Apply to Adopt a Small Dog

The idea of foster homes are to rehabilitate dogs who have lost or been removed from their owners. Foster homes provide a temporary home until a more permanent residence becomes available for orphans.

Adopting – If you are actually wanting to home a Little Doggy on a permanent basis, please fill out the Adoption Application

Consider some reasons why individuals have given up their furry family members and why this is the best thing for them in some circumstances.

• Perhaps they are forced to move to a smaller home or to where they are not permitted to have a dog.
• The owners themselves die.
• They found their dog to be incompatible with their lifestyle.
• The new dog is incompatible with certain pets that they already own.
• Perhaps they are forced to take on full-time employment and feel that they can’t give their beloved dogs all the attention that they deserve.
• Immigration to another country is often an issue, where the owners care enough not to leave their beloved ones in quarantine for 6 months.
• Natural disasters. Even in South Africa, disasters like floods, drought, bush fires may require temporary shelter for a dog.
• Another unforeseen tragedy is Domestic violence. For many, the reasonable thing to do is often to temporarily keep a pet in a safe place, like a rescue or shelter when issues get too bad.

A rescue dog is a dog that has been placed in a new home after being abused, neglected, or abandoned by its previous owner. The term can also apply to dogs that are found as strays, surrendered by owners for a variety of reasons, including relationship breakdowns, moving home where the owner is unable or unwilling to take their pets, or elderly people who are not permitted to take their dog(s) into a nursing home.

Many animal rescue organizations in South Africa, like the NSPCA,  exist to rescue, protect, care and re-home dogs from unnecessary euthanasia. Many rescue dogs are re-homed quickly, but some wait longer for a home. This may be relevant when the dog is older. Some agencies provide ongoing health care and support for older dogs after they have been placed in a home. There are several charities dedicated to rescuing and re-homing older dogs.

As a rescue organization, we focus on what we can do to help. It is understandable each individual has his or her own circumstances. No one should feel that they are being judged for putting their dog’s best interests first.

The truth is that ‘specific breed dog rescues’ only exist because these dogs are not unwanted, but are in demand and they are given to appreciative homes where people really love animals and want to give them the best life possible. This is a rewarding job to find the right home for the right dog and should not need outside funding if the animals are truly appreciated.

The single greatest benefit is knowing you have saved a life. By choosing to adopt, you are giving a deserving dog a second chance at happiness in a loving home.

Beyond that, there are many other incredible benefits for both you and the community:

• It’s a Responsible Choice: Rescuing helps reduce the demand that fuels illegal puppy farms and irresponsible breeding. You are actively helping to solve the problem of pet overpopulation.

• You Gain a Unique Companion: Rescue dogs’ personalities are often already developed, meaning you know what you’re getting. Many are also already house-trained, which saves you a lot of work!

• It’s Good for Your Health: Multiple studies show that owning a dog can improve happiness, reduce stress, and even lengthen your life. Playing with a dog daily is proven to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, your body’s natural “happy chemicals.”

• It Teaches Important Life Lessons: For families with children, having a pet is a natural way to teach responsibility, empathy, and how to manage separation anxiety.

That’s a fantastic and important question! A slow, careful introduction is the key to creating a happy and harmonious multi-dog household. To ensure you have all the tools you need for a safe and positive experience, we’ve created a detailed guide to walk you through the process. You can read our Dog Introduction Guide here.