SWEET PAWS DOG RESCUE INCORPORATED

Our Mission & Vision

We are a registered Victorian animal charity, our mission is to rescue and rehome small dogs in Melbourne, providing them with essential veterinary care, grooming, and securing loving forever homes. Our vision is to create a community where every dog receives the care and love they deserve, living out their years in comfort and happiness.

Why Donate to Sweet Paws Dog Rescue Incorporated?

Your generosity is the foundation of our ability to make a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable small dogs. By contributing, you enable us to provide ongoing care for the dogs in our organisation and expand our capacity to rescue and support more dogs in need. Sweet Paws Dog Rescue Incorporated is solely run by volunteers, ensuring that 100% of your donation goes directly towards the well-being of these deserving dogs. Every donation directly fuels our mission, ensuring that these loyal companions receive the love and care they deserve. Your support is invaluable and helps us create a brighter future for each dog we rescue.

Adopt a Dog

Choosing to adopt from Sweet Paws Dog Rescue Inc means welcoming not just a pet but a cherished family member into your home. Our focus on small dogs ensures that your adoption makes a profound difference in the life of a dog who may have faced neglect. We take pride in our thorough adoption process, which includes careful screening, home visits, and ongoing support. By adopting from us, you are not just gaining a loyal companion but also contributing to our mission of providing love, care, and forever homes for these deserving dogs. Dogs available for adoption can be viewed on our website, social media and PetRescue.

Why Foster with Sweet Paws Dog Rescue Inc?

Fostering a dog with Sweet Paws Dog Rescue Inc is a rewarding and compassionate way to make a direct impact on the lives of small dogs. By opening your home to a dog in need, you provide a safe and loving environment where they can thrive while awaiting their forever home. Fostering is a flexible and fulfilling commitment, allowing you to experience the joy of transforming a dog’s life without long-term responsibility. Sweet Paws provides support, covers essential veterinary care, and ensures you have all the necessary resources. It’s a great way to give back to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of dogs in need. 

We Welcome Volunteers!

Our rescue organisation welcomes volunteers who are passionate about supporting our mission. As a volunteer, you become an integral part of our dedicated team, contributing your time and skills to support various aspects of our mission. Whether assisting in dog transport, participating in events and fundraisers, or helping with administrative tasks, your efforts directly contribute to the well-being of these deserving dogs. Thank you for considering volunteering with us. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to adopt/learn more about/meet one of your dogs. What do I do?

You can view photos and read about all our available dogs by visiting our adopt page. When you see a dog that captures your heart, the next step would be to fill out and submit our Adoption Form.

I submitted my application. What happens next?

Once your application is submitted, it typically takes a few days for our foster carers to review your application (remember we are all unpaid volunteers with jobs, families and our own pets). 

Please read more about our Adoption Process on our Adopt page.

I need to re-home my dog. Can you take them into your organisation?

We take in owner surrenders on a case-by-case basis. If you are looking to rehome your dog, please send us a detailed email with as much information on the dog as you can provide, including all medical records and some photos. We will get back to you as to whether we can assist or with recommendations of other rescues to try and reach out to. 

How much is it to adopt one of your dogs?

There is no set adoption fee. Our adoption fees help to cover the cost of the care and veterinary treatment our dogs will receive. Our fees vary based on age, temperament and health status of the dog.

Do you do interstate adoptions?

No. While we appreciate the interest from potential adopters across different regions, our commitment to the dogs welfare drives our decision to stay local. Conducting home visits is a crucial step in our adoption process, allowing us to ensure that the living environment is safe and suitable for our dogs in need. This hands-on approach ensures a smooth transition for the dog into their new home and provides peace of mind for both the adopters and our dedicated team. Local adoptions enable us to maintain the highest standards of care and guarantee that every dog finds a loving forever home within our immediate community.

I want to adopt a specific breed, but I don't see any on the website. Is there a waitlist I can be added to?

We are a small team of volunteers and due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to keep a waitlist for dogs of a specific breed. Please continue to check our Adopt page on our website to view available dogs and fill in an adoption form when you see a dog that is suitable for your lifestyle. 

Latest News

Spartacus. Even his name sounds strong. Brave. Unbreakable. But when Spartacus entered the shelter in early August 2025, there was nothing strong about the little body that walked through those doors. Inspectorate seized. Came in via council. No backstory. No...

Please welcome Kobi 🤍 Kobi is a 3-year-old Maltese X who has been surrendered into our care. Like many dogs going through big life changes, he’s arrived with a couple of little “grumpy” behaviour traits — but honestly, we think the poor guy is just overwhelmed and...

Friday saw the arrival of Lachie. A 12-year-old Pomeranian X. This sweet, gentle senior man is lost. His eyes are searching for something… kindness? Love? We believe he may never have truly known either. Lachie came to us as part of a large seizure from a hoarding...

What can we possibly say that the photos don’t already shout from the rooftops? 💛 Our gorgeous little dude Taco has officially been adopted 🥳 — and he is adored beyond measure by his beautiful new mum, Laura. These two are truly a match made in heaven… the kind we...

📢 ADOPTION READY!!! 📢 ✨ Owen – The Gentleman You Didn’t Know You Needed! ✨ Owen is a 4-year-old male Miniature Schnauzer with a distinguished look and an even more distinguished personality. If you’ve ever wanted a loyal little shadow with expressive eyebrows and a...

While Missy patiently waits for her adoption trial to begin… she’s clearly been busy working on her most important mission yet — winning over the twins 🥰 And guess what? Mission accomplished ✔️✔️ It’s taken a little time (and probably a few well-timed tail wags and...

Foster mum Giulia wants to make the bed… but really, how do you wake sweet little senior man Jordy up?! 16 years old, snuggled in, beauty sleep in full swing. Some rules are made to be broken — beds can wait, legends cannot be disturbed…..🩵

George has officially been adopted 🎉 And honestly, this is one of those stories that fills your heart right up. George has settled in beautifully and is loving his new life. His confidence is growing every day — tail held high, a big smile on his face, and that quiet...

Our sweet little Mia has been such a brave girl. Yesterday, Mia went in for surgery and came through like an absolute champion, having 8 teeth removed, her back dew claws removed, and her lumps surgically removed and sent off to pathology. That’s a big day for a...

YAY! Duke has been ADOPTED! 🎉 Remember Duke… the little soul whose world had been turned upside down? Duke came into our care after losing his lifelong companion, followed by the sudden loss of the only life he’d ever known. Confused, grieving, and unsure of what came...