As of March 31, 2025, the NDIS supports 717,001 people with a disability in Australia, according to the NDIS. There are around 4 million people who live with a disability of some kind in Australia. Two thirds of households own a pet of some kind. There are approximately 33 million pets in Australia.
Assuming pet ownership rates among NDIS participants are roughly similar to the general population (69%) of almost 28 million people, then: 717,001×0.69= approximately 494,730 NDIS Participants own pets.
Only 23% of Participants have paid employment according to the NDIS. However, Participants on the Disability Support Pension might receive $1,002 dollars per fortnight. Their rent might be $500 per week. This means they have no money left over from the DSP to be able to afford to care for a pet.
If a Participant is hired for a job, but makes over $204 per week, Centrelink deducts 50% of every extra dollar. So if a NDIS Participant needs hospital treatment, they have no financial capacity to privately pay for pet boarding – even though its their legal duty of care.
The Solution isn’t to prevent Participants having pets. Multiple studies and research have proven that Pets -coupled with support, can achieve powerful outcomes for Participants such as increased confidence and independence, social participation and inclusion, and can also lead economic participation.
So What is the Solution?
When preparing for NDIS Plan Reviews, Health Professionals, Local Area Coordinators, and Support Workers diligently assess needs around housing, therapy, assistive technology, transport, and informal supports. However, Pet Boarding needs to be factored in as an Ancillary to a major NDIS funded support.
Oversights can result in unnecessary trauma, service disruption, and even NDIS participant disengagement. For many Australians living with disability, pets aren’t just companions — they are a lifeline and for some Participants – their only family. When life circumstances abruptly change — whether due to a hospital admission, change of housing, respite stay, or crisis intervention — knowing their pet is safe can significantly ease a participant’s mental load.
Is it Allowable under the NDIS?
Yes under certain circumstances – In the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Rules, (Part 5, Section 5.2 (b) General criteria for supports include: “Costs that are ancillary to another support that is funded or provided under the participant’s plan.” It does require LAC pre-approval.
There is not always free community pet support available, and Participants don’t always have family or friends they can rely on.
Scenarios where Pet Boarding must be included as an Ancillary Support
- Hospital and Mental Health Admissions and Discharges
Pets can’t accompany participants into care facilities. PetCloud ensures they are looked after with compassion and at low cost. - Transitional Housing or Crisis Accommodation
When housing is disrupted, temporary boarding keeps pets safe and reduces stress during transitions. - Respite or STA (Short-Term Accommodation)
Many respite services are unable to cater to pets. Including boarding support allows participants to access respite without compromising pet safety. - Domestic & Family Violence Situations
Emergency boarding can be a key support that enables a participant to leave a harmful environment safely.
Avoid Stress by factoring in Pets
All Pet Owners have a legal duty of care, including Participants. Pets provide emotional regulation, social connection, routine, safety, and therapeutic comfort for many participants. In fact, many mental health treatment plans now formally recognise their pet as part of a person’s psychosocial environment and emotional support. Yet, when a Participant must suddenly relocate or is admitted for urgent psychiatric care, the question is often asked too late:
“What will happen to my pet?”
This uncertainty can lead to:
- Delayed hospital admissions or therapy engagement
- Unsafe informal care arrangements for pets
- Emotional distress and behavioural escalation
- Unplanned animal surrenders or euthanasia
These outcomes are avoidable. Including Ancillary Pet Boarding in NDIS planning — particularly under Core Supports (Assistance with Daily Life) — ensures smoother transitions and helps maintain participant wellbeing during vulnerable periods.
What Emergency Departments, GPs, Community Mental Health Teams, NDIA Health Liaison Officers, NDIA Hospital Discharge teams, Support Coordinators, and LACs should do
At the next Psychiatric Admission or Plan Review or RFS (Request for Service), ask:
- Does this person have any dependents, including pets, at home?
- What is the contingency if the participant experiences an unplanned event or health decline?
- Is Pet Boarding included as a Core Support (Assistance with Daily Life) as an Ancillary?
Then, take steps to:
- Add Ancillary Pet Boarding to the Plan notes
- Ensure date flexibility for crisis-related support arrangements
- Engage PetCloud ahead of time request for a 2 week Quote and Provider Service Agreement that allows for flexibility, request the Participant have a Meet & Greet with the Support Worker so that they can establish a relationship ahead of time.
- Ensure sufficient budget has been allocated.
PetCloud: A Trusted, Australia-Wide Emergency Pet Boarding Network
As Australia’s trusted Pet Management platform with national support coverage, PetCloud offers reputable, police-checked carers in every major city and regional hub. From Brisbane to Ballarat, Adelaide to Albury — PetCloud ensures pets are safe, nurtured, and professionally cared for.
Here’s why PetCloud is ideal for NDIS-funded ancillary and ongoing supports for NDIS Pet Owners:
Reputable
PetCloud has operated for nearly a decade in collaboration with major Australian animal welfare bodies. Carers undergo police checks and are offered training for peace of mind.
Reasonable & Value for Money
Boarding takes place in private residential homes of Support Workers so costs are competitively priced and may eligible to be claimed under NDIS Core Supports if the support relates to a participant’s disability (e.g., during respite, therapy, or supported accommodation transitions).
Responsive & Reliable
PetCloud’s network includes thousands of trained carers ready to respond to urgent needs, including same-day bookings when available. This rapid responsiveness makes it ideal for hospital admissions, unplanned travel, or emergency respite.
Seamless for Support Workers
LACs, Support Coordinators, and plan managers can easily assist in securing care through PetCloud’s website or by requesting a call back. The service fits neatly into existing NDIS frameworks.
A Small Addition With a Big Impact
Ancillary Pet Boarding and Planning is not a luxury — it is a small, cost-effective support that protects participant wellbeing, prevents unnecessary stress, and preserves the human-animal bond that is often crucial to daily functioning.
By proactively including it during NDIS Plan Reviews, practitioners and support coordinators can close a common service gap and ensure no participant has to choose between their health and their beloved pet. Explore ongoing care or discuss contingency plans today with PetCloud at https://www.petcloud.com.au/ndis-support
