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Welcome new members:
- Leigh with Bella
- Eleanor with Diesel and Chelsea
- Anna with Coby
- Diane and Simon with Ivy and Daisy
- Gwen and Colin with Bella
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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 for breed rescue groups. 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)
BEAGLE - CJ
Breed information for Beagle
CJ (in foreground: a 4 year old female Beagle) and Oscar (rear: a 5 year old male Beagle X) are desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped, and are looking for a loving home together, due to a change in their owner's circumstances.
CJ is a very laid back and affectionate girl, who can however be quite cheeky, whist Oscar is a quite a calm and loving boy. They love nothing better than spending their time playing together or with their favourite humans. Both CJ and Oscar are great with children, as well as other dogs and they've lived with cats.
CJ and Oscar are being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting these Beagles, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
BORDER COLLIE - STORM
Breed information for Border Collie
Storm is a 3 year old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped female Border Collie, who's looking for a loving home due to a change in her owner's circumstances.
She's a very friendly albeit lazy Border Collie, who’s quite happy to sleep the day away, (though being a Border Collie, daily exercise would be required). Storm is excellent with adults, children and cats but can be a bit "growly", though never aggressive, with other dogs. Having said that, she lives with two other dogs!
Storm is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Border Collie , please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
BORDER COLLIE - DUDAY
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Border Collie
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.
CURLY COATED RETRIEVER - RUX
Breed information for Curly Coated Retriever
Rux is a 10 year old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped male Curly Coated Retriever who's looking for a loving home, due to a change in his owner's circumstances.
He's a very healthy boy who loves his daily walks and playing with his toys. Rux would suit an experienced dog owner as he can be a bit "argy bargy" with male dogs, but he loves female dogs. In fact, he would enjoy having a female canine companion!
Rux is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Curly Coated Retriever, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER - ARCHIE
Breed information for German Shorthaired Pointer
Archie is a 10 year old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped male German Shorthaired Pointer who’s looking for a loving home due to a change in his owner’s circumstances.
He’s a very loyal, active and healthy boy who’s great with other dogs but dislikes cats. He’s also had some interaction with children, but would suit a home with older ones, given his size and playfulness. Archie enjoys an indoor/ outdoor lifestyle and is obviously toilet trained.
Archie is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this German Shorthaired Pointer, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
ITALIAN SPINONE - SOFIE
Breed information for Italian Spinone
Sofie is a 5 year old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped female Italian Spinone, who's looking for a loving home after being rescued from a pound.
She's a very sweet and affectionate girl, who loves going on her daily walks, but is very scent driven so would be best walked on lead, at least until the bond has been made with her new owner.Sofie would need an experienced dog owner, as she can be dominant towards other female dogs and would need further socialisation, (she's had basic obedience training). She's also very protective of food, so would need to be fed separately.
She would suit being either in a single dog home or with another male dog. Good fencing would be a necessity as she likes to wander. Despite this, she loves being indoors as well and is toilet trained.
Sofie is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Italian Spinone, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
LABRADOR RETRIEVER - SANDY
Breed information for Labrador Retriever (Lab)
S
andy is a 12 year old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped female Labrador who's looking for a loving home as her owner is moving into residential care.
She's a very sweet natured girl, who's fantastic with children, other dogs and cats. Sandy has just had a full check up at the vets and despite some slight arthritis, she's been given a clean bill of health. She's also toilet trained and loves spending time indoors.
Sandy is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Lab, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
LABRADOR RETRIEVERS - LUV AND KHUSH
Breed information for Labrador Retriever (Lab)
Due to being placed in an inappropriate home, Luv and Khush are being readvertised.
Luv and Khush are 5 year old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped male yellow Labradors who are looking for a loving home together, as they’re brothers and have never been apart. In fact, they love to cuddle together when sleeping.
They're very well behaved boys who love to please! They enjoy their daily walks and love being around people. Luv and Khush are great with dogs and all other animals, as well as children. They are used to an indoor/ outdoor lifestyle and sleep indoors.
Luv and Khush are being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting these Labs, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
LABRADOR RETRIEVER - SHADOW
Breed information for Labrador Retriever (Lab)
Shadow is a 12 month old, desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped male Labrador pup, who's looking for a loving home after being relinquished by his owners. He's now in foster care.
He's a bright and happy boy who loves ball games and treats! Shadow has had basic training, but is a smart boy, so will pick things up quickly. Shadow's great with other dogs and older children and is completely disinterested in cats.
Shadow is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Lab puppy, please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
JACK RUSSELL TERRIER - GEORGE
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Jack Russell Terrier
POMERANIAN - GOLDIE
Breed information for Pomeranian
Goldie is a 7 year old desexed and wormed female Pomeranian who's looking for a loving home, due to a change in her owner's circumstances. She's a very cheerful and affectionate girl who loves spending time with adults and older children. She's also great with other dogs, but is yet to meet a cat.
Goldie loves car rides and going for her daily walks. She has mild epilepsy, which is kept under control with affordable medication. A $70 fee applies which covers her vet work.
Goldie is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Pomeranian please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK - TEXAS
ADOPTED!
Breed information for Rhodesian Ridgeback
SHIH TZU - RHYS
Breed information for Shih Tzu
Rhys is a 9 year old desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped male Shih Tzu, who's looking for a loving home and is now in foster care.
He's a very affectionate boy who loves being the resident lap dog! He's also quite an active boy who enjoys his daily walks. Rhys is fine with dog savvy older children and has lives with other small dogs a few years ago, though he can be protective of his food! He's also very good with cats.
Rhys is being rehomed through The Animal Rehoming Service. For more information on adopting this Shih Tzu please contact Michaela on 0409 213 131.
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
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 rescue groups, including some of those listed here, 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
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Skye, VIC 3977
Mel Ref 128 J12
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