Information Library > Information for Pet Owners > Adoption
Greyhound adoption with Dr Harry!
The Greyhound Adoption Program was set up to help re-train and find caring, loving, permanent homes for these very special dogs. Read more...
Kitten behaviour - what to expect and when!
Kitten season is upon us again and with shelters and rescues around Australia flooded with homeless kittens, if you're ready to bring a purring bundle of fun into your life - now is the time to do it! And knowing just what to expect from your kitten during the first few months will help you be the purrrfect owner. Read more...
PetRescue needs your story!
PetRescue is working hard to spread the word about pet adoption and to date has helped 25,000 pets find new, loving homes. Now we need YOU! We're looking for owners who have adopted their pet through PetRescue to be used in an upcoming commercial campaign. Read more...
QLD - plans to make registration and microchipping of dogs and cats mandatory.
We want local government to be creative and explore innovative measures to find the most effective model of reducing euthanasia rates, which could be adopted by councils across the state. Read more...
Bubbles - Number one in Mount Isa
Being number one is usually a good thing and Bubbles hopes that being number one in Mount Isa will mean he will have a second chance at a forever home. Read more...
Rats - beat the rap
Rats may get a bad rap, but Splinter and his mates are just waiting to prove the undiscerning public wrong! They are clean, fun loving, sensitive, very social and affectionate - Just like a dog or cat, but easier to fit into an apartment! Read more...
Virtual Parrots?
Do you long for a pet but aren't quite ready for the the long term commitment? Are you a bird lover that appreciates the beauty and uniqueness of Australian parrots, but know that you don't have the time to spend on training, enrichment and bonding with your bird? Well the Parrot Rescue Centre may have the answer with 'virtual parrot adoption'. Read more...
Adopting a Deaf Dog
I own a deaf dachshund named Beethoven. Sometimes I think he "listens" better than my hearing dogs. Read more...
An oldie but a goody
My daughter's cat, Scamp, was a tiny kitten when we adopted her from a shelter 18 years ago, so I was curious to see where she fit in. Imagine my shock when the cat winner was 36 and there were two cats who were 29! I would be thrilled if Scamp (or any of my other four cats) lived that long, in good health. Read more...
Dog rescue groups are advocates for their breed
Rescue groups consider themselves advocates for their breed. They strive to match the dog's needs and wants with a prospective owner's lifestyle and household. An effort is made to educate potential owners about the behavior and medical needs of the breed. Read more...
What is a purebred dog rescue?
Most breeds have rescue groups devoted to sheltering, fostering and placing dogs of that particular breed. Those associated with popular breeds are often so inundated with dogs that they cannot shelter all that need homes. They welcome volunteers who can foster dogs until a forever home is found for them. Groups associated with less popular breeds usually have fewer dogs to choose from. They count themselves lucky. Read more...
(US) Cute gifts now, problems later
The thought of waking up Christmas morning to an adorable puppy with a big red bow around its neck is heartwarming. However, what might seem like a perfect gift, may not be such a good idea in the long run. Read more...
(US) "Two for One" campaign; buying a dog kills a shelter dogs' chances
A new advertising campaign uses black humour to highlight to families issues surrounding the homeless pet problem; that buying from a breeder, kills a shelter dogs chance to find a loving home, and the importance of desexing your pets. Read more...
Puppy love is OK, but love returned by a more mature dog, well...
Moonie, decked out in a navy hoodie and snuggling up to Manning, has come a long way from his earlier life. A fluffy, pure-bred Pekingese, Moonie is 11 and retired from years as a stud dog at a defunct breeding kennel in upstate New York. Read more...
Adopting a feline? Consider cat instead of kitten
Every year as spring approaches, shelters and rescue groups face a daunting challenge: Find homes for the cats before the kittens arrive. That's because once kitten season starts, even the sweetest, handsomest and most well-mannered cats may run out of time before anyone recognizes them for the wonderful companions they. Read more...
Top 10 things to do before you bring your new dog home
Congratulations, you're getting a new dog! Your first job as a new pet parent is to prep your home and your family, and yourself, too, for the furry bundle of fun who's about to come barreling into your life. After all, you do want to get this relationship off on the right paw! Read more...
Program helps match senior dogs with senior companions
To help seniors take advantage of the companionship and health benefits a canine pal can offer, Dr. Goodwin and the American Brittany Rescue suggest aging adults utilize local animal rescue programs that specialize in pairing aging adults with senior dogs. Read more...
Flying to the rescue of parrots in distress
For parrot rescuers and their helpers, there is no such thing as a slow day. There are always baby parrots to be hand-fed, wings to be clipped, or another bird in need of a new home. When the unwary owners have fallen down on the job - by tiring of the care the demanding birds need or by getting fed up with annoying antics that the humans themselves have encouraged, or by dying - that the rescuers come into the picture. Read more...
Beagles are adorable, but can be high maintenance
Shoeshine, the adorable pup in Disney's "Underdog" (voiced by "My Name Is Earl" comic Jason Lee), is sure to inspire some dog lovers to believe a beagle is the right dog for them. But just because Shoeshine is so adorable doesn't mean a real beagle will be as adorable in your family. Read more...
Tiny dogs not toys for play
Now she has as many as 20 people e-mailing her each week, asking if she can find a home for their unwanted pet. The reasons they give are remarkably similar. It seems that they wanted a tiny little baby, a toy, just like a stuffed animal. What they got was the surprisingly independent and bossy little bundle of energy that is typical of Chihuahuas. Read more...
More urban, suburban homes have pet chickens
The Gencos, are among the growing number of urban and suburban families keeping chickens in their backyards. While they don't cuddle like kittens or play like puppies, owners say the birds offer a soothing presence and an endless supply of organic eggs. "Nothing calms you more than sitting out in the yard watching your chickens poke around for bugs and carry on conversations with each other." Read more...
Polly wants a home
Parrots are actually social creatures and mate for life, so they can be extremely lonely without their flock. Birds need more than a perch and a cage - they need an aviary with room to fly. The stress of being confined in a cage can lead to excessive screaming, self-mutilation and other abnormal behaviours. And parrots, whether huge macaws or small budgies, need special diets of fresh tropical fruit, seeds, nuts, vegetables and protein, plus lots of toys to attack and shred. Read more...
Reversing the domestic rat's bad rap
Rat lovers work tirelessly to educate people about the domestic rodent and reverse the animal's negative image. People tend to lump together the domesticated rat with sewer or roof rats. In reality, she says, the rodents differ as much as dogs and wolves. Pet rats are litterbox trained, intelligent, love to play with humans and form strong bonds with their caretakers. Read more...
When to adopt a cat, not a kitten
Frequently people have misconceptions about what it takes to entertain and be the caregiver for a kitten. People will bring a kitten back to the shelter and say, 'There's something wrong with him. He never calms down. He runs around all night.' We say 'Diagnosis: Kitten.' Read more...
Breed rescue groups look for dog-lovers
People often are surprised to learn many of the dogs "out there" in shelters are purebred, with hundreds of rescue groups nationwide mobilized to find permanent homes for the animals. At any one time, about a quarter of our shelter dogs are purebreds. Read more...
Greyhound an ideal fit at nursing home
Gladys mingles with the residents who adore her gentle demeanor. Contrary to popular belief the greyhound is a mellow breed that likes to sleep 20 hours a day. Read more...
Older pets still can give love
Depending on your family situation, adopting an older cat, even a less-than-perfect cat, may be more rewarding for you (and certainly for the cat). Read more...
Easter bunny needs a lasting home
"Setting your pet rabbit loose doesn't make her 'free" reads a flier by from the House Rabbit Society "It makes her 'food" Read more...
Breed rescue groups provide resources for adoption
A breed rescue group is made up of volunteers with a particular interest and expertise in a specific breed of dogs. The volunteers take in animals that have been given up or abandoned by their owners. They provide veterinary care and evaluate the dogs for eventual placement in good homes. Read more...
Adult pets looking for happy home
I have a beautiful dog that is a German Sheppard Rottweiler mixed breed named Maya. I call her Princess. I am proud to admit she is spoiled rotten and she deserves to be because although abandoned by her previous family, she has the most cheerful disposition I've ever come across in a dog. Read more...
Long-term commitment may lead to giving pet away
If you're planning to give a pet as a gift, animal experts urge you to think carefully. After the holidays, unwanted Christmas pets often become too much for new owners to handle. "People with good intentions think Grandma needs a companion. People need to think about the reasons Grandma doesn't already have a pet." Read more...
Give a cat the gift of a new home
This can be a lonely time of year, people don't talk about that. There are people who would lose those holiday blues with the love of the right cat. There are cats who are pining for a gentle, kind human to give them a happy home. The holiday magic is when they find each other. Read more...
Dear PetRescue - I'm looking for an undesexed pet
Dear PetRescue - I'm looking at breeding my staffy cross but all of the female dogs I'm interested in are desexed. Can you alert me when you get any that are not desexed? Read more...
Black cats hope love overcomes bad rap
It's not because black cats are more common than other types; it's simply that when visitors come calling, they often overlook black cats for something with stripes or brighter-colored fur. In a kennel of kittens where the white-and-brown striped fluffballs were obvious, and the short, sleek black cats looked more like kitten shadows. Read more...
Give 'em shelter
"I always say, 'If you can't decide between a Labrador, Dalmatian or a golden retriever, come to the shelter and get a mix of all three," says Brown. But no matter what kind of dog, they always seem to appreciate what you did for them. "I don't think you can get a bad pet from a shelter, I think they know that you rode to their rescue." Read more...
Finding dogs 'a forever home'
"It's not fair to move a dog to three or four homes. We want it to be done right for the last time. People do complain because it's like adopting a child," said Vickey Willard, coordinator at Collie Rescue. "Our main thing is, they have already had a life living in the backyard. That's why it's in a shelter." Read more...
Adopting your companion animal
There is a misconception that the animals in shelters are "damaged" goods. That is far from the truth. An overwhelming percentage of shelter animals are surrendered by their owners because of relocation, divorce or financial problems. Read more...
Do right by 'baby' for long, happy life together
I've never had children, so I've been lucky enough to find someone who loves animals as much as I do. They are my children. I love them, take care of them, make sure they never want for anything and love them with all my heart. And the best part about animals is when they grow up they can't go to a therapist who convinces them all the problems they have in life are my fault. Read more...
Do I want a border collie?
Border Collies are the fanatical black and white dogs that have been bred to herd sheep. They come in an assortment of sizes and colors, though they generally range from about 30 to 60 pounds and their "typical" markings are black with a white collar, chest, head stripe (blaze), paws, and tail tip. Read more...
The best choice in dog acquisition
- Especially for First-Time Owners - When you are first considering adding a dog to your family the next most daunting question is usually: "Where's the best place and how do I know what type of dog will work for me?" For long-time readers, my next answer will probably be obvious. Go to your local animal shelter or Humane Society. It's my favourite answer, and I'm most happy to tell you why I think so. Read more...
Top 10 reasons why two kittens are better than one
The decision to adopt a kitten is an exciting event, but not to be entered into lightly. Kittens require an enormous amount of care, which, of course, is compensated by the extreme pleasure of watching them grow and develop. Sometimes, it is better to adopt two kittens, whether this is your first cat or an addition to a feline family. Read more...
Thinking of adopting a puppy?
Sadly, the majority of puppies fail to live long enough to enjoy their second birthday. They suffer from the terminal illness of being unwantedfailing to live up to the promise and expectation of the LassieBenjiEddie dream. Read more...
Could my dog find me a man?
What is the world's most effective chatup line? Well, how about this one: "Your bitch is adorable. Perhaps we should meet up in the park some time." Read more...
How we love our dogs
To a generation raised during the 1950s and 1960s, when pets slept outdoors or in the garage, died every seven or eight years and were generally considered disposable, devotion to a dog may seem bizarre. But there is a new generation of canine-committed "parents" who ascribe human traits to their dogs and treat the four-legged member of their clan accordingly. Read more...
Retired greyhounds settle into family life & couch-potatohood
It's hard to imagine that the two dogs lounging around Susan and Keith Taylor's home were once the stars of a racetrack in Florida. "They're big couch potatoes," says Susan. Read more...
A dog brings more happiness than a partner
Owning a dog brings greater happiness than being in a steady relationships, according to a survey. Read more...
Pit bulls crawl out of the doghouse
Oblivious to the voices and music, Paula and Buster quietly make their way through the tangle of patrons' feet, pausing to bask in the massage of hands reaching down to pet them. Paula and Buster are evidence of a phenomenon that is emerging in unexpected parts of the area: the well-socialized pit bull. Read more...
Fondness, fear in the furor over pit bulls
With more dogs being killed at the local pound and fewer adopted, advocates point to irresponsible owners. Read more...
A dog's best friend
"I know he's old - I don't know what I'll do when something happens to him. How do you get a dog so perfect?" To many, Ms. Crowell's definition of 'perfect' may seem a bit unusual. She and her husband, Jay, adopted Lefty 15 months ago - and the black and white border collie mix was 10 years old and missing his left front leg. Read more...
Forget Paris and give pooch a chance
A celebrity trend for handbag-sized dogs has led to hundreds being abandoned and eventually put down. Heiress Paris Hilton led the trend that made small dogs a fashion accessory. But just as she abandoned her chihuahua, Tinkerbell, when it outgrew her handbag, hundreds of small dogs have been dumped in NSW. Read more...
Dogs - it's all in the personality
Dr Jacqui Ley, from the Animal Welfare Science Centre at Monash, found that dogs fit into five personality dimensions -- extroversion, trainability or cleverness, self assuredness and motivation, amicability with other dogs and people, and cautiousness. Read more...
When love comes on four legs
Medical professionals have been studying the phenomenon for two decades and have found that having a pet around can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, increase the odds of surviving a heart attack, diminish pain, decrease doctor's visits and medications, and lessen stress, depression and loneliness, said Dr. Marty Becker, who has written several books on the human/animal bond. Read more...
Try to cat-proof your home before adopting a kitten
June is bustin' out all over and so is kitten season, so making June the official Adopt a Cat month is quite appropriate. Life with a cat or cats can be such fun, but before you add a feline to your family, everyone will be much happier if you take some time to prepare your home for the new addition. Read more...
Every library should have its very own cat
Library cats are not new. They were welcome in libraries in ancient Egypt and are employed in both Great Britain and Russia for rodent control. The Library Cats Society actively promotes the union of cats and libraries throughout the world. Read more...
The dog that climbed onto the couch
The medium-sized, 2-year-old dog with the puffy white fur and curlicue tail didn't know it, but he was scheduled to die that Saturday in February 1986. Read more...
Horsing around a top way to find love
If you're looking for love, owning a horse could be the way to meet your soul mate, a survey has revealed. Read more...
Doggone dilemma
The common complaints when a dog doesn't seem to be working out is that it's too big and strong, or too active. If you're choosing between two breeds, go for the smaller and less active - unless your family's idea of a quiet Sunday is jogging 26 miles. Read more...
Dieting with dog helps lose weight
People read books and try all kinds of products, but the weight loss answer may be as close as the nearest animal shelter. Read more...
A hare-raising tale
Baby rabbits are cute, but soon turn into a raging pile of hormones. At around 5 months, docile babies morph into squirming teenagers who don't want to be held or cuddled. They also become sexually mature and may start to spray urine to mark their territory. Rabbits that aren't spayed or neutered may hump anything from the family cat to a guest's leg, and can become aggressive. Read more...
Loving dog-cat combos bust old myth
The truth about cats and dogs is that they can be friends, which is demonstrated by an estimated one million living together in Australian homes. Read more...
Fit for a dog?
With kitten season upon us, animal shelters across the country are filling up. The seasonal spike in unwanted pets means that many will be euthanised for lack of space. Why, then, are prospective pet owners these days given the third degree? Read more...
Woman races to greyhounds' rescue
A lifetime spent in a kennel is all many greyhounds know, but thanks to groups such as the Maritime Greyhound Adoption, some of the dogs go from living at a racetrack to a cosy home with loving families. Read more...
For the birds - couple rescues abused and unwanted pet birds
The Millers operate Mountain Spirits Bird Rescue out of their Towanda home. They remove abused, neglected or unwanted birds from their previous homes, care for them and find new places for them to live. Read more...
Experts offer tips on living with a dog
The obedience classes teaches that dogs have an attention span of about two seconds for you to catch them being good and reinforce it. The same works for being bad - if you punish your dog for something he destroyed five hours ago or even five minutes ago, he has no idea why you're ranting. Read more...
With adult pets, you know what you get
If you are thinking about adopting a pet, you might want to consider an adult animal. There are lots of advantages to adopting an older, mature dog or cat. Read more...
Rescue a 60-pound couch potato
"Living with greyhounds is a lot like living with cats," laughs McGee. "They display quick, comic bursts of energy when playing with their squeaky toys, and the rest of the time, they're couch potatoes, draping themselves elegantly around the house." Read more...
Rescuers look for a good fit, pet to person
Some people complain that it's easier to adopt a child than get an animal from a rescue group. What the rescue groups are looking for is a good fit. They want to make sure you know what you are getting into and if this dog or cat is right for your home. Read more...
Woof! The truth behind common dog myths
Are Labradors really the best breed for kids? Dog behaviorist Tamar Geller debunks some misconceptions about caring for pooches Read more...
Live Easter bunny: a hare-brained idea
It is not easy being a bunny person around Easter. At no other time are bunnies so popular. Parents buy the diminutive animals figuring they will make cuddlesome pets, but within weeks, or days, many learn that keeping a rabbit can be as time-consuming as raising a cat or dog. Lacking the inclination to keep the new pet, families surrender them by the hundreds. Read more...
Avoid the bunny trail this Easter
It's that time of year when some people may think they need some bunny. And if your kids drag you into the local pet store "just to look" before Easter, it's easy to fall for one. Baby bunnies are adorable, with softer-than-velvet fur, long, loopy ears and twitchy noses. But don't be tempted to adopt on a whim. Or because it's Easter. Read more...
Cats, dogs may lower allergy risk in children
Growing up with cats and dogs may reduce a child's risk of developing allergies, according to a new study. Read more...
Cat-owning kids 'may get less allergies'
Children brought up with cats may be less prone to develop allergies than those in feline-free households, according to a new study. Read more...
Spring puts pressure on dog population
More people consider getting dogs during spring and summer, but the supply outweighs demand. Animal shelters, already overcrowded, become inundated with even more animals every week. So how can you help and still make the best choice for your family? Read more...
The high price of film fame
There is no movie comedy as delicious as the play and laughter of a well-matched human and dog. Conversely, there is nothing funny about a dog that was an impulse buy and is never really loved and embraced by its people. Unrealistic portrayals of dogs lead to surging sales -- and then a dramatic rise in abandoned animals Read more...
Best senior companion may be a senior dog
Both the human and the dog need someone in their lives - even though it is traumatic for a human to lose a canine companion of many years, it is devastating for an adult dog to lose his life-time owner. Often the best decision is to put these two seniors together. Read more...
Experts fear Shaggy film will spur dog-buying spree
Aficionados of a dog breed called the bearded collie are concerned that a new Disney movie could create a big, hairy problem. When the remake of the "101 Dalmatians" movie came out, The Dalmatian Club of America was overwhelmed with rescuing hundreds of teen-age dals turned in by owners who had not taken activity level, shedding, training, etc., into consideration. Read more...
Don't be fooled by sled dog heroics
One quick look at Carolina Johnson and Randy Moore's back yard and you know this gig isn't for everybody. They own siberian huskies - the breed that stars in Eight Below, one of the most popular films in the country this winter. And that can translate into a huge problem for dogs and humans. Read more...
Animal adoption is a life-saving option
Owning a pet is a great joy and a huge responsibility. Adopting a pet can be an additional joy, because it provides a second chance for a happy life for a deserving animal. Adoption is a big step, however, and ought not be taken lightly. Read more...
Retired greyhounds chasing dream of better life with adoptive owners
The Canberra Greyhound Adoption Service match dogs who no longer cut it on the track with families looking for a gentle-natured pet. ''They don't have a lot of stamina so they are great low-maintenance dogs for people who don't want to do the one-hour walk every day, or who need a partner to watch TV with all night, and they are wonderful with children." Read more...
Prescription for a better life? Get a pet and do it now!
It might be the prescription of the future: Take two aspirin and get a pet immediately. Fido is no placebo - he can literally be man's best friend when people are ailing. Read more...
Finding the perfect pet
When it comes to selecting a canine companion that will live in your household for years, looking beyond the exterior to the tendencies beneath is more important than a beguilingly smushed face or a wavy coat. Just like car shopping, you need to know what's under the hood. Read more...
What is breed rescue?
Breed rescue is normally made up of a group of people or an individual who focuses on the rescue of a particular breed of dog or cat - for example, Great Dane rescue. You might ask yourself why there is a need for such groups, but unfortunately, they are needed more often than you might think. Read more...
Millions of dogs and cats are born to die each year
More than 50,000 kittens and puppies are born each day in the United States alone. The only kind word or gentle touch many of them ever receive is from the technician who must end their lives because there simply aren't enough homes - or even cages - for them all. Read more...
Pet toll rising: be sure puppy love is for life
Parents considering giving a kitten or puppy for Christmas have been urged to think again after the RSPCA reported an increase in the number of pets it put down this year Read more...
Will this be the year of the dog or cat?
Children often will beg for a pet at this time of year, usually including a cat or dog on their list for Santa. However, before parents run to a shelter or pet store, they should give careful thought to how a pet will fit into their family's lifestyle, pet adoption experts say. Read more...
Socialising and adoption of rabbits
The other thing I do is have them spayed and neutered. More than 80 percent of female rabbits that aren't spayed die of cancer within three years. Plus, spaying gets rid of hormonal problems that occur as their teenage years begin. This way, a house rabbit will live an average of 10 years. Some of them are really friendly and sweet. Read more...
Greyhound Angels - Taking the lead
Melita Shonis, founder of Greyhound Angels of WA features in this weeks West Australian mag - "people don't realise that they're suitable for pets and what nice dogs they are." Read more...
Secret lives of dogs
What we have found is quite surprising, she said. Neither the size of the backyard, the complexity of the yard, the presence of another dog, nor the time spent with people, on its own or out walking, were related to dog behavioural problems. What appeared to be important was the type of relationship between the owner and the dog. Read more...
Think before you buy pets, says govt
People should think first before they pick up a pet as a Christmas present, NSW Local Government Minister Kerry Hickey has said. More than 35,000 dogs and cats were received by the NSW RSPCA this year, an increase of more than 3,400 on last year. Read more...
Give pet toys - not pets - for Christmas
We become overcrowded fast, normally in January, because people are bringing in animals that they got as Christmas presents. They didn't really want them in the first place. Read more...
Australian shepherds a high-powered breed
It wasn't as easy as you might think to find the right home for Mick. This dog was far too energetic to be a typical family pet. Mick is so smart that in most homes he'd be making the rules, says Hilary Hines of Hood River, who has volunteered for Aussie Rescue for 12 years. During that time, she's helped find homes for more than 200 dogs. Read more...
You MUST watch this...
Download: A shelter movie - what happens behind the doors. Read more...
PetRescue Ltd © 2004 - 2008 - Terms of Use