Membership Benefits
- Member Certificate
- Use of KCC Park
- Quarterly Newsletter
- Purina Gift Voucher
- CDC Keyring and Emergency notice
- CDC Bumper Sticker
- Canine Code of Ethics
- Access to VCA Library
NOW THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Companion Member of DOGS Victoria - application form (pdf) includes transfer of Limited Register dog
Companion Dog Club only - application form (pdf)
Welcome new members:
- Meca with Ridley
- Sarah and Rowan with Digger
- Cheryl with Bronte and Roxy
- Kate and Haydn with Tonka
- Paul with Obi
If you cannot open the PDFs on this page, please click here to download Adobe Reader for free.
Contact us:
03 9788 2509
THE ADOPTION DIRECTORY
Click here to jump to rescue groups for specific breeds.
These groups run rescue programs to re-home dogs that for one reason or another (see FAQ, right) have been surrendered by their owners.
Many are committed to a particular breed or type of dog and can help you choose the right dog for your age and stage of life. They will be honest and realistic in assessing the suitability of their rescued dogs for your lifestyle.
If you are interested in adopting a rescued dog, please contact the appropriate club below. If you're not sure what type of dog is best for you, fill out an Adoption Application and we'll help you with your search. You can also try using Select-A-Pet or the Animal Planet Dog Selector for an idea of breeds that may suit your lifestyle.
These groups work very hard to make sure their dogs go into a loving, permanent home so please be patient and understanding as it may take some time to determine if a particular dog is right for you. It will definitely be worth the wait!
There is a link to each breed's standard which contains information about the history and characteristics of the breed.
Please note this directory is intended as a source for contact information only. DOGS Victoria does not endorse any individual animal listed. You must contact the relevant person or group to meet the dog and arrange an adoption. All guarantees, endorsements, descriptions etc. are provided by the individual or group and not DOGS Victoria.
INDIVIDUAL DOGS FOR ADOPTION
Listed alphabetically by breed (click here for breed-specific rescue groups)
AUSTRALIAN KELPIE - JADE
Breed information for Australian Kelpie
Jade is a 3 year old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped female Kelpie who's looking for a loving home, as her
owners can't devote enough time to her.
She's a very friendly, energetic and loving girl who gets on very well with adults, children (supervised of course) and other dogs, but is yet to meet a cat. She's great at off leash parks and in fact, needs a home where she was exercised daily. She enjoys an indoor/ outdoor lifestyle and would enjoy being in a multiple dog home.
Jade is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Kelpie, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 13.
BEAGLE - CJ & FRIEND
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Beagle
BEAGLE - LOLA
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Beagle
BRITTANY - COCO
Breed information for Brittany
At 10 1/2 years, Coco maybe an older dog, but has the enthusiasm of a teenager. Life to him is full of fun and being happy.
Whilst he has had some obedience training perhaps over the years he may have forgotten some of the rules. A firm voice will keep him in check.
He is a fun dog that smiles at you with a cheeky grin. Coco is a great dog who would love to have a daily walk and a good cuddle.
For more information on Coco please take a look at his profile on the Victorian Dog Rescue website. No dog will be rehomed Victorian Dog Rescue without being desexed, microchipped and vaccinated.
BULLMASTIFF - CLARENCE
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Bullmastiff
COCKER SPANIEL - OSCAR
Breed information for Cocker Spaniel
Oscar (right) is a five-year-old male Cocker Spaniel who is looking for a loving home (preferably with his little friend, Hermi), either together or apart, due to a change in their owner's circumstances. Both are desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped.
Oscar and Hermi are both very playful boys who enjoy each other's and other dog's company. Oscar is a very quiet boy, whilst Hermi prefers to be the centre of attention. Both love playing with toys / balls, as well as going for their daily walks. Both Oscar and Hermi are great with children and enjoy an indoor/ outdoor lifestyle, sleeping indoors.
Oscar is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Cocker Spaniel, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
COCKER SPANIEL - MOLLY
Breed information for Cocker Spaniel
Molly is a 4 year old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped female Cocker Spaniel, who's looking for a loving home
due to a change in her owner's circumstances.
Molly is an intelligent, well trained and affectionate girl who likes to be around people. She loves her daily walks and playing fetch. She likes to be the top dog in the canine pack, but is great with other dogs both in and out of the home. Molly would suit a home with older, dog savvy children, if any.
Molly is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Cocker Spaniel, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
COLLIE (ROUGH) - RUSTY
Breed information for Collie (Rough)
Rusty is an old boy that would like to spend his days just lazing around your house. He is 10 years old and had a pretty rough life in the past before being adopted by his current owners two years ago. He has proven that this hasn't affected his good natured temperament at all by being a wonderful family pet to six adorable children.
His owners don't think it is fair that they go travelling and keep him couped up in their bus for months, so they have asked Collie Rescue to get help to look for a wonderful new home for Rusty to go to instead. He is great with cats and birds, is an inside dog and has had some basic obedience. Because of his age, he would be best suited to a home where someone is home all day.
If you are interested in adopting Rusty or being put on the waiting list for future rescue Collies, please fill out the Vic Collie Rescue Questionnaire and return it to the group for consideration. Contact details are available on their website at victoriancollierescue.com.
GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER - ARCHIE
ADOPTED!
Breed information for German Shorthaired Pointer
GREYHOUND - EBONY
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Greyhound
JACK RUSSELL TERRIER - SWAMPY
Breed information for Jack Russell Terrier
Swampy is an 18-month-old male wire coated Jack Russell Terrier. This young man is a delight to be around and he will charm you with his loving nature.
He is still quite young so will need someone who is willing to keep up his training and in return you will have a best friend for life. He will need to be homed in a home with good fences to keep him safe and well and a nice warm bed to sleep in at night. Swampy's vet work is all up to date so please contact South Gippsland Animal Aid if you require any further information.
For more information on adopting this Jack Russell Terrier , please contact South Gippsland Animal Aid.
LABRADOR RETRIEVER - JORDAN
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Labrador Retriever (Lab)
LABRADOR RETRIEVER - CASPER
Breed information for Labrador Retriever (Lab)
Casper is a 15 month old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped male Labrador, who's looking for a loving home, as
his owner's don't have the time to look after him.
Typical of the breed, he's a very friendly and extremely playful boy. He would require an experienced, patient and caring owner who can provide Casper with gentle training and socialisation, (he's not aggressive, but has not had much exposure to other dogs.)
He's used to living with a cat and is fine with children, though he would need to be supervised as he's a big, exuberant boy. Older, dog savvy children would suit. Casper loves being around people and would suit a home where he was allowed to be an integral part of their daily goings on, enjoying an indoor/ outdoor lifestyle and sleeping indoors.
Casper is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Labrador Retriever, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
ROTTWEILER - RUBY
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Rottweiler
SIBERIAN HUSKY - ZEBEDEE
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Siberian Husky
STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER - REX
Breed information for Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy)
Rex is a one-year-old male Staffy. He was surrendered to AAPS because his owner could no longer give him time.
He is a friendly, enthusiastic young boy who will excel with further training, plenty of exercise and positive interaction.
Rex likes to play with other dogs. He would suit an active, very loving adult home or a home with teens.
A $170 adoption fee applies, which covers desexing, microchipping, vaccination, collar and tag and health checkup two weeks after adoption. For more information please visit the AAPS website or phone 9798 8415
STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER - KENNY
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy)
Find more individual purebred dogs in Victoria available for adoption on the dogzonline rescue page.
Don't see the breed you are looking for?
Click here to see rescue groups for specific breeds.
If you are interested in adding your club's rescue contact to our directory, please fill out the Rescue Questionnaire and email or post it back to us at the address below.
Rescue FAQ
Q: Why would I want to rescue a dog instead of buying one?
A: People rescue dogs for different reasons.
Some people don't want or don't have time for a puppy. An adult rescue dog is likely to be house trained and may have even undertaken a bit of obedience training. Most will have grown out of the cute-but-annoying puppy phase. And most will already be de-sexed and microchipped.
Some people like the idea of rescuing an abandoned or surrendered dog instead of purchasing a puppy because these adult dogs need loving homes, too.
Q: How come these dogs are being abandoned? Is there something wrong with them?
A: Dogs are given up for a variety of reasons such as:
- Owners are moving overseas or somewhere they can't have a dog
- Owners are sick or elderly and can no longer care for their dog properly
- Changes in life situation such as having a baby may be too overwhelming to give a dog proper care and attention
- The wrong type of dog was selected and doesn't fit the owner's lifestyle
- Someone in the household is allergic to the dog
These dogs have generally been fostered by a caring person who will make sure they are suitable pets before re-homing them.
Sometimes the characteristics that make a dog unsuitable for one person might be perfect for another.
The energetic dog that drives a suburban mum insane may excel at Agility training. The short-legged or elderly dog that can't keep up with an avid jogger may suit an elderly household.
In one particular case a dog deemed unsuitable to re-home was successfully trained for Termite Detection. She would never have made much of a house dog, but loves her new professional life. (See Pippa's story under the Beagle Rescue).
Q: Why should I consider rescuing a purebred dog?
A:Purebred dogs are predictable. You know generally what temperament to expect from them, how much energy they will have and how much grooming they will require.
You can find the perfect breed to suit your age and stage of life, for example if you have very young children or other pets you have a good idea if the dog will be able to get along with them.
Even the new American President, Barack Obama has chosen a purebred dog for his family - visit www.presidentialpup.com.
Q: What about a cross breed?
Cross breed dogs can make great pets, but it is important to remember they are not predictable in the same way purebreds are, making it more difficult to choose the right one.
Rescue groups who re-home cross breed dogs may have an idea of an individual adult dog's energy levels and grooming requirements, but if it is still a puppy probably cannot know its adult size, coat type and other characteristics that are known in purebred puppies.
Q: How do I know if this is the right dog for me?
A: Purebreds are more predictable, but every individual dog has its own personality.
The dogs' foster carer (or previous owner) will have paid special attention to the needs, likes and dislikes of each individual dog.
Every effort is made to make sure the dog and home are suitable for one another.
Make sure you ask questions about the amount of space, exercise, food and grooming the dog requires. Make sure you have the time and money to properly care for it before agreeing to the adoption.
Each organisation has a slightly different program, but no matter what type of dog they have, most of them let you take the dog for a few days or a few weeks on trial to make sure that you are right for the dog and it is right for you.
Whether you choose to adopt a purebred or a crossbred dog, the most important thing is to make sure it is the right dog for you and your family can provide the best home for it.
If you have a question not answered here, please feel free to contact us.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ADOPTING DOGS
You might also want to read:
-
Choosing the Right Dog
(DOGS Victoria articles) -
Why Adopt? (external site)
There is additional information about adopting adult and older dogs on the Breed Rescue Directory.
Not ready to adopt?
Have you considered fostering a dog or dogs for a rescue group? Foster care is a great way to welcome a dog into your home on a short-term basis.
It helps the dog by getting it out of a shelter and giving it more time to find a home and it helps the rescue group as they can better match the dog to its new home once you get to know its personality.
Of course, there are the occasional 'foster failures' where the fostering family ends up adopting a dog. But after spending time with a dog in your home at least you know that it is 'the one.'
Fostering options available:
Drought Dog Program (through VDR)
Lort Smith Animal Hospital has a fostering program for dogs and cats. Please contact them directly for details.
Most breed rescue groups have their own fostering program. Please contact the group directly for details.
The following websites support the Companion Dog Club Adoption Directory and many of the rescue groups listed with us:
Oz Doggy - Supporting Pet Rescue in Australia
Find your new best friend on Pet Rescue
(This is site supports animal shelters in the US. To my knowledge there is no equivalent in Australia but if you know of one please let me know and I'll be more than happy to put it up)
The Companion Dog Club is an iniative of
and sponsored by
KCC Park
655 Westernport Hwy (Dandenong-Hastings Rd)
Skye, VIC 3977
Mel Ref 128 J12
Click for Map and directions
Join us on facebook!
