Scruffer Lovers is a small rescue dedicated to helping place local, friendly pound dogs from various regional and rural councils in South Australia.

We assist with rehoming local South Australian pound dogs (and private surrenders, assessed on a case by case basis) in need and helping them find loving forever homes once desexed, vaccinated and microchipped. We are only small but have helped many dogs, often with the help of other small local rescues. We love being able to work with other rescues to help save as many friendly poundies as we can.

At Scruffer Lovers we pride ourselves on our animal welfare standards. Each animal is treated as an individual and their needs are our top priority. We make every attempt to ensure all of our dogs are good with people and other dogs prior to coming into care.

Upon coming into care all our dogs receive full veterinary assessment, worm and flea treatments and they are desexed, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

Each dog is fostered in a home environment where they receive plenty of love and care, and we care for these dogs until they find a loving home, no matter how long that may take.

We are not a “no kill” organisation, we are “pro life”. It is unfortunate that some dogs are so traumatised that they cannot be safely rehomed. We will never compromise the welfare of an animal to save its life, we believe in quality of life, not quantity. And sometimes we do have to say no.

In saying that, it is important to focus on the positive aspect of rescue and remember how many dogs we have assisted over the years in finding great homes and also how many people and families we have helped find their loving companions or assistance dogs.

There are a small number of volunteers involved in the rescue. Our team are all voluntary, with many of us working full-time and generally volunteer their time after hours to look after the dogs and to also attend to the administration.

We understand that adding a dog to the family is an exciting process and we make every attempt to respond promptly to enquiries, unfortunately as with many people we do find ourselves stretched at times and try to utilise our time on weekends to “catch-up”.

Occasionally we may forget to respond to an inquiry, if this occurs please do not hesitate to contact us again either by phone or email at scrufferlovers@gmail.com.

We look forward to placing many more dogs and helping families find loving, lifelong companions.

Adoption application/discuss/meet/adopt followed by trial period. Aftercare and ongoing support offered.

Adoption Application - Email scrufferlovers@gmail.com with your inquiry and an adoption application will be forwarded. Once the completed application is received, we will respond by email / phone call to discuss the dog in further detail, and answer any other questions you may have and arrange a meet and greet. Please note that completing the application form does not place you under any obligation to adopt.

Trial Period - Adoptions for dogs have a 14 day trial period. If the trial is not successful, the adoption fee will be refunded within 14 days, minus an admin fee.

All our animals are desexed prior to adoption, as well as micro-chipped and C5 vaccinated. Flea and worm treatment is also done frequently. Cost for adoption covers these services.