Victorian Virtual Pet Food Drive Critical as Winter Demand Bites

With the cost of living seeing food insecurity on the rise, hardship is not only impacting people but their beloved pets, too.

So as Victoria braces for another cold winter, Pets Of The Homeless has launched their Virtual Pet Food Drive, calling on Australians to help vulnerable people feed their companion animals during tough times.

The appeal comes as the charity announced a major milestone: 3 million meals distributed from their dedicated Pet Food Bank, with around 60,000 meals going out across the state every month.

“Three million meals is a huge achievement, but behind every meal is a person doing everything they can to keep the pet they love safe and fed,”  said Yvonne Hong, Founder and CEO.

"We know that when people are facing hardship, their pets provide comfort, companionship and hope. No one should have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their best friend. Our goal is to ensure there is enough food so that no one goes hungry this winter and beyond."

Ben, Nacho Chacho & Pinto Beans: A Story of Survival and Devotion

Read Ben's story to hear first-hand why this pet food support is saving lives and keeping families together.

Overnight, Ben was forced to leave his home due to family violence. One day he had a roof over his head. The next, he had nowhere to go.

"I went from a happy life, to being on the streets for two weeks," Ben shared. "I didn’t think it could happen so quickly. I was 32 years old, I didn’t think I’d ever be in that position. It affected my job, my mental health, my work life—everything."

Ben eventually managed to secure a new home for his little family of three beloved cats: Hallie-peno, Nacho Chacho, and Pinto Beans. But starting over from scratch came at a massive cost, draining his resources for a bond, furniture, and the basic necessities most of us take for granted.

Surrendering his cats might have made things easier financially, but for Ben, that was never an option.

“They’re my sense of security. They're my best friends. They're my everything,”  Ben emphasised.

"I struggled with mental health at one point and they were there for me. They didn’t judge me, they put up with my tears, my laughter, with my insanity and they gave me a reason to get out of bed." 

"It wasn’t about me – I’ve gotta change their litter. I may not want to eat, but they need to eat."

But even making sure they could eat became a heart-breaking struggle.

"There were times where I had to contact utilities and say, 'Don’t turn the electricity off—I’ve got the last $20 and it needs to go to cat food'."

That’s when Ben discovered his local food pantry was offering pet food support through Pets Of The Homeless. With reliable access to quality cat food and litter, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing his cats were well-fed and cared for.

“Pets Of The Homeless have been there through the worst and the best,” Ben said simply.

The support Ben received meant he could keep his feline family by his side during one of the most difficult periods of his life. Today, they are all doing much better, but their story reflects the harsh reality facing many vulnerable pet owners amidst the rising cost of living.

Help POTH Reach Their Stretch Goal

Right now, as the cold sets in, people and pets like Ben and his cats, are at real risk of going without. That’s why Pets Of The Homeless urgently need your help to keep families together.

This year’s Virtual Pet Food Drive is proudly supported by the Petstock Foundation, and while their initial donation matching allocation has now been completely exhausted thanks to incredible community generosity, the need remains urgent.

The Virtual Pet Food Drive will continue to run until 30 June. We are now pushing toward our vital stretch goal to expand our reach to more community food relief organisations who are currently on our waiting list.

"If we can reach our stretch target of 220,974 meals by the end of June, our reach will extend further and so many more pets will have full bellies, and their humans will have the comfort of knowing they don't have to face hardship alone," said Yvonne.

How to Help

By filling your virtual cart today with a bag, basket, or trolley of nutritious pet food, you can make an immediate difference. Your tax-deductible gift will help fill empty bowls for hungry pets across Victoria this winter.

To fill your virtual cart and help keep people and pets together, please visit the Pets Of The Homeless Virtual Pet Food Drive.

About Pets Of The Homeless

Pets Of The Homeless is a not-for-profit working to keep vulnerable people and their pets together by alleviating the burden of providing essential pet care during times of hardship. By providing pet food and supplies, veterinary care and safe shelter, Pets Of The Homeless works to ensure that the important bond between a person and their companion animal is never broken.

• Website: www.petsofthehomeless.org.au
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/pothaustralia
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/pothaustralia

Lort Smith Issues Urgent Winter Warning Following Dramatic Car Engine Rescues

Ladies and gentlemen… do not start your engines just yet!

Lort Smith Animal Hospital has issued an urgent warning for Australian drivers to check their cars this winter, sharing photos of a dramatic recent rescue right in their own car park.

A crafty cat managed to escape its carrier at the hospital and headed straight for the nearest staff member's car, squeezing directly up into the engine bay. 

Thanks to a team of quick-thinking staff, the feline fugitive was eventually removed safely—though the team jokes that it really really did not want to visit the hospital for its annual vaccination!

But this isn't the first time Lort Smith has had to pull off a dramatic under-hood rescue. This seasonal phenomenon is a recurring danger. In a remarkably similar past case, a tiny five-week-old stray kitten survived a terrifying 25-kilometre ordeal stuck inside a car engine during a commute from Deer Park to Parkville.

The driver had absolutely no idea she had a hitchhiker right next to moving engine parts until she went to drive home 12 hours later and heard faint meowing. She immediately drove straight to Lort Smith, where a crew from the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) had to be called in. It took firefighters over an hour of careful work to extricate the kitten from behind the front grille.

Dubbed "Honda" after the vehicle he hitched a ride in, the lucky kitten sustained minor burns to his back paw pads, which were treated with pain relief before he was safely reunited with his mother.

How (and Why) Do Cats Get Under the Hood?

To a human, an engine bay seems like a dangerous maze of metal. But to a freezing feline, it represents the ultimate survival shelter.

"Cats have a higher baseline body temperature than humans and actively seek out the residual heat of a recently driven car to stay warm," warns Dr Jessica Wilde, Chief Veterinary Officer at Lort Smith. 

"The engine bay provides a dark, enclosed space where they feel safe from predators and bad weather. Kittens, in particular, can easily squeeze into the tiniest gaps in the undercarriage, wheel wells, and engine blocks."

How do they get up there? Cats are incredibly lithe. They typically climb onto the top of a car’s rubber tyres, shimmying into the wheel arches which offer a clear, open path directly up into the engine compartment. 

Furthermore, with homeless and stray cat populations experiencing an unprecedented surge across the country, rescue groups note that mother cats will often intentionally carry their entire litters into engine bays, viewing it as a secure, elevated den to protect their kittens from rival animals.

Three Seconds to Save a Life

Drivers are being asked to take just three seconds to follow these simple tips before turning the key this winter:

1. Knock firmly on your hood: Give the bonnet a few solid slaps to startle any sleeping felines.

2. Honk your horn: A quick beep is usually enough to make a hidden cat bolt.

3. Check around your tyres: Take a quick glance at your wheel wells and the top of your tyres before jumping in.

How to Keep Neighbourhood Cats Away from Your Car

If you notice a recurring feline visitor sleeping near your vehicle, there are a few practical steps you can take to secure your car this winter:

• Park in a Garage: Whenever possible, keep your vehicle securely enclosed inside a garage or shed.

• Block Access Outdoors: If you must park on the street, consider using a tight-fitting, high-quality car cover to block access to the wheel wells.

• Provide a Warm Alternative: Setting up a simple, insulated outdoor pet shelter packed with straw in your yard can keep local strays cosy and completely out of harm's way.

What to do if you find a hidden cat: 

"If a cat is trapped in your car engine, do not start the vehicle," says Dr Wilde. "Turn the ignition off entirely, open the hood, and attempt to lure the cat out with a calm voice and strong-smelling food like tuna."

A critical safety note for rescuers: 

A trapped, freezing cat is often in a state of high anxiety. Never try to grab a hidden cat with bare hands, as they may instinctively bite or scratch out of fear. Always use thick gloves or gently drape a blanket over them. If the cat is stuck, injured, or unresponsive, call a local mechanic, animal rescue, or emergency services immediately to remove them safely.

🐾 Related Winter Stories:

• Winter Wellness: The Essential Checklist for Indoor Cats – Discover practical tips to keep your indoor feline active, fully hydrated, and beautifully cosy during the colder seasonal months.
• Winter Safety Warning: How to Protect Cats from House Heater Burns – Learn how to guard your heat-seeking pets against thermal injuries, singed whiskers, and hidden household fire hazards when temperatures drop.
• Lort Smith Launches 'Operation Snugglebug' Winter Shelter Drive – Learn how your donated towels, blankets, and treats keep both rescue cats and dogs warm, comfortable, and stress-free while in hospital care.

No Cat Left Behind: How the Benevolent Fund is Fighting the Cost-of-Living Crisis

It is the moment every pet owner dreads. You’re at the emergency vet clinic, your beloved cat is critically ill, and you’re quoted a figure for treatment that feels like a mountain you can't climb.

For Alison, that figure was nearly $10,000 to save her cat, Bandit. He had become critically unwell with a life-threatening urinary blockage and kidney stones—a condition that requires immediate, complex intervention to prevent total organ failure. 

It was a sum far beyond what Alison could afford, and for a heart-breaking moment, she thought she would have to say goodbye to her best friend forever.

But Bandit is still here today, safe and loved, because of a critical safety net: The Cat Protection Society of Victoria (CPSV) Benevolent Fund.

A Crisis of Surrenders

Bandit is one of the lucky ones, but his story is becoming increasingly common. As the cost-of-living crisis stretches Victorian household budgets to their breaking point, the CPSV is seeing a devastating trend: surrendered cats now make up 55% of their total intake.

“No one should have to choose between their cat’s life and what they can afford,” says CPSV Marketing and Communications Manager, Rachel Bitzilis.

“Cats thrive in familiar environments with the people they know and trust. A 'home-first' approach is better for cat welfare and the community.”

The latest data from the Society reveals the sheer scale of the need:

• 209 emergency support requests were received by CPSV in 2025.

• Only 79 cases could be supported due to limited funding.

• 130 cats and their families were heartbreakingly turned away because the Benevolent Fund had reached its limit.

Jasper and the "Nerf Gun" Miracle

The Benevolent Fund doesn’t just save cats; it saves families. Take Lisa and her 10-month-old kitten, Jasper. Jasper wasn’t originally a CPSV rescue, but as a passionate animal advocate, Lisa had long admired the Society’s work, making their Greensborough clinic her go-to for Jasper’s check-ups.

Her world was turned upside down when Jasper became lethargic and stopped eating. Suspecting he had swallowed a small part of a Nerf gun toy, Lisa rushed him to an emergency vet.

“I realised almost straight away that I couldn’t afford the $3,000 quote,” Lisa recalls. 

“My partner and I had only recently moved house, money was already incredibly tight, and I just didn’t have those funds available. I felt completely overwhelmed and heartbroken.”

Facing the devastating reality of potentially having to surrender Jasper, Lisa felt trapped. “Jasper isn’t just a pet—he’s part of our family and he’s my son Spencer’s best friend. I knew surrendering him would break Spencer’s heart.”

In a race against time, Lisa contacted CPSV. Jasper was admitted to their clinic the following day and immediately placed on fluids to support his severely dehydrated body. While the team prepared for the worst, they gave Jasper the chance to recover under watchful eyes. Thankfully, the rest and medical support worked: Jasper passed the Nerf foam bullet naturally through bowel movements, avoiding a major $7,000+ surgical intervention.

Today, Jasper is back to his cheeky, happy self. Whether he’s lounging with Spencer, "supervising" Lisa while she works from home, or playing with his new baby sister Charlotte, Jasper is thriving. 

He even spends his days behaving more like his dog sibling than a cat! Without the Benevolent Fund, this family would be missing a vital piece of their puzzle.

How Your Donation Keeps Families Whole

The Benevolent Fund provides access to urgent, life-saving veterinary care—from stabilising a cat in distress to complex emergency surgeries. With over 50 applications already received in early 2026, the fund is at a critical level.

Reunited and home safe—the true
impact of the Benevolent Fund.

A tax-deductible donation of any size makes a life-changing difference:

• $50–$100: Immediate pain relief and stabilisation.

• $200–$400: Vital diagnostics (blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds).

• $2,000+: Life-saving emergency surgery and critical care.

To donate to the Benevolent Fund and help keep families like Alison’s and Lisa’s together, please visit: catprotection.com.au/support-us/benevolent-fund

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