Looking for a new family animal and want to be making a positive difference at the same time? Well here are a series of animal welfare shelters where you can find the ideal pet.

If you're like me and you already have a beloved pet from one of the shelters but you want to support the work of these places you can always donate and shop online with them too.

Nationally

The RSPCA makes a daily difference to the lives of thousands of animals of all kinds from dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, ducks - just about any creature you can think of! Click here to find the local RSPCA office to you.

Wires saves and rehabilitates thousands of injured native animals every year. Learn more about this great organisation.

New South Wales

The Cat Protection Society at Enmore in Sydney has beautiful cats of all ages from kittens to adults and types, including various fancy breeds. People bring their cats to the Society for all sorts of reasons, including moving overseas.

Doggies Rescue is a great place to get the best friend dog you've always wanted with a range of breeds and ages to suit anyone. Doggies Rescue are a registered NO-Kill animal rescue charity but receive no government funding. Doggies Rescue are committed to rescuing neglected, abused and abandoned dogs from the death rows of Sydney pounds and finding them loving homes so come and be part of it.

Paws 'n' Hooves needs foster families to help them care for the animals while they find new homes. You can, of course, adopt too or even sponsor a animal while they are at the shelter to help with the costs of care.

Hunter Animal Rescue rehomes animals around Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast.

Tasmania

Animal Rescue in Deloraine is a small community organisation making a difference. Click here to email Jenny for more details.

Tasmanian Collie & Shetland Sheepdog Club rehomes these beautiful dogs too!

RSPCA Tasmania - has a series of shelters across the state.

South Australia

Animal Welfare League of South Australia cares for thousands of adorable animals each year needing a good home. Come and see who is looking for a new home this week.

Whyalla Vets have a pet adoption service too - just click on the link in the left navigation bar.

Western Australia

Pet Rescue has a series of great events scheduled for the year to raise money for their work. So get involved, check out their adorable pets and be part of it all!

Saving Animals From Euthanasia was launched in Karratha in February 2003 as a not for profit organization which has now grown into a successful multi faceted animal welfare organization with regional entities in Karratha, Broome, Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Bunbury and Perth.

Northern Territory

The RSPCA in Alice Springs always does a great job locally. So get along to pick your next pet here!

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Rescue and Foster is a great place in Canberra to find your next animal companion and to get involved!

Companion Animal Rescue helps save the lives of many adorable dogs and cats in Canberra.

Queensland

Bestfriends Rescue is a nonprofit registered charity that saves and rehomes abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats in Brisbane on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas in Queensland Australia. Most of the animals are saved from death row in Council Pounds while others have been surrendered. Bestfriends Rescue are 100% No-Kill and as they do not yet have a shelter for the animals they live with foster carers until the perfect home is found.

Paws and Claws are in north Queensland and are building a new animal welfare shelter so even if your in another part of the country your donation would make a real difference!

Peninsula Animal Aid Association rescues and rehomes dogs and cats in Redcliffe north of Brisbane.

Victoria

Victorian Animal Aid - has a great calendar of events, online shopping, animal adoption and more!

Halfway Home Animal Rescue is a registered charitable organisation and an all-breed dog and cat rescue which is staffed by volunteers and entirely funded by public donations that go straight into helping the animals. Halfway Home rely upon a network of volunteer foster homes that care for the rescue animals while a forever home is being found. All animals are vaccinated, desexed, micro-chipped, heart worm tested and groomed before being rehomed.

Maremma Rescue Victoria - need a working dog, live on acreage? Here you'll find the perfect dog for you and your family.

Bendigo Animal Welfare and Community Services - formerly Bendigo Animal Shelter, was founded in 2003 and is a registered charity that offers Bendigo and surrounding communities the opportunity to experience a different approach to animal and people welfare issues by combining the two.

Particular Dog Breeds

Irish Setter Rescue South Australia - click here to email Peter for more details.

Greyhound Adoption Program Queensland - click here to email Kristy for more details.

40 Hounds Greyhound Association - for NSW and VIC Greyhounds looking for good homes.

Australian Cattle Dog Rescue - loyal and loving friends needing good homes.

Poodle Rescue - click here to email Natalie for more details.

Beagle Club of NSW - adorable older dogs needing good homes.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels seeking good homes.

Looking for more breeds around the country? Check out this list of Rescue Organisations.

I'll admit to being particularly in favour of adopting animals from shelters as all my cats have come from them and have been particularly delightful creatures to live with. I do go ohh-ahh over the cute kittens in the local pet shops but I know I'll always be getting mine from the local shelter. I adopt adult cats as I can learn about their nature before selecting one and the shelters find it harder to place adult animals and I've always had success.

So next time you're after a new member for the family check out the local animal shelter online and see who they have up for adoption.