Vital Funding Required

Melbourne City Mission's Mates for Inmates pilot program is currently taking place in a women's prison in Victoria. This pilot program is based on the Pups in Prison model. Similar programs have been running in Australia and overseas since 1986 with a 92% non-reoffend (recidivism) rate for candidates who have participated. Melbourne City Mission is seeking donations to raise enough money to continue running this program after the pilot ends. This is a Melbourne City Mission initiative and Animal Aid is providing the dog training during the program.

Training, re-housing and life skills
The program aims to match dogs in need of training and re-housing with specially screened and selected candidates. The candidates will be taught dog handling skills and learn to care for and groom the animals. At the end of their course, the candidates will come away with new skills, which they can continue to use and develop after they exit prison. They will also be given the opportunity to complete a certificate in dog handling, which will help them gain a pathway into employment.

Increasing adoptability for dogs
and rehabilitating women
Not only does the program aim to rehabilitate these homeless dogs and increase their adoptability by providing them with training and love, it also rehabilitates the women by giving them responsibility, a sense of purpose and providing them with future opportunity for employment.

Creating a positive change
Prison management believe these types of programs improve the overall atmosphere at the prison, creating a more positive environment, improving interpersonal relationships, and providing the women with job training, allowing for smoother re-entry into society.

You can make a difference

Help support Melbourne City Mission's Mates for
Inmates program, Save a dog and Change a life.



Melbourne City Mission

Every day, Melbourne City Mission works with some of Melbourne and Victoria's most vulnerable individuals, families and communities. Every week, they help thousands of people escape and avoid disadvantage, economic exclusion and
social isolation.

Melbourne City Mssion is a recognised leader in the facilitation of prison programs. These programs teach participants skills that will enable them to become a productive and engaged part of the community when they leave prison.

Melbourne City Mission is now seeking fundraising support to continue this important work.