Lort Smith provides a range of support services to help people who are struggling financially, as well as people experiencing times of crisis in their lives, to care for their pets.
Our purpose is to keep pets and people together. We understand that this is never more important than when a person is experiencing difficult and challenging times in their lives.
Our pets provide us with unconditional love and give us the reason to push through.
We also recognise the importance and strength of the human animal bond, and the health and wellbeing benefits connections with animals can bring to both person and animal.
Lort Smith provide discounted veterinary services to make caring for their pet more affordable for people who have the following concession cards:
- Health Care Card
- Pensioner Card
- Veteran Affairs Cards
People presenting these concession cards receive a 15% discount on all veterinary services.
Note, excludes microchips, medication, food and consumable products.
People holding a health care, pensioner or veteran affairs card may be eligible for the following Compassionate Care financial supports for the treatment of pets presenting as an emergency at our North Melbourne Hospital:
- On arrival, our CDAP (Compassionate Diagnostics Assistance) program, funded by generous donors, provides diagnostics at no cost. Pain relief, x-rays and a range of other diagnostic testing can be carried out. This helps our vets to be able to more accurately understand what care options are available for your pet – and which may be most affordable to you.
- If the treatments advised by our vets as best for your pet are beyond your financial capabilities, we can facilitate payment plans of up to $2,000 per pet. These are no interest loans (NILs), provided in partnership with Bendigo Family and Financial Services (BFFS).Please note that when Lort Smith submits an enquiry on your behalf, we provide your information to our partner, BFFS. If your loan is approved, BFFS will make the payment for veterinary services direct to Lort Smith.
- If the recommended treatments are in excess of the $2,000 limit of a NIL, or you are refused a NIL, we can establish eligibility for compassionate care funding direct from Lort Smith. Thanks to generous donations made to our Pet Care Crisis Appeal every year, we are able to directly fund the cost of eligible emergency pet care over and above any NILs support, to an additional $2,000 per pet.
CDAP, NILs and Compassionate Care funding combined means over $4,500 of assisted cost vet care is available for people to be able to care for their pets in an emergency. The 15% concession discount on veterinary care is also applicable, reducing the cost of care even further for our clients most in need of support.
Our Emergency Pet Boarding service provides emergency accommodation and care for pets of people experiencing crisis and hardship who cannot afford private boarding, and have no other options for their pet’s care.
We understand the profound human-animal bond and the essential role your pet plays in your life. Providing comfort, security and unconditional love.
Our services offer short-term pet boarding providing temporary care until you can be safely reunited with your pet.
Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration factors such as the nature of the emergency, the pet’s health and behaviour, and our capacity at that time.
There is no government funding available for this kind of service. As such, space and resources are limited and application has to be strictly through case workers only.
Unfortunately, we cannot manage your case directly with you. Your case worker can contact the Emergency Boarding team for more information by calling them on 03 9287 6433.
Saying goodbye to a pet is never easy. You don’t have to go it alone. We’re here to offer a listening ear and gentle support.
Information on our free and confidential pet grief support calls can be found here.
The human health and wellbeing benefits of the human-animal bond and their power to heal have been well researched and proven.
Lort Smith’s Pet Therapy services have been running for more than 30 years as part of our community outreach work.
Our animal-assisted support programs enhance wellbeing, reduce stress, and strengthen connection for people in a range of settings across Melbourne.
Our volunteer-dog teams visit aged care, hospitals, mental health and community services, flexible learning classrooms, and youth justice settings. Every team is carefully assessed, trained, and supported to ensure the highest standards of safety, animal welfare, and trauma-informed practice.
We work in partnership with each organisation to understand the needs of their clients, plan appropriate visits, and ensure each Pet Therapy team is matched to the right space. This collaborative approach helps us create calm, meaningful interactions that support therapeutic, educational, or social goals.
We partner with:
- Hospitals
- Residential aged-care
- Youth services
- Education and Flexible Learning services
- Housing
- Alcohol and other drug services
- Specialist rehabilitation programs
Partnering with Lort Smith Pet Therapy
Please note our program is popular and there is usually a waiting list of organisations wanting to partner with us. Organisations can submit an enquiry and our team will discuss suitability, scheduling, and the cost contribution model. Contact us via pettherapy@lortsmith.com
Workplace wellbeing and one-off Pet Therapy visits
Lort Smith also provides therapy dog visits to workplaces as part of staff wellbeing initiatives, as well as special one-off visits for special events. These sessions offer employees and other participants a chance to take a mindful break, reduce stress, and enjoy a moment of connection. Workplace visits can also boost morale and improve team cohesion.
These visits also help generate income that directly supports our free and low-cost pet therapy programs for vulnerable communities.
Organisations interested in a workplace visit can submit an enquiry for availability and pricing via pettherapy@lortsmith.com.
Volunteering with the program
For more information about volunteering with your dog in the Pet Therapy program, please visit this page.
