Often Asked Questions & Answers
Are the dogs desexed?
SADR’s policy is that all adopted dogs will be desexed, either before or after adoption. In some instances, such as dogs with health issues or pups under six months the dog may be released for adoption prior to desexing. If this is the case, the SADR adoption contract allows SADR to seize the dog if desexing is not carried out and/or proof of desexing is not provided within the contracted period of time.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from SADR?
The adoption fee covers the desexing, vaccinations, microchipping,transporting, feeding, flee treatment and caring for the dogs. Dogs and puppies are $350.00 and Seniors are $175.00 unless price variation otherwise stated by SADR. A pair which cannot be separated are $600 or $300 for a senior pair.
If a dog is taken home prior to desexing, SADR can provide the names of a small number of veterinarians that provide a reduced rate for services. If attending one of these vets is impractical, SADR may agree to rebate this reduced rate against the adoption fee once proof of de-sexing at your own vet is provided.
After adoption, ongoing vaccination, flea treatment and vet care costs will be responsibility of the adopter.
How do I apply?
All applicants must complete an adoption application which can be requested by contacting us.
What is fostering?
Fostering a dog involves providing short-term and possibly longer term care for a dog, which will be eligible for adoption. SADR will undertake to support foster carers, but the day-to-day cost of care is borne by the foster carer. Some vet fees may be paid by SADR but only if approved by the foster co-ordinator prior to a vet consultation.
Foster carers must be prepared to care for the dog for as long as needed and need to be prepared for a dog being with them forever, or for just a short time. If a carer decides they wish to keep the dog with them, SADR will not force a relinquishment.
What is adopting?
Adoption is a permanent acceptance of the responsibility of owning a dog for life including the well being of the dog, and all the costs (food, housing, veterinary care, etc). SADR will make every effort to ensure dogs are in good health at the time of adoption, but can offer no guarantees as to their condition in the long term. Adopters are offered a two week trial period and it is recommended that a full veterinary check is done during this time. The adoption fee is paid prior to the trial, following a successful "meet and greet" and is fully refundable if the trial is not a success for any reason.
How long does it take to adopt?
Adoption applications can take several weeks to ensure the health and wellbeing of the dog has been monitored. Streamlining an adoption is possible, by completing an application and submitting to our checks prior to finding your new dog. ‘Pre-approved’ applicants whose yard-check has been done and who have submitted a general application often have an advantage when a dog they are interested in becomes available.
What checks do you make and why?
We check many things about prospective adopters. The reasoning behind this is to deter people who may want dogs for inhumane or even illegal reasons, such as fighting or baiting.
SADR must be confident of potential adoptees intentions and that they have sufficient experience to care for a dog. We also conduct yard checks for the purpose of ensuring the yard is secure and safe and suitable for the type of dog a potential adopter is interested in. If during the process of checking a prospective adopter's yard it is found not suitable (eg. insufficient or low/unstable fencing), SADR are happy to work with applicants to address the issues.
I am unable to foster a dog, how else can I help?
Monetary donations, donations of food, blankets, bedding, collars, and leads are gratefully accepted.
We often need to transport dogs, conduct yard checks, complete admin work, run our website, run fundraisers, etc. The list is long and varied and help with any of these activities is welcome. Please use the contact page of the website if you are interested in helping. We have an SA licence through the Office of Consumer & Business Affairs (OCBA) to make charitable collections:
Charitable Collections Licence No: CCP1621 ABN: 63897783885 and our funds are audited annually by a Chartered Accountant.
TO DONATE PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT DETAILS:
SA DOG RESCUE
BANK SA
BSB: 105086
ACC. 050945240
SADR is currently completing the requirements to become a concessional tax charity with the ATO with DGR (Deductibe Gift Recipient) status which will mean that donations of over $2 tax deductible for the donor.
How can I meet a dog for adoption?
Complete an application & submit to a yard check. We conduct meet & greets with prospective adopters & dogs, especially when adopters already have dogs. Our dogs are kept in private foster carer's residences and our rescue at Morgan is also on private property. Privacy and security means we cannot offer visits to these sites at present, though visits to our Morgan rescue may be possible in the future if we can determine that it will not lead to indiscriminate dumping and abandonment of dogs.
Why haven’t I heard back?
It’s possible you won’t hear back from us for a few days. This is a voluntary organisation so most of our volunteers are busy with full time employment and other day-to-day activities. We are also engaged in the actual process of rescue, sometimes almost around the clock, and this will also delay our response at times. If you’ve submitted an application and haven’t heard from us within a week, please forgive our tardiness and send us a reminder.
Why wasn't my application successful?
We select adopters according to what we think will be best for the dog. We make no apology for this. If you’ve applied and not been able to adopt the dog you’d like, we’re as disappointed as you. We’d like to be able to please everyone, but that’s just not possible. We do our best and ask that our supporters understand our predicament.
What sort of dog suits my life?
That’s a question best answered by you, and research about types of breeds best suited for your lifestyle and home environment is a good start. Many food manufacturers, shelters and websites offer behaviour analysis articles and breed selector surveys. Pedigree, Eukanuba, RSPCA, and many other organisations have tools to help select the type of dog best suited to you.
Will my adopted dog get along with our current dog?
We do undertake a meet & greet, where you have the opportunity to see how they get along, and of course we can’t guarantee they will. If you are not happy with how the dogs are interacting (even at the end of your two week trial) you are free to simply return the dog. In this case your adoption fee will be refunded. In such cases, we may ask your assistance to help understand the dog's behaviour and what the issues were so that we can best learn how to find this dog a great home.
Are the dogs vaccinated?
All dogs sent for adoption are fully vaccinated - Parvo, distemper, hepatitis and often kennel cough - and are not sent to their adopters until vaccinations have taken effect (usually two weeks).
While we try to avoid the situation, some dogs reach their foster carer un-vaccinated, or with unknown status. In this case, it is vital that contact with all dogs is prevented unless they are known to have up- to-date vaccinations and have not been in contact with any other unvaccinated animals.
Are the dogs microchipped?
All dogs sent for adoption are micro-chipped.
Ownership (micro-chip registration) is not transferred until all the conditions set out in the adoption contract have been met.
Are the dogs registered?
A foster carer may register a dog, unfortunately dog registration is not transferrable. Adopters must arrange registration with their local council as soon as the dog arrives.
