For The Animals - Ann E Dawg Rescue

What is "Rescue"?	Aren't rescue dogs usually abused or neglected, making them dangerous?
What is "A Reputable Rescue"?	What happens if I adopt a dog, but can't keep it?
Where do rescue dogs come from?	How much does it cost to adopt a rescue dog?
What does a rescue do when they are called to rescue a dog?	Why can't I breed my rescue dog?
Where are rescue dogs located?	How do I adopt a rescue dog?
How do you know the dogs are healthy and will make good pets?	Rescue Me

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What is "Rescue"?

Rescue groups and individuals who do rescue work are dedicated to rescuing and re-homing unwanted, abandoned and homeless animals by finding new, caring, permanent homes for those animals. Dog rescuers come in many "flavors"- some operate animal shelters or kennels, some work with foster networks, and some work out of their own homes, or a combination of these. Some work specifically with one breed of dog while others may be open to all breeds or just certain types (small dogs regardless of breed, for example). Rescue is a volunteer job. You won't find a reputable rescuer getting rich (or even making any profit) from their efforts.
What you will find them doing is finding new homes for  rescued dogs; rehabilitating those with health or behavior issues; and educating the public about their chosen breeds & animal welfare issues. Those are some of rescue's purposes.
Return to links
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 What is "A Reputable Animal Rescue"?

• A "REPUTABLE RESCUE:
•  is not for profit, and works on adoptions, not sales.
• takes responsibility for the animals adopted through them for the span of each animal’s life, not "just” for the span of foster care or transport.
• carefully screens incoming animals for temperament and health, and has met and familiarized themselves with animals being offered for adoption.
• does not offer animals to be used for breeding, and does not promote animals with unstable or unknown temperaments.
• never places an animal as a "surprise" gift to the intended adopter. The rescue will always involve the recipient in the decision to adopt as well as in the application and home visit process, and selection of the pet.
• places the welfare and happiness of the animal first, and screens potential homes to ensure that the placement is the right one for that animal.
• has a contract, screens every potential adopter with a MANDATORY home visit before a dog is placed there and and requires references This is also for foster /temporary homes.
• follows through on contacts and references and investigates each thing completely.
• has references from shelters in their area and works with those shelters.
• checks with the adopter's vet about care of the adopter's previous or current pets, to ensure future pets will have proper medical attention.
• spays/neuters all pets before placement
• makes sure animals undergo a physical examination by a vet to ensure all pets are healthy, are up to date on all vaccines, heartworm tested/on prevention, and receive necessary vet care before placement
• keeps animals in foster care or kennel situations in order to screen for health or behavior problems before placing the animals. 
• helps educate new adopters, and may require adopters to participate in training courses to assist in a good adoption.
• always returns calls or emails in a timely fashion.
• works carefully to match up the right forever home with the right pet, based on the pet's individual needs and personality, as well as other considerations.
• may ask that all family members and resident pets meet the new animal before an adoption is finalized. 
• will never ask an adopter to take an animal "sight unseen" or take an animal arriving in on a transport right to a new home.
• makes an effort to work in cooperation with the shelters, humane societies and animal control facilities in their own region or state.
• will have a harmonious relationship with other rescues.
• will never “hurry up” a process, or waive requirements simply for the convenience of the adopter.
  
• prioritizes working with shelters and owner-surrenders from within its own state or geographical area whenever possible (i.e. does NOT haul vanloads of puppies/dogs/pets from out-of-state shelters.)
• requires a legal release form for owner-surrenders.
• understands the limits of its resources; does not accept more animals than it has legal authority or space/time to care for.

Return to links

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Where do rescue dogs come from?

Rescue dogs come from a variety of circumstances. Some come from shelters, having arrived there when abandoned by their owners or as strays who were not claimed, impounds from crulery or abuse cases; others are relinquished directly to the rescue by their owners. The reasons given by owners for why dogs need new homes vary widely, but often we hear statements such as:

• "We're Moving."
• "We have no time for a dog."
• "The kids won't take care of the dog."
• "A family member is allergic to the dog."
• "The dog does not get along well with children."

The majority of rescue dogs are between 2 and 5 years of age. They are in rescue through no fault of their own. Most of them are very good dogs, while some may have "special needs" due to health or behavior issues. Puppies are SOMETIMES available, though most puppies will be in the 5 - 9 month age range. Older dogs are available and a good choice for many families.

Return to links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What does a rescue group or individual do when they find a dog in need or are called to rescue a dog?

All rescues operate independently and have their own process but, in general, the process goes like this: First, the rescue contacts the place or person where the potential rescue dog is located. After discussing the dog's health, traits and personality, the rescue may agree they can help this dog, and transportation is arranged. For dogs that are more than a few hours' drive away, rescue folks may network with other rescues, who arrange volunteer transportation of the animal. Usually the rescue person assesses the dog after it arrives at the rescue to determine if s/he has any fears or aggressive tendencies, and to get some idea of the health status of the animal, although an immediate complete evaluation is probably not  possible because of health issues or the need to recover from the trauma of transportation or being held in a noisy, impersonal animal control facility, for instance. Upon arriving at the rescue or shortly there after,  the animal will most likely receive a bath and grooming as a first order of business if s/he is very dirty, has a matted coat or has a flea infestation. The next step is to get the dog to the veterinarian for a check-up, vaccinations, heartworm test, and is spayed/neutered. Once the dog is back at the rescue and somewhat settled, the dog's temperament is assessed again.  When they are deemed not to have contagious disease, dogs are introduced to other dogs, cats, and people to see how they react. After becoming familiar with the dog, the rescue person looks over their adoption applications and closely matches this dog to a potential adoptive family. A member of the rescue or a trusted volunteer from another rescue then performs a home visit; this is NOT to see how clean the potential adopter's house is, but rather to see if what was said on the application is indeed what the situation is like. After the home visit, rescue will either ask the adopter to come meet the dog or will bring the dog to meet the family and any other pets living in the home. If this is a successful meeting, rescue will counsel the adopter about the dog's individual needs and how to best integrate the new animal into the home. The rescue person will then provide an adoption contract to sign, and the adopter takes the dog home.

Return to links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where are the dogs located?

Again, each rescue operates independently and has their own situation for caring for the dogs. Rescues range in size from those with one dog at a time, to large organizations with boarding kennel facilities used to house 10 or more dogs at a time. It's very common for a rescue organization to be a group of people who work together as volunteers to save as many lives as possible. Many members of such a group act as "foster parents" for rescued dogs, keeping them and caring for them until they are ready to go to a new home. This is the prefereable method of dog-keeping during the transition phase as it is more comfortable and secure for the dog and provides the rescue with more information about how the dog behaves in a household, critical to matching the animal with the right home.

Return to links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How does an adopter know the dogs are healthy and will make good pets?

All dogs offered for adoption by a reputable rescue are screened for both health and behavioral issues, to insure placing dogs who are, at the time they're placed, sound and healthy. Many rescues advise adopters to take their newly adopted pet to their own veterinarian for a check-up within a week after adoption, so that everyone is assured the dog is in good health. Always ask about this aspect of the adoption. A reputable rescue has health records for each individual animal and will gladly provide them for the adopter.

Return to links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aren't rescue dogs usually abused or neglected, making them dangerous?

Most dogs in rescue are there as the result of circumstances - often, bad decisions by the humans who have had them, such as the dog being acquired with insufficient preparation, lack of research about the breed or type of dog, or not properly socializing the pet and shaping the behaviors of that animal. As for those that have been abused or neglected, many of the dogs seem to understand their good fortune and respond by demonstrating an especially attentive and loving attitude. Many dogs who have been deprived of care, kindness and love come into rescue and know human compassion for the first time. Having had a taste of being cared for, they are eager for more and crave human attention. Seldom do they have aggressive behavior issues. No reputable rescue will place a dog who is dangerous or has severe behavior issues. As a matter of fact, most good rescuers will not accept a dog who is a known biter or exhibits potentially dangerous behavior.

Return to links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What happens if I adopt a dog, but can't keep it?

Good rescues take the time and make every effort to very carefully match people with dogs, with the goal of  lifelong placements. A reputable rescue will follow up with you after you've taken the dog home, and be available to help you with any issues that may come up as the dog settles into your home and, hopefully, becomes part of your family. Many times, issues can be addressed before they become problems, making it possible to work through the situation and keep the dog in his/her new home. If a dog does not work out in his new home, the dog MUST be returned to the rescue, which can then assess the situation and the animal, then take appropriate action to re-home or rehabilitate the animal further. All rescues require the new family to sign legal paperwork that addresses their commitment to keeping the dog, or returning it to the rescue if the placement doesn't work out.

Return to links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How much does it cost to adopt a rescue dog?

A rescue's cost to have a veterinary examination performed, spay/neuter and fully vaccinate a dog, and test/treat for various ailments/parasites can be many hundreds of dollars. However, adoption fees are not based on how much the dog has cost the rescue. In general, a dog adopted from rescue will cost more than a dog adopted from a shelter. That's because the rescue has taken on the extra expense to FULLY vet the dog, fully temperament assess the dog, housebreak it, and sometimes begin obedience training with him/her. Not all shelters can afford the same level of treatment because most shelters are required to accept ALL animals dropped into their care, whereas rescues can choose which dogs they accept. Each rescue's fee is different; consult with the rescue you're interested in adopting from to learn more. If a rescue is a designated non-profit your adoption fee is most likely a tax deductible charitable donation.

Return to links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why can't I breed my rescue dog?

Very simply: because there are too many dogs already being bred. 

In the United States, more than 70,000 puppies and kittens are born each day because of the uncontrolled breeding of pets. Add the offspring of stray and abandoned animals to that number, and the total becomes even more staggering. When these figures are compared to the 10,000 humans born daily in the U.S., it becomes obvious that there can never be enough homes for so many animals.  In fact, it is estimated that only one out of every four animals in this country lives a healthy, safe, contented life. 

As for the estimated 12 million dogs and cats that end up in America's shelters, 65% to 85% are destroyed each year (and another estimated 10 to 15 million animals are starving on the streets). This is why all rescue dogs are already spayed/neutered prior to placement. 

PLEASE DON'T LITTER - SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PETS TODAY!!