Aotearoa Animal Refuge
Help Aotearoa Animal Refuge Save Vulnerable Animals
Auckland
Aotearoa Animal Refuge is a Māori-led charitable trust dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming vulnerable animals across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Founded on the values of manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga, we support companion animal welfare, responsible pet ownership and community education while promoting kindness toward all living things.
We care for rescued cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, rabbits and other animals in need through foster care, rehabilitation, vet treatment and responsible rehoming.
Your donations help provide:
• Emergency vet care
• Food and bedding
• Desexing and vaccinations
• Flea and worm treatments
• Microchipping
• Rescue transport
• Foster care supplies
• Safe temporary shelter
Every donation — big or small — directly helps animals in need and supports our mission to create a safer future for animals and communities throughout Aotearoa.
He taonga tuku iho, he oranga mō ngā kararehe me te taiao.
A gift handed down, for the wellbeing of animals and the natural world.
More about us
We are Aotearoa Animal Refuge, a Māori-led charitable trust based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals of all kinds — from cats, dogs, and rabbits to lambs, chickens, and alpacas.
Many animals come to us sick, abandoned, or abused, often from whānau experiencing housing insecurity or hardship. We are committed not only to animal welfare but to uplifting our community through kindness, education, and care.
💔 With cost of living rising, more families are being forced to surrender pets or live in cars just to keep them.
🐾 We also respond to urgent calls from councils, schools, and the public for animals in need.
Other page links
Latest update
🚨 Update: Pawsitive Rescue Has a New Name! 26 July 2025
Kia ora whānau,
We’re excited to announce that Pawsitive Rescue is now officially Aotearoa Animal Refuge!
This new name better reflects who we are and the mahi we do. As a Māori-led charitable trust, we care for not only cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs—but also lambs, chickens, roosters, alpacas, and other animals in need across Aotearoa.
Our mission remains the same:
❤️ Rescue animals
🛠 Rehabilitate and rehome
🎓 Educate whānau
🤝 Advocate for change
Why the change?
We’ve grown beyond just companion animals. The housing crisis, cost of living, and lack of pet-friendly rentals mean more animals—and people—need help than ever before. We’ve expanded our work to support farm animals, deliver educational outreach, and advocate for struggling whānau.
From this point forward, all donations, updates, and community support will continue under the new name:
Aotearoa Animal Refuge 💚
Thank you for standing by us through every name, every rescue, and every challenge. Together, we’re saving lives.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jayne & the Aotearoa Animal Refuge team
formerly Pawsitive Rescue
Who's involved?
Fundraise
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