Every year, over 25,000 canine companions are euthanised in Australia.
These dog rescues in Brisbane help prevent the needless deaths by rescuing and rehoming abandoned and unwanted dogs.
You can also help by opening up your home to a new fur baby.
If you and your family are interested in a Labrador, visit Happy Furever After that specializes in rehoming Brisbane’s most popular dog breed.
As a responsible dog parent, remember to register your newly adopted dog with the local council in Brisbane.
Registration must be done within 2 weeks of adoption and renewed after every 5 years.
Keep in mind that some of the animals at these rescue facilities have never been part of a loving family.
Remember to be patient as you help your rescue dog settle into their new home and enjoy the sunny Brissy days with your new pooch.
1.) Animal Welfare League of QLD (Brisbane)
AWQL was started in 1959 by a group of dog lovers.
Originally called the Animal Lovers League of the Gold Coast, this organization provides care for over 10,000 animals annually.
This dog rescue in Brisbane also prevents the needless killing of over 200,000 companion pets in Australia each year.
The Animal Welfare League is focused on providing safe and caring forever homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs through innovative adoption and rehoming strategies.
The facility also advocates for animal welfare by providing professional veterinary care for all companion animals whose parents cannot afford these services.
AWQL is founded on integrity and has a no-kill policy for healthy and treatable dogs.
As a registered charity, AWQL depends on well-wishers and donations from the community to facilitate its rescue and rehoming activities.
To adopt a pooch from this facility, you will be required to visit the facility with your identification, and family.
If you have any dogs, you can also bring them along to meet your new canine companion.
Adoption fees start from $660.
The facility allows a 21-day settling duration during which you can bring your pet back and receive a refund.
The facility charges a non-refundable $50 for the administration fee.
All dogs are desexed, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for worms and fleas before adoption.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Shelter Road, Coombabah QLD 4216
- Phone: 07 5509 9000
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: awlqld.com.au
2.) Animals In Need Brisbane Inc. (Queensland)
Animals In Need Brisbane Inc is a foster-based rescue that cares for abandoned and unwanted dogs.
The dog-lovers at this facility work closely with local vets to rescue and provide care for dogs from various pounds and shelters in Queensland.
The passionate team at Animals in Need Brisbane is committed to providing quality healthcare to all pets that come into their care.
With the help of local vets, this dog rescue centre in Brisbane helps all its rescues through like-minded foster families.
All rescues at Animals in Need receive medical care and behavioural rehabilitation to help them as they transition to their new families.
All dogs are vaccinated, microchipped, desexed, and treated for fleas and worms before adoption.
To adopt a pooch from this dog rescue, visit the ‘Adopt a Pet’ page to meet all the pets waiting to choose their new families.
Each dog has an application page on its profile which is evaluated within 48 hours of submission.
Animals In Need Brisbane, Inc. keeps records of all adoptions to ensure that any of their rescues can be brought back to the facility if their new parents are unable to care for them for any reason.
Adoption Details
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: animals-in-need-brisbane.com.au
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
3.) RSPCA Brisbane (Wacol)
The RSPCA Brisbane located in Wacol is recognised as one of the most significant animal rescue and welfare organisations in the southern hemisphere.
This animal care campus features a 24/7 animal hospital, pet store, and an RSPCA Op Shop.
RSPCA Brisbane animal rescue center rescues and supports up to 44,000 animals including dogs of all breeds and sizes annually.
The facility also features a cafe that serves humane food to all visitors.
To adopt a dog from RSPCA Brisbane, visit the adoption page to see all the available adoptables and fill out an application form.
All dogs are vaccinated, desexed, microchipped, and treated for medical and behavioural issues before getting listed for adoption.
Adoption fees start at $200.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 139 Wacol Station Road, Wacol QLD 4076
- Phone: 07 3426 9999
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: rspcaqld.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
4.) Lucky Paws Dog Rescue (South East Queensland)
This not-for-profit dog rescue in South East Queensland serves the dogs and dog lovers of Brisbane and Hervey.
The facility was started in 2017 by a small group of volunteers to promote dog welfare and responsible pet parenting.
Lucky Paws specialises in rescuing and rehoming animals in remote indigenous communities.
The facility also operates Last Litter programs, rescues working dogs and retired working dogs, and accepts large scale surrenders as part of their animal welfare activities.
All rescues at Lucky Paws are placed in loving foster homes where they receive medical care and behavioural rehabilitation.
Through the Last Litter program, the team at this facility offers desexing services free of charge to dogs whose entire litter is surrendered to the facility.
All dogs are desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for worms, fleas, and heartworm where applicable.
Before adoption, you must fill out an application form and book a meet and greet for all family members.
Visit the adoption page to see all the available pups ready to meet their forever families.
Adoption fees start from $895.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: QLD, Worongary 4213
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: luckypaws.com.au
- Social Media: Facebook
5.) Precious Paws Animal Rescue
Formed in 2016, Precious Paws is committed to saving pups from pounds and placing them in loving forever homes.
This facility is dedicated to saving at-risk dogs from remote communities where they have no rescue options.
Precious Paws Animal Rescue also takes in dogs with heartworm, life-threatening illnesses and injuries, and senior dogs who may not be rehomed due to old age.
The dog rescue organisation has a strict no-kill policy and educates the community that there are no broken or damaged dogs.
Once you have identified a dog you would like to adopt on the website, visit the application page and fill out a form.
Adoption fees vary depending on the dog and start from $395.
This fee goes towards medical treatments, vaccination, desexing, microchipping, and behavioural modification and training.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: ppar.com.au
- Social Media: Facebook
6.) North Queensland Animal Rescue (Cairns)
This volunteer-run rescue center in Cairns serves the dogs and pet parents of Brisbane and other areas across Queensland.
The volunteer-run facility rescues dogs and other animals from high-kill shelters and pounds saving them from euthanasia.
In addition to its rescue services, NQAR also welcomes surrenders from pet parents who can no longer provide adequate care.
All dogs at this facility are put in loving foster homes where they are cared for as they wait to meet their furever families.
All prospective parents must fill out an application form and agree to a property inspection before adoption.
This ensures that your beloved new pooch has an easier time transitioning into your family.
Adoption fees start at:
- $100 for senior dogs
- $200 for adult dogs
- $300 for canines aged 5 months to 5 years
- $350 for puppies under 6 months
All dogs at NQAR are desexed, C5 vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms, and microchipped before adoption.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Cairns, Queensland, Australia 4870
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: nqar.org.au
- Social Media: Facebook
7.) Fresh Start Rescue Incorporated (Brisbane)
Fresh Start is a dog rescue organisation based in Brisbane, Queensland that serves both the suburbs of northern and southern Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, the Lockyer Valley, and Ipswich.
The facility does not have a physical location but relies on volunteers and foster homes who take in the dogs as they wait to meet their new forever families.
The facility does not receive any government funding and relies on donations from well-wishers to facilitate its rescue and rehoming operations.
You can also support this facility by attending Fresh Start’s vegan BBQs and bake sales, donations, or volunteering.
To adopt a pooch from Fresh Start, visit the dog adoption page to view all the adorable adoptables before filling out an online application.
The facility allows a 14-day settling period during which you can return your dog and get full reimbursement of the adoption fee.
All dogs receive a full health check before adoption including vaccination, desexing, heartworm testing, microchipping, and treatment for internal and external parasites.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: South East Queensland
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: freshstartrescue.wixsite.com
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
8.) Happy Furever After (South East Queensland)
If you and your family would like to add a Rottweiler, German Shepherd, or Labrador to your family, this rescue facility is a good place to start.
The dog rescue based in South East Queensland serves all of Brisbane and coastal areas.
Happy Furever After is committed to helping all its rescues go to loving forever homes through their rehabilitation and behavioural assistance.
All dogs receive complete vet work before adoption including desexing, microchipping, vaccinations, and fleas and worm treatment.
The non-kill rescue places all its rescues in foster homes before adoption.
You can support their rescue and rehoming activities through donations or volunteering as foster parents.
To adopt a pooch from this facility visit their adoption page to see all the available dogs.
Adoption fees start from $550.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Queensland
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: happyfureverafter.com.au
- Social Media: Facebook
9.) Brave Companion Dog Rescue (Laidley)
This not-for-profit dog rescue in Brisbane serves the dogs and dog lovers of Lockyer Valley, Somerset, and Ipswich regions in South East Queensland.
The volunteers at this facility rescue and rehome all abandoned, unwanted, and stray dogs.
Founded in early 2001, the facility was started to save dogs at risk of euthanasia in local pounds and shelters.
Brave Companion Dog Rescue offers a re-housing program in leased pens based at the old shire council pound.
Volunteers at these pounds take care of 10-20 dogs at a time.
This facility also has a volunteer-based foster system through which rescues get home-based care as they await adoption.
Adoption fees start at $70 and go up depending on the dog’s vet care needs.
These charges may include $20 for microchipping, $25 for special supplements and C3 vaccinations, $40 for C5 vaccinations, and $100 for desexing.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 2107 Rosewood-Laidley Rd, Laidley QLD 4341
- Contact: 0419 731 459, 0491 727 449 or (07) 5465 1751
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: bravedogs.webs.com
10.) Peninsula Animal Aid (Clontarf)
Since opening its doors in 1971, this not-for-profit organisation has saved countless animals and helped hundreds of dogs find permanent forever homes.
Peninsula Animal Aid takes in animals from north of Brisbane, Redcliffe Peninsula, and Queensland.
In addition to rescuing strays and dogs in shelters and pounds, the facility also takes in surrenders whose families can no longer care for them.
PAA also helps reunite lost dogs with their families when possible.
All animals at PAA receive medical care, with complete health checks including desexing, microchipping, vaccination, and preventative treatment for heartworm and intestinal worms.
The facility is also involved in educating the community about responsible pet parenting.
To adopt a dog from PAA, visit their adoption page to see all the available dogs as you fill out an application form.
Adoption fees start from $350.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 313 Duffield Road Clontarf Qld (Redcliffe Peninsula)
- Contact: 07 3284 1927
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: peninsulaanimalaid.com.au
- Social Media: Facebook
Conclusion For Dog Rescues in Brisbane Australia
As you prepare to adopt a new dog from any of these rescues, you and your family can improve the chances of success by preparing your home for their arrival.
Buying a bed, chew toys, and researching the breed and their dietary and activity preferences will show that you are prepared.
Consider consulting a trainer and finding the nearest veterinarian to your home to prove that you have resources on hand to provide a good home and take care of the pooch in case of an emergency.
In case you are rejected on the first try, don’t give up.
Not every dog is suitable for every home. Continue your search for the perfect canine companion from any of the other dog rescues in Brisbane listed here and soon you will have the perfect match.