I cannot praise Victorian Dog Rescue highly enough. Their love and compassion for their furry charges are unmatched in my experience of animal adoption (I’m 55 and my many pets in adult life have been all rescues). Four years ago I adopted the lovely Olive, a shy tabby from VDR. I was happy to host the home inspection - I love that VDR are so concerned about their fosters’ welfare. Do it right the first time.
A year ago two black kittens were also welcomed into my home. Rescued from an unforgiving rural location, one of them has a malformed front leg. VDR chose to get a second opinion (at extra cost) rather than amputate the kitten’s leg as their first vet suggested. Nothing is too much effort or expense. That little girl is asleep on my lap as I write, wonky leg no issue at all.
Their dedication is astonishing. Will there sometimes be delays within an organisation completely staffed by volunteers who have multiple obligations, often including 9-5 employment? Inevitably. It’s important to remember everyone is doing their best. It’s also possible (don’t be offended!) that they know more about the individual needs of each dog and cat than you do. We all think no one could possibly be a better pet owner than we are, but VDR has seen everything. The marvellous Hugh Wirth used to say that an only pet is a lonely pet, so if VDR insist on a companion being what’s best for your potential pet - trust their opinion. Their advice is based on years of knowledge and hard graft. I’m glad their adoption process is so onerous; weed out the inappropriate applicants, decide if they are actually prepared for the expense and time required for pet ownership. No one has the right to a pet. I’m in awe of the passion and commitment displayed by all the volunteers I’ve dealt with personally.
Please support them in any way you can.

I adopted my two dogs from VICDRG and have nothing but good things to say. The process is rigorous to ensure the pets land in their last home. There is always support available if required.

Approximate cost: $600

We adopted our beautiful girl through Vic Dog Rescue. We appreciated the thoroughness of the process, making absolutely sure that the right dog was placed in just the right home. The volunteers are so dedicated to the work they do and any animal that is lucky enough to find themselves in their care can rest assured that absolutely everything will be done to make sure they have the perfect forever home. Breaking the cycle of wrong dog/cat in wrong environment is crucial. We love the continued support and guidance that Vic Dog Rescue offer. We can't thank them enough.

This organisation is comprised of compassionate people who are committed to the dogs and cats they help. They do everything possible for the animals’ welfare.
I adopted a young kitten from them. He had been injured at only 8 weeks of age and they organised specialist, orthopaedic, surgery and had him in foster care for 6 weeks crated rehabilitation before I adopted him. They are a dedicated charity, who spend all their hard earned donations on the animals they vow to give a better life. The charity is run by volunteers who give freely of their time and energy. Their foster carers’ keep these dogs and cats in their private homes whilst seeking adoption, so that the pets spend time in the most normal of loving, home, environments, something many of them have never experienced previously.
Keep up the good work Vic Dog Rescue; you are one special organisation.

I have had the good fortune to adopt both a dog and cat from Vic Dog Rescue. Although some might find their thoroughness a little daunting, the outcome is a totally transparent knowledge of the pets I adopted. They were exactly what I expected and this made their integration into my family and with my other pets so easy.
Those volunteer members I had cause to deal with throughout the adoption process were warm, friendly and obliging. They kept me updated at each step in the process.
I would highly recommend Vic Dog Rescue to anyone wanting to have a full understanding of the pet they wish to adopt and their suitability to fit into the family. Due to the time Vic Dog Rescue took to understand my home, my pets and our requirements, the dog and cat have settled in very easily as they were the ‘right’ match.
Vic Dog Rescue’s support does not stop at the adoption - they have subsequently followed up to check all is going well and have been there to assist and support me afterwards, even with some simple queries.
Their care for the dogs and cats they rehome is very evident.
Yes, a great experience all-round and I would highly recommend.

What a fabulous organisation, I adopted 2 beautiful cats from VDR, not only are they the perfect fit for our family the support and guidance we received from the adoption team and foster carer was excellent. They have a very thorough process to ensure the right pet is matched with the right home. Very professional, highly recommend.

I have found this organisation to be wonderful for the creatures they have been created for. They are all about the animal in need and finding the right home for the cat or dog. I am of the understanding this organisation is entirely run by volunteers who give up their personal time to help animals in need. I have adopted cats from them and found their philosophy of putting cats and dogs a first priority to be commendable. Also that they pay for all required medical needs is wonderful. I wish there are more not for profit organisations like this to help all companion animals in need

We were so blessed to find Victorian Dog Rescue who do so much to save difficult and senior dogs. First we rescued our Staffy x Kelpie, who had been in care for months whilst trying to find the right home that could cope with his mix of separation anxiety and leash reactivity (and for which they provided training assistance).

Then we adopted our Staffy x Beagle who was very anxious and also leash reactive - and again training assistance was provided when needed.

The care taken to match these special dogs with the right homes is extraordinary.

Approximate cost: $590

Well, I did put in an adoption application for an older dog, a partner for my male Jack Russell X Hanky 12 years old. His female partner recently passed on and he was very bored and quiet. He had also successfully bonded with another female before.
Hanky has anxiety issues with male dog's, but not females.
Iade the above clear when I applied for an older female dog last month...
I received a "polite" reply inferring that I'd need to get rid of Hanky before I would be suited to adopt any of their dogs.
Fortunately I now have a lovely old female miniature foxy X Pippa from another welfare organisation... Both dogs got along straight away ...
If you want a recommendation, try " Rescued with love".

Approximate cost: $1

Incompetence on a grand scale! I applied to adopt a young cat on 6 August (it was as invasive and judgemental an application as a Centrelink one!). She was a mother, and it was conditional I take one of her kittens. I agreed. I waited. I emailed twice to remind them I was still here. Received the “We are volunteers. We are busy” email. I waited. Finally today (9 October!) I received an email saying “Her kittens have been sold. She needs to be housed with another cat. Sorry – you can’t have her!” This statement actually makes NO SENSE!
The place runs on volunteers. But ‘volunteer’ does not equal incompetence as our society runs on volunteers. You clearly just don’t know what you are doing. Furthermore you are doing serious harm and damage to already traumatised animals by your total inability to do your job. To prospective owners I say don’t waste your time with these people.