Ararat Animal Shelter is celebrating another successful adoption, bringing a pet in need together with a loving local family.
"She's gorgeous - we absolutely love her," Alicia Juarez says of her household's newest member, Greta. The Staffy Cross was welcomed into the Juarez fold only a week ago, but has clearly already found her place.
"I'm still shocked she hadn't been picked up earlier," Alicia says. "I'm just glad that it was right - that it happened for us."
Alicia and her husband are long-standing pet parents, having cared for three rescue dogs in their time together. It has been five months since their most recent dog passed away, and Alicia knew that her three children - 16, 8 and 4 years old - were ready for a new friend.
"Our kids were seeking to have that companionship again," she says. "I'd been looking, keeping my eye out.
"My husband and I are very big on adopting through shelters, and giving animals a second chance - you've got no idea what they've been through.
"I saw Greta, and then I saw the price… I was completely shocked Ararat Council only charged $100. Other places are easily three, four, five hundred."
Despite the fact the Juarez family has historically owned much smaller breeds such as Jack Russell terriers, once they met Greta, they knew the match was solid.
"I don't know if it's just her nature, but she still has that puppy playfulness about her," says Alicia. "She sleeps on our bed every night. The kids love her. She's cuddly, she kisses, the kids play with her outside.
"I'm just so pleased that it worked out with us."
Ararat Animal Shelter has a range of animals in their care who are seeking loving homes.
Adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats, which covers the cost of desexing, initial vaccinations, and microchipping. All animals up for adoption have also been worm and flea treated, thoroughly health-checked and temperament tested.
The shelter supports a no-euthanasia policy for animals who are suitable for rehousing.
If you're interested in meeting any of the animals at the Shelter, you can reach our Local Laws department at .
To enable an easier adoption process, please visit our adoption form page.
Images top - bottom: Alicia Juarez and her family; Greta enjoying some outside time
