Adoption information
About Bella
Bella — A Gentle Little Soul
DOB: 27 October 2023
Breed: Kelpie with a touch of Border Collie — best estimate
Weight: 17.8 kg
Apply here:
https://southerndownsark.com.au/apply-to-adopt/
Meet Bella, a beautiful Kelpie girl with a soft nature, a loving heart and the gentlest of temperaments.
Everything about Bella is lovely. She is sweet-tempered, gentle, eager to please and very easy to love. She adores people she knows, enjoys the company of other dogs, and has a loyal, affectionate nature that makes her a very special little soul.
Bella appears to be mostly Kelpie, but her ears and white-tipped tail suggest a touch of Border Collie influence. She has the sensitivity, intelligence and devotion often seen in working-breed dogs, but in a softer, more gentle package.
Bella has now filled out beautifully and weighs 17.8 kg, so while she is still a neat and manageable girl, she is no longer as tiny as she once was.
In her short life, Bella has sadly spent a lot of time chained up. Because of this, she is currently more comfortable living outside than inside. She is happy to come inside for a while, but at this stage she tends to take herself back outside and likes to sleep on the verandah. She does not mess on the verandah overnight, but we do not yet know whether she is fully house-trained.
With time, patience and love, Bella may well learn to enjoy being an inside dog. She simply needs people who will not rush her, but will gently show her that inside life is safe, calm and full of comfort.
Bella is good with other dogs and, as she gains confidence, she is starting to stand up for herself a little more. She is not bossy or difficult, but she is learning that she is allowed to have boundaries too. She would suit a home with kind, well-mannered dogs and people who will make sure she feels safe and is not overwhelmed.
Bella’s past has clearly left a few marks on her psyche. If her foster mum is telling the other dogs off, Bella may slink away, even though she is never the one in trouble because she never does anything wrong. She can also cower if her foster mum raises her hands or picks up a stick in the paddock. These little moments tell us that Bella needs a gentle home where voices are kind, hands are safe, and she is given time to understand that nobody is going to hurt her.
Bella is fine with children and has no known exposure to cats.
Her ideal home will be calm, kind and patient, with people who understand that a dog who has missed out on normal comforts may need a little time to adjust. In return, Bella will give you loyalty, love and the quiet devotion of a dog who is truly grateful to belong.
There is nothing not to love about this gorgeous girl.
Applications are online only:
https://southerndownsark.com.au/apply-to-adopt/
Medical notes
No known pre-existing conditions.
Bella was desexed in April 2026.
HEARTWORM INFORMATION
Heartworm disease is uncommon in the Southern Downs, so ARK does not routinely heartworm test or administer heartworm prevention to dogs in our care. Should a successful applicant wish to have a heartworm test performed before adoption, we are happy to arrange this.
Adoption details
Dogs:
(1) The first step is to complete the online adoption application form at https://southerndownsark.com.au/apply-to-adopt/ Please answer all questions and include photos of your yard and fencing.
(2) All applications will be considered by our Adoption Team, following which a "meet and greet" will be offered to the top-ranking applicant.
(3) If the “meet and greet" is successful, the applicant may adopt the dog and take him or her home the same day.
(4) For successful interstate applicants, different arrangements may apply and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Cats:
If you are interested in one of our cats or kittens, please click on the green "Enquire about ...", button, tell us a bit about yourself and the home you can offer the cat, and one of our volunteers will be in touch.
