Getting a pet is absolutely a wonderful experience filled with affection, and happiness, but will have some unavoidable obstacles. Fortunately, Melbourne is known for its pet friendly community and has a lot of opportunities for potential pet owners to connect with their ideal furry friend.
Whether you’re seeking a puppy, a calm senior cat or perhaps a smaller companion like a rabbit or guinea pig, Melbourne has got a wide variety of shelters, rescue organisations and adoption gatherings that help you find your new beloved companion.
In this piece, we will look into some of the best places in Melbourne for adoption, helping you make an informed decision by getting all the facts you need.
The Joy of Adopting
Before getting into where you can find your future pet, let’s first discuss why adoption is recommended, especially if you’re not set on a particular breed (whether for protection, a mate for your pet, or an ideal guardian for your children). Adopting from a shelter or rescue group helps give a home to an animal in the rescue that needs love and care. So many pets are abandoned and left in shelters. It’s hard on the resources of these rescues and some of the pets have to be put down.
Shelters and animal rescues often offer medical care, spaying or neutering services and behavioural evaluations to ensure that pets are mentally and physically prepared for their homes, giving you peace of mind that your new pet will adapt happily to its new living conditions.
Top Places to Adopt Pets in Melbourne
1. RSPCA Victoria
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a widely recognised animal welfare organisation in Australia. RSPCA Victoria shelters provide a variety of animals for adoption, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and more. They follow an adoption procedure to match each pet with a home and their website offers detailed profiles of the pets available for adoption.
Location: Various locations across Melbourne and Victoria
2. Petsforhomes
Pets for homes is a platform that connects pet owners with trusted breeders, shelters, and rescue organizations. It provides an environment for adoption and sales, ensuring all involved parties are vetted and reliable. The platform offers a wide range of pets including dogs, cats, birds and small animals, serving as a comprehensive resource for those considering adoption in Melbourne.
Location: All over Australia
3. Lort Smith Animal Hospital
Lort Smith Animal Hospital is well known for its wide range of animal care services, such as veterinary care and pet adoption. They are dedicated to finding caring families for stray animals and providing support post adoption to ensure pets and their new owners thrive together.
Location: 24 Villiers Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051
4. The Lost Dogs’ Home
The Lost Dogs’ Home plays a large role in Melbourne’s animal welfare community by offering shelter and care to lost and abandoned dogs and cats. Their adoption process includes a matching system to help potential pet owners find the perfect companion that suits their lifestyle and preferences. They also conduct educational programs and give pet training classes.
Location: 2 Gracie Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051
5. Pets Haven Animal Shelter
Pets Haven specializes in rescuing and rehoming dogs and cats. They priorities saving animals from euthanasia and ensuring they receive care until they are placed in permanent homes. Pets Haven also runs a clinic and an adoption center in Woodend, providing an option for many residents of Melbourne.
Location; 6/130 High Street, Woodend VIC 3442
6. Save-A-Dog Scheme
Save-A-Dog Scheme (SADS) is a community driven organisation that rescues and rehomes dogs and cats without any profit. They prioritise finding homes for pets with a no kill policy in place. The team at SADS ensures that every animal receives the medical attention and emotional support they deserve.
Address; 982 Toorak Road, Camberwell VIC 3124
7. Second Chance Animal Rescue
Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) is dedicated to offering abandoned and neglected animals a new start in life. They rescue pets from shelters that are facing euthanasia and ensure they receive the care and support they need, before finding them loving foster homes and foster families.
Location: 1/30-34 Adrian Road, Campbellfield VIC 3061
Adoption Events
Apart from visiting shelters and rescue centres, be on the lookout for adoption events in Melbourne. These gatherings, often organised by shelters or community groups, offer potential pet parents a chance to meet animals and play with them in a relaxed setting.
Attending adoption events is a wonderful way to discover a companion that fits your family while also showing support for local rescue initiatives.
Popular Adoption Events:
- Petstock Assist Adoption Days: Petstock stores in Melbourne regularly organise adoption days in partnership with shelters.
- RSPCA Million Paws Walk: This yearly event features pet adoptions, fun activities for families, and a community walk to raise funds for animal welfare.
The Adoption Process
Adopting a pet involves several steps to ensure a match between the pet and the adopter.
Here is an overview of the process:
1. Research and Preparation: Figure out which type of pet aligns most with your lifestyle and prepare your home properly to welcome the new family member. You’ll have to buy the necessary pet bed, food bowls, leashes, crates, pet food, and treats.
2. Shelter Visits or Adoption Events: Spend time interacting with different pets to find one that you connect with best.
3. Application and Interview: Complete an adoption application form. You’ll probably be asked by the centre to participate in an interview or home assessment to evaluate your compatibility.
4. Adoption Fee and Documentation: Make the adoption payment, which typically covers vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying/neutering, and complete all the required paperwork.
5. Welcome Your New Pet Home: Make sure you create a cosy and safe environment for your new furry friend to settle in comfortably.
In Melbourne, welcoming a pet into your home can be a fulfilling experience that brings happiness to both you and your new furry friend. There are plenty of shelters, rescue groups and adoption events in the city where you can meet your perfect pet.
Organisations like RSPCA Victoria, PetsforHomes, Pets Haven, Lort Smith, and others work tirelessly to match pets with loving homes and provide the right support. By choosing to adopt, you not only gain a companion but also make a meaningful difference in the life of an animal in need.
So why not take the step towards finding your furry buddy today and explore the world of pet adoption in Melbourne?
