Looking for foster care
About Grace
💙 GRACE — A VERY SPECIAL GIRL LOOKING FOR A VERY SPECIAL HOME
DOB: 30 September 2025
Breed: Catahoula Leopard Dog/Whippet mix
Weight: 21.5 kgs
Sex: Female
Apply here:
https://southerndownsark.com.au/apply-to-adopt/
Grace is deaf and needs a home prepared to understand her world a little differently.
What she lacks in hearing, she more than makes up for in devotion. Her foster family describes her as a big Velcro dog — very affectionate, people-focused and happiest when she is close to her human. Given the choice, Grace would patiently follow you around all day and curl up beside you at night.
❤️ A PEOPLE DOG THROUGH AND THROUGH
Grace loves people, other dogs and children.
She is still young, enthusiastic and sometimes unaware of her size when showing affection, so we think she would be best suited to older children who are comfortable around a larger, energetic dog.
👂 LIVING WITH DEAFNESS
Grace’s foster carer believes she is profoundly deaf, which may also explain why she rarely barks.
She will need patient, consistent training using visual cues and hand signals, together with secure fencing and sensible management to keep her safe.
Grace will do best with a confident, capable person who can provide clear, consistent guidance and help channel her youthful exuberance as she matures.
🐾 YOUNG, CLEVER AND STILL LEARNING
Grace is house-trained and is beginning to learn her basic commands and lead manners.
She can be strong on lead when something interesting catches her attention — rabbits, kangaroos and cows are particular favourites — but she is eager to engage with her humans and has plenty of potential with continued training.
🚗 OUT AND ABOUT
Grace loves a car trip and enjoys being part of whatever her family is doing.
She does, however, become anxious when confined in small enclosed spaces and cannot comfortably be shut in a crate, including at the vet. Her future family will need to manage this sensitively.
🏡 GRACE’S IDEAL HOME
Grace needs someone who sees beyond her deafness and recognises the loving, loyal young dog underneath.
Her ideal home will offer:
✓ Plenty of human companionship and leadership
✓ Secure fencing
✓ Patient, consistent training
✓ An understanding of visual communication
✓ Room for a young, active dog to enjoy life
✓ Someone who will appreciate having a very devoted shadow at their side
Grace is not looking for sympathy. She is looking for someone prepared to understand her, teach her and love her exactly as she is.
🌏 INTERSTATE ADOPTIONS
We welcome interstate applications and can help with transport options, quotes and travel arrangements. Distance need not be a barrier to finding Grace the right home.
📝 APPLY HERE
Medical notes
Grace is deaf.
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.