Adopting a cat or dog.

Finding the right pet to suit your lifestyle is as important to us as it is to you. We want to ensure your new friend and you have a life long bond together.

How do I meet or adopt a forever friend?

How do I go about meeting or adopting a forever friend?

We encourage people to look at our animals available for adoption on this site. Then give us a call to either find out more about the animal(s) that you may be interested in adopting or to arrange an appointment.

Adoptions are by appointment only

What happens when I come to the shelter?

Our friendly staff will chat with you to find out what animal(s) you may be interested in and will show you the animals that are available for adoption. We provide you with guidance and insight to help match you with an animal that may suit your lifestyle. Not all animals will be suited to how busy, or quiet your lifestyle is. If you find an animal that you really like, and will fit into your lifestyle, you may be able to take the animal home with you that day.

How long does the adoption process take?

Every adoption is different – you may need to visit the animal a few times and bring in your dog to meet our dog(s) if you have one. Often, we have more than one person interested in a single dog, but we will keep you informed throughout the journey.

Reasons to adopt

Set an example!

There are a lot of stories about animal living in shelters, claims that they’re damaged, feral or broken in some way. In fact, many unwanted animals are happy, healthy and well-adjusted, they just need loving homes to get comfortable and let their personalities come out. By adopting a shelter animal, you can encourage other people to do the same; talking about your positive experiences.

If you want to adopt a special-needs animal, you’re certainly welcome to. We are particular when it comes to rehoming animals with medical problems, but we are always happy to hear from people who are interested, committed and ready to give an animal with some extra needs a home to share.

You’ll feel better

Pets offer a number of mental and physical health benefits and the evidence keeps growing. Having a pet of any species can make people feel happier and more balanced, the routine of caring for and interacting with a pet can improve mood and reduce the sense of isolation. Cats are especially great companion animals for people who don’t have the energy or ability to care for a dog, but still want someone around the house to keep them company.

Don’t support animal cruelty

Pet stores source their animals from a variety of places, Those cute cuddly kittens in the window might come from an abusive kitten mill where cats endure horrible conditions to produce animals for the pet trade. The sale of companion animals in general promotes the continued existence of exploitative breeders that view cats as cash drawers, not living beings. By turning away from companion animals offered for sale and choosing to adopt, you’ll be voting with your wallet.

And that adoption fee? It will be a lot lower than buying an animal from a pet-store or breeder.

You’ll save a life

Adopting from a shelter like Blue Cross, enables animals to get out of the shelter system and into homes, reduces the strain on shelters and frees up space for more homeless animals. At Blue Cross we often rescue from facilities that euthanize, so by adopting, you’re opening up another space for another animal who is in need of care and support.

And gives these at-risk animals a second chance at life.

Cat adoption

Thank you for coming to Blue Cross Animals Society of Victoria to find your new furry family member. You’re in the right place!

Below are the cats & kittens currently available for adoption. There may be a wonderful match just waiting for you and/or your family!

At Blue Cross, it is very important to us that we do all we can to match a cat or kitten with their forever home. We make sure to cater to both their needs and your lifestyle – it needs to work for you both.

We can’t wait to help you find your new forever friend!

To make an appointment, call our team at Blue Cross Animals Society of Victoria on 03 9722 1265

Adoptions are by appointment only.

Dog adoption

Thank you for looking at Blue Cross Animals Society of Victoria to provide a forever home for one of our adorable dogs. You’re in the right place!

Below are dogs currently available for adoption. There may be a wonderful match just waiting for you and/or your family!

At Blue Cross, it’s very important to us that we do all we can to match a dog with their forever home. We ensure that we cater to both their needs, and your lifestyle. It’s a big deal – particularly for dogs. It’s why we take the utmost care in matching you with a dog, as it needs to work for both of you.

We can’t wait to help you find your new forever friend!

Phone Blue Cross on 03 9722 1265 for further information and/or to make an appointment.

Adoptions are by appointment only.

Not able to adopt? You can still help.

As a not-for-profit that receives no government funding, we rely on the kindness and generosity of our fellow animal lovers to provide the $$$ support so we can provide the care, food and veterinary treatment each of our animals requires.

Consider donating. Your gift will make a difference to an animal today.

Surrendering a pet

We understand surrendering a pet is never an easy process.

Often reasons for surrendering are out of your control. Pet owners can often find themselves in a position where they are unable to care for their pet(s) through no fault of their own. It’s heartbreaking for you to have to give up your beloved pet and so please know, at Blue Cross Animals Society of Victoria, WE UNDERSTAND.

There may be options available to you. Our friendly team may be able to suggest other avenues for you to explore, so that you can keep your animal in your family. Some of your reasons for needing to surrender your animal may be listed below, so be sure to check them out.

Blue Cross does take in surrendered animals, but we are often limited by space constraints and therefore, there can be a wait for a space to become available. Always call our office first, and we will be happy to chat with you about what is happening and whether we can provide advice regarding the issues you are facing, or whether we have the space available at that time.

If you need to rehome your animal, here are some ideas and answers to the common questions and problems we are asked about.

Laws in Victoria have removed the limitations around pets in rental properties, but it still can be difficult to secure a rental property. Speak to your real estate agent and landlord. Be honest and upfront with them and explain that your animal is extremely important to you and ask what you can do to improve your chances of renting with an animal. There are lots of things you can do to improve your chances:

  • Offer to pay an extra pet bond and get references from a trainer or vet for your animals.
  • Write an introduction letter to your real estate agent about your pet. Include a photo, vaccination and medical history and talk about your pets personality, how you will avoid common concerning behaviour landlords worry about.
  • If you are stuck in the short term and you need to stay somewhere until you can find pet friendly accommodation, think about boarding your dog or cat until you are in a new place. Many boarding kennels offer longer term boarding for animals.

A barking dog, is often a bored or lonely dog. There are lots of ideas to help with this:

  • Take your dog for a walk before you go to work and leave them with a bone, or puzzle toy when you are gone
  • Hire a dog walker who can come in the middle of the day to take your dog for a walk and break up the day or look into doggy day care
  • If you can, ask a friend or family member to visit your dog during the day or take It for a walk. You could even ask someone to take your dog a couple of times a week
  • Increase your dogs exercise and time spent with the family. When you get home from work, take your dog for a walk and then let them spend some quiet time inside once finished

Babies are a lot of work, but with some slight adjustments and a little work on your part, your new addition and your animal can live a harmonious and happy life together.

  • Establish a routine before the baby arrives – Have a set plan for exercising and feeding and set up boundaries for your dog. If they have always slept in your bed, the time to change this is well before the baby arrives. The same goes for changes to access to areas in your house
  • Once the baby arrives, if you are feeling overwhelmed and don’t have as much time to exercise or spend with your animal you could consider hiring a pet walker, or ask a friend or family member to come and spend some time with your animal
  • If you have a cat and are worried about toxoplasmosis please know that you do not have to give your cat away just because you are pregnant. If you do have a cat, ask another member of the household to change the kitty litter for you. If you live alone, you can still clean the litter tray, just ensure you wear gloves and dispose of them properly. Always wash your hands after handling the litter tray, even after taking your gloves off.

If you are having behavioural problems with your dog, there is lots of help out there for you. Try speaking to a trainer or behaviourist. They can come into your home and do an assessment for you and work together with you to help fix any problems. Research online, often what feels like a huge issue can be helped with information online from people who have been in the same position as you.

Often family, friends or co-workers may be able to help. Ask around and exhaust all avenues before surrendering. If you have adopted your dog from a dog shelter, speak to them as they will usually always take the dog back for you. You can also talk to your breeder if you purchased your animal from one, as they will often take the animal back.

Please do not advertise your dog on classified websites as free to good home. Often dogs taken from these websites find themselves in dangerous situations or are used for breeding if they are not de-sexed.