Dog Rescues In Melbourne

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Dog Rescues In Melbourne

Adopting a pet is a big commitment, but it is also an exciting opportunity to give a homeless dog a second chance at happiness.

Adopting a dog from a shelter helps eliminate ruthless backyard breeders and puppy farms.

If you are looking to adopt your first pooch, we recommend researching extensively beforehand.

This allows you to understand the scope of responsibility you will be taking on and what to expect.

Many dogs from the pet rescues listed here are desexed, dewormed, vaccinated, microchipped, and tested for any health problems.

Whether you are looking for a small dog rescue or senior dog rescue in Melbourne, the below listed groups will have what you are looking for.

These pups are also assessed for behavioural and temperament issues by experienced foster parents.

Once any problems are detected, the dogs go through comprehensive rehabilitation programs to improve their chances of adoption and prevent them from being returned to shelters and pounds.

Remember, the goal of dog rescues in Melbourne is to ensure that all of their pups go to loving forever homes.

By adopting a pet from any of these rescues, you facilitate their rescue and rehabilitation services in the community by freeing up space to bring in more dogs.

Dog Rescues In Melbourne

1.) Second Chance Animal Rescue

Second Chance Animal Rescue helps all dogs that find themselves homeless regardless of age, breed, or size.

The Melbourne-based animal shelter has matched countless families with their furry best friends and continues to help more animals live long, fulfilled lives with proof of success listed on their site.

This animal rescue opened its doors in 2008 and is currently staffed by dog-loving volunteers, wonderful foster families, and professional vets who all prioritize the welfare of their rescues.

Together, this dynamic team rescues dogs and cats from high-kill pounds and shelters in and around Melbourne.

Marisa, the founder, started this facility with just a handful of rescues.

She has since steered this organization into a wide-reaching network with hundreds of foster homes for dogs in need.

Marisa and her team at Second Chance have rehomed over 10,000 animals.

If you have made the life-altering decision to adopt a dog, Second Chance has a variety of desexed, microchipped, and vaccinated fur babies for you to choose from.

Adoption fees range from $600 – $800 depending on the size of the dog and their medical needs.

Rescue and Adoption Details

2.) Victorian Dog Rescue and Resource Group Inc.

This non-profit charity looks forward to the day when dog rescues will be a thing of the past.

The facility in Elsternwick, Victoria is run entirely by volunteers who are committed to bringing an end to the senseless killings in dog shelters and pounds by promoting responsible pet ownership practices such as neutering.

Victorian Dog Rescue and Resource Group Inc. was founded in 2005 to save the valuable lives of pets in Melbourne.

The facility spares no expense to save their rescues even if the dogs need costly medical procedures or surgeries.

The VicDRG team gives each rescued dog the best chance at life, rescuing even elderly dogs who may have complicated health issues.

Through experienced animal welfare professionals, VicDRG treats, retrains, and rehabilitates these often neglected pooches to improve their chances of adoption.

All pets at Vic DRG are kept in a foster care network in the Melbourne community.

Should you choose to adopt a dog, simply fill out their online application form, listed on their “Dogs For Adoption” page.

If you are a suitable applicant for the pet you have chosen, the team at the facility will call you to arrange a meet and greet.

VicDRG also conducts home checks and appropriate background checks.

You must have a secure fence or a contained area in your home where you can safely keep your new canine companion.

Adoption fees range from $590 to $900.

Rescue and Adoption Details

3.) The Lost Dogs Home

The Lost Dogs Home is a highly successful rescue facility that offers refuge to lost, abandoned, abused, and neglected pets.

The facility is founded on five strategic pillars:

  • Compassion and care for all rescues
  • Modern, sustainable charity
  • Trust and ethics
  • Equal opportunity employer
  • Advocating for animal rights and welfare

This animal welfare facility also reunites lost dogs and other pets with their owners.

Where the pets cannot be reunited with their families, the facility helps them find new loving forever homes.

The team of volunteers at The Lost Dogs Home always works towards getting the best outcome for both parents and pets and has done so with impressive results.

This facility relies on the public to support its animal welfare activities including foster care, proactive adoption, low cost desexing, behaviour rehabilitation, vaccination, and microchipping among others.

Adopting from the Lost Dogs’ Home is easy.

Simply head to the adoption page and identify a dog that suits your lifestyle.

Click the contact button and a team will contact you to make an appointment.

You will need to carry a copy of your ID, proof of residence, and any other dogs you may have.

Adoption rates start from $460 – $800 for adult dogs, $1000 for puppies, and $50 or more for senior dogs.

You can also support this facility by donating or volunteering your time and skills.

Rescue and Adoption Details

4.) Save-A-Dog Scheme Inc.

The Save-A-Dog Scheme is focused on changing the culture of destroying companion animals in shelters and pounds all over Melbourne.

As a member of the no-kill movement, the dog rescue has a strict no-destruction policy and saves even pets that other rescues would ordinarily turn away.

This not-for-profit dog rescue was started in the 1980s and it has successfully saved hundreds of dogs from being euthanised through rehoming.

SADS also takes in sick and injured dogs including those in need of palliative care, to ensure they can live out their days in a safe, loving environment.

The registered charity is run by a team of volunteers assisted by paid staff.

Together, this team ensures that all rescues are vaccinated, desexed, dewormed, and microchipped.

The dogs are also rehabilitated for any behavioural or obedience issues.

To Adopt a dog from SADS, fill out their online form to express your interest in any of their available adoptable dogs listed.

If your application is successful the team will contact you with further details within 10 days.

You can also support Save-A-Dog Scheme by donating or volunteering as a foster parent.

Rescue and Adoption Details

5.) Homeless Hounds

Homeless Hounds has been changing the lives of the people and dogs of Melbourne since its inception in 2011.

This registered charity is dedicated to upholding animal welfare and wellbeing through its rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming efforts as well as promoting the animal/human connection.

The dog rescue saves animals from shelters and pounds around Melbourne where they are at risk of euthanasia.

Homeless Hounds is also committed to helping responsible parents who may be permanently unable to provide care for their beloved pets due to poor health, economic hardship, or unsafe living conditions.

The facility has established a wide network of dedicated volunteers, professionals, and dog-lovers who provide a safety net for all the pups that it rescues.

Along with advocating for responsible pet ownership, Homeless Hounds offers a variety of services to all dogs under its care including vaccination, desexing, microchipping, and medical treatment as well as behavioural rehabilitation.

Each pet is equipped with the skills to ensure they make the perfect companion for your family and prevent reentry into shelters and pounds.

Visit their adoption page to see all the lovely fur babies waiting to meet their new forever families as you fill out the online adoption form.

You can also support the facility by donating, fostering a dog, fundraising, volunteering, offering pet courier services, and will gifting.

Rescue and Adoption Details

6.) Australia Working Dogs Rescue

AWDRI is a non-profit organization that is committed to saving the working dog breed in Melbourne and the rest of the continent.

When these dogs are too old, badly injured, or too ill to work, many end up in local council pounds and shelters where they are euthanised.

Once rescued, these dogs are treated for all their medical problems, vaccinated, neutered, dewormed, and treated for worms and fleas.

They are also microchipped and tested for behavioural issues and rehabilitated.

AWDRI rescues working dogs of different ages, breeds, and sizes. Some are young and still have the energy to make wonderful family pets or farm dogs.

Adoption fees start at $200 for senior dogs, $450 for adult dogs, and $495 for puppies.

This dog rescue also facilitates international and interstate adoptions.

However, adoptive parents have to bear the cost of transportation for long-distance adoptions.

Visit the adoption page to see all the available dogs for rehoming.

Rescue and Adoption Details

7.) Animal Aid 

Animal Aid was started by Alexander and Stella Grierson in 1938.

The facility was originally in Kilsyth before moving to 35 Killara Road in 2000.

The modern rescue centre features a fully-equipped vet clinic, an office and kennels holding up to 90 dogs.

This dog rescue is currently overseen by Glenda Walker, the Chairman, who works alongside a team of caring volunteers who work tirelessly to save unwanted, abandoned, neglected, abused, and injured dogs.

Animal Aid offers a variety of services in addition to its rescue services including vet clinics, play days, boarding facilities, grooming, and dog training.

The facility also takes in lost pets and tries to unite them with their families before attempting to rehome them.

You can view all the lost and found dogs on their site.

This exceptional dog rescue also has pound contracts with some Victorian Council pounds with agreements to take in unclaimed animals.

On arrival at the rescue centre, the dogs are examined by the vet staff and treated for any medical problems.

These rescues are also assessed for any behavioural issues and rehabilitated before rehoming.

If you are unable to keep your pet for any reason, Animal Aid can also help you place them into a suitable home.

Rescue and Adoption Details

8.) Lort Smith Animal Hospital

This animal welfare organization is made up of a team of talented nurses and vets who offer world-class healthcare to rescued animals.

Lort Smith provides a broad range of animal health and welfare solutions at their state-of-the-art clinic in Campbellfield.

This animal welfare facility has rehomed over 200,000 pets over the last 80 years and an average of 600 animals annually over the last few years.

The compassionate welfare officers at this facility give these dogs and other animals plenty of much needed love and affection, exercise, and socialisation.

They also ensure the pets are kept in clean quarters as they await adoption.

Visit the Lort Smith Animal Hospital’s adoption page to see all the lovely dogs available for adoption.

The adoption process is strict to ensure animals go to loving forever homes and reduce returns.

This facility is a not-for-profit organization that depends on adoption fees, donations, onsite volunteers, and fundraising efforts from well-wishers to cover the costs of desexing, vaccinations, microchipping, and other medical treatments.

Rescue and Adoption Details

9.) Australian Animal Protection Society

The AAPS was founded by a group of animal welfare activists who were concerned about the growing rate of abandoned animals in the South East of Melbourne.

The not-for-profit facility has served the region for over 50 years and helped countless dogs and other pets find their happy ever after.

This rescue facility accepts dogs of all breeds and sizes alongside other animals in need.

AAPS also partners with other animal welfare organizations locally to promote awareness about animal welfare, protection, and assistance.

The adoption process starts with identifying the right pooch for your lifestyle on their adoption page.

Carefully read the description to ensure you have the perfect match.

Once you have chosen the pet of your dreams, fill in the online application form.

If you are successful the team at AAPS will contact you and set up an appointment to meet your new dog.

Adoption fees range from $550 for puppies and $450 for adult dogs.

Fees vary for senior dogs over 8 years old.

This fee covers vaccination, desexing, microchipping, and other medical treatments.

Rescue and Adoption Details

10.) The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – RSPCA (Victoria)

This community-based, non-government charity was established in 1871 to prevent cruelty against animals.

The animal welfare organization also actively campaigns for the care and protection of all abandoned dogs in Melbourne.

RSPCA Victoria operates multiple Animal Care Centres, clinics, and education teams across Victoria.

These facilities provide rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming services for over 20,000 animals annually.

When it comes to animal care, RSPCA is the expert.

RSPCA Victoria is no different offering a variety of animal welfare services including:

  • Animal shelters
  • Rehoming surrendered pets
  • Inspectorate services
  • Vet clinics
  • Emergency assistance
  • Tip-off on any suspected intensive breeders
  • Behaviour training
  • Pet loss counseling
  • Educational facilities among others

If you would like to adopt from this facility, visit their adoption page to see all the adorable adoptable dogs available.

Adoption fees start from $600 for puppies under 6 months and $400 for adult dogs.

The RSPCA does not charge for senior dogs over 9 years.

Rescue and Adoption Details

11.) The Animal Rehoming Service

This Melbourne-based charity has helped rehome over 1,000 animals including dogs since it first opened its doors in 2000.

Founded by Micheala Newell, The Animal Rehoming Service acts as a point of contact for parents who want to surrender their beloved pets and those who are looking to adopt.

TARS also offers care and accommodation to homeless and needy dogs and other animals.

This facility operates under a foster-based system where pets stay with temporary parents before adoption.

All pets at TARS receive medical care, desexing, vaccinations, and microchips before they are listed for adoption.

This rehoming facility also offers ongoing support to new pet parents as they start life with their new pups.

Rescue and Adoption Details

12.) Blue Cross Animal Society of Victoria

This dog rescue in Wonga Park advocates for proper animal care and strives to create a compassionate environment for all animals in Melbourne.

The Blue Cross Animal Society of Victoria also advocates for the humane treatment of animals through public education.

BCASV dog rescue was founded in 1965 closely following the policies of the Blue Cross in England.

The founders agreed that their primary concern would be to rescue and rehome unwanted dogs and other animals.

For over 48 years, this facility has remained committed to fighting animal cruelty and promoting responsible pet ownership through public education.

Blue Cross also helps surrendered animals find new forever families.

Adoption is by appointment only with fees starting from $180 to $390.

You can also support the Blue Cross Animal Society of Victoria by donating, buying through their wishlist, surgery fund, or donating in memory.

Rescue and Adoption Details

Ready To Adopt From The Top Dog Rescues In Melbourne?

Find A Dog Rescue In Melbourne To Adopt Your Dog

While adopting a dog is a rewarding experience, it also brings significant changes to your lifestyle.

It is a lifetime commitment.

However, these dog rescues in Melbourne make the process easier for you by educating you about responsible pet ownership and helping you adjust to life as a pet parent with post-adoption support.

Before choosing your canine companion, there are various factors to consider.

Some dogs need a lot of exercise, others shed more than average, some are more prone to illnesses and other breeds can be destructive if left alone for too long.

This is a lot to think about before you start the adoption process.

Thankfully, the dog rescues listed here are run by dog-loving professionals who have years of experience.

Be sure to communicate your concerns so they can match you with the perfect pooch for your lifestyle.

If you currently do not meet the adoption requirements, consider supporting a dog rescue in Melbourne near you by volunteering, donating, or spreading the word.

Other Dog Rescues Nearby

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