THE TRUTH ABOUT RESCUE

Why Rescue?

Rescuing A Dog Is A Lot Like Buying A Puppy. There are all sorts of reasons why people are reluctant to adopt a dog through rescue. And although some of these reasons may seem valid, they are almost always totally unfounded. You might be surprised.

There are incredible benefits and bonuses in an adult rescue dog.

The majority of dogs in border collie rescues are between 6 and 20 months of age. Border collies are slow to mature, and cant be considered adults until at least 2 years of age. So a large percentage of the dogs in rescue are nothing more than overgrown puppies ... but puppies without the nipping, house soiling, night time whining qualities. No sharp puppy teeth that nip noses, no warm puddles of surprise pee on your carpet ... dogs in rescue situations are generally housetrained and have some basic obedience and/or manners training. Sometime they have extensive training, depending on what circumstances forced their owner to turn them over to rescue.

Puppies are the cutest things on earth, we won't deny it. But that cute puppy stage only lasts a few short months, and then you'll spend the next 10-15 years with a dog. Since this is the animal you are spending a decade or more with, with throw away the chance to meet your perfect dog just for the opportunity to cuddle a puppy for a couple of months? Do yourself - and the dogs - a favour - adopt a rescue, and volunteer at a local shelter. That way you get a great companion AND your puppy fix - as often as you like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I'm not really ready to adopt a dog right now, but I saw that one puppy on petfinder.com and he really is adorable! Why shouldn't I write and ask questions about him, even if I'm not serious about adopting?

Breed rescues are usually run by individuals or small groups of people who just really appreciate a breed and are passionate about finding dogs good homes. Most of them have careers, families and busy lives outside of their work with rescuing dogs, and rescue is accomplished in their spare time. Corresponding with applicants and handling inquiries about dogs takes up a lot of that spare time. Unless you are really serious about adopting that adorable dog, your questions are really eating up time that could be spent on one of the hundreds of other tasks involved in running a rescue.

Inquiries are encouraged, and it doesn't mean you should only contact rescue if you are 100% certain you want the particular dog in question. How could you know that until you've asked questions and met the dog? But it's not fair to ask a rescuer - who is volunteering their time for this worthy cause - to spend valuable time answering your questions when you already knew you weren't going to adopt the dog before you even got in touch with them. Peruse the available dogs listings all you like, but unless you feel you are ready to welcome a dog into your family, let the serious applicants ask the questions.

Q: $200.00 for a rescue dog? That's highway robbery! Why should I pay that much money to take a dog off of rescue's hands? If they are so hard up for good homes, they should give the dogs away for free!

If you've ever owned a dog you know that caring for your pet comes at a price. There's food, toys, accessories (like collars, leashes, ID tags, dog beds, crates, shampoos, pest control products etc.) and veterinary bills (neutering, vaccines, illnesses). Unless you are independently wealthy, you know how stressful it can be to come up with the funds needed to care for your dog.

Rescue has to pay for all of these costs, plus there are other expenses as well - long distance telephone calls; gas money to transport dogs and take them to the vet; increased laundry costs for cleaning dog blankets and bed covers; carpet cleaners for foster dogs who aren't housetrained; extra crates, xpens and dog beds.

Sometimes rescue dogs are unhealthy or suffering an illness or injury when they come into foster care - kennel cough, bladder infections, broken or sprained limbs. They then need to be neutered or spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and/or tattooed and declared healthy by a veterinarian. Although some rescues are lucky enough to find veterinarians who work with them at a bit of a discount, none of this is free.

Adoption fees help to recover some of these costs, but usually doesn't cover everything. The average length of stay of a foster dog is about one month. During that time, the foster home will incur most, if not all, of the costs detailed above. With a little imagination, it's not difficult to see that the $200.00 adoption fee doesn't go very far.

Even if someone rescuing dogs had unlimited funds to spend on foster dogs and didn't need to recover their expenses in some way, giving dogs away for free is never a good idea. Adoption fees also help discourage people who may not have the funds to care for a dog from adopting one. And people who pay for something often, though not always, seem to care for it a little more than if they got it for free.

Q: But $200.00 for a possibly mixed breed puppy from rescue? They guy down the street is selling puppies for $50.00 I may as well just buy one of those instead.

You could do that, but stop and think about what you're supporting when you buy the puppy from the guy down the street: every year, literally thousands of dogs and puppies die in shelters across North America because there are more dogs being born than there are homes available. Every time someone buys a puppy from a backyard breeder, a dog in a shelter will die in its place. Do you really want to contribute to this terrible cycle?

Responsible, reputable dog breeders charge quite a bit of money for their puppies. A puppy from the "guy down the street" is usually a brought into this world with no thought for the genetic health or temperament of the dogs, for the betterment of the breed or for anything other than either financial gain or ignorance. Their puppies may be very cute and cuddly, but that doesn't mean the breeder had the dogs' best interests at heart when he helped create them. These puppies may not have gotten a good start in life because of poorly cared for parents, or inadequate food or housing. They may be genetically unhealthy. The breeder may not be able to offer you support and assistance with any behavioural or training problems that crop up. And that breeder probably either doesn't know, or doesn't care that his puppies mean puppies in shelters will die because no one is left to give them good homes. Is this someone you want to buy a dog from?

When you adopt a dog from rescue you get the lifetime support of the rescue, and you are saving a dog who truly is in need. A rescue really cares. when you buy a backyard bred dog you're usually on your own, plus you are supporting an industry that not only keeps rescues in business, but also contributes to the deaths of millions of innocent dogs.

If you really want a purebred puppy, look for a respected, reputable and ethical breeder, and expect to have to wait for the puppy, to be interviewed, and to pay quite a bit more than $200.00! If you know that you can give a rescued dog a second chance, consider the relatively small adoption fee your contribution to a very important effort to save lives.

Q: Speaking of puppies, why shouldn't I ask breed rescue to recommend a breeder for me?

Rescue is about saving lives, not creating more of them! Even though most rescuers respect good, ethical breeders who sometimes create quality puppies for the right reasons, they are also trying to find homes for dogs who are already here in this world, and who really need and deserve somewhere to go. It's not rescue's job to provide breeders with customers, or to do your research for you. Rescue is already overwhelmed with dogs needing homes right now! Consider opening your home and heart to a dog in need.

Q: I'm a breeder who is having trouble finding buyers for my puppies. Why won't rescue help me advertise or place them?

Because it's your job to find responsible, forever homes for your puppies. not rescue's! Rescue already works very hard to find homes for just some of the thousands of dogs who are abandoned and deserted every year; rescue is not going to sell your dogs for you. Rescue will actively discourage people from buying from most breeders, and hopes that maybe you'll reconsider your decision to breed more dogs puppies when there are already millions literally dying for homes. Since backyard breeders are the source of many of rescue's dogs, why on earth would rescue help you stay in business?

Even if you have successfully sold puppies in the past, it doesn't mean what you're doing is good for the breed, or good for dogs everywhere. Why not offer to foster dogs instead, or foster litters of puppies who are abandoned by other breeders who didn't think before they helped make puppies? Why not use your energies and knowledge for a good cause instead of making the problem worse?

Q: I bought a puppy/dog and now I can't keep it. But I put a lot of money into this dog and I want to recoup my losses. Why did rescue tell me they wouldn't buy the dog from me?

Because rescue can't afford to! Rescue is not about buying and reselling dogs - rescues work to find quality homes for healthy, vetted dogs who have been abandoned. As already discussed, there are no huge profits to be made from rescuing dogs and a lot of the time, there are definitely losses.

When you give up your dog to rescue, rescue is doing you a favour so they can help your dog. You aren't doing rescue any favours by giving them a yet another dog to find a home for, so don't think you can charge for your "product." Rescue understands you have invested money into your dog, but you're the one who has decided to give him up.

If you are really concerned about finding your pet a quality home and you don't think you can do it on your own, then by all means ask rescue for help. Just don't expect to get anything out of it except that knowledge that loving, responsible rescuers will do their very best to place your treasured companion in a screened forever home.

Q: Our daughter is ten years old and we are trying to teach her responsibility, so we've asked her to contact rescue online and ask some questions. Why did the rescue person tell her they needed to speak with is instead?

Adopting a dog is not like buying a candy bar. Dogs are complicated animals with individual needs that vary from general to specific issues. Rescuers work very hard to place each dog in an appropriate home for the dog's needs. Although the entire family is encourage to be involved in the adoption process, it is only the adults in the family who can answer questions about things like household structure and behavioral limitations. Would you let your nine year old apply for a credit card or a mortgage on your behalf?

Additionally, adopting a dog involves signing legal contracts and filling out in-depth forms that children are not qualified - legally or emotionally - to complete. This is something that rescuers take very seriously, and parents should too. If you want to teach your child to be responsible, please explain to them how important adopting a dog is, and why it is an adult activity that needs to be done through adult channels.

Children also shouldn't be online contacting rescues without parental permission and guidance either. Parents should consider taking the time to explain to children that adopting a dog is a serious exercise and that buys rescues don't have time to indulge children's fantasies of getting a dog, whether the parents said yes or not. All members of the family should be in agreement before embarking on the journey to add a new pet to the household.

Q: I don't like some of the questions rescue asked me. It's none of their business! Why should I jump through their hoops just to get a dog?

If you view the process as "just" getting a dog, chances are you aren't ready to commit to a pet! Rescuers devote a large part of their lives to rehoming dogs who've already been failed by people at least once before. They want to be sure that the dog is going to a home that's right for him, and that will be for life.

Remember that the rescuers doesn't know you personally and any questions they ask are designed to protect the dog, not to attack you. Remember that rescue is all about protecting the dog. Anything that transpires during your dealings with a responsible, ethical rescue is all about the dog, and the dog's well being, and nothing else.

If you don't want to answer the questions or won't agree to a home or reference check, then don't approach rescue for a dog. Sure, you can a dog from the "guy down the street" without any fuss at all, but remember what you're supporting when you do that. And consider that a rescuer who asks questions is a rescuer who cares. A backyard breeder who doesn't ask, doesn't care.

Q: Rescue turned me down for a dog I applied for, and suggested another breed. I've never been so offended in my life. I really plan to give her a price of my mind!

To which one might ask; what purpose would that serve?

Breed rescues rehome as many as 100 dogs per year and chances are that when it comes to that breed of dog and what makes a good home for him, they really know their stuff! If a rescuer feels your lifestyle isn't ideal or appropriate for the breed in question, they made that decision on three factors: 1) what you told them about yourself 2) what they know the dog's needs to be and 3) years of experience evaluating and rehoming this breed of dog. They are thinking first and foremost about the dog's welfare. Why would this possibly offend you?

Telling the rescue off might make you feel better, but it really doesn't accomplish anything beyond that. Consider what the rescue told you, and view it as good, free advice that a behaviourist would charge you money to give. Instead, walk away from the experience and learn from it instead of being angry, rude or confrontational.

Q: The rescue I spoke to is not a registered charity. How do I know they aren't just dog brokers trying to rip me off?

Many breed rescues are run by one or two individuals who really care about a particular breed of dog and work hard in their free time to make life better for some of these dogs. This is something they may devote their life to, and it's easy to tell they are committed to their work. But they may not be a registered charity for a variety of reasons - usually because too many cooks can spoil the broth and many independent rescuers prefer to accomplish things on their own. Setting up a "non profit" or charitable organization is not as difficult as it sounds, and having non profit status is no guarantee of sincerity or ethics. It's best to look at other factors when assessing a rescue group or individual:

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN ETHICAL RESCUE

1. Does the rescue have a screening process in place? Do they ask a variety of questions about your family, your lifestyle and your experience with dogs/the specific breed of dog?
2. Can the rescue answer your questions about the dog? Can they easily offer information about the breed, about dog behaviour etc?
3. Are the dogs spayed or neutered before placement? Does the rescue make available any medical history they have on the dogs?
4. Does the rescue require a homecheck or ask for a personal interview before placing the dog? Do they ask for references?
5. Does the rescue have a clause in their contract that requires a dog be returned to them in the event that you can't keep it any longer? Are they demonstrating concern for the future well being of the dog?
6. When you visit the rescue, are the dogs kept in kennel runs or are they part of the family? Is the home sanitary? Does it feel like the rescuer has a handle on the number of dogs in her care or does it seem out of control? Are the dogs in good physical condition?
7. Can the rescue provide you with references if asked, such as recommendations from satisfied adopters, SPCAs or veterinarians?

Not all people who call themselves rescuers are honest, sincere or ethical. Some people who claim to be rescuers have other agendas, such as financial gain or personal glory. Some simply do not know their limits and quickly become overwhelmed and as a result it is the dogs that ultimately suffer. As with any other transaction, you should do your due diligence and and make sure you feel comfortable with the individual or group you are adopting from

It may sound complicated but adopting a dog from a shelter or a rescue is not only rewarding, it's also a great thing to do. Consider yourself a soldier in the tough little army fighting to keep down the numbers of dogs killed every year for lack of families to call their own. Your rescue dog comes with a whole bunch of benefits, not the least of which is love, devotion and great companionship. A small adoption fee and a few hoops to jump through are nothing compared to a lifetime with a great dog.