Adoption

Please complete the adoption application before contacting us about an available Aussie.

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MidWest

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NorthEast

SouthWest

NorthWest

Adopting from ARPH

Please be advised that during the current COVID-19 restrictions, responses from our volunteers may be delayed and home visits postponed.  Thank you for your understanding.

 

OUR DOGS

The Australian Shepherds available for adoption through ARPH come from many sources. Some of them have been rescued from pounds and shelters. Others are referred to us by owners who can no longer keep their dogs for a variety of reasons. ARPH only accepts purebred Aussies into the program. Vicious dogs are not accepted into any of the listings.

The majority of dogs we rescue are young adults or adults. While pups do appear from time to time, they are not common. More males than females tend to be the trend in rescue as well so please consider both genders when adopting.

Our dogs are kept in foster homes with volunteers who share their homes with these dogs until the right adoptive home is found. These foster homes evaluate for temperament and also work on basic training of the dogs.
 

 

VETTING OF THE DOGS

All of our dogs over 6 months of age are spayed/neutered. We feel there are more than enough Aussies already in need of homes and that our rescues should not be used for breeding. If a dog is too young to be altered the adopter will need to agree in writing to do so by the time the dog is 6 months of age.

Our dogs have been seen by a vet and declared healthy for adoption. They are up to date on vaccinations, have been heartworm tested and also been cleared for parasites.
 

 

THE ADOPTION PROCESS

Anyone wishing to adopt a dog through ARPH must first complete an Adoption Application. When the adoption application is complete it is forwarded to the ARPH Rescue Representative closest to you. That representative will review the application, call all references, discuss parts of your answers with you, and may ask for a home check during the application approval process. ARPH looks for homes with a past history of responsible dog ownership which includes annual vetting of all pets.

After you have completed the application and submitted it, please be patient--it may be several days to a few weeks before you hear back from a representative. Most ARPH Volunteers have jobs during the day, as well as families and their own dogs to tend to in the evenings. This is a labor of love for us all, and we work very hard to respond as quickly as possible to potential adopters.

We do NOT ship dogs to adopters.
 

 

AFTER YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED

Once your application is approved, the ARPH Rescue Representative with whom you are working will help you find the right dog to match your family. Sometimes a dog that matches your home will be available immediately, but in most cases, it will take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. The more narrow your criteria for the right dog, the longer the wait. If your heart is set on a certain color, gender or age, you will probably wait longer than the adopter who is open on all these things. We do not place our dogs on a "first come, first served" basis, but according to the needs of the dog.

Many, but not all, of our ARPH Rescue Representatives have a web site or Facebook page for their area or region where you can receive more information specific to their area. Please look at the Available Dogs below, on our Facebook page, or visit the other ARPH regional sites to find available ARPH Aussies.

ARPH's careful screening process endeavors to ensure that each Aussie is placed in a loving, caring, and permanent home. ARPH is looking for owners who have adequate time, energy, and resources for Australian Shepherds. If your home fits those requirements, we look forward to hearing from you.
 

 

ADOPTION FEE

 

ARPH's standard adoption fee for a fully vetted dog is $300 U.S. Any donations above the standard fee will help to offset any necessary expenses, and are tax deductible (for U.S. residents only).

Occasionally, the fee may be lowered for special needs dogs and some senior dogs. Unaltered puppies require an additional spay/neuter deposit which is refunded upon proof of spay/neuter, per ARPH's adoption contract.

 

We sometimes have aussies on referral from private homes.

Please see our Referrals page.

 

 

 

Dudley ARPH #14452

TX

Dudley was picked up by animal control as a 3.5-4 month old stray puppy and was never reclaimed by his owner. He is vetted appropriate for his age and has been introduced to leash-walking, house-breaking, and crate-training.

Dudley was born with a congenital eye-defect. He has seen a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and they are monitoring his case. There is likely nothing to be done about the malformed right eye, but his left eye also has an iris coloboma and will need to continue to be monitored. If he can make it through the growing stage without any further issue, then he will likely get to keep that eye... but there is a very small chance that he will need to have it removed. We can talk more in-depth with interested applicants after our screening process is complete.

Here is what his foster mom has to say about Dudley:
"Dudley is between 5 and 6 months old now and is a very active puppy! He is easy to train and learns very quickly.

Because he is so smart he requires a lot of mental enrichment so he gets several training sessions each day. Sniffing is a great enrichment activity, as this will sharpen his sense of smell and is something he enjoys. Because his vision impairment has a small possibility to become worse over time, I’m focusing on teaching him verbal cues as much as possible to prepare him for a life with limited vision.

Dudley has typical herding behaviors of nipping at your heels and especially bedroom slippers. He also loves to jump up and I work on changing these behaviors every day. He will do best with someone who can continue this training.

Dudley knows how to go into his crate, but sometimes misses the entry due to his limited vision, and he is happy to spend time resting there. He will sleep through the night in his crate without needing to go potty and he is very good at letting you know when he does need to go out. He still has an occasional accident in his crate, but those are becoming more infrequent and he will benefit from someone who has the flexibility in their schedule to let him out when he needs to go.

Dudley rides well in the car (safely inside a crate) and loves to go to new places. He is a confident puppy.
Dudley is very friendly with new people and gets along well with dogs. He is still very much a puppy and so he sometimes oversteps when playing with other dogs, but he backs off once they tell him to knock it off.

Dudley gets around well, but will occasionally bump into something because he doesn’t see it. This is more likely to happen in low light situations, but this has not affected his confidence in any way.

Overall, Dudley is a sweet puppy and can be gentle and affectionate. He can be mouthy, as is typical for his age, but is *in no way* aggressive, and this shows up when he is overly excited or when he first wakes up from sleep.

Of the thousands of dogs I have trained, I have never worked with a dog that learned as fast as Dudley does. Yes, he is still a puppy and shows that every day by jumping up and nipping at heels, although he is getting better every day and he will require consistent training to overcome those annoying behaviors.

He is a very special dog and I would personally love to see him go to a special home.”

Dudley is located in Justin, TX and it is required that you travel there to meet him in person within 10 days of application approval if you want to adopt. We do need the entire party to be involved when meeting available dogs, including every family member and dog(s) that currently live in your home.

 

 

Gatsby ARPH #13949

TX

Gatsby was recently returned to our organization after 6 years in his adoptive home after his mom... who loved him very, very much... fell ill and could no longer care for him. He is now approximately 8 years old and just the sweetest, tender-hearted boy.

Gatsby is reserved when meeting new strangers, but is brave enough to walk up to you, sniff your hand, and allow pets. He loves to lean into your legs for re-assurance or cuddle in your lap. He is perfect with other dogs and is good with cats. Small or young children may be too much for Gatsby, so a home without either is best. Gatsby is low energy and could even do well as an only dog.

A few years ago, Gatsby was diagnosed with discoid lupus. The only outward symptom he shows is the de-pigmentation and sensitivity on his nose. He is on a cheap daily medication that he takes like a pro.

Gatsby is located in Fort Worth, TX and it is required that you travel there to meet him in person within 10 days of application approval if you want to adopt. We do need the entire party to be involved when meeting available dogs, including every family member and dog(s) that currently live in your home.

Please check back for more updates as we get to know Gatsby again.

 

 

 

Ryker ARPH #14453

TX

Ryker is still new to the program and we are still getting to know him. Please check back for future updates!

Ryker is located in Gainesville, TX and it is required that you travel there to meet him in person within 10 days of application approval if you want to adopt. We do need the entire party to be involved when meeting available dogs, including every family member and dog(s) that currently live in your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malcolm ARPH #14458

TX

Malcolm is still new to the program and we are still getting to know him. Please check back for future updates!

Malcolm is located in Bedford, TX and it is required that you travel there to meet him in person within 10 days of application approval if you want to adopt. We do need the entire party to be involved when meeting available dogs, including every family member and dog(s) that currently live in your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smokey ARPH #14451

TX

Smokey is still new to the program and we are still getting to know him. Please check back for future updates!

Smokey is located in Sanger, TX and it is required that you travel there to meet him in person within 10 days of application approval if you want to adopt. We do need the entire party to be involved when meeting available dogs, including every family member and dog(s) that currently live in your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lacey ARPH #14450

TX

Lacey is still new to the program and we are still getting to know her. Please check back for future updates!

Lacey is located in North Richland Hills, TX and it is required that you travel there to meet her in person within 10 days of application approval if you want to adopt. We do need the entire party to be involved when meeting available dogs, including every family member and dog(s) that currently live in your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mandy ARPH #14456

TX

Mandy is still new to the program and we are still getting to know her. Please check back for future updates!

Mandy is located in Burleson, TX and it is required that you travel there to meet her in person within 10 days of application approval if you want to adopt. We do need the entire party to be involved when meeting available dogs, including every family member and dog(s) that currently live in your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dolly ARPH #14454

OK

Dolly is DEAF.

Dolly is still new to the program and we are still getting to know her. Please check back for future updates!

Dolly is located in Tulsa, OK and it is required that you travel there to meet her in person within 10 days of application approval if you want to adopt. We do need the entire party to be involved when meeting available dogs, including every family member and dog(s) that currently live in your home.