K9 Dog Rescue Group volunteers are urging people to think beyond Christmas morning before buying or adopting a dog. Their warning is about preparation—not a blanket objection to buying a puppy—including whether a household can meet a dog’s needs over the long term. The rescue also reports a seasonal rise in surrender requests from May through July, based on its own experience rather than regional statistics.
What the rescue means by “dog dumping season”
In a report published by the Mandurah Times on 11 December 2024, kennel manager Beth Jones and volunteer Graham Carter said surrender requests at K9 Dog Rescue Group tend to rise from May and increase through June and July. That is the volunteers’ recurring observation at their rescue; the report does not establish a measured trend across Western Australia or prove that Christmas purchases cause those later surrenders.
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The article offered a snapshot of the rescue at that time: it was caring for 28 dogs in Nambeelup. One dog, Billy, had reportedly spent two years in kennels and had just turned three. Those are dated details about the rescue and one dog, not current figures or a typical waiting period.
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A puppy or dog is not a short-term present. Before bringing one home, consider whether the people who will actually care for the dog agree and can provide consistent attention after the holiday excitement has passed. Carter put availability first: “The first one is your availability.”
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Jones described the underlying mismatch this way: “There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding between the sort of dog that people want versus the sort of dog that people can actually manage”. A dog’s age and energy level matter alongside its training and exercise needs, compatibility with children and other household members, and how long it will be left alone. A high-energy working dog may be a poor match for a household with little time for activity; an older, calmer dog may suit some households better. These are considerations, not a universal rule about any breed or age.
Use a realistic readiness check
Time and routine
- Can someone make time for exercise, training, grooming and supervision every day?
- How will the dog’s needs fit around work, school, travel and other household routines?
- Who can help if the usual caregiver is unavailable?
Costs and local requirements
Plan for food, training, grooming and veterinary treatment, as well as registration, microchipping and desexing. Carter estimated “around 60 to $70 a week” for a dog in his 2024 interview. Treat that as one volunteer’s estimate at that time, not a current universal budget: the report supplies no cost breakdown or independent validation. Carter also said larger dogs can bring expenses into the hundreds, but did not specify a period or provide a dataset.
Check the current requirements that apply where you live rather than relying on a general account. The volunteers also highlighted the need to arrange boarding or other reliable care for holidays and periods when household circumstances change.
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Think through the dog’s likely needs and temperament in relation to the people and animals already at home. Decide in advance who can exercise, feed and supervise the dog when the primary caregiver cannot. If finances or time become difficult, a dependable support plan matters; it is not a substitute for being able to care for the dog yourself.
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Questions to ask before buying a puppy
K9 Dog Rescue’s volunteers did not say everyone should adopt rather than buy. The report says they “don’t have a problem with people buying a purebred puppy over adopting.” Jones’s concern was with puppies from unregistered breeders who, she said, may be sent out without microchips or three vaccinations and without follow-up. Those are her reported concerns, not a statement of current legal obligations or an independently verified claim about all unregistered breeders.
Before committing, ask how the puppy was bred and cared for, what veterinary and identification documentation is available, and what follow-up the seller provides. Check current requirements with the relevant authorities in your area; the 2024 report does not establish what Western Australian or local council rules require today.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the 2024 report does—and does not—tell you
The story also said four dogs in the rescue’s care were mothers who had recently given birth, and described emergency surgery to save one dog’s life. Those details illustrate the work reported at the time, but do not establish the rescue’s present circumstances. It also reported that the group needed volunteers and printed 9581 9005 as a contact number; confirm current contact information before relying on it.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe practical point is to decide whether a particular dog’s needs fit your real household, time and budget—not just the season in which you want to bring one home.
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