Adopt or foster
Open your home to a dog in need
Rescue dogs have a lot of love to give. They have sometimes been neglected or mistreated, and all have lost their family at least once. So, they need some time to adjust to their new home. If you’re patient, kind and can financially afford to look after a dog, then consider adopting. It’s so rewarding to see them gain confidence and live a happy life.
If you can’t adopt – perhaps you already have enough dogs (can anyone have enough dogs?) but you’d like to help pups in need, consider fostering. It’s such a worthwhile experience – helping them learn new skills so that they can find a home. You may need to housetrain them, teach them some basic commands, or just exercise and care for them. Sometimes they only stay for a few days before they get adopted, other times it can be a few months, but every time it’s special seeing them go to a loving family.
Sadly, dogs lose their lives every day at pounds across Australia. There are just too many dogs to rehome. Why do so many dogs end up in pounds? Some are lost and don’t have a microchip, or the owners don’t want to pay the fine to collect them, or their owner may have passed away, the owner may have become homeless, or their circumstances changed. Too often puppies are bought without thought for the amount of time needed to train and care for them. Then when they become unmanageable, they’re surrendered to the pound.
The fact is, if you’re not able to commit to care for, train, finance and love a dog for the next 15 years, don’t get one. If you’re in a relationship, who gets the dog if you separate? If you may have children in the future, you need to train your dog and the children to live happily together. Kids need to learn respect for animals from the start to keep everyone safe – don’t leave it to the dog to teach them. If you might move abroad – do you have the finances to fund transportation and quarantine? If you’re living in rental accommodation – what happens if you have to move? If you pass away – is there someone else who will take your dog in? Do you have enough money to pay for expensive dog food and vet bills? They may end up needing a special diet, or daily medication – have you planned for illnesses, accidents and yearly vaccinations? Do you have time to walk them every day? What will you do if they bark when you’re out and the noise annoys your neighbours? These are all questions to ask yourself before you get a dog. It isn’t a small commitment, but it is so worth it!
We have some amazing rescue organisations in the Albury Wodonga area run by volunteers. So, if you’re interested in adopting or fostering a dog, get in contact: