Adopting through ARRG
How to adopt
Thinking about adopting a rescue animal? You’re in the right place. At ARRG, we match cats and dogs with loving, responsible homes, and we’ll guide you through the process every step of the way.
All of our animals are health checked, desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and treated for parasites, and every adoption comes with a two-week trial to make sure it’s a good fit for everyone.
Step-by-step guide to adopting from ARRG
1. Browse our available animals
Head to our Adopt page to meet the animals currently in care. We update listings regularly, but there are occasionally more animals available than shown. So if you’re after something specific, feel free to reach out.
2. Submit an enquiry
You can find our adoption application HEREÂ
Alternatively, Each listing includes a contact form. If you’re interested in adopting, simply fill in the form on that animal’s page and upload the following:
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Proof of homeownership
or
A letter of approval from your landlord if renting -
For dogs: clear photos of your secure fenced yard
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A message telling us about your home, lifestyle, and why you’d be a great match
This helps us speed up the process and make sure it’s the right fit from the start.
3. Phone call, meet & trial
Once we’ve reviewed your enquiry, we’ll give you a quick call to chat further and arrange the next steps.
Most of our animals are in foster care, so we’ll organise a meet-and-greet by appointment. If all goes well, your adoption begins with a two-week trial — time for you and your new companion to settle in and see how things go.
Adoption Fees
Your adoption fee helps cover essential vet care and supports the rescue of more animals in need:
Cats – $210
Includes health check, desexing, microchip, 1st vaccination, flea and worm treatment.
All cats are litter trained and used to being indoors.
Kittens under 5 months come with a prepaid desexing voucher to be used at a participating local vet.
Dogs – $400
Includes health check, desexing, microchip, 1st vaccination, flea and worm treatment, and heartworm prevention.
Puppies under 5 months also come with a prepaid desexing voucher.
Local council registration discount
Starting from July 2021 the Companion Animals Regulation 2018 was revised to waive registration fees for desexed animals bought or adopted through a rehoming organisation. ARRG is a clause 16(d) rehoming organisation, which means your adoption includes paperwork that entitles you to the NO FEE microchip registration.
you can register your new addition either at your local council or online: www.petregistry.olg.nsw.gov.au/
You’ll just need to show your ARRG adoption receipt and desexing certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I come into the South Lismore Centre to see all the pets to adopt?
Very few of our adoptable animals are located at the South Lismore Rehabilitation Centre, as ARRG is primarily a foster carer group. To make an appointment to meet animals with foster carers you must first submit your application with attachment/s, before being referred to the foster carer to organise a day/time to meet.
*All potential adopters are phone interviewed for suitability prior to making an appointment to meet the animal of choice.
What happens once I lodge my application to adopt?
After submitting your emailed application, with attachment/s, give us time to process your email, if suitable for the animal, we will give you a call for more information and to make an appointment to meet animal available for adoption.
I rent do I need to tell my Agent/Landlord?
Renters need a letter of agreement from either the rental agent (on their letterhead) or the property owner. If a letter is from the property owner and NOT from a rental agency, then a letter will need to be accompanied by the owner’s proof of homeownership (ie, Rates Notice) as verification that they are the owner of the property you are renting.
What's the Adoption Agreement?
When adopting an animal from ARRG, you will be asked to sign an Adoption Agreement form whereby you will be agreeing to certain conditions. At the time of adoption make sure you READ the complete ADOPTION AGREEMENT policy before signing the form, so you fully understand to what you are agreeing.
Should I keep my cat(s) inside all the time?
Keeping a cat inside, particularly at night, will protect it from accidents and fight injuries. Keeping it permanently inside will also protect local wildlife and lessen the possibility of hunting-related parasites. If your cat does go outside, you can buy a ‘cat bib’ for it to wear https://catbib.com.au/, which curtails its ability to hunt birds. White cats or cats with white ears or noses should also be kept inside and out of direct sunlight to avoid skin cancer.
Think about adopting two bonded adults or two kittens so they have company if you’re not at home all the time.
Do I need a cat carrier when I pick up my cat/kitten?
Yes you will need a carrier to transport your cat(s) or kitten(s), ask friends who have cats if you can you borrow theirs until you can buy one yourself. A cat carrier is something you will need to transport your pet to the Vet or when moving home.
To secure carrier in car, place seatbelt through the handle. You do not want the cat carrier to become a projectile in the event of an accident.
Tell me about the Settling in/Return Policy?
ARRG provides a 14 day settling in period for you and your new companion. If your new cat does not settle into its new home, please consult the ARRG volunteers at our South Lismore Centre (02) 6622 1881 (M-F 9-3) for advice. If the problem/s can’t be resolved you can book an appointment to return your adopted cat prior to the animal being returned to the Lismore ARRG Centre. A refund of the adoption price will be paid by bank deposit, provided the animal is returned within 14 days from the date of adoption.
If for an unanticipated reason, in the future, you cannot keep this adopted cat, you must first contact ARRG before attempting to re-home. When ARRG is in a position to accept the return of the cat, when there is available space, you must pay a surrender fee and return all appropriate paperwork to allow it to be re-homed by ARRG.
Phone Number
02 6622 1881
(Mon-Fri 9:00am to 3:00pm – excl PH’s)
Address
135 Three Chain Road,
South Lismore NSW 2480