Dogs Across Australia’s new map-based search is finally here. If you are hoping to find a lost pet, try using our Interactive pound finder to locate your nearest Dog Pound.
The Adopt-a-Dog photo gallery shows rescue shelter dogs seeking adoption.
Adopting a pound dog means saving a life.
In most pounds, unclaimed dogs can be killed after 14 days if micro-chipped or 7 days if not identified. See Micro-chipping.
Surrendered dogs can be killed at any time as councils are not obliged to find new homes for surrendered dogs. However, some pounds are keen to help and make surrenders available for immediate adoption or release them to rescue shelters.
Before you adopt a pound dog, take the time to select the right companion so you’ll both be happy.
Things to consider when adopting a pound dog
Lifestyle
How long do you work each day? If you are at work all week, ensure your dog is not lonely. Adopting another dog or a cat might be an option.
Take your dog for an early morning walk or employ a dog walker. An exercised dog is a more relaxed dog.
Consider sending him or her to Doggie Day Care—even a couple of days a week should make a difference.
Do you have a relative or close friend who will ‘dog sit’ at their place? See Separation Anxiety.
Include your dog in weekend activities. If you work all week and party all weekend, there is no quality of life for your dog.
Dogs are great companions and many love outings to the beach or the park. Involve them in your life. If dogs are welcome, take them to see your friends. Many bed & breakfasts and caravan parks now accept dogs. Take them with you on your weekend away. See Travel with Dogs.
Are you active and enjoy walking?
Adopt a pound dog to fit your leisure activities. If you’re a bush walker, there are many medium/large pound dogs who’d just love to be your new walking companion.
Kelpies, Border Collies, Jack Russell Terriers and Whippets are particularly active.
If you prefer a stroll on the beach rather than a cardio work out, Mini Foxies and other small Terrier types are a good choice.
Prefer just a saunter down to the park? A Maltese, Shih Tzu or even a Chihuahua might suit.
Just remember, all dogs like and need to walk, both for their physical health and to satisfy emotional needs. In catering to their needs, you may also achieve the health befits regular exercise provides.
If you would like to find out more about teaching your dog to walk properly on a lead, see Dog Training.
Do you travel often?
If you are away on business more often than not or work very long hours, perhaps a dog is not for you. Dogs need the company of people and/or other animals; loneliness is as disturbing for them as it is for people.
On the other hand, leisure travel with dogs is fairly well catered for in Australia, and a number of dog friendly bed & breakfasts accept dogs. Caravanning in Australia is possible as many council-run caravan parks and some private ones also allowing dogs. See Travel with Dogs
What are your plans for the future?
Will it include dogs? If you are planning a year-long overseas trip or a move to a new rental property, wait until you are settled. Leaving a dog for a long period, unless with a trusted friend or family member, is a gamble. It’s possible that the people you select to care for your dog may not be as responsible as you might hope.
Only a few rental properties allow dogs. Just because your present rental permits dogs, doesn’t mean you’ll find a new dog-friendly place as easily. Although more damage is done to rentals by people than dogs, just a few irresponsible pet owners have made it difficult for others. See Pet Friendly Rentals.
Costs of pet ownership
Can you afford proper food, bedding and vet bills?
Veterinary fees include:
• Vaccinating
• Desexing
• General health issues
• Puppy or geriatric care
• Accident & emergency veterinary care
You might want to consider pet insurance. Although your new pound dog may seem healthy, there are good reasons to take out pet insurance. Accidents happen—even to the most vigilant pet owners and a sudden, expensive veterinary bill can eat into the family budget.
Did you know that dental disease occurs in 80% of dogs? Regular check-ups at the vet should also be factored in as an on-going cost.
Aging dogs are prone to heart disease, arthritis and other complains. Modern medication can help control some of these diseases in the short term, but taking out pet insurance early in the dog’s life can help alleviate costs. Pet insurance policies vary greatly, take care in selecting the one suited to your needs and read the fine print.
There are things you need to provide for a new dog. Basic items are:
• bedding—a new dog bed to start with and a replacement when it wears out, and warm blankets
• dog coats during winter that need washing and replacing
• dog collar and lead.
On-going costs are:
• daily feeding using good quality dog food
• preventative treatment or fleas, ticks, worms and heartworm
• consumables such as shampoo, dog toys & treats
• preventative over-the-counter medication:
– tick & flea control in dogs
– heartworm prevention and treatment in dogs (worms cause unnecessary and debilitating health problems)
• education and minding:
– dog training classes or puppy pre-school
– dog boarding, dog minding or dog walking service.
Questions about adopting a pound dog
Below are the answers to some questions you might have about adopting a pound dog.
Which pound dog should I adopt?
Dogs of all shapes and sizes are available from the pounds. Many are cross breeds.
Why are there so many dogs in the pounds?
As dogs have few rights, they cannot control who buys them in the first place. Good dog owners will try and reclaim their dog as soon as possible.
Many of the pound dogs are simply unclaimed dogs.
Is there anything wrong with these dogs?
For most part, the dogs are just unwanted. Many are perfectly well mannered, happy, highly suitable dogs and given that pound adoption fees are quite reasonable, you may end up with a delightful companion for less than you might expect to pay elsewhere.
Do any of these dogs have ‘issues’?
Some are traumatised by their experience in the pound, but after a few weeks of loving care this problem seems to fade.
Others have been abused and traumatised by people or other animals. If you really love dogs, these are the ones you might like to help. But they do need dedicated adoptees.
There are always a few three-legged dogs or those with other physical disabilities. Many people are willing to offer homes to dogs with impediments.
Aggressive dogs are unlikely to be released from the pounds, but it’s up to you to determine if the dog is suitable for you.
Which type of dog is suitable for different situations?
For apartment living, select from the Chihuahua, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Pomeranian, Pug, Yorkshire Terrier, Poodle and some of the other toy or small cross breeds.
For small yards, choose from the above as well as Mini Foxies, Silky Terriers, Bichon Frise, Terriers and other small mixed breeds.
For rural living choose active breeds like the Border Collie, Kelpie, Australian cattle dog; most medium and large dogs will probably appreciate room to run.
The following breeds have high energy levels: Kelpies, Cattle dogs, Jack Russell Terriers, Miniature Pinschers and some of the mixed breeds.
Dogs suited to retired or older people include many of the smaller breeds. Maltese and other fluffies do, however, need regular grooming. Senior dogs also make good companions for senior people as they are less demanding of time and training.
Dogs suited to young families include the Labrador and Golden Retriever while older families may prefer smaller, active Terrier-types. Toy dogs such as Chihuahuas are not suitable for young children.
Your lifestyle, the size of your yard and personal preference will determine the type of dog you select. Keep in mind that temperament is most important when selecting a dog for small children. Dogs and toddlers should never be left alone together.
There are dogs that love to walk. While all dogs from the Chihuahua to the Greyhound need some form of exercise, small, short-legged dogs are suited to older people while action walkers could do well with Kelpies, Whippets, Jack Russells or Foxies.
Most dogs enjoy travel & caravanning, although some simply do not like travelling. The most common travelling companions seen in caravan parks are Terriers such as the Mini Foxie and other small cross breeds.
Commitment
Do you really want a dog? Pound dogs do need homes, but do you really want a dog? The difference between wanting to save a pound dog and wanting a dog as a long-term companion is very different. Answer the following questions honestly before committing yourself.
Will a dog suit your present lifestyle?
If you are a student or just starting off in life, where will the dog live when you soon leave home? It’s very difficult to find rental accommodation that will accept dogs—and almost impossible if you plan to use share accommodation.
Are you planning a world trip?
Where will the dog spend his/her time while you travel for a year? Can you afford boarding fees for that period of time; do your friends or family really want to look after a dog for that long?
Will a promotion bring interstate travel or long hours at work?
Dogs become very lonely and bored when left for long periods on their own, even with another animal for company.
Are you a senior person with a well-meaning family who want you to have a dog for company?
What if you find managing on your own difficult enough? Nursing homes do not permit dogs and many are dumped in the pound by family members once the animal has out lasted his/her function as Grannie’s friend.
When love dies, will your pet?
Many people ‘fall in love’ with cute pound dogs, but lack the commitment to continue the relationship. The dog you once showed off to your friends, dressed in new clothes and took on daily walks is now left to his or her own devices.
Even proper feeding and watering can become a challenge. Bedraggled, neglected and even abused; under the current system, the council will collect your run-away dog or accept it as surrendered and arrange its killing for you, using other people’s rate money.
There is an answer if you want a dog, but think you may lack the commitment to go the long haul: fostering or sponsorship.
If you genuinely love dogs but know that you cannot keep one permanently, the opportunity exists for you apply as a foster carer for one of the rescue shelters. Fostering means that you get to enjoy not just one, but many dogs and have the satisfaction of saving them from death row and rehoming them.
Not all dog lovers have the time to foster. But, you can still have the satisfaction of doing something towards helping a dog find a new home. Your money could be used to pay for vaccinating, desexing, feeding and housing a needy dog. Many of the rescue shelters publically acknowledge sponsors.
When not to adopt a dog
If you don’t have the time or inclination to commit to a pet, don’t adopt. Dogs live for between 7 and 14 years and need your time and attention for all that time.
Dogs Across Australia provides the information contained in this site as a service to the community. We cannot guarantee the age, health, purebred status or temperament of any dogs listed.
Dogs Across Australia accepts no responsibility for matters arising from the use of the information provided on this website. See Legal Disclaimer
About Toby
Recent Comments