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

We were absolutely blown away by the generosity of Lyka Pet Food who have kindly supplied us with their freshly prepared, lightly cooked meals made from human-grade, nutritious wholefood ingredients 🐾 When we received their email and saw just how much they were...

Please welcome Fifi 💛 There are some dogs whose stories sit quietly with you… and then there are the ones that take up residence in your heart from the very first moment. Our little girl Fifi is one of those. Fifi came from the same place as Sassy, Maggie and Andie —...

When foster mum (and dad!) Giulia first laid eyes on one of our newest Sweet Paws family members, it was love at first sight — and honestly, who could blame her? Tiny little Miss Sassy had her completely swooning 💕 Sassy is the most divine little munchkin!! Just a...

What’s the saying… “it doesn’t rain, but it pours”? Well, it’s a full-blown storm over here—in the very best way—with an incredible group of dogs arriving into foster care 💛 With so many recent adoptions (thank you!! 🙌), and new pups continuing to come into care from...

Wednesday also brought the arrival of Andie — rescued from the same hell hole as Maggie and our yet-to-be-introduced tiny Chihuahuas. Like the others, she arrived completely shut down and frightened, though she has been quietly tolerating some gentle handling and...

Please welcome Maggie! Maggie is one of our most recent oodle intakes. While she is understandably frightened, she isn’t as shut down as some of the other dogs on the property — a small but hopeful sign that she’s ready to start letting the world in, bit by bit....

🚨 INCOMING RESCUES 🚨 Yesterday, 2 little souls arrived into our care. This morning, 3 more are on their way. All 5 have come from puppy farms, the kind most people couldn’t even begin to imagine. Four of them are from a separate puppy farm where they were living in...

Owen (ex SPDR) is officially living his best life 💙 Just heard he and his pawents are currently on a little getaway, staying at his “Aunty’s” place in Waratah Bay! And let’s just say… this boy is being treated like absolute royalty. Fed like a king (the healthy kind!)...

Dear Spartacus, You came into our care in early October 2025, carrying a past we may never fully know — but one that was clearly marked by neglect and hardship. Your condition told a story no dog should ever have to live. You tried, not once but twice, to find your...

Mabel 🤎 One of our beautiful Labradoodle sweethearts — now finally sticking her paws up to the greedy breeders who made far too much money off the puppies she was forced to have. Today, safe in foster care, Mabel is beginning to leave her sordid past behind. Slowly,...