Frequently Asked Questions
Is BRV a registered charity and is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, Beagle Rescue Victoria Inc. is a registered (not-for-profit) charity, located in Victoria. All monetary donations over $2 are tax deductible. BRV relies on donations and the generosity of our supporters to keep it running. BRV is manned 24/7 by unpaid volunteers who do what they do for the love of the breed. Remember, if you make a donation to BRV via a bank transfer, please contact us at fundrasing@beaglerescuevic.org so that a receipt can be sent to you.
Why adopt a beagle from BRV?
BRV ensures that all of its beagles are desexed, microchipped, up-to-date on vaccinations, flea, worm and heart worm control prior to entering our foster care program. Each beagle is also thoroughly temperament tested, ensuring that he is placed in a home that meets the beagle’s individual needs. The beagle will arrive at his new family with electronic copies of paperwork, a lead, collar, harness, ID tag, bed and bowl. BRV offers ongoing support and assistance, not only during the trial period, but for the life of the beagle should assistance be required. If, due to a change in circumstances, you find that you can no longer keep your beagle, BRV is more than happy to take the beagle back. BRV asks that it is ALWAYS your first option.
How do I adopt a beagle from BRV?
Although the process is thorough, it is quite straightforward. Firstly, please read the information on the page “Is a Beagle For Me”. If you are still keen then Click here to fill in the form online. Once your application form is received, BRV will contact you to discuss the beagles that may be suitable for you and your family. If there are no beagles in care that match your requirements, your application will be kept on file and you will be contacted when a suitable beagle arrives in care.
How much is the adoption fee and what does it cover?
The adoption fees for all BRV beagles start at $600. The adoption fee covers some the following expenses: general health checks, desexing, vaccinations, flea, worm and heart worm control, temperament testing, pound release fees, transport, food, leads, collars, crates etc. It NEVER covers the full cost and we ALWAYS run at a loss. This is why adoption fees and donations are so essential to help us continue our lifesaving work.
75% of the adoption fee is refundable if, at any stage during the trial period, the beagle is not suitable for you and/or your family. After the trial period, the adoption fee is non-refundable.
What is a trial period?
Each beagle is placed out on a 2 – 4 week trial period to ensure the match is suitable for all involved. If, at any stage during the trial period, the beagle isn’t working out, the beagle must be returned to a BRV representative at a mutually convenient time and place. BRV also has experienced dog trainers on hand should you require their help or advice.
Can I adopt a dog from BRV as a gift or surprise for a loved one?
No, at Beagle Rescue Vic we will never adopt a pet to anyone as a surprise or gift to another person, all parties who intend to live with and take care of the dog are required to participate in the adoption process.
Why won’t BRV adopt a beagle to me if I don’t have another dog?
Beagles are the ultimate pack dog. They are a high energy scent hound and they thrive in the company of other dogs. They LOVE playing and being involved with their family. Most beagles that have been surrendered to BRV’s foster care program have come in because they have not coped with being an only dog; as a result, they have begun to show destructive/distressing traits such as digging, howling and chewing. Once these beagles have arrived in BRV’s foster care program, BRV has a duty of care to these beagles to ensure that they are not placing them back into a situation that they have not coped with (i.e. a single dog household). It is quite amazing to see these beagles in their new home, happy and settled with a doggie playmate. Occasionally, there will be exceptions to this rule, and from time to time BRV does have beagles that are best suited to being an only dog.
Why won’t BRV adopt beagles to interstate families?
It is essential to BRV to get the re-homing process correct the first time. BRV’s beagles deserve its 100% commitment to ensuring that they don’t end up back through the revolving door of rescue again. In an effort to ensure that BRV gets it right the first time, and to ensure that its beagles are well matched and suited to each other and the new family, part of BRV’s re-homing process is conducting yard checks (to make sure that the yard and fencing is adequate) and arranging “meet and greets” where the beagle is brought to your home to see how he interacts with your other dog. BRV cannot provide this service interstate. BRV also prides itself on being able to offer hands on support and advice for the new family through, not only the adoption process, but for the life of the beagle/s. Again, this is not something it can provide interstate.
Why do you bring the beagle to meet us? Why can’t we come to you?
BRV operates a foster care program Victoria-wide. We rely heavily on these families to assist us; we don’t expect our families to drive all over Victoria. Instead, BRV will collect the beagle from foster care and come to you in your home to do what is known as a “meet and greet” and conduct a yard/fence check.
By doing this, BRV ensures that, not only are both dogs suited to each other (or not), provides an opportunity for you to discuss any questions with a BRV volunteer. BRV asks that the entire family be present for the meet and greet so that everyone is 100% committed to the new arrival.
What if I don’t want my beagle desexed?
Then don’t expect to get a beagle from BRV. Victorian law states that all animals that come through shelters and pounds must be desexed, microchipped, up-to-date on vaccinations, flea and worm control. BRV abides by these laws and applauds the high level of standards that operate in Victoria. Spaying also reduces the risk of mammary tumours (which can be life threatening), tumours of the ovaries, uterus and cervix and pyometra, a gross infection of the uterus and unwanted/planned litters. Castration also reduces the risk of prostate disease and eliminates any possibility of testicular cancers. BRV does not support backyard breeding or puppy farms.
What if I have a beagle and I can’t keep him/her anymore or need help?
BRV is happy to assist any member of the public with their beagle in any way that it can. If you require training tips or advice, please email info@beaglerescuevic.org. If you need to surrender your beagle and would like them to enter BRV’s foster care program, please read our surrenders page here. BRV will then organise for the necessary paperwork to be filled out and arrange an appointment to meet with you and your beagle to ensure they are suitable to come into its care.
What happens if I surrender my beagle and it take months to re-home?
Once your beagle has been assessed and accepted into the foster care program, they are guaranteed their placement until the “right” home comes along. BRV does not have a “production line” mentality of getting as many beagles out to make room for new beagles coming in. Instead, it is about matching the right beagle to the right family. There is a home out there for each and every beagle of good nature and temperament and BRV aims to find it for them. The process will take, as long as it takes.
What is emergency foster care and how can my beagle use this service?
Emergency foster care is for the sole purpose of beagles and beagle-crosses that are of sound temperament and health that are either due to be euthanised in the pound system or whose owners have died or are terminally ill or have become homeless/jobless and can no longer look after their beagle. Please call BRV on 0409 535 930 or email info@beaglerescuevic.org should your beagle fall under any of the above circumstances.
Why are there so many beagles in shelters, pounds and rescue?
Beagles are known worldwide as a “merry little hound” and their good looks and nature are often the selling point for this beautiful breed. Unfortunately many people who purchase this wonderful breed do so through places like pet shops, internet sites/puppy farms and are not given the correct information, support or advice. When they get them home, they find that they can’t cope with the energy levels and nature of a beagle. As a result, a lot of people surrender their beagles to pounds/shelters and rescue groups. When adding a beagle to your family, please research the breed thoroughly. Beagles are generally not suitable as an only dog. They thrive with another beagle and being part of their family’s day-to-day life. They require daily mental and physical exercise and are happiest when they are with their humans. They are not a breed that is suitable to being left outdoors, without another dog or being ignored. There are so many beagles in care just because they were purchased solely on their looks and nature.
Where do BRV’s beagles come from?
BRV works alongside many pounds and shelters in Victoria who recognise that beagles of good nature and temperament are better off placed in a foster care environment while they wait for their new families to adopt them. BRV helps beagles who have come from puppy farms and require rehabilitation. BRV assists families that have had a sudden change in their life (eg. relocate overseas for work, terminally ill, marriage breakup) and assists those that just didn’t realise that the cute little tri-coloured angel in the pet shop window would grow up to be a scent hound devil. BRV also takes in beagles who have been used in medical research.
What is a puppy farm? Why shouldn’t I get a dog/cat from a pet shop?
A puppy farm, also sometimes called called commercial breeders, pet shops and backyard breeders exist solely to turn a quick profit and fulfil demand, without thought for the basic care of the animals or their temperament and health. They often keep dogs in small, cramped, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, but not always. They can be clean and look ‘reputable’. They may show you the mother and father and let you see some of their property, they may have a nice website with lots of photos of happy dogs running free, but they still produce large quantities of puppies, mixing breeds and taking them away from their mothers far too early. Many online advertisements (Gumtree, Trading Post etc.). have come through the puppy farm system as well. To find the contact details of registered breeders, please visit www.dogsvictoria.org
But I thought puppy farm were banned in Victoria?
No, Victoria has introduced some restrictions on the number of breeding dogs that puppy farms can have on one property, as long as they comply with the legislation, they are still permitted to operate and they are not illegal. Victoria has also prohibited the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops, other states have not.
Adding a new animal to your family and home is a serious decision. They are, after all, living, breathing creatures that can live anywhere between 12 to 18 years. During this time, they require your love, attention and care for all aspects of their life. Each breed has their own individual needs and aspects of care. BRV encourages you to take the time to research the breed and their needs to ensure they will fit into your lifestyle and that you, in return, can meet their needs. To help you with this task, you will need the advice of registered breeders who are breeding for the betterment (in terms of health and temperament) of the animal as opposed to those who are doing it purely for the money.
