Pets in the Park: A Story of Connection, Care and Community
Every third Sunday of the month, tucked away in a quiet corner of Byron Bay, a group of volunteers set up a small, welcoming clinic to provide free and compassionate veterinary care to pets whose owners are experiencing homelessness.
Pets in the Park Byron Bay is a recipient of Ingrained Foundations 2025 Grants Program. They initially began operating in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, and began with a simple but powerful idea: that no one should have to choose between their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of their pet. Across Australia, many people facing homelessness are accompanied by pets that provide comfort, security, and love. Recognising this vital bond, Pets in the Park was founded to provide free vet care and support, ensuring that pets and their owners are never left behind.
The charity has grown into a trusted service provider, offering not only veterinary support but a safe and welcoming environment where clients and their pets can feel seen, valued, and supported.
Recognising the unique challenges in the Byron region — including housing stress, affordability issues, and a polarised socio-demographic landscape — a small team of local veterinarians saw the need for a similar service in the Northern Rivers.
With inspiration from the national Pets in the Park model, they consulted with the organisation’s board and presented a case for a local clinic. The proposal was enthusiastically supported, and planning soon began. A venue was secured, volunteers were gathered, and in January 2025, the first Byron Bay clinic opened its doors.
Since then, a monthly clinic has run consistently on the third Sunday of every month, providing care and connection to those who need it most. The tenth clinic took place last Sunday. You can find out when the next clinic is set to be held via their Facebook.
While veterinary care is at the heart of the work, the Byron Bay clinic has grown into much more than a medical service. It’s a place of safety and belonging — a hub for connection, trust-building, and community.
The clinic’s long-term vision is to expand services across the wider Northern Rivers region, recognising that many people face barriers such as limited transport and geographic isolation. Building partnerships with local social workers and housing organisations is also a priority, with the aim of creating more holistic, integrated support for clients.
Volunteer wellbeing is also a focus, with mental health first aid training introduced to better support those working in what can often be emotionally demanding roles.
Two workshops will be run for volunteers in 2026, and the workshops will also be extended as paid opportunities to the regional veterinary community (which will provide funds to better support the organisations delivering). The workshops to be run are:
Bite Safety: Recognising and dealing with aggressive dogs
Psychological first aid
Pets in the Park also runs a Vet Clinic Affiliate partner program, which sees them holding a strong relationship with 4 clinics in the area (and other clinics on standby). They have consistently managed 2 referrals (for surgery or complex medical work) every month. In 2026, they plan to organise a series of desexing clinics, which will mean the monthly referrals can be used for high needs other than desexing.
Stories of Impact
*names have been changed for privacy reasons
Molly was one of their first visitors. She arrived with her elderly dog Beau, both cautious but hopeful. Since that first visit, she’s become a regular, attending every clinic and helping others feel safe enough to come. Her quiet advocacy has brought many new faces through their doors, and the monthly clinic has grown into more than a service — it’s now a small, trusted community.
Mal came quietly, sitting on the grass with his young dog Sam. Unsure if he was welcome, he stayed at the edge until one of our volunteers approached and sat with him. That first visit planted a seed. He returned later, full of gratitude, to share that he’d found a job and temporary housing. Now, he's a familiar face at the clinic.
How You Can Help
Volunteers are the heart of Pets in the Park. Pets in the Park Byron Bay has 28 volunteers (vets and vet nurses / techs), and are in communication with 64 other individuals who are associated with various service providers in the region.
Whether qualified in veterinary care or simply eager to lend a hand, there are opportunities to contribute.
Volunteer roles include:
Veterinarians, Vet Nurses, and Vet Technologists
Client greeting and administration
Food and supply deliveries
Assistance at community stalls and fundraising events
Donations are also welcome. Items such as pet food, leads, toys, accessories, or financial contributions all help to keep the service running and accessible.
With strong local support and growing demand, the Byron Bay clinic is poised for continued growth and deeper community impact. The next twelve months are expected to bring greater outreach, stronger partnerships, and increased access to care for people and pets across the region.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.petsinthepark.org.au