A special bond exists between people and animals.
Our mission is to nurture, support, and strengthen that connection.
Cherished Pets Foundation's mission is to ensure that the life-changing benefits of a healthy human-animal bond are accessible to all, regardless of financial or social barriers. We provide interconnected veterinary and social services that support both pets and the people who love them, fostering healthier, happier communities.
By safeguarding the wellbeing of pets and their owners, we empower individuals facing vulnerability, promote healthier lives, and strengthen community connections. Together, we are creating a future where the human-animal bond drives positive social change.
Our veterinary social service brings together a compassionate team of veterinary social workers, dedicated veterinary professionals, and skilled volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between human health and animal welfare to support pets and their people.
We offer home care assistance, crisis care through a referral service, and a volunteer program, all centered around preserving and strengthening the human-animal bond.
Vision
Our vision is a world where the human-animal bond creates and contributes to the development of connected and healthy communities.
We provide practical, in-home support like dog walking, feeding, litter changes, and transport to the vet.
Our trained volunteers and Care Team help to ensure pets stay healthy, happy, and right where they belong — by their person’s side.
- Community Vet Nurse home visits
- Volunteer assistance with daily pet care
- Vet Social Worker home visits
Veterinary social work bridges the gap between human and animal welfare, providing compassionate support to help people access the care their pets need during challenging times.
- Pet health, wellness checks and home care assistance
- Case management with social service agencies
By giving their time and kindness, our volunteers help preserve the powerful bond between people and their pets, every day.
- Pet feeding
- Dog walking
- Transport
- In home pet respite care
Emergency Pet Care and Respite Care provide short-term, practical support to ensure pets are safe and well cared for when their owners are facing illness, hospitalisation, or other unexpected life events.
- Respite pet care for pets in the event of an emergency or during times of change.
- Assistance with emergency boarding options
Our Impact
With 69% of Australians owning a pet, and more than 85% of Australian pet owners feeling having pets impacts their lives positively, the human-animal bond holds significant potential for positive social change.
Cherished Pets measures the social impact of its services to understand areas of strength, service delivery, and community impact. All our surveyed pet owners reported experiencing health and wellbeing benefits from their pets, reaffirming the profound value of supporting the human-animal bond.
$4M+
Total Social Value for our community
5080
Total people and pets supported
2125
Vet Social Work Services Provided
1947
Nights Pet Respite Care
Board of Directors
Philippa Bakes
Philippa has supported Cherished Pets as an advisor for more than a decade and was appointed Chair of the Board in 2024. She is an experienced non-executive director and runs her own business consultancy. She has advised a wide range of clients in the Geelong region, including not-for-profits and larger organisations including Avalon Airport, Barwon Water, and The Gordon TAFE.
Dr Alicia Kennedy
Alicia (Dr Lissi) is a trailblazing veterinarian and pioneer of veterinary social services in Australia. As founder of Cherished Pets Veterinary Clinic and Cherished Pets Foundation, she has redefined veterinary care by integrating veterinary social work to support vulnerable people with pets. Recognised with the 2024 AVA President’s Award, and a 2025 Churchill Fellowship, she champions the human-animal bond for lasting social change.
Simon Fieldhouse
Simon is a dynamic facilitator with 20 years experience in leadership, change, and culture, helping leaders shift perspectives and drive meaningful transformation. Founder of Mush Consulting, he is an accredited Adaptive Cultures, PROSCI, and PCI practitioner, holds an MBA, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Melanie Twomey
Melanie has been a Director of Cherished Pets Foundation since 2018, bringing her legal expertise and 14 years of experience on not-for-profit boards to drive meaningful impact. A University of Melbourne graduate (LLB Hons/BA Hons in Law and English) and former lawyer, she applies strategic thinking to governance and social impact.
Advisory Board
Sarah Waddle
Sarah is a purpose-driven leader with over 20 years in fundraising, philanthropy, and impact evaluation, helping organisations tackle Australia’s most pressing social challenges. A Curtin University graduate, founder of Align Agency, and Social Impact Hub Fellow, she specialises in mobilising communities, securing sustainable funding, and driving measurable impact to help purpose-driven organisations scale and create lasting change.
Jane Boag
Jane has been a trusted advisor to Cherished Pets for nearly a decade, shaping its governance and service model for lasting impact. With expertise in risk management, quality, and compliance, she leads Quality, Risk & Compliance at Safe Steps, chairs Wintringham’s Clinical Governance Committee, and supports organisations through her consultancy, What’s The Plan.
Dr Alicia Kennedy
Alicia (Dr Lissi) is a trailblazing veterinarian and pioneer of veterinary social services in Australia. As founder of Cherished Pets Veterinary Clinic and Cherished Pets Foundation, she has redefined veterinary care by integrating veterinary social work to support vulnerable people with pets. Recognised with the 2024 AVA President’s Award, and a 2025 Churchill Fellowship, she champions the human-animal bond for lasting social change.
Susan Hazel
Susan is a veterinarian and expert in animal behaviour, welfare, and ethics. She has worked in private practice, medical research, and public health before moving into veterinary education. Since 2006, she has taught at the University of Adelaide, developed the BSc (Animal Behaviour) program, and serves on the Dog & Cat Management Board of SA, RSPCA SA, and the SA Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and advises the University of Copenhagen’s Companion Animal Welfare Center.
Contact Us
Our small team receive a large volume of enquiries daily, so please have a look through our website for information, or send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Email: care@cherishedpetcare.com.au
(03) 5222 2804
