Home2Home is here to support pet guardians in finding new, loving homes for all kinds of pets. To ensure the welfare of each pet and meet regulatory requirements, there are specific guidelines for different species. This guide outlines what you need to know to prepare your pet for rehoming through Home2Home.
General requirements for all pets
To promote positive pet wellbeing and continuity of care, every pet listed for adoption through Home2Home must;
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Have had a veterinary check within the last 6 months
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Meet requirements for microchipping, vaccination and desexing for their species
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Be up to date with routine parasite prevention (e.g. intestinal worming, flea and tick control) as appropriate for their species and location
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Have stable and well-managed health
As part of your Home2Home application, you will need to supply a veterinary patient history including;
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Veterinary notes including a health check within the last 6 months
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Microchip number
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Vaccination history
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Desexing status
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Written veterinary care and medication requirements for any chronic health conditions that show your pet's health is stable and well managed by a vet.
Below, you will find the requirements for each of the species that are eligible for rehoming through Home2Home.
Rabbits
Desexing (required): All bunnies must be desexed before rehoming through Home2Home.
Vaccination (required): The required vaccine for pet rabbits is FILAVAC VHD K C+V, and it should be given every 12 months to protect against Calicivirus and other potentially fatal diseases.
Microchipping (recommended): Microchipping is the best way to ensure a pet finds its way home safely if it ever becomes lost.
Health Check (required): A veterinary check within the last 6 months that demonstrates stable health is required for rehoming through Home2Home.
Restrictions: Rabbits are illegal as pets in Queensland and cannot be listed for rehoming in Queensland.
Apply for Home2Home for your rabbit!
Guinea Pigs
Desexing (recommended): Desexing is not required, although we recommend it for their health and safety. Find out more here.
Vaccination (not required): Vaccination for Guinea Pigs is not available within Australia
Microchipping (recommended): Microchipping is the best way to ensure a pet finds its way home safely if it ever becomes lost.
Health Check (required): A veterinary check within the last 6 months that demonstrates stable health is required for rehoming through Home2Home. Guinea pigs are prone to a variety of health concerns and should be checked yearly by your veterinarian.
Apply for Home2Home for your guinea pig!
Ferrets
Desexing (required): Desexing is required for female ferrets and is recommended for males.
Vaccination (required): Ferrets require an annual vaccination (canine distemper vaccine) for rehoming through Home2Home.
Microchipping (recommended): Microchipping is the best way to ensure a pet finds its way home safely if it ever becomes lost.
Health Check (required): A veterinary check within the last 6 months that demonstrates stable health is required for rehoming through Home2Home.
Restrictions: Ferrets are illegal as pets in Queensland and the Northern Territory and cannot be listed for rehoming in these states. It is illegal to import ferrets into Tasmania, so ferrets can only be adopted from within the state. In the ACT, a license is required to keep ferrets. See the RSPCA article on ferret keeping for more information.
Apply for Home2Home for your ferret!
Rats and Mice
Desexing (recommended): Desexing is not required but is recommended for rehoming of same-sex groups of pets to prevent unwanted breeding.
Vaccination (not required): There are no current recommended vaccinations for rats or mice within Australia.
Microchipping (not required): Speak to your vet about the risks and benefits of microchipping a rat or mouse.
Health Check (required): A veterinary check within the last 6 months is required before rehoming to make sure your tiny companions are healthy and ready for their new adventures. You can also explore health care information for mice or rats via the RSPCA.
Apply for Home2Home for your rat or mouse!
Horses, Ponies and Donkeys
Home2Home requirements for equines are consistent across Australia, with some specific exceptions for vaccinations against diseases based on location.
Gelding (required): Male equines must be gelded prior to rehoming through Home2Home.
Vaccination (required): All equines must be up to date with vaccinations for tetanus and strangles. In areas where Hendra virus is established, Home2Home requires up-to-date Hendra vaccination for horses to be rehomed through the program.
Microchipping (not required): Microchipping is strongly recommended for all equines to ensure they can be identified and returned home if missing or displaced.
Health Check (required): A veterinary check within the last 6 months that demonstrates stable health is required for rehoming through Home2Home.
Restrictions: A Property Identification Code (PIC) is required for properties housing equines. Each state and territory has specific ways of managing PICs in their area, so please contact your relevant state/territory government for more details if you are not familiar with PIC requirements.
Apply for Home2Home for your horse, pony or donkey!
Goats, Sheep and Cattle
Desexing (required): Male goats, sheep and cattle must be castrated to be rehomed through Home2Home.
Vaccination (required): All pet sheep, goats and cattle must be up to date with routine vaccination for parasite control prior to being rehomed.
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Sheep and Goats: 6-in-1 vaccine (e.g. Glanvac® 6)
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Cattle: 5-in-1 vaccine (e.g. Ultravac 5in1)
Identification (required): All livestock must be tagged and registered under the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS). A National Vendor Declaration must be filled out and submitted to the NLIS no later than the arrival of the animals at their new property. Microchipping is not required for rehoming through Home2Home.
Health Check (required): A veterinary check within the last 6 months that demonstrates stable health is required for rehoming through Home2Home.
Restrictions: A Property Identification Code (PIC) is required for properties housing livestock. Each state and territory has specific ways of managing PICs in their area, so please contact your relevant state/territory government for more details if you are not familiar with PIC requirements.
Apply for Home2Home for your goat, sheep or cow!
Pigs
Castration (required): Male pigs must be castrated to be rehomed through Home2Home. While it is not a Home2Home requirement, speying is strongly recommended for female pigs.
Vaccination (required): Pet pigs must be up to date with all vaccinations recommended by their veterinarian for the diseases present in their location. Typically, this includes parvovirus, leptospirosis, and erysipelas.
Identification (required): Individual pigs must be registered with the PigPass tracking system and have a tattoo or tag. All pig movements must be registered with PigPass using a National Vendor Declaration. Microchipping is not required for rehoming through Home2Home.
Health Check (required): A veterinary check within the last 6 months that demonstrates stable health is required for rehoming through Home2Home.
Restrictions: A Property Identification Code (PIC) is required for properties housing pigs. Each state and territory has specific ways of managing PICs in their area, so please contact your relevant state/territory government for more details if you are not familiar with PIC requirements.
Apply for Home2Home for your pig!
Domestic Birds (chickens, ducks, geese, turkey, guinea fowl, pigeons, quail or pheasants)
All domestic birds that are kept as pets and do not require a permit or license for ownership can be rehomed through Home2Home.
Desexing (not required): Desexing is not required for domestic birds being rehomed through Home2Home.
Vaccination (recommended): For chickens, vaccination for Marek's disease, fowl pox, infectious laryngotracheitis, infectious bronchitis and Newcastle Disease (Northern Australia) is recommended. These are routine vaccinations and can be sourced from reputable chicken breeders and hatcheries. Chicks sourced commercially will likely have been vaccinated prior to purchase.
Microchipping (not required): Microchipping is not required for rehoming domestic birds through Home2Home.
Health Check (required): A veterinary check within the last 6 months that demonstrates stable health is required for rehoming through Home2Home.
Restrictions: All bird guardians should be aware of outbreaks of avian influenza and ensure that no birds are moved to or from buffer zones around outbreaks. You can read more about avian influenza response in Australia here.
Apply for Home2Home for your domestic bird!
Caged Birds - Native (selected species) and Exotic (Low Interest Species – Class 3)
Desexing (not required): Desexing is not required for domestic birds being rehomed through Home2Home.
Vaccination (not required): We recommend that you follow your vet’s advice on care requirements and keep your birds up to date with any recommended vaccinations.
Microchipping (not required): Microchipping is not required for rehoming domestic birds through Home2Home.
Health Check (required): A veterinary check within the last 6 months that demonstrates stable health is required for rehoming through Home2Home.
Restrictions: A number of caged birds can be kept as pets in Australia without requiring a wildlife license.
Home2Home is able to facilitate rehoming of native birds which can be kept as pets without a license and can be rehomed privately (e.g. not through a Licensed Wildlife Trader) including Budgerigars, Cockatiels, King Quails, and Zebra Finches.
Exotic birds listed as Low Interest Species - Class 3 may be kept as pets and sold without a license or permit. However, all exotic bird guardians should be familiar with the Compliance and record-keeping guide for ownership of exotic birds in Australia
All bird guardians should be aware of outbreaks of avian influenza and ensure that no birds are moved to or from buffer zones around outbreaks. You can read more about avian influenza response in Australia here.
Apply for Home2Home for your caged bird!
Pets not supported by Home2Home
Some species are not eligible for rehoming through Home2Home due to their specialised care needs or legal restrictions. Unsupported species include;
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Reptiles and amphibians (all species)
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Exotic birds (except Low Interest Species – Class 3)
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Native wildlife that requires a permit to keep