Adopt a dog

Greater transparency, more medical and behavioural history plus consumer guarantees for adoptees. 
Adopting a dog can be a very emotionally rewarding way of extending the life a canine friend which is unfortunately no longer a viable member of its owner’s family. It can also be a cost-effective method of obtaining a dog which is vaccinated, micro-chipped and sterilised – and ideally suited to your circumstances.

The Adoption Process
Read the Profile
​Detailed dog profiles enable potential adoptees to self screen for suitability prior to meeting.
Complete the Expression of Interest Form
This is done with a view to meeting after some initial screening by Dog Adoption - to avoid wasting everyone's time. 

All data is protected by privacy legislation. 
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As people are potentially going into peoples' homes we cannot put folks in touch without the EOI for insurance and legal reasons. 
owner and adoptees speak with a view of meeting
Parties speak directly to exchange information which helps to create realistic expectations.

If both parties decide to meet it is recommended the adoptee goes to where the dog is located and essential all members of the adoptee's household attend - including any other dogs. 

In order to avoid hasty or impulsive decision making, adoptees cannot normally take the dog at this time.  We encourage parties to reflect on the meeting in private and discuss with other family or friends - a practice that leads to better outcomes and without one party feeling pressured. 

This is one of the reasons why parties should live within a reasonable driving distance. 

The parties may decide on a second meeting.
Both parties report their thoughts directly to dog adoption
Even if it is negative. Email preferred. 

This is so we can manage the current application and other potential adoptees. 
Referees are checked and a house assessment arranged
FInal paperwork is sent including the adoption fee details
Final paper work is important as it provides written intentions and in combination with robust T&Cs, greater  protection. Without it the owner may still be liable for the actions of the dog while with the adoptee. And the adoptee may be liable for anything that happens to the dog while in their care if returned to the owner, or even be accused of stealing. 
Two week cooling off period commences once the dog is at the new premises
In the unlikely event the dog does not settle or is unsuitable the new owners must return the dog to the previous owner.

​This is another reason why parties must live within a reasonable driving distance. 

Within a few days the new owner provides feedback on how the dog is settling in. Within the cooling off period the new owner lets Dog Adoption know if they will be keeping the dog or returning it to the old owner. If keeping it paper work is exchanged as listed in the Profile (e.g. microchip transfer, sterilisation details and/or vaccination details). 

Difference between a cooling off period and a trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do potential adoptees need to live within driving distance? (not interstate adoptions)
  • Adoptions are more likely to be successful if the owner and the potential adoptees have time to meet and then reflect - often speaking privately with family or friends. This means there are at least two trips. 
  • More than one meeting might be required prior to making a final decision e.g. to introduce kids if parents don't want to involve them initially or if there is an exisiting family pet.
  • If the placement fails during the 2 week cooling off period the adoptee must return the dog to the original owner.
  • Logistics and expense of transporting unaccompanied dogs  e.g. who takes the dog to the airport, what happens if the adoptee fails to collect the dog, who pays for transport if the dog is returned etc...?
is private information on the expression of interest form safe?
Yes. Absolutely. 
The owner will see what adoptees write about their home and routine but not last names, address, email address, referee details or Photo ID. The only private thing we share with the owner is the adoptee's phone number so they can discuss the dog's suitability directly. 
Referees?
Basically it is a character reference. It is similar to those you would use if going for a job interview. Referees are not essential but strong referees are very helpful in providing reassurance to the owner. 

One person at Dog Adoption will view referee details or speak to them. 
Can I meet a dog before filling in the Expression of Interest form?
NO.
Because potential adoptees are going into people's homes we cannot put them in touch without a contract in place for insurance and legal reasons.
Who should attend an initial meeting with a dog?
All permanent members of the household. An owner cannot make a considered decision about a family without meeting all the members. All pets should meet each other before a final decision is made. If there is a cat this may mean a second meeting at the adoptees home might be useful. 
What are my deal breakers?
Discuss deal breakers prior to meeting to avoid rash or emotional decision making. These may include:
  • activity level,
  • age, breed, temperament concerns,
  • don't really want a pair,
  • don't want to provide feedback to owners in the first 2 weeks of adoption.
What are the benefits of adopting using the rehoming program?
More medical and behavioural history to assist informed decision making while still rescuing a dog in need.
what's the harm in meeting?
Initial meetings are designed for genuine potential adoptees to meet genuine owners to assess mutual suitability. Tyre kickers can waste valuable time and raise hopes, possibly jeopardising the safety of the dog. All we ask is that you give the adoption as much thought as you can prior to meeting for a cuddle and a play. 
Are the dogS in the rehoming program already safe in the current home?
Not necessarily. 
Owners usually contact us because they have problems, deadlines or pressures. And most have already left it too late. One of the appeals of the rehoming program to owners is that the dogs are NOT surrendered to Dog Adoption in order to provide the owners with control over final decision making.  If we don't find an appropriate home within the owner's time frame the owners can withdraw the dog and take matters into their own hands. 

Dog Adoption does not usually relay time pressures for privacy reasons or at the request of the owner - but be assured almost every dog is on an owner imposed  deadline. 
If a dog is not safe why not tell the owner to surrender a dog to A rescue, shelter or pound?
The specific appeal of the rehoming program to most owners is that they do not have to surrender to a rescue, shelter or pound - and can have a say in where their dogs ends up. They are the people who, until now, have been silently taking matters into their own hands. 
Adoption Fees..... Why not ''free to a good home?''
Dog Adoption is privately funded leaving charity for rescues and shelters. Adoption fees pay for the overheads, maintenance and time. e.g. website fees, form app fees, insurance, phones, IT support, website maintenance and being able to speak to a human being promptly during our business hours etc.

''FREE TO A GOOD HOME'' would also be breaking the first rule of rescue and rehoming.  A dog is not less worthy because it is urgent and should be protected from those who cannot really afford the life long commitment of having a pet or trying to exploit a situation.
If the adoption does not work out can I rehome the dog to family or friends?
No. If you ever need to rehome your new pet at any time in the future our agreement states that you will contact Dog Adoption - see Adoption T&Cs. ​
How does dog adoption gain access to more medical and behavioural history thAn usually disclosed?
We offer the owners something most rescues, shelters and pounds cannot:
  • ability to meet potential adoptees,
  • control over the final decision,
  • ability to withdraw their dog if they are not satisfied,
  • feedback on how the dog settles in after adoption giving them closure,
  • fail safes if things don't work out.  
Most owners feel a huge sense of guilt and remorse at having to rehome their beloved pets. Dog Adoption has dogs with more medical and behavioural history because we offer owners a safe way to find loving, permanent homes without judgement.

We are grateful adoptees understand this and in return they have greater transparency and pressure free decision making.. 
Microchip and Council Rrgistration
It is a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped and registered in Australia. 
What is a sterilisation Bond?
Occasionally a dog will need to be sterilised after adoption. Dog Adoption will pay for this at a set rate with payment made directly to the authorised or alternative vet. The adoptee may be asked to pay Dog Adoption an additional amount (Sterilisation Bond) that will be refunded on presentation of a Sterilisation Certificate. 
IS sterilisation mandatory?
Yes. Unless a vet deems it to be unsafe. 

Most dogs are already sterilised prior to adoption but occasionally the procedure will need to be done post adoption (see above).
Trials V Cooling Off periods
Can I go on a waiting list?
Unfortunately no.
We find the program works best when potential adoptees self screen by reading the detailed profiles and contacting us with their Expression of Interest form.  We only need one Expression of Interest form from each family, not each dog. 
owner imposed deadline - what does this mean?
The dogs in our rehoming program are NOT surrendered to us. Owners approach us SPECIFICALLY because they DO NOT want to surrender their dog to a rescue, shelter or pound. They want a say in where their dog is placed. 

Sometimes, owners impose a deadline. 

While we will do everything in our power to find a solution e.g. surrender to a rescue or shelter, owners are unlikely to do so. The owner is legally able to take matters into their own hands and do what every they wish. e.g. give away to someone on Gumtree, euthanasia.  Often, the dog simply disappears and we have no idea what has happened. 

Reasons for deadlines include:
  • pressure from a landlord
  • safety concern at home (kids or other dogs)
  • leaving the country
  • going into aged care
  • terminal illness
  • lack of planning / indifference.

All dogs in the program are at risk to some degree. 
WHY WAS MY EXPRESSION OF INTEREST UNSUCCESSFUL?
Owners have engaged us to find a home according to their specific criteria (outlined in the dog Profile) and have the final say about all placements.  Not Dog Adoption. 

Most folks who apply for a dog are lovely, but not always suitable for that particular dog. If a placement is unlikely to work or is outside the owner's criteria there is no point proceeding. 

Common reason for being unsuccessful:
  • the criteria outlined in the dog Profile was not met
  • someone more suitable applied 
  • the Expression of Interest was incomplete
  • multiple applicants applied for a dog (popular breed)
  • too many variables in your home meant the placement was too risky (e.g. other animals, inadequate fencing, lack of experience)
  • owner imposed deadline precluding an applicant from have a cooling off period requiring the applicant to become an approved foster carer as well. 

It is not our intention to insult anyone.
Adoption process - in more detail
Everything we know about our dogs is included in the Profile.  Please read this information carefully to determine whether your circumstances and environment match.

If so submit an expression of interest form online.  You do not need to repeat this if you apply for more than one dog or another dog at a later date.

Once the essential criteria is confirmed we put you in touch with the carer for a more detailed chat with a view of meeting.  If the adoption is contingent on our dog getting along with another dog, both dogs will need to meet at some stage - perhaps on a second meeting. Applicants should also consider vet work might be pending post adoption (e.g. sterilisation, vaccination or micro chip) and while Dog Adoption will pay for this, it is only by a vet authorised by Dog Adoption. The status of vaccination, sterilisation or other preventative treatments of any dogs currently in applicants' homes prior to adoption plus location of Dog Adoption vets needs to be considered by the applicant prior to adoption.  

If both parties decide to proceed with the adoption we complete your ID check, references checks and make a time for a house assessment. In some cases the current owner of the dog may wish to conduct their house assessment themselves. 

All going well the applicant pays the adoption fee before we clear the dog to be re-homed. At this stage the dog's carer and the new owner make mutually suitable arrangements to transfer the dog to the new home. New owners please take note that while you may be extremely excited to collect your new family member, the old owners may need time to prepare or arrange for others to say goodbye. Please see What is an acceptable time frame between paying the adoption fee and transferring the dog into the new home?

New owners have a 2 week cooling off period in case of a major, unexpected reason that renders the adoption impossible.   This is not a trial.  DOG ADOPTION does not allow trials for legal and insurance reasons. Please see Can my dog's new owner have a trial period before deciding to adopt?

After the 2 week period we ask you to contact us with an update and feedback.  If this is positive we send sterilisation, microchip and vaccination details. 

Foster carers are also able to adopt their foster dog.

While this process may seem a long and protracted process, it can be completed quickly depending on the availability of parties and accurate information in the forms.  Following this process also serves to avoid impulsive decisions being made based primarily on emotion and encourages all parties to give the decision careful consideration.
Adoption Fees
A detailed Profile about each dog has been written so potential adoptees can self screen. 
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  • Information is more accurate
  • No waiting for rescues or shelters to get back to you
  • You can assess suitability for yourself before meeting 
  • Avoids wasting time 
  • Less likely to feel pressured to adopt 
  • Adoptions are more likely to succeed.
 
As a minimum the adoption fee includes sterilisation, vaccination and microchipping but may include more if listed on the Profile. 

Sometimes one or more of these procedures may need to be done at a vet authorised by Dog Adoption after adoption - in which case it is paid for by Dog Adoption. Some new owners choose to use an alternative vet in which case outstanding vet work will be subsidised at set rates. If a written general health assessment is available this will be listed on the Profile.  Heart worm, flea and intestinal worm preventions are often up to date but as this is anecdotal (and not in writing) we don't list this as being valid, but unsure.  Adoptees usually liaise with the old owner about this information prior to adoption. 

Dog Adoption will usually provide microchip transfer paper work where possible after the 2 week cooling off period. 

Privacy legislation prevents Dog Adoption from transferring council registration however, we advise the old owner and the adoptee to exchange these details where possible after the 2 week cooling off period has elapsed.  

Breeder's paperwork or genetic testing is uncommon.
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Consumer Guarantees

Although Dog Adoption aims to provide transparency and as much accurate information as possible there may be some matters that are beyond our control including information we could not have reasonably known.  As a consumer Dog Adoption welcomes your decision to do your own research before adopting one of our dogs.  This may include: 
  • speak to a vet who has treated the dog
  • seek an independent heath check by your own vet prior to adoption (a chaperone will be required) or within the 2 week cooling off period. Both will be at the applicant's / new owner's expense
  • seek an independent behavioural assessment from a qualified specialist prior to adoption (a chaperone will be required) or within the 2 week cooling off period. (at the applicant's /  new owner's expense)
  • speak to the current carer/owner directly
  • make sure any other pets and all members of the family meet the dog
  • view the dog more than once before making a decision.
Out of courtesy this will need to be done at times that are mutually agreeable to all parties. 
Our Dogs - Adopt a Dog