Horror conditions inside popular Pets Haven’s Bayswater North veterinary clinic

A Victorian animal shelter says it is “passionate about rescuing” neglected animals after harrowing images revealed pets in filthy cages crammed into its overcrowded clinic.

A prominent Victorian animal shelter raided seven times in the past two months has taken to Facebook to “provide some perspective” on photos of conditions inside its veterinary clinic.

Pets Haven, which operates an animal shelter in Woodend and a veterinary clinic in Bayswater North, is at the centre of an active animal cruelty investigation by the RSPCA.

It has been raided seven times in the past two months over fears many cats and dogs in its care were close to death.

Distressing photos and videos seen by the Herald Sun, some too graphic to publish, painted a harrowing picture of the conditions faced by dozens of helpless pets.

A soiled cage which housed an animal for days.

Kittens in a cage have no room to move.

A source close to the investigation said the veterinary clinic was equipped to care for 50 animals but was found by RSPCA inspectors with close to 200, its offices and corridors crammed with cages full of kittens and puppies.

The Herald Sun understands more than half of the animals were infected with deadly diseases which appeared to be going untreated, while some were found already lifeless.

With most of the cages stacked on top of each other, imprisoning animals for days on end, it was not uncommon for urine to drip down on pets on lower levels, the source revealed.

However, the statement described the photos, which had been leaked to the Herald Sun, as “depicting sick animals in temporary housing”.

“The Pets Haven team is passionate about rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming neglected and often abused animals,” the statement read.

“True to this mission, we don’t only rescue the easy or for the most part, healthy cases but we make it our mission to also provide some hope for the badly neglected and ill ones also.

“These animals are transported from remote rural areas in temporary housing and on arrival, they are being processed and allocated to suitable, veterinary clinic enclosures.

“During this process, our capable and dedicated team, takes great care in minimising the discomfort of the animals and promptly commence the rehabilitation process.”

Dogs crammed into tight cages.

A puppy is caged in a transport crate.

But the source on Tuesday told the Herald Sun the statement was being described as “bullshit” by those with knowledge of the conditions inside the veterinary clinic.

The source said animals were trapped in temporary housing and transport crates for weeks because the veterinary clinic was so overcrowded, there was “physically nowhere else to put them”.

“Yes, animals were processed after arrival (but) then put back into the same crates,” they said.

They added animals only became ill after spending time in the disease-ridden clinic, and never arrived sick.

Pets Haven customers have also taken to Facebook since Monday to describe their recent experiences with the organisation.

One woman revealed the puppy she was about to adopt before Christmas was “soaked in urine” when she met her for the first time.

“The smell of her was so bad we couldn’t even pick her up to cuddle her,” she said.

While shocked by the $2500 price tag, she added: “There was no way we were leaving her at the disgusting place”.

One kitten suffered from severe cat flu inside the Pets Haven veterinary clinic.

Sick dogs caged in a filthy enclosure at the Bayswater North clinic.

RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michael Stagg said his team was investigating possible animal cruelty offences, while two local councils are assessing whether the business has breached the rules for managing animals.

“RSPCA Victoria … is currently conducting a joint investigation with Maroondah City Council and Macedon Ranges Shire Council in relation to animal welfare at locations in Bayswater North and Woodend,” Mr Stagg said.

“Inspectors have attended a premises in Bayswater North on seven separate occasions since the beginning of February to ensure the welfare of all animals on site, and have taken in a number of animals to be rehomed during this time.

“Our inspectors continue to work collaboratively with a number of agencies to ensure the best welfare outcomes for any remaining animals involved.”

Offices inside the Pets Haven veterinary clinic were crammed with sick animals.

Pets Haven changed hands in October 2021, with the source telling the Herald Sun the new owners “saw every animal that walked through their doors as dollar signs”.

The business was charging up to $2500 to adopt one of their pets, while other rescue groups charge around $500.

Pets Haven spokesman Kobus Fourie said the organisation was committed to operating in “full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations”.

“The Maroondah City Council, along with the RSPCA, conducted multiple inspections and issued notices to comply, predominantly related to the suitability of the facilities for long-term housing,” Mr Fourie said.

“The management of Pets Haven took immediate corrective action in all instances.”

The animal shelter was forced to shut up shop in early March because it was unable to operate until a domestic animal business registration was granted by the local council.

Mr Fourie said an improvement plan was being implemented to meet the requirements for registration.

Pets Haven’s Woodend shelter, pictured in 2020 before the organisation changed hands. Picture: George Salpigtidis

A Macedon Ranges Shire Council spokeswoman confirmed it was in discussions with the new owners on future compliance requirements.

“Council’s aim is to assist the owners with becoming a fully compliant and well-run operation if the shelter was to reopen in Woodend,” she said.

Mr Fourie added the new owners aim to make a “positive contribution to the welfare of animals” and to “further develop the potential of this renowned organisation”.

The animal shelter boasts more than 1.1 million likes on its Facebook page, where it posts photos daily of the pets up for adoption.

The former owners, who had owned the business for more than a decade, said they were “saddened” to learn about the joint investigation.

“(We) are saddened by this news but are hopeful that these new concerns will be addressed in the appropriate forum by authorities,” they said.

However, this is not the first time the business has been investigated by authorities.

Pets Haven had its charity status revoked in 2018 for “abusing their position as a trusted charity in the community”.