Adopting gives a dog a second chance and gives you a devoted best mate. In Australia, most rescue dachshunds come from private surrenders (life changes, mismatches in energy/needs), puppy-farm closures, or transfers from pounds/shelters. The goal is always the same: match the right dog to the right home—safely and for life.
Where to look
- Breed-specific rescues: Dachshund Rescue Australia (DRA), Devoted 2 Dachshunds Rescue (D2DR), All 4 Dachshunds Inc, Wiener Crew Rescue (NSW). These groups understand dachshund quirks (long backs, big feelings) and place with care.
- Major shelters: RSPCA, Animal Welfare League (AWL), and council pounds—set alerts on PetRescue to catch new listings.
- Responsible rehoming: Some ethical breeders will rehome retired adults through their waitlists.
How the rescue process works
- Application: A form covers your household, routine, fencing, pet history, and preferences (age, coat, temperament).
- Conversation & checks: Expect a phone call, vet reference, and a virtual or in-person home check to ensure safety (secure fencing, shaded yard, stairs/ramps plan).
- Meet & greet: Often a neutral location. If you have pets, there may be a staged introduction.
- Trial period: Many rescues offer a 1–4 week trial to confirm the fit.
- Adoption agreement & fee: Adoption contribution typically covers desexing, microchipping, vaccinations, flea/worming, dental where needed, and the rescue’s ongoing work.
- Post-adoption support: Good rescues remain a phone call away for behavioural or health guidance.
What rescues look for in a dachshund home
- Back-safe living: Ramps for couches/bed, baby gates on stairs, no jumping off high furniture.
- Time & routine: Dachshunds thrive on company and structure; long daily absences can be tough without a plan (enrichment, dog-walker, daycare).
- Training mindset: Positive-reinforcement training, patience with barking, digging, or scent-driven stubbornness.
- Secure fencing: They’re small but determined—check for gaps, loose palings, and dig-under spots.
- Health & insurance notes (dachshund-specific)
- IVDD awareness: Long backs + short legs increase risk. Keep them lean (Body Condition Score 4–5/9), control stairs/jumps, and learn early warning signs (reluctance to move, trembling, knuckling).
- Dental & patella checks: Common small-breed considerations.
- Insurance: Consider policies that cover hereditary conditions and imaging/surgery for spinal issues. Read exclusions and waiting periods.
Costs to plan for
- Adoption fee: Usually lower than purchasing a puppy but varies with age/medical work completed.
- Initial setup: Vet check, harness & ramp, crate/pen, bedding, slow-feed bowl, grooming kit.
- Ongoing: Quality food, preventatives, annual health checks & dentals, training classes, and pet insurance or a savings buffer.
State & council basics (in plain English)
- Microchipping & registration: Required nationwide; check your local council for fees/process (you’ll usually register the microchip to your name post-adoption).
- Desexing: Many councils require desexing or charge higher registration for entire dogs. Most rescues adopt desexed dogs (or with a desexing contract if age/health delays it).
- Moving interstate: Allowed, but discuss transport timing, heat safety, and trial/return clauses across states.
Tip: Policies and fees vary by council and can change. Always confirm with your local council website before finalising the adoption.
Preparing your home (quick checklist)
- Ramps in place; block stair access with a gate
- Harness fitted (chest-girth measured), ID tag on collar
- Safe zone set up (crate/pen) with non-slip matting
- Yard audit done (no gaps; bin the toxic plants/chemicals)
- Starter kit ready: food your rescue recommends, treats, puzzle toys, chew options, poo bags
The first weeks: settle & succeed
- 3–3–3 rule: ~3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn routines, 3 months to feel fully “home.”
- Keep it simple: Short sniff-walks, calm visitors, predictable mealtimes, and plenty of rest.
- Training: Reward quiet, capture calm. Teach ramp use from day one.
- Vet intro visit: Schedule a wellness check within the first 1–2 weeks; bring rescue records.
Questions to ask a rescue
- What’s the dog’s daily routine, triggers, and favourite rewards?
- Any history of back pain or lameness? What management worked?
- Alone-time tolerance and barking profile?
- How do they cope with children/cats/dogs?
- What’s covered in the adoption fee and during the trial?
- Post-adoption support—who do I call if we hit a bump?
Red flags when searching
- Pressure to “decide today,” no trial or contract
- No vet history, microchip number, or willingness to provide desexing plan
- Refusal to discuss behaviour honestly (“perfect in every way” claims)
Trusted places to start
Dachshund Rescue Australia (DRA) – dachshundrescue.com.au
Phones: Andrea 0421 390 086 · Karan 0490 382 886 · Lisa 0411 922 246.
Devoted 2 Dachshunds Rescue (D2DR) – d2dr.org.au
Phones (emergency): Ricky 0418 789 456 · Lindy 0429 632 560.
All 4 Dachshunds Inc – all4dachshunds.com.au
Phone: 0407 576 264.
Wiener Crew Rescue (NSW) – wienercrew.com.au
Phone: 0473 552 232.
PetRescue – Australia-wide listings with alerts – petrescue.com.au
RSPCA Australia – state branches list dogs daily – rspca.org.au
Tip: Availability changes quickly—check each site’s “Available Dogs” or adoption page before calling or submitting an application.
