With the exquisite city look of Brisbane, it won’t be a complete experience if you have roamed it without any companion. Every moment becomes memorable if you have a furry friend who’s always on the go, whatever comes next on the itinerary list.
If you don’t know where to get a dog, there are the best dog rescues in Brisbane that you can adopt. The process may be tedious, but it will be worth it in the end.
Of course, the purpose of adoption should go beyond wanting to have someone to accompany you on your travels. Dog ownership is a serious responsibility, after all.
If you’re ready to welcome a dog, here’s a detailed list of where to adopt in Brisbane.
10 Best Dog Rescues in Brisbane
1. RSPCA Queensland
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland (RSPCA Qld) is an animal welfare charity committed to enhancing the lives of all animals. They take in farm or domestic ones throughout the city.
You can expect different kinds of animals from this charity, like cats, chickens, and dogs. In the Southern Hemisphere, they’ve estimated that at least 47,000 animals need their assistance.
That comes with a higher annual cost of about $46 million. To show support, you can either donate or adopt.
A community effort also encourages them to continue their noble deeds. If you can adopt a dog, do so to make room for another rescue.
With that initiative, others will be inspired to do the same.
How to contact them:
Website: RSPCA Queensland
Address: 139 Wacol Station Rd, Wacol Qld 4076
Phone: 07 3426 9999
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
2. Best Friends Rescue
Best Friends Rescue is another non-profit organization that offers you an opportunity to adopt a dog. They take in unwanted pooches in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the surrounding areas of Queensland.
You’ll come across dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages, which means there’ll be one that’s exactly meant for you. They’re all excited to see an adopter as that would mean a new exciting life with an owner that will love them forever.
Open your heart and door, especially knowing that these dogs were saved from death row in council pounds. As a 100% no-kill facility, Best Friends Rescue believes that no dog deserves to be euthanized.
However, they can only take in so many pooches. Lend a hand as a foster, adopter, or donate to keep them going.
How to contact them:
Website: Best Friends Rescue
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
3. Greyhound Adoption Program QLD
Greyhound Adoption Program is breed-specific dog rescue. They’re the savior of all retired racing dogs. Its mission involves urging the public to go for Greyhounds regarding pets and getting these dogs set for their furever homes.
The ultimate goal is to get them placed and never rehomed. This dog is fairly active and would do better with outgoing individuals. They’re trainable, smart, and incredibly fast in the running.
GAP surely is your go-to adoption place if this is the breed you’re fascinated with the most. You’re assured that every pet you get from GAP has been assessed behaviorally and medically.
The only thing lacking is a place they can call their own.
How to contact them:
Website: Greyhound Adoption Program QLD
Phone: 1300 087 021
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
4. Death Row Unchained
Death Row Unchained Animal Rescue is the hero of the voiceless animals. They save all those in need, including dogs, pigs, and horses. The name of this group is inspired by what they do; save those that are at risk of being killed.
DRU gives them a glimpse of hope, and you can partake in getting them to live a great life. All the animals are rehabilitated for the ultimate goal of getting them rehomed with responsible families or individuals.
You can also help in other ways. DRU has a store from which you can purchase lovely items that could help support their cause. You can also become a volunteer or a foster parent.
How to contact them:
Website: Death Row Unchained
Address: 1374 Mount Cotton Road, Burbank 4156, Queensland Australia
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram
5. A Mini Rescue
It’s without a doubt that dogs ending up in shelters is a situation that’s beyond their control. Regardless of the reason, they don’t deserve to be maltreated or neglected. A Mini Rescue believes that all animals in need have to be rescued and given a chance to live a new life with responsible families.
The team pours out their effort to ensure that each pet they take care of is ready for their new homes. They’re desexed, microchipped, and vaccinated. Other medical needs are given attention, too.
The group urges potential adopters to look beyond the physical appearance of these dog rescues. Get to know them through their behaviors and whether your targeted dog is your match or not.
They individually have a profile that you can conveniently scan through.
How to contact them:
Website: A Mini Rescue
Address: Brisbane, QLD, Australia 4000
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
6. Rescues 4 Pets Inc.
Rescues 4 Pets Inc is a registered charity that helps unwanted, neglected, or abused dogs. You can also take a quick or thorough look at their available adoptable Greyhounds as they have plenty of those in their care.
The team isn’t just looking for a home for their dogs but creating and transforming a community with pet-loving families. This is the perfect dog rescue place if you’re looking to foster or adopt.
If you want to keep a dog forever, the process starts by filling in an adoption application online. Many mixed breeds and purebred ones are waiting for their shot to be adopted.
Of course, Rescues 4 Pets Inc. can make more difference in the lives of these lovely companionable pets through your continued support.
How to contact them:
Website: Rescues 4 Pets Inc.
Address: South East Qld
Phone: 07 3185 3074
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
7. Cocker Spaniel Rescue Queensland Inc.
Particularly interested in getting a Cocker Spaniel for your family? The Cocker Spaniel Rescue Queensland is a breed-specific adoption center you and your family can visit.
These dogs are fostered so that they can get their needed socialization each day. This would also be one way to get to know them and fully understand why they act a certain way.
As they’re rehabilitated, potential adopters are assessed. The team carefully analyzes how compatible the dog and the adopter are before rehoming gets approved.
On another note, they give refuge to owner-surrender pooches. If you change your mind, returning the dog to them is much better. This way, the pooch will continuously receive a comfortable space and basic needs.
How to contact them:
Website: Cocker Spaniel Rescue Queensland Inc.
Phone: +61 415 544 494
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
8. Peninsula Animal Aid
Peninsula Animal Aid has been saving animals, including dogs, since 1971. They’re a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that needs your help to keep them going with this noble cause.
The team works tirelessly to find the perfect home for the dogs they take in and reunite lost pets with their owners. If you live around Brisbane and have a missing dog, check if Peninsula Animal Aid has sheltered it.
Of course, to avoid such an unfortunate incident, I strongly advise you to get your dog microchipped.
Since the team runs through initiative, community help would encourage them to take more steps forward with their dog rescue missions. You can donate through PayPal, foster a dog, become a sponsor, or adopt the pooch that matches your preferences.
The list of adoptable animals is updated regularly. So, if you’re having difficulty choosing which one to adopt, check the list daily until one catches your attention.
How to contact them:
Website: Peninsula Animal Aid
Address: 313 Duffield Road Clontarf Qld (Redcliffe Peninsula)
Phone: 07 3284 1927
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and YouTube
9. Happy Furever After Animal Rescue
Happy Furever After Animal Rescue has the heart to help dogs like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Labradors that need it. Unfortunately, they don’t take in any more dog rescues for certain reasons. They still have available dogs for adoption, which you can check.
With their presently taken care of pooches, this group still needs your donations, or you can also become a foster dog parent. When done collectively by the entire community, these efforts can get HFAAR going when it comes to saving dogs regularly again.
They wouldn’t be able to do a lot on their own and would require a helping hand from you. The rescued dogs find hope in shelters like HFAAR, and it would be unfortunate if their rescue mission is halted.
How to contact them:
Website: Happy Furever After Animal Rescue
10. North Queensland Animal Rescue
Northsqueen Animal Rescue operates both in Cairns and Brisbane. This isn’t a government-funded charity, so your donations would go a long way with their dog rescue objectives.
NQAR started way back in 2012. The focus is to give dogs a second chance to experience a beautiful life, more so those that were almost killed through euthanasia. The canines mostly come from city pounds and other local shelters.
Once a dog is rescued, they’re immediately placed in a suitable foster home where it’ll be thoroughly rehabilitated. During this time, they’ll also receive various medical treatments as a preparation for their future placement with responsible pet owners.
How to contact them:
Website: North Queensland Animal Rescue
Address: Cairns, Queensland, Australia 4870
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
How Much Would It Cost to Adopt a Dog in Brisbane?
Adopting a dog in Brisbane typically ranges between $50 to $480. On the other hand, RSPCA Queensland pets set out a $29 adoption fee only. The varying costs mainly depend on the dog’s needs before they can be placed.
Puppies need a lot of medical treatments, and vet services can be expensive. They have to be dewormed, microchipped, and vaccinated. Still, they’re a great affordable option compared to the dogs from breeders or pet shops.
Also, what you pay these shelters is just a reasonable amount to keep them surviving as charity groups. Since they don’t receive any funds from the government, they heavily rely on private donations and adoption fees to take care of the dog rescues.
Is It Worth Adopting a Dog Rescue From Brisbane?
Adopting a dog from Brisbane is absolutely worth it in terms of the adoption fee, effort, gas, and other resources. Letting a dog into your home provides immeasurable happiness to the said pooch. They’ll know how it feels to be loved and cared for again.
Aside from the unconditional love and loyalty they can give you, adoption also positively impacts the community. If every responsible individual or family adopts a dog, there will no longer be canines left on the street eventually.
To add, do encourage others to adopt rather than shop. There’s no need for new puppies when thousands of dogs arrive in dog rescue shelters daily. The number grows to millions each year, according to the ASPCA.
After all, breeding dogs is generally a business. Meanwhile, dog rescues are fueled by passion and compassion without expecting any profit in return.
