Stars lead way in adopting rescue dogs: See video of Philippoussis family with its new pound pup

Victorian tennis great Mark Philippoussis is among stars who have adopted rescue dogs, as the state faces a crisis in dumped and surrendered pets post lockdowns.

Celebrities are leading the way in adopting rescue dogs rather than forking out big bucks for designer and pure breeds.

Tennis great Mark Philippoussis and his family, who live on Victoria’s Surf Coast, adopted an energetic mixed-breed puppy on popular reality show The Dog House Victoria, while MAFS star Ryan Gallagher took an ageing kelpie back to his farm and Australian icon Denise Scott welcomed two small surrendered dogs into her home.

Australian Survivor champion Mark Wales and his wife - fellow castaway Samantha Gash - and their children also took home a pound hound.

Philippoussis, who has previously had, and loved, a rescue dog, has since posted a happy photo and a video on Instagram of his family with its new best friend.

Tennis star Mark Philippoussis and his family adopted a puppy on Channel 10's The Dog House Australia. Source: Instagram

“I wasn’t ready (to adopt),” Philippoussis said on The Dog House.

“I just felt like I was putting these unfair expectations on, no matter what dog came through that door, because of the connection I had with (my past rescue dog) Myka (but) we were driving, and I called to say ‘get the paperwork ready’,” he said.

“I fell in love with her.”

It comes as Victoria faces a tsunami of dumped dogs, post lockdowns.

RSPCA shelters in Victoria were receiving up to 50 surrendered dogs each month in 2021, which has now tripled to 150 dogs monthly.

On Saturday August 20, in a bid to relieve pounds of some of the many dogs that have been recently surrendered and dumped, all RSPCA Victoria shelters slashed adoption fees to just $100.

Pretty Mavis is just 18-months-old and would love a forever home. Picture: Wayne Taylor

All RSPCA shelter dogs come desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, health and behaviour checked - and there are often extra goodies thrown in.

The spike in dogs being surrendered to shelters, vets and rescue groups reached a heartbreaking level last week, with 14 beagles being surrendered to one Victorian organisation in just one day.

Another group, Victoria’s Second Chance Animal Rescue, has also seen a jump in dogs being surrendered post lockdowns.

“There has been a dramatic increase in dog surrenders since Covid restrictions have lifted,” client liaison officer Karen Watts said.

“We’re probably seeing three times the amount of surrender applications and surrender calls that we would normally have.

Cute Audie, aged 3 months, was up for adoption through the RSPCA for just $100. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“We’re actually at capacity with dogs too, which doesn’t happen often.

“I’m getting at least 10 calls a day on top of what surrenders we’re already getting, I’d say it’s dramatic.”

She said the rise of dogs in her care was a direct result of restrictions being lifted.

“Since that’s happened, I’ve seen the increase in excuses, it’s definitely an impact coming out of lockdown.”

Concerns had been voiced during the pandemic – when dog adoptions and purchases were at an highest – about the consequences it might have on owners surrendering them in future.

In October 2020, labrador breeder Sylvia Power warned potential owners of the ramifications once lockdowns and restrictions were lifted in Victoria.

Jimmy the 11-month-old Great Dane cross was up for adoption on Saturday. Picture: David Caird

“People right now are thinking ‘we’re home, we’re bored, let’s get a puppy’ … and I’m very, very afraid that next year there are going to be a lot of dogs looking for new homes because I think many people don’t really know what the long-term commitment is all about,” she said.