What to look for in a rescue organisation: Key standards and practices for pet adoptions

Rescue pets are becoming increasingly embraced by companies and advertisers across Australia. It’s wonderful that more companies want to support rescue pets, pet adoption and rehoming. The more exposure rescue pets receive, the better chance they’ll have to be seen and adopted - it’s a positive step toward a future where every pet can be safe, respected and loved.

Why consistent standards matter for rescue pets

With increased visibility for thousands of wonderful rescue pets, and more people finding their new furry family members through rescue and rehoming programs, the lack of consistency in how rescue pets, and the people caring for them, are treated, and the gaps in industry regulation and safeguards against unethical profiteering practices across Australia is more apparent now than ever.
 

Building trust in pet adoption: Ethical practices for rescue organisations

While the vast majority of pet adoptions result in strong human-animal bonds and wonderful stories of rescue pets finding love, sometimes things don’t go well and the results of these situations have far-reaching consequences for both the individuals and pets involved, and the rescue community as a whole. 

Welcoming a furry family member is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming experience. The team of people to support you as you welcome them into your home is more important than ever. Public trust, ethics, and reputability in caring for, advertising, and matching rescue pets with their new families, as well as building and maintaining that trust with the public, are core values in the PetRescue member community.

Arnold adopted thanks to Project Underdog Rescue

PetRescue’s role in promoting high standards for pet adoption

At PetRescue, we take the legitimacy of our member organisations and private rehomers in the Home2Home Program very seriously. We work with our members daily to ensure PetRescue remains a safe place for people to find and adopt pets.

It’s crucial for us to ensure that all pets that are listed for adoption on PetRescue are done so by individuals and groups who are committed to a Membership Code, Pet Listing Rules and uphold a standard of care for not only pets but also the people they interact with and safety for those who work in and volunteer within their organisations. When a rescue organisation member can’t uphold these values and commit to practices that protect the welfare of pets and people, PetRescue makes every effort to support and facilitate improvement. If together, we fail to reach a positive outcome they are not allowed to continue as part of the PetRescue community. 

How to choose a reputable rescue organisation

We want to see ‘safe, respected and loved’ become the expectation for all rescue pets and the people who care for them across Australia. That’s why PetRescue has created some helpful guidelines to ensure that potential adopters on various platforms and marketplaces where rescue pets are listed for adoption are equipped with the knowledge to make informed choices and know what to look out for when looking to adopt a pet.

When reading these guidelines, it’s important for all conscious consumers to understand that ‘best practice’ rescue and sheltering responds to the needs and challenges of the community, so it looks different depending on where you are. These guidelines are written to support potential adopters in having informed conversations when they're considering welcoming a rescue pet into their home. 

Need help finding a reputable rescue? Start with the PetRescue Member Directory, Australia’s largest searchable list of verified rescue organisations.

By using this checklist, you can ensure you’re adopting from a rescue that prioritises both pet welfare and ethical practices. Happy adopting! 🐾

📋 Download the checklist here or keep reading below ✅

Frank adopted thanks to Maneki Neko Cat Rescue

Essential good practice guidelines for pet adoption organisations

Caring for Rescue Pets: Minimum Standards ✅

• Pets receive quality care comparable to a home environment.

• Veterinary checks are completed, treatment for medical needs is carried out and a full medical history is provided to adopters.

• Behavioural needs are assessed against the quality of care provided in a home environment, with transparent disclosure to adopters.

• All pets are vaccinated, microchipped, and desexed before adoption (or arrangements are in place for this to happen before ownership is transferred)

• Full pet records, including proof of ownership and microchip transfer, are provided at adoption.

• All pets that are physically and behaviourally healthy are made available for adoption, foster care, or transfer to a partner organisation. 

• Efforts are made to find pathways to live outcomes for pets who need treatment or specific management to live a safe and healthy life.

• The organisation has a transparent and clear approach to assessing pet suitability for placement into adoptive homes. Where euthanasia is a compassionate and appropriate choice due to untreatable or unmanageable medical or behavioural reasons, this is performed promptly by a qualified veterinary team. 

Caring for Rescue Pets: Ideal Practices ⭐

• Pets are housed in foster homes as a first option, to minimise the negative impacts of kennel housing on their welfare.

• Volunteers and the community are engaged in pet care and adoption efforts to ensure no pet in care is ‘invisible’ when in need.

• Organisations support last-litter programs for pregnant or parenting pets

• Practical support (e.g., low-cost vet care, pet pantries, emergency boarding) is available to pet guardians to prevent pets coming into care as a priority.

• Treatable health and behaviour conditions are addressed before adoption, with transparent disclosure to adopters.

Mushroom adopted thanks to Second Chance Animal Rescue

Caring for People: Minimum Standards ✅

• All members of the community, both internal and external to the organisation, are always treated with respect and empathy.

• Communications between organisations and their communities (adopters, supporters, clients) are open, transparent and timely.

• The privacy of surrendering owners is respected and the circumstances which resulted in pets coming into care (from an individual or transferring organisation) are spoken about respectfully.

• The growing bond between newly adopted pets and their guardians is proactively supported by organisations through post-adoption support and the provision of resources.

• Team members and volunteers are provided support and access to resources to ensure their wellbeing is prioritised too.

Caring for People: Ideal Practices ⭐

• Tangible support is provided to pet owners to keep their pets at home where possible and prevent pets from coming into care.

• All policies and processes are created to address the needs of the specific pets and community in which the organisation is located.

• The organisation has multiple supportive and collaborative relationships with other animal and human services organisations, local authorities, and service providers in their community. 

• The organisation practises inclusivity, accessibility and equal opportunity for all potential adopters.

Lola adopted thanks to DCH Animal Adoptions

Compliance & Legal Requirements: Minimum Standards ✅

• The organisation operates as a legitimate not-for-profit or charity business and holds an ABN - [here’s how to search for these details].

• Where an organisation provides commercial or other services that conflict with their role in pet sheltering or rescue, they are transparent and honest about this with their community.

• Check that the organisation is recognised on an official registry such as the Australian Charities & Non-for-profit Commission (ACNC- search here, ASIC information about Not For Profit organisational responsibilities here).

• Check for compliance with state-based rehoming requirements, which require sellers and rehoming organisations to advertise their organisation registration number or the pet’s microchip number on all public advertisements for their pets.

• Check your state’s requirements and see if an organisation is registered, see the links below

  • VIC Source Number (for all dogs and cats being rehomed)

  • NSW Pet Registry (Rehoming Organisation Number or microchip required on all pet advertisements)

  • QLD Supply Number (also called a Breeder Exemption Number) 

  • SA Breeder Number (required for all pets born in care)

  • National Property Identification Code or PIC (a PIC is required for the movement of all farm animals around the country)

Compliance & Legal Requirements: Ideal Practices ⭐

• If an organisation is seeking monetary donations from the community, check that they are a legitimate charity according to these ACNC guidelines. 

• It is good practice for the full microchip number of any pet advertised to be listed on their profile. You can check if a microchip is registered to an Australian national database here.

📋✅ Download the checklist here.

Banner image: Doopy, adopted thanks to Iron Dog Rescue