Questions, answered

Create a free account, confirm your email, then list your pet — it takes about 5 minutes. Add clear photos and an honest description. Adopters message you through Pet Rescue, and you choose who to meet. Most listings without a scam flag go live straight away.

Nothing. Rehoming listings are always free, and you can ask a small rehoming fee if you want one. Optional upgrades (Boost, Spotlight, Pet of the Week) help your pet be seen first — see pricing.

Yes, a small fee to cover vet costs. It helps make sure the new family is committed, and it stays free to list. Selling a pet? Choose Selling when you list ($49.99, checked by a person first).

30 days. We email you before it ends — renewing is free and takes one click from your account.

Go to My account and open My listings and tap “Mark as adopted 🎉”. Everyone who messaged you is told, and the listing shows an Adopted stamp for a week before it comes down. Step-by-step guide.

Yes. Choose Horses & ponies when you list. The same rules apply as for any pet: rehoming is free, and selling is a paid sale listing. For horses, we suggest the new owner visits in person and arranges their own vet check before any money changes hands, and you hand over the passport, vet and farrier records.

Many SPCA centres and local rescues take dogs, but they’re often full. Rehoming directly to a vetted family is often faster and less stressful for your dog. See our guide: where to surrender a dog for free in NZ.

Browse pets by type and city, then tap the message button on a listing (it shows the owner’s name). Introduce yourself and your home — owners choose who to meet. Always meet the pet in person before paying anything.

Many owners rehome for free, and most fees are small. Use the “Free” filter on any adoption page. Be wary of anyone offering young puppies free but asking for a courier or transport fee — that’s a common scam.

No. You chat on Pet Rescue until you choose to share contact details. We never show phone numbers, emails or street addresses on listings.

Every lister confirms their email. New listings are automatically checked for overseas sign-ups, copied photos, deposit or courier requests and other warning signs, and anything suspicious is reviewed by a person before it goes live. All sale listings are checked by hand. Messages that mention payments or other apps show a warning.

Red flags: a price that seems too good, pressure to pay a deposit before meeting, “courier” or “pet transport” fees, moving the chat to WhatsApp, and photos that look like they’re from a website. Read pet scams in NZ.

Use “Report this listing” on any pet page, or “Report this conversation” in Messages. If three people report a listing it’s hidden until we check it. You can also contact us.

Securely through Stripe — cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. We never see your card details. Prices include GST and you get a receipt by email.

Your card is authorised when you submit, but only charged once we approve the listing. If we don’t approve it, the hold is released and you’re not charged.

Yes — always free. Get in touch with your charity number and we’ll mark your account as a Registered rescue: your pets get a badge, and any Pet of the Week spot nobody has booked goes to a rescue pet, free.