Camp Dogs

2 dogs listed

0 cats listed

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530 total pets adopted (all time)

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0 pets needing foster care

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About Camp Dogs

We rehome puppies and now adult dogs for "Gloria the Dog Lady of Yuendumu" in the NT. https://www.facebook.com/aussiedesertdogs. She is also the co-manager of www.warlu.com.

The term "Camp Dogs" is commonly used for all domestic dogs living in remote indigenous communities.

Our pups and dogs have either been found or surrendered so several dedicated individuals will temporarily care for and drive the dog's many hundreds of km's to get the dogs to Alice Springs for us to arrange flights.

Indigenous people who know of our work may surrender pups or dogs because they feel they have too many and want us to find a good home for the dog, even if it is in the cities. The dog's welfare is their concern.

Because of the remoteness of these communities, there were too many dogs (introduced by the white man when the indigenous people were moved to missions) but now vets, often volunteers, travel to these communities to desex and educate and offer additional vet treatment. Conditions are very basic and the vets have to be highly skilled to operate in such conditions.

However, the results have been very encouraging and the indigenous people have a very strong bond with their dogs. The dogs may not live in fenced yards, walked on leads, and fed on top-grade dog food but they are never alone.

They are of mixed breed and come in all shapes and sizes. Research suggests there is very little dingo DNA in these dogs now.

The dogs often look like working dog crosses but have never "worked a day in their lives" nor their great grandparents. DNA tests are undertaken by some camp dog owners and the results often look nothing like the dog causing much entertainment or disappointment that their dog is not a kelpie or a dingo!

So we state "mixed breed". As such, they usually live long and healthy lives with fewer health issues. However, we recommend any dog owner allows for unexpected and routine vet bills, rather than expensive pet paraphernalia or toys, etc Puppies love a cardboard box!!!

Most of the dogs have had rich socialisation with other dogs, humans of all ages including children and often cats.

Like all dogs they need training and when young don't cope well with long hours alone. So they like city dogs benefit from dog walkers or doggie daycare if at home for long hours.

Older dogs may enjoy being the only dog and spending hrs alone if living with full-time workers.

The majority of our dogs end up with families, go to workplaces each day, some live happily in apartments or large properties. Some now live overseas.

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Adoption details

This organisation's adoption policy is Flexible

What does this mean?

PLEASE PROVIDE ANSWERS TO ALL OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW.

We take all inquiries on their own merits. Every home is different so we will consider all kinds of living arrangements.

So, are you ready to adopt today? If not please apply when you are ready.

The process is that if you are offered a "meet and greet" with the dog, at the time of the meet if the dog is felt to be a good for for your home it goes home/is adopted at that time.

So if you rent, do you have permission now? If you live in a unit do you have Body corporate permission, now? Have you set up your home for a new dog or puppy now?

We don't have the option for you to meet the dog and then return at a later date to collect it.

We are volunteers who foster from our own homes and space is always needed for other dogs. So the sooner the dog is in their forever home the better for everyone.

1. How many people are there in your household, what ages are they, and what is their relationship to the applicant?

Do they work or study long hours from home or elsewhere, or retired or a stay at home parent? Giving us this kind of information helps to understand if the dog will fit in.

If it is considered necessary would they all be prepared to come to a meet and greet?

If you live with your parents it is very important we know that they really want to have a dog.

2. Have you had a dog before is so, when, size, and age? If you have looked after other peoples dogs what size, breed were they and for how long?

3. Have you had any experience with dogs that have behaviour issues and if so when and how did you cope with this?

4. Do you have any other pets and if so what and have you considered how to introduce a new dog to them?

Most of our dogs have been around other dogs of all shapes and sizes.

If they have met cats we will say so, but we can't always cat test a dog and don't have any other pets for the dogs to meet.

5 .If you are looking for a new dog as a companion for your current dog, have you considered that they may not bond in the way you had hoped and just live side by side?

It must be the caregivers that want the new dog and will address any issues.

If offered a meet with the dog we sometimes suggest the caregivers do not bring their current dog as they may be over whelmed or uninterested.

6. Puppies and many young dogs cannot be left alone for long hours, so how will you prevent separation anxiety which is common if the home is not very aware of this? It is often the reason dogs of all kinds of breeds end up being surrendered or receiving multiple anxiety medications.

7. If you want a puppy how will you deal with the work involved i.e. toilet training, chewing, mouthing - those sharp teeth - jumping up, going to puppy classes?

8. If you have children, how old are they and how will you cope with all of the work involved?

If you are offered a meet with the dog we sometimes suggest the caregivers come without the children to prevent disappointment if the dog is not considered suitable. It is the parents that must really want the dog, and will provide the constant supervision and boundaries that are needed?

9. Have you considered that a dog or a puppy cannot immediately be taken to a dog park or café and need to slowly understand all the new sights, sounds, people, dogs, etc of their new environment?

10. If necessary would you seek additional one on one training for you and your dog?

11. How would you cope with any behaviour issues that might arise?

12. Where will the dog sleep at night?

13. How will you provide for any veterinary costs?

14. We will estimate as best we can what size/weight the dog will be but they are all totally unique so we cannot give any more information. Have you considered this?

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