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How do I know if Im dealing with a good dog rescue?

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Hi! I have been thinking about adopting a 2 yr old dog from a rescue. I seen the dogs short bio and pic on a website, and emailed the rescue. Basically they said they just got the dog, but wanted me to fill out all my references, a vet reference plus 3 personal references and they are going to contact them first. I still dont have any more knowledge about this dog than whats on the website…does anyone know if this is standard procedure? Seems like a waste of time if the dog wouldnt even be a good match for my family.
(The dog is a little cutie, a purebred that was rescued from a puppymill) What questions should I ask this rescue to make sure everything is on the up and up? Or what steps should I be taking to make this situation go smoothly?
Thanks!!!

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This entry was posted on January 23, 2012 at 8:58 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in FAQ by Allan 4 Comments

4 Responses to "How do I know if Im dealing with a good dog rescue?"

  • LouiseMe says:
    May 18, 2009 at 7:33 am

    Yes, this is very standard. A rescue's primary motivation is to find a home where the dog won't be put back into rescue. In addition, people will also buy low-cost dogs and sell them into medical research. Dogs in rescue, esp. puppymill dogs, have been through a lot and a rescue will take careful precautions to match an animal to the right home.

    They will probably want to keep the dog for a little while while they evaluate him–cat test, child test, other dog test, aggression, food protectiveness, fear response, fear triggers, etc. They should be very upfront with you about the above issues–if not, ask. If they're dodgy, walk away. Ask "is this dog afraid of men? is this dog afraid of loud noises?"–those kinds of questions.

    They should research your home (do you have cats? kids? plan to have kids? a fenced in yard? other dogs? your history with dogs? will the dog sleep indoors? etc.) and will try to match you with the right animal for both your needs and the animal's needs.

    It's easy to fall in love with the picture on the website but sometimes that dog isn't the best match for you. Try to keep an open mind and be open to the possibility of perhaps a different dog if this one isn't suitable for your household.

    You can also ask them for references of people who have adopted through them. They should have "success stories" either on their site or be willing to share with you. The rescue should be a non-profit organization. The rescue should at all times be concerned *first* about the dog's welfare. Adoption fees can vary but are usually enough to deter an unsavory person. Often the fees are prorated based on the age and/or health of the dog.

    They should be willing to educate you about the issues that rescue dogs (esp. puppymill dogs) face regarding temprament and health. They should either have the dog spayed or neutered or should require you to do it and prove it later. The dogs should be healthy except for stated problems and should be up on its shots (ask for documentation). The rescue should also be able to point you to trainers and other resources.

    Don't be put off by the application process or if they encourage you to consider a different dog. Their job is not to deny you a dog, but to match their dogs with permanent, forever homes. Opening your heart to a rescue dog is the best thing you can do. Really! Good luck!

  • waltonwayaugusta says:
    May 18, 2009 at 7:33 am

    SEEMS THEY ARE FOR THE PROPER WAY TO HAVE YA ADOPT BUT GO TO THE DOG AND SEE HOW IT ACTS SOME HAVE BAD ATTITUDES AND SOME WERE BADLY ABUSED AND WILL TAKE AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF TIME TO OVERCOME
    GET WITH THE ANIMAL B4 YA ADOPT I USUALLY GO TO A NO KILL SHELTER AND VOLUNTEER TO PET SIT

  • misterpotato123 says:
    May 18, 2009 at 7:33 am

    ive never heard of this rescued dogs on the internet. is this site a government accredited web site? make sure to ask if the adoption is final or not. ur right, a dog has to match the owners.

  • chetco says:
    May 18, 2009 at 7:33 am

    petfinders.com is a rescue site that has a great reputation nationwide. The rigmarole that this site is putting you through is just like theirs. They are only trying to find responsible owners for the many pets in their care, and at least it shows that the process of adding to your family is to be taken seriously. They don't want to put the pets in homes that might send them back into the system.

    They also take the time with each pet to evaluate it to place it in the right home, so if one doesn't suit your family, they will be able to make a better match.

    This sounds like a reputable site, but I would certainly ask for references before sending money, as they may just be copy-catting. Since they are asking references of you, They won't mind if you require references as well.

    Best of luck to you and yours. I hope this little dog works out for you.

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