Advice and Guidance
This section provides general guidance for people navigating the small dog rescue system in South Africa — whether you are thinking about adopting, need to find your dog a new home, want to verify a rescue, or have found a stray dog.
General guidance only: These articles provide general information to help you understand your options and take the right next step. They do not constitute legal, veterinary, or professional advice. Where legal or welfare topics are covered, authoritative sources are identified and readers are directed to appropriate professionals or bodies for advice specific to their circumstances.
Rehoming and Surrender
Guidance for people who need to find their dog a safe new home. Circumstances vary — these articles address the most common situations without judgement.
When You Need to Find Your Dog a New Home
Non-judgemental guidance covering emigration, illness, death of owner, divorce, financial hardship and other circumstances that may lead to rehoming.
Read guide →Body Corporate and Landlord Pet Rules
General information on South African housing rules that can affect pet ownership in sectional title schemes, estates and rental properties.
Read guide →Ready to take the next step?
Go to Rehoming and Surrender GuideAdoption
What to expect from the adoption process in South Africa, including applications, rescue-specific suitability checks and breed considerations.
How Small Dog Adoption Works
The full adoption process — applications, home suitability assessments, vet references, fees, and what happens after approval.
Read guide →Find the Right Rescue
Browse breed-specific and general small dog rescue organisations across South Africa by breed and province.
Browse rescues →Adoption Support and Post-Placement Guidance
What to expect after bringing your rescue small dog home, including early adjustment periods, safe pet introductions, supervision, safe spaces and household boundaries, and behaviour troubleshooting.
First Days & Decompression
How to manage the early adjustment period and help your new companion adjust using the 3-3-3 rule of thumb.
Introducing to Other Pets
Safe, structured methods for introducing a new small dog to resident dogs and cats.
Rescue Dogs & Children
Essential safety rules, supervision, safe spaces and household boundaries for integrating a dog into homes with kids.
Rescue Verification
How to verify a rescue's legitimacy and check details before making a payment or handing over a dog.
How to Check Whether a Dog Rescue Is Legitimate
Practical warning signs, identity checks, process transparency and questions to ask before dealing with a rescue.
Read guide →Our Partner Inclusion Criteria
The standards a rescue must meet to be included in our active referral network, and how to submit an inclusion request.
View criteria →Lost and Found
Immediate steps for reporting a missing dog or handling a stray you have found.
Lost or Found a Dog?
Immediate steps for reporting a missing dog or a found stray — microchip scanning, veterinary clinic and SPCA contacts, Lost Dogs South Africa reporting, and social media safety.
View steps →Lost Dogs South Africa
South Africa's online reporting and sharing platform that helps people publish and search for missing and found dogs.
View profile →Housing and Legal Circumstances
General information on South African housing rules that can affect your ability to keep a pet. Not legal advice.
Body Corporate and Landlord Pet Rules
How sectional title schemes, HOAs and rental agreements can affect pet ownership, and where to get help if you are in dispute.
Read guide →Rehoming Because of Housing Rules
If housing rules mean you cannot keep your dog, this guide covers your options and how to safely proceed with rehoming.
Read guide →Not Sure Where to Start?
Use the Rescue Finder to be routed to the correct rescue or welfare organisation for your breed and situation.
Use the Rescue FinderLast reviewed: July 2026 | Next review due: January 2027