Adoption information
Rescue group
PetRescue ID
1031058
Location
Kew, VIC
Age
11 years 8 months
Adoption fee
$590.00
Microchip number
956000003244330
Source number
RE120211
Last updated
09 Nov, 2024
Pre-adoption checks
-
Desexed
-
Vaccinated
-
Interstate adoption (VIC only)
-
Wormed
I'd prefer a home that
-
Doesn't have cats
-
Doesn't have kids under 5
-
Doesn't have kids from 6 to 12
About Stevie Elphinstone
TO APPLY FOR ADOPTION PLEASE SEND IN APPLICATION FORM AVAILABLE BELOW:
https://www.victoriandogrescue.org.au/adopt/
Stevie is deaf and blind.
Meet Stevie Elphinstone, a special dog with a heart as big as his paws!
Despite being blind and deaf, Stevie is a friendly, fearless explorer
who approaches life with a wagging tail and a curious nose.
Personality and Adaptability
Stevie's resilient spirit shines through. He is able to adapt to new
surroundings, learning the layout of the house and finding his favorite
spots, like his cozy dog bed and the inviting family room couch, which
he has no trouble getting up and down from when he's ready for a snooze
or cuddle.
Intelligence and Training
Stevie is very smart and has learned where to sit when he gets fed,
water bowl locations, and where the kitchen is. He's also house-trained
and confidently uses the dog-door to go in and out as he needs. He loves
gentle daily walks, walking calmly on a short lead and following his
nose around the neighborhood, with some steering as needed to avoid
collisions with objects in his path, meaning that his human walker needs
to pay attention to their surroundings constantly and keep their hands
free for lead steering.
Social Skills
Stevie's charming personality shows in his love of people and cuddles.
He can hear a limited number of noises (such as claps) and feels
vibrations in the floor when you walk - and his tail starts wagging
enthusiastically when he senses you in the room. If you gently place
your hand on his back or head, you'll usually end up with a spaniel
rolling over on your feet for belly rubs. He uses his unique voice to
communicate when he is unsure about something and needs reassurance.
Stevie thrives on human touch and is happiest when he can feel someone
nearby, enjoying every pat and cuddle he receives. He's very happy to
curl up next to you, or in your lap.
Compatibility with Other Pets
Stevie has met some dogs on walks and isn't reactive to them. He's very
friendly with humans and isn't shy or easily startled.
Stevie was living harmoniously with two older dogs about the same size
when he first came into foster care, showing that he's not only friendly
but also adaptable to different canine companions with a similar energy
level. However given Stevie's blindness and deafness he is prone to
unintentionally invading the 'personal space' of other dogs which can
trigger aggressive responses in them towards Stevie (though Stevie has
never shown any aggression himself), an issue that arose with one of the
other dogs in his first foster placement. Given this, Stevie might be
best as an only dog or with very calm, non-aggressive (even when
provoked/tested) canine companions only, to ensure his safety and
comfort.
Ideal Home for Stevie
Stevie currently appears to need a home where someone is around most of
the time to provide the companionship and reassurance he needs. A calm
and quiet environment would help him feel secure, and a home that is
easy for him to navigate would be ideal. Limiting his access to certain
areas would help to prevent him from getting lost or overwhelmed. A
small, secure, fenced outdoor area where he can safely explore and use
the toilet would be great, and a neighbourhood with quiet streets for
his daily strolls would be a plus.
Stevie's new family should be patient and understanding of his special
needs, willing to provide the reassurance and physical contact he
craves. They should also be attentive to his unique ways of
communicating. Having a trusted neighbor or pet sitter who will come
over to look after Stevie when his humans need to go out for a few hours
would be helpful to keep him calm and happy and allow for his humans to
undertake some necessary errands that are not Stevie friendly.
Stevie is a wonderful companion who will bring joy and love to any home
willing to accommodate his special needs.
Thank you to Jasmine Bibby for the beautiful photos of Stevie.
Not the dog you’re looking for? Please visit our website to see other
dogs waiting for a home.
https://www.victoriandogrescue.org.au/dogs-for-adoption/
Have you considered foster care? For more information please click on
the link below.
https://www.victoriandogrescue.org.au/foster-care/
All our dogs are desexed, C5 vaccinated with intranasal, microchipped,
wormed, and flea treated. All necessary vetwork such as dentals,
surgery, eye treatment are also carried out. We are no longer heartworm
testing as we have not had one positive test since we began in 2006. If
a dog comes to us on heartworm treatment this is continued.
Medical notes
Weight: 14.5 kgs
Health: blind with PRA and nearly deaf. Going back to the vet for ear
meds and urine samples.
Adoption details
We are a community fostercare network, not a shelter, and our dogs and cats are cared for in private homes. Note that we are very careful where we rehome our dogs and cats and we have an intensive process. If you want a quick turnaround we are not the group for you. If you seem like a good match for the dog of your choice we will organise a telephone chat, a meet and greet and a property check. We offer free assistance for six weeks for any issues, a lifetime takeback policy with full refund of the adoption fee, and will always be available to offer advice.
We care for our dogs and cats and we want you to as well. We know that genuine applicants have no trouble with this process and understand that if we refuse you a dog or cat, it is because you are not the best match for that pet.
Our commitment to the dogs and cats in our care is total and we treat each one as if we are passing on a family pet. This may not suit you so we point out that there are equally great dogs and cats available in pounds, shelters and with other rescue groups.
If you are still interested, please download an application form from our website:
http://www.victoriandogrescue.org.au/about-vicdrg/adoption-and-foster-application-forms.html
The application form must be emailed to us:
adoptions@victoriandogrescue.org.au
Please note that we do not take/make telephone calls prior to receiving an application.
Commonly asked questions and their answers are provided when you email us. Unfortunately we usually will not have time to reply to enquiries in more detail and will give priority to completed applications over enquiries. Priority will also be given to typed applications which are easier for us to read and to copy relevant parts.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Victorian Dog Rescue & Resource Group Inc is a registered not-for-profit charity.
We appreciate our sponsors and all our donors so much, as without them we would not be able to save the pets we do, or run our programs that reach into the community to give a helping hand. Are you able to donate, sponsor or want to leave a bequest?
For more information please go to the links below. We so much appreciate your kindness.