You'd have to have been living under a rock not to notice the massive spike in dog ownership due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, the flip side has been that many lockdown pups are now being surrendered by their owners for various reasons and dog adoption services are inundated by lovely little souls looking for a new home.
By adopting from one of the top Auckland dog rescue centres rather than getting a dog from a breeder you really are saving lives, helping our community by getting them off the streets—and at a fraction of the cost. Not to mention you'll have a fluffy pooch that will provide endless love, laughs and loyalty.
You don’t know true love until you have a dog in your life—just make sure you’re ready to commit to a long-term relationship. So if you're ready, we've compiled a list of the top places to adopt a puppy or a dog in Auckland so you can be part of the solution. NB. All centres on this list are registered charities.
Saving Hope Foundation
Online
Saving Hope is a no-kill dog rescue centre based in Auckland. Due to their policy of never turning a pooch away, they are now one of the biggest rescue centres in New Zealand and will pick up pooches from all over the country thanks to an army of dog-loving volunteers. This organisation also offers fostering services, so if you're not sure how a dog will fit into your life this could be a great way to find out—giving them an in-home experience while they find their forever home.
Chained Dog Rehabilitation & Rehoming NZ (CDRRNZ)
Auckland, Queenstown, Online
This registered charity is staffed by nationwide volunteers who work tirelessly to bring 'New Zealand's dirty secret' of habitually chained dogs to an end. Seeking to educate and rescue dogs from this most horrible fate, Chained Dog has lots of dogs who are looking for both foster homes and adoption to continue their rehabilitation and have their lives turned around after a rough start.
Auckland Puppy Rescue
Online
The guys at Auckland Puppy Rescue are dedicated to rehoming pups aged from newborn to 12 months and rely on foster carers around Auckland to help the dogs experience real family life before moving on to their great new families. You'll pay for your new puppy love to ensure that wonderful organisations like this can continue their good work. Also, all pups are desexed, vet checked, microchipped and even registered with the council for their first year. Doesn't get much better than that.
Greyhounds As Pets
Online
Elegant, gentle, loving and affectionate, greyhounds make great pets for most households including those who live in small homes. Contrary to popular belief, they do not need a lot of exercise or eat like weightlifters due to their love of the couch. Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) have rehomed more than 3,000 former racing hounds over the past 15 years. You can browse dogs on their website and the GAP team will help you make the best possible match for your household. They also offer training and behaviour coaching after adoption as well as ongoing availability for the lifetime of your greyhound.
Animal Re-homing
North Shore
Animal Re-homing saves dogs from all walks of life and collaborates with many other organisations to do so. They aim to rescue, rehabilitate and ultimately rehome all the animals that they meet. Help ‘em out a little. All animals are free on the conditions that you provide, love, warmth, shelter, care, attention and food. They rely entirely on donations so if you can’t get a dog for whatever reason you could give a little financially.
Country Retreat Animal Sanctuary
Auckland, Online
Country Retreat Animal Sanctuary (CRAS) is run by husband-and-wife team Helen and Gavin, who focus on the rescue and nurture of pregnant mothers and very young puppies. Often requiring around-the-clock care, these are the two most vulnerable groups of dogs with devastatingly high abandonment rates. In the past few years, the retreat has rescued and re-homed over 300 puppies. If you're not in a position to bring a pup home right now, you can donate here to help them continue their great work.
Rottweiler Rescue & Rehoming
Rottweilers suffer from a fierce reputation, and although they're definitely not for everyone, these big dogs can be some of the most loving, loyal and adorable pets to welcome into your home. The Rottweiler Rescue And Rehoming registered charity does exactly what it says on the tin—rescuing unwanted Rottweilers and settling them into new forever homes. Not sure whether a Rottie's the right dog for you? The charity also runs a foster programme where you can help a dog in need while learning about the breed.
SPCA
Mangere & Hobsonville
One of the best-known dog rescue centres in NZ, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)’s Auckland branch in Mangere was founded in 1883 and they have been doing their part to encourage the humane treatment of animals and to prevent animal cruelty ever since. You can do your part by adopting a dog from them from their centre in Mangere or their brand-new site in Hobsonville. You can browse dogs on their website and let them know which you're interested in visiting, whereby an appointment will be organised. It makes you believe in love at first sight. Just beware of those puppy dog eyes because you don’t have room for all of them.
The Humane Society Of NZ
Online
The Humane Society of NZ get the strays and stragglers of Auckland and then do all the checks to make sure they're healthy and happy. Since they do not have any facilities they rely on volunteers to take in the dogs temporarily until a permanent home can be found. This is where you come in… check them out, you could save a life today.
Pet Rescue
Online
Pet Rescue is the adoption branch of the charity Paw Justice. They act as matchmakers between unloved and unwanted pooches and people ready and willing to adopt. These doggies come from all walks of life and after a hard start in life, they deserve to go to a loving home. You can browse their website to find the right pooch for you. They make it really easy for you—the dogs are ready to go—desexed, vaccinated, dewormed, deflea'd and microchipped.
Fancy getting away from it all with your pooch? Here are NZ's best pet-friendly campsites.
Image credit: Chewy, Auckland Puppy Rescue, Greyhounds As Pets, Country Retreat Animal Sanctuary.