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Our Story

North Queensland Animal Rescue (NQAR) began in 2011 with a single foster dog, Gilly, a small red cattle dog who quickly stole a heart.

For founder Jess Grinter, letting Gilly go to her new family was both heartbreaking and rewarding, and it marked the beginning of a journey driven by a simple purpose: to give vulnerable animals a second chance. What started as fostering soon grew into volunteering—collecting dogs from local pounds, travelling across the region, and working alongside others who shared the same concern about the number of animals being euthanised due to overpopulation.

At the time, there were no foster-based rescue groups in Cairns, and many animals relied solely on limited shelter space. Determined to make a difference, Jess and a small group of like-minded volunteers came together to create what would become NQAR.

Starting with just a handful of foster carers and self-funded vet care, the group formally became an incorporated association on 4 July 2012. From the outset, NQAR has been committed to ensuring every animal receives the care they need—not just the basics like desexing, vaccinations, and microchipping, but also any additional medical treatment required—laying the foundation for the compassionate, foster-based rescue it is today.

Our Achievements

Dogs Rescued
in 2025
0
Years in
Operation
0
Dogs Desexed
in 2025
0
Dogs Treated for
Heartworm in 2025
0
Dogs Rescued
in 2025
0
Years in
Operation
0
Dogs Desexed
in 2025
0
Dogs Treated for
Heartworm in 2025
0

Our Achievements

Dogs Rescued
in 2025
0
Years in
Operation
0
Dogs Desexed
in 2025
0
Dogs Treated for
Heartworm in 2025
0

Our Team

Our Management Committee

Board Member

Board Member

Board Member

Our Operational Team

Adoption Coordinator

Intake Coordinator

Admin Coordinator

Adoption Coordinator

Events Coordinator

Social Media coordinator

Our Support Teams

Admin Team

Our Admin Team manages essential behind-the-scenes tasks, including finalising adoption paperwork, coordinating desexing follow-ups, updating microchip records, and maintaining volunteer databases. Their work ensures compliance, accuracy, and the smooth running of our operations.

Onboarding Team

Our Volunteer Onboarding Team manages the intake and assessment of new volunteers and foster carers, including application reviews, home visits, and orientation. They also connect volunteers with roles that match their interests, helping build a strong and supported team.

Delivery Team

Our Delivery Team coordinates the collection of donations, delivery of food and equipment to carers, and supports event setup and pack-down. Their work ensures our carers and events are well-equipped to provide the best care for dogs in need.

Photography

Our Photography Team captures high-quality images that showcase each dog’s personality and appeal, helping them stand out to potential adopters. Through compelling visuals, the team plays a vital role in promoting adoptions and supporting the organisation’s campaigns and storytelling.

Fundraising Team

Our Fundraising Team coordinates initiatives such as market stalls, donation boxes in local businesses, and the Containers for Change program to generate vital funds for dogs in care. Through these activities, the team also builds community engagement and support for our mission.

Social Media Team

Our Social Media Team is responsible for creating engaging content that showcases dogs available for adoption, supports campaigns, and promotes responsible dog ownership. Through education and awareness, the team helps connect the community with our mission and improve outcomes for dogs in care.

Admin Team

Our Admin Team manages essential behind-the-scenes tasks, including finalising adoption paperwork, coordinating desexing follow-ups, updating microchip records, and maintaining volunteer databases. Their work ensures compliance, accuracy, and the smooth running of our operations.

Admin Team

Our Admin Team manages essential behind-the-scenes tasks, including finalising adoption paperwork, coordinating desexing follow-ups, updating microchip records, and maintaining volunteer databases. Their work ensures compliance, accuracy, and the smooth running of our operations.

Admin Team

Our Admin Team manages essential behind-the-scenes tasks, including finalising adoption paperwork, coordinating desexing follow-ups, updating microchip records, and maintaining volunteer databases. Their work ensures compliance, accuracy, and the smooth running of our operations.

Our Programs

Our Programs

Discount Desexing

Desexing improves your dog’s health, helps prevent unwanted litters, and can reduce behaviours such as roaming. NQAR’s discounted desexing program makes this important procedure more affordable for eligible pensioners, concession card holders, low-income earners, people who are unemployed, and those experiencing financial hardship.

Last Litter

Unexpected litters can place significant financial pressure on pet owners and contribute to the number of unwanted animals in our community. NQAR’s Last Litter Program provides support to eligible owners by helping with the desexing of mother dogs after their final litter, giving them the opportunity to prevent future unplanned litters while ensuring the best outcome for both mum and puppies.

Timeless Tales

Some dogs come into our care and are found to have conditions that make them unsuitable for rehoming. These dogs are welcomed into our Timeless Tails permanent fostering program, where they receive lifelong care and support.

Strategic Plan

NQAR’s Strategic Plan provides a clear roadmap for the organisation’s priorities, guiding decision-making and ensuring our activities align with our mission. It helps focus our efforts, measure progress, and support sustainable growth and impact.

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

NQAR is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, the national regulator of charities in Australia. This registration ensures we meet required governance, transparency, and reporting standards, helping build trust with our community and supporters.

Get In Touch

ABN 20511013249

Vision

A community where all animals have a loving home and are valued, respected and cared for.

Mission

NQAR transitions dogs to forever homes, serves as a community resource and advocates for responsible dog ownership.

Value Statements

We are compassionate, kind and respectful in all interactions with each other and the community. We are dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of animals in our care.

We support, care for and value our volunteers. We demonstrate integrity by being fair, ethical, open and consistent.

Thank you to our photographer

Jenni Paul Photography and Volunteers