Your step-by-step guide to bringing home a rescue dog

By Mike Halligan

The best thing about rescuing a dog is that you’re giving an animal a second chance. But rescuing a dog o en takes up a lot of me, and can be a huge commitment. Depending on their past, rescue dogs may have behavioural issues or habits they need extra training and support to deal with.

With many things to consider, I’ve put together a guide to help you make a responsible decision about adop ng a rescue dog, and help you give them the best possible second chance at a great life.

Do you have me?

Ge ng a dog—rescue or not—requires a substan al me commitment. Across their life they’ll need a lot of walking, training, grooming and play me. We’ve bred dogs to love spending me with us. Think about how long you’d be away from them each day. Do you go on lots of holidays? Is your workplace dog-friendly?

Remember: this is a long-term commitment. It’s not fair to commit to dog rescue if they’ll always be alone. You should also consider taking a week off work to help them se le into their new home. If they’re a puppy, expect your sleep to be disrupted for a couple of months too.

Can you afford it?

Rescue dogs usually have lower adop on fees than designer or pure breeds. But remember, that’s just the purchase price. It doesn’t include vets, collars, leads, beds, toys, treats, food, training or anything else you’ll want to treat your pup with. Ongoing costs will vary but the expenses add up fast, especially if your dog has health problems, accidents or emergencies. Many people choose to get pet insurance to reduce this impact.

Are you prepared to study and learn?

It’s vital you learn about caring for a dog before you get one. This is par cularly true for rescues who can require more support and may benefit from seeing a behaviourist or trainer. It’s easier to train a dog from the start than to inadvertently teach the wrong behaviour and then have to correct it. If you haven’t been the primary adult carer for a dog before, it’s me to start reading up on what’s involved.

Is Your House Ready?

Make sure your home is suitable for a dog and remember that different breeds will have different needs. Consider the pet’s size, your property type, security of outside areas and dangerous items you may have lying around. If you want a pris ne home, probably get a goldfish instead.

Are you prepared to be pa ent?

It can take me to find a rescue dog that suits you and your lifestyle. Adop on is o en compe ve and may take months. Addi onally, you have less choice when it comes to breed and age. If you have your heart set on a specific kind of dog, you might be wai ng for a long me, so be prepared to be pa ent.

Do you know where to look?

Adop ng a rescue dog is a rewarding process, but it can also be a long one. Unlike adop ng a new dog from a breeder, there are no wai ng lists you can join to help you find the perfect pet. Rescue dogs come from many places: shelters, breed groups, family and friends or even the street.

Wherever you choose to adopt your dog from, it’s important to do your homework and make sure they’re reputable. This means visi ng the space, speaking to people who have adopted from there, and checking reviews and ar cles about them online. Con nues…..

Reading - Pets

Con nues….

Signs of a good organisa on to adopt from include: detailed knowledge of dog health and behaviour, offering ongoing support and training, allowing you to return the dog if there are issues, and a detailed adop on process where they ask you a lot of ques ons to ensure you’re suitable. Trust your gut, and if something feels off, find another place to adopt from.

By taking the me to consider everything involved in adop ng a rescue dog, and not rushing the process, you and your family will be rewarded with a dog very deserving of your love and a en on. For more informa on and checklists to adopt a rescue dog, visit scratchpe ood.com.au. Have fun, enjoy the process, and bask in the glory of giving a very deserving furry friend a be er life!

Mike

Fes val Launch & Call For Entries

The River of Art Fes val is back from Friday 15 to Sunday 24 September 2023. Now in its 18th year, the 10-day fes val will feature culture, music, visual art, theatre, and crea ve workshops around the fes val theme Celebra ng Place.

The River of Art Fes val is now invi ng proposals from ar sts, the community and business to be a part of this year’s fes val by producing crea ve works or providing a venue or gallery to host events.

The deadline for proposals is Wednesday 12 July.

Moruya Red Door presents: Acts of Passion

Following a sell out season with Agatha Crust and the Village Hall Murders, the Moruya Red Door Theatre Company's next play is almost here.

Two wonderful one act plays at the Moruya RSL Hall.

While the matinee will have the usual theatre seating, the night shows have table seating. So grab a friend and organise some nibbles for a terrific night out. Tickets on line or at the door.

The Ladybirds by Tony Layton and directed by Jack Spahr

A village drama group has lost all their men. The future looks bleak until a bright director agrees to help them out. The suggested solution at first shocks the actors and the villagers, so don't be surprised with what happens next.

Hotel Australasia announces Ba le of the Bands in Eden, NSW May 24th 2023

Hotel Australasia is proud to announce the launch of their new Ba le of the Bands compe on. Star ng on the 17th of June, the compe on will take place every Saturday night between 6.00pm9.30pm un l the Grand Final on the 5th of August. Heat winners will be chosen through audience par cipa on with the overall winners chosen by our panel of judges.

The compe on encourages bands in the Bega Valley and surrounds to showcase their talent and to bring the community together during a me of year when people tend to stay indoors. Three bands will compete for a share of $900 worth of prizes each week and the winners will progress to the grand final where one will walk away with a prize package worth a whopping $10,000, including a recording package by Bear Mountain Produc ons.

Rory Gallagher, Hotel Australasia's General Manager, said, “We are excited to showcase the talent that is on offer in the Bega Valley and surrounds and encourage everyone to have a go and apply.” Online applica ons are now open on the website www.hotelaustralasia.com.au. Links are also on our Facebook and Instagram pages @HotelAustralasia @PikesBistro

Hotel Australasia is in Eden and reopened in December 2022 a er a complete renova on. The stunning new hotel now boasts 8 bou que hotel rooms, a wine bar, Italian restaurant, indoor/outdoor dining spaces as well as an elevated dining room serving breakfast daily.

The Bas presents: Lizette Richards and Miriam Shilling

Exhibition: Practice what you teach Exhibition opening: Friday 2 June, 5.00-8.00pm Exhibition dates: Friday 2 June to Sunday 18 June Exhibition hours: Wednesday - Monday, 10am-4pm

Bas About Town presents local artists and Visual Art teachers at Carroll College, Lizette Richards and Miriam Shilling with their exhibition Practice what you teach. Both women have been teaching art for over 20 years and have spent many years specialising in their chosen media. Lizette is a skilled silversmith, creating wearable items in silver, gold and various materials. She also explores ideas in clay and produces functional ceramics.

Miriam paints with watercolour on paper. She also makes hand built ceramic forms as a basis for underglaze painting. Teaching has proved to be a way of enhancing their own art making as well as inspiring their students.

They believe the more you can simplify and break down the components that make great art, the more you can achieve it in your own work.