪

Mistletoe has been adopted! 🎉Mistletoe gave birth to six kittens on Christmas Day last year in a local shelter, and we r...
06/12/2024

Mistletoe has been adopted! 🎉

Mistletoe gave birth to six kittens on Christmas Day last year in a local shelter, and we rescued both her and babies shortly after 🐱 When her babies were ready, they all quickly found their forever homes. But Missy was left waiting 😢

10 months went by without a single enquiry and we were starting to lose hope. But then, we finally received an application and they were the perfect person 🥹 Missy has been doing well settling into her forever home with her new mum, who shared:

“Mistletoe likes to quietly watch what’s going on. She’s cosy and a big fan of belly rubs” 🤗

We’re so happy for Missy! We are also so grateful for her foster parents, who cared for her and gave her unconditional love, being a huge part of her journey 🫶

Congratulations Mistletoe 🥳

Why does language matter? 💬How we talk about animals influences how we interact with, and treat them. Words carry weight...
03/12/2024

Why does language matter? 💬

How we talk about animals influences how we interact with, and treat them. Words carry weight, shaping perceptions and guiding behaviours. In the animal welfare space, being thoughtful about our language can create a more compassionate, solution-focused environment for pets, their guardians, and care teams.

Small changes, big impact:
1️⃣ Guardian or caregiver instead of owner: Referring to people as guardians or caregivers or simply as family, emphasises the responsibility and relationship they have with their pets, rather than implying possession. This shift in language fosters a more compassionate view of pets as family members deserving of care, respect, and empathy.

2️⃣ Cue instead of command: Using "cue" instead of "command" highlights the cooperative nature of training, focusing on mutual understanding rather than authority. It encourages positive interactions where animals are engaged as active participants, promoting a more respectful and harmonious relationship.

3️⃣ Behaviour challenges instead of issues or problems: This shifts the focus from a negative judgement to an opportunity for learning and growth. It frames the situation as something that can be worked through collaboratively, encouraging caregivers to seek positive solutions while recognising that pets can improve through patience and consistent effort.

🙅‍♀️ Labels like “aggressive,” “naughty,” or “bad” unfairly define a pet by a moment of behaviour rather than the underlying reasons for it. These terms often place blame on the pet, rather than recognising that their actions are often a response to fear, stress, confusion, frustration or unmet needs. Instead of using negative labels, we need to understand the function of the behaviour and work toward addressing those underlying factors.

Let’s be intentional with our words—they have the power to change lives ✨

02/12/2024

🌞 Meet Sunny – a life saved, because of YOU! 🌞

When Sunny’s beloved owner passed away, her world turned upside down. She found herself at the pound, hoping for a second chance at love. But life had another challenge in store.

Sunny was diagnosed with an eye condition affecting her vision, requiring specialist care. The pound deemed her “not suitable for adoption,” and her life was immediately put at risk. Without quick placement in a rescue, she would be euthanised 💔

We knew we had to act fast. We shared Sunny’s story with you, and the response was incredible. Your likes, shares, and comments amplified her plea for help, ultimately reaching the one person who could say YES to fostering her 🙏

Over the weekend, we welcomed Sunny into PUR, where she is safe and surrounded by love 🥰

For now, she’ll rest in our new cat condos, receive a thorough vet check, her vaccinations, and recover from her des*xing procedure.

Sunny’s journey isn’t over, but her chance at a brighter future is only possible because of you 💛

Thank you for being part of her story. We’ll keep you updated as Sunny takes the next steps toward healing and finding her forever family.

Welcome to December, and the final page of our 2024 calendar. It's been so special for us to honour the lives of 12 PUR ...
30/11/2024

Welcome to December, and the final page of our 2024 calendar. It's been so special for us to honour the lives of 12 PUR animals who have since passed over the Rainbow Bridge 🌈

In December we are remembering Tommy, who at 8 years old was dumped at the pound just before Christmas in 2018 💔 We rescued him from the pound in time for Christmas Day and Tommy was able to spend it with his loving foster family 🎄 He was then adopted in February 2019. His guardian shared with us:

"Tommy was the kindest soul. A beautiful dog that always wanted a cuddle. He loved to go for a walk and sleep inside. I miss him so much. It was obvious in his behaviour that he was mistreated. To watch him grow and trust me, and be part of a family; and to be able to give that to him was very special. I will miss him dearly. I will always remember you, Tommy."

Rest in Peace Tommy 🕊

Thank you to Canine Kinetics for providing us with the opportunity to remember Tommy and celebrate his life through our calendar 🐾

Our 2025 calendar, celebrating 10 years of rescue, is almost sold out! Make sure to grab your copy before they're gone (and use code TEAMPUR to sn**ch 15% off) 🗓

Get your calendar here: https://www.projectunderdogrescue.org.au/product/2025-calendar/

If this is what your Saturday night looks like, just know you're not alone 🩵 🐾 😌✏
30/11/2024

If this is what your Saturday night looks like, just know you're not alone 🩵 🐾 😌

✏

It’s the month of announcements! And we’re thrilled to finally unveil a secret project that has been 18 months in the ma...
29/11/2024

It’s the month of announcements! And we’re thrilled to finally unveil a secret project that has been 18 months in the making 🙊

In June 2023, after another intense kitten season, we asked ourselves: could we transform our storage room into a safe, enriching space for at-risk cats and kittens? The answer was a resounding yes—if we could secure the funding.

Thus began our journey. We engaged in conversations with local councils, animal management officers, and other organisations to ensure we were on the right track. After extensive research into cat housing options, we crafted a detailed budget and proposal 📈

By December 2023, we submitted a comprehensive grant application to the Victorian Government for our project, “Refuge & Respite for Feline Friends.” This initiative is designed to enhance PUR’s ongoing commitment to cat welfare by integrating specialised cat condos that meet the International Society of Feline Medicine’s Gold cage standard 🌟

These condos, alongside our foster program, will significantly boost our capacity to rehabilitate, socialise, and improve adoption prospects for at-risk cats and kittens. Additionally, the project addresses urgent needs: responding to rescue cases, providing emergency boarding for outreach clients, offering refuge for recovering cats, and creating valuable volunteer opportunities 🐱

Fast forward six months to May, when we received exciting news from our local MP, Anthony Ciaflone: we were successful in our grant application 🎉

We immediately sprang into action, collaborating with suppliers to design our cat accommodation room and individual condos. By the end of September, the condos were installed, with final touches completed last month.

Today, we’re proud to announce the official opening of PUR HQ’s cat condos—a vital bridge between rescue and foster care. These condos provide a safe, nurturing environment for cats and kittens in transition. They’ll receive necessary medical care and assessment for suitable foster homes during their stay, playing a crucial role in their journey to adoption 🐾

This project was made possible with the generous support of the Victorian Government 👏

It’s been 127 days since Samson and his guardian were separated 💔After enduring years of domestic violence, Samson’s car...
28/11/2024

It’s been 127 days since Samson and his guardian were separated 💔

After enduring years of domestic violence, Samson’s caregiver had to make the ultimate sacrifice and surrender him to a shelter so that she could find safe shelter for herself and her child.

When Samson arrived at the shelter he was in a bad way both physically and emotionally and his fear and debilitating pain made it hard to examine and treat him.

Over the past 3 months, Samson received treatment for his skin infections, pain relief for his hip and back pain along with many other diagnostic tests.

He is in a much better place now and is ready to be transferred into rescue where we can continue to provide the specialised care he requires in a nurturing foster home.

Samson has very specific needs but we trust there is someone out there who can provide these so that we can bring him out of the pound and commence the next stage of his journey towards a forever home.

📍Located within 25 minutes of Coburg, VIC - so that our team are only a short drive away to provide in home vet and training.

🙅‍♀️No other pets or children under 15 years - he needs a quiet, low stress home.

🏡 Single level home with a private outside area - he can’t safely navigate stairs and is overwhelmed by the big wide world.

📆 Be able to commit to fostering long term - it’s going to take several months to prepare Samson for adoption.

🤝 Dedicated to implementing recommended behaviour modification and management strategies to help Samson feel better with handling and around other dogs.

We know it’s a big ask, but with the right person we know he can thrive again 🙏

If you have the patience and experience to help this sweet boy heal, please message ‘SAMSON’ to us and we’ll send you the application form.

For more information about fostering please read through the FAQs on our website here: https://www.projectunderdogrescue.org.au/foster/
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Together, we can help Samson find peace and comfort in a loving foster home 🩵🐾

(If you have applied to foster with us before and are keen to assist please contact us to flag your application so you don’t need to reapply.)

Introducing Phoenix and Falcon—two charming brothers whose personalities are as complementary as they are irresistible 🤩...
27/11/2024

Introducing Phoenix and Falcon—two charming brothers whose personalities are as complementary as they are irresistible 🤩

These bonded siblings are ready to bring double the love, double the fun, and double the companionship into your home. While they may have different personalities, they balance each other perfectly, making them the ideal pair for any loving adopter willing to open their hearts (and laps) to these two wonderful cats 🧡

🐈 Phoenix is the more outgoing of the two, always ready for an adventure – especially if it involves food! He’s a curious, playful spirit who loves exploring and getting into mischief. Phoenix will keep you entertained with his bursts of energy—he’s quick to run to greet you at the door and even quicker when it comes to meal time. His love for food is matched only by his desire for affection; he enjoys being close to his humans, sitting next to you for snuggles, strokes, and kisses. When he’s not playfully zooming around or trying to get a treat, Phoenix enjoys curling up in the sun or snuggling up with his brother Falcon for a well-deserved nap.

🐈 Falcon is the sweet and gentle lap cap. His idea of the perfect day is sitting with you, getting soft strokes, purring in contentment, and curling up for an afternoon nap in the cosiest spots. He’s a bit more cautious and will need a calm, patient adopter who can give him the time he needs to feel safe and secure. But once Falcon has settled in, his love and affection know no bounds. He’ll be the first to curl up next to you for cuddles and grooming sessions. His quiet nature and deep, gentle purring will melt your heart, making every moment with him an absolute joy.

Together, Phoenix and Falcon are truly inseparable. Their bond is clear to see—they nap, play, groom, and snuggle together every day. While Phoenix brings the energy and curiosity, Falcon offers the calming companionship and sweetness that balance the duo.

To find out more, ask questions or to apply to adopt visit the ‘Adopt’ page on our website

Microchip: 956000007359502 and 956000015783383
Source Code: RE100240

Update on our sweet senior boy, Benji 🐕As many of you know, Benji was rescued in March and has been facing some medical ...
26/11/2024

Update on our sweet senior boy, Benji 🐕

As many of you know, Benji was rescued in March and has been facing some medical challenges, including a likely diagnosis of early-stage prostate cancer.

Last month he underwent a dental procedure to remove some infected teeth and he recovered well from that.

However, in the last week Benji hasn’t been his usual self. He has skipped breakfast a few times and seems unsettled.

Considering his diagnosis, we’re being especially vigilant about any changes to ensure he stays comfortable. We’ve had some tests performed which don’t show any reason for the change so we’re trialling adding in another pain medication to see if that helps settle him.

Please keep Benji in your thoughts 🙏🩵

Address

PO BOX 250
Melbourne, VIC
3058

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Project Underdog Rescue Inc. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Project Underdog Rescue Inc.:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Our Story

Project Underdog Rescue is a not for profit animal rescue charity located in Melbourne, Australia. Our organisation is run entirely by unpaid volunteers who are dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and successfully rehoming companion animals facing imminent euthanasia in pounds and shelters. We do not discriminate on breed, age or s*x. We take those that need us most. We pride ourselves on providing our animals with the same amount of love, attention and level of care we would give our own pets. Any specialised treatment recommended by our veterinarian will be provided to the animals in our care. We are based in Melbourne and are run via a network of foster carers. We do not have a shelter as we prefer to have our animals in loving foster homes. This allows them greater interaction with people and can encourage healthy socialisation with other domestic pets. It also gives us the chance to learn about each animals personality and provide him or her with any necessary training. We believe this gives our animals the best chance at a smooth transition into their forever home. We are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission and have Deductible Gift Recipient status (DGR). This means that all donations over $2 are tax deductible. We are run entirely by unpaid volunteers and receive no government funding so your donations are what we rely on. Our Mission: Rescuing, rehabilitating and successfully rehoming companion animals in need. Our Vision: For there to one day be a world where there are no more homeless pets. Our Values: Kindness: To demonstrate compassion for all living creatures and treat those how we wish to be treated. Respect: To communicate honestly and courteously in all our dealings. Integrity: To be fair and ethical in all our dealings. Leadership: To lead by example. Transparency: To be open and honest in all our dealings. Authenticity: To do what we say we do. Our Purpose: - To provide refuge for stray, abandoned and surrendered animals – primarily those facing imminent euthanasia in shelters and pounds. - To rehabilitate each animal in foster care and find them loving, safe and permanent homes. - To promote responsible pet ownership, animal welfare and no kill solutions.