I used to do some rescuing years ago and lately find myself on a strangely different twist to that. Ive had a few people lately asking me if I knew of a good breeder. well, of course I do... but....I also know of about 400 Labradors that need rescued/forever homes that, at least in my mind, come first.

I've been lucky enough to help/be helping 2 families recently find a Lab to love forever. One family was pretty easy. We located a dog at a local rescue center, were approved and are quite please.

The other one, although extremely deserved...is giving me aches and pains.

What do you do, or what's the best way to handle when someone has a spotty Vet history? And its not that they didnt take their dog to the vet. They have. Its a case where they moved around a bit in the 10 years they have had this lab and their main vet retired years ago. Of course this is the vet who took care of their current Lab when she walked into something and injured her eye, and took care of her for 70% of her life.

But the family only has a location/number of where the vet/office they used to take her, was. No one took over that business. He just retired. That vet has been retired roughly four years now. Since then they have used several vets to ensure she is up to date on her shots and healthy.

Both the potential adopters and I have tried finding information on their retired vet, to no real end. What happens to the records when a vet retires? Surely he should have offered them to the owners? But they said they never though to ask for them. Is there any law that states a Vet must turn records over in that type of case?

They have the name of the clinic they used after him for shots, which was about 2 years ago and I have set them up with my vet who is an excellent man as well as vet, but that's not helping them much atm.

I can't get a decent rescue to even *LOOK* at these guys when we tell them that. They are getting discourage and starting to think rescue is a HUGE mistake. I myself am starting to feel drained as well.

I've even recently considered pulling straight from shelters, but the mother reminded me yesterday that the only reason they let me go the rescue route was because I assured them a "rescued" dog would be vet checked, temperament checked, etc, *before* they got it.

These are good people and take as good of care of their pets as they do their children. they treat their pets like family, and seeing how this is effecting their ideas of rescue, breaks my heart.

Please don't be nay sayers in replying. I'm not looking for people trying refute their statement or try to argue the facts Ive presented. I'm merely looking for some ideas or help or even maybe just understanding because I'm so frustrated that the perfect family cant get a rescue because of a retired Veterinarian.

Any idea what you do in this situation? Before I tear my hair out?

The GSD rescue I fostered for sometimes did "foster to adopt" in certain situations. The rescue kept ownership of the dog until they were satisfied that it was a good match. I know it is not exactly the same situation but given the number of dogs needing homes perhaps a local rescue would consider it.

Also if the main issue is vaccinations, would dog city/county dog registration records help? You should be able to get those, at least for rabies.

Third suggestion I have is a "rescue intercept"-Our lab rescue has a courtesy page on the web site - Dogs not accepted into the program, in private foster or still with owners that need to rehome. Since most rescues are so full many wonderful dogs just cannot be accepted and of course the priority is usually shelter dogs at risk of being put down. Perhaps a rescue intake coordinator could refer you, they may be able to match with an owner that needs to surrender.

My black lab came to me this way, a divorce happened and he needed a home. He came with all vet records, obedience trained, and pedigree. We had to work out a few issues, but he is a great dog.

I'm not entirely understanding why rescues in your area are declining them. If their dog is obviously well cared for and they have a veterinarian that they currently use, why does it matter that their previous veterinarian is retired?

When my husband and I first adopted Cash, we had absolutely zero veterinary history since we'd never owned a dog of our own before - just had experience with family dogs. We simply told the rescue the name of the vet we planned on using for Cash, and that was sufficient.

What more do the rescues want? I'm not trying to argue... just trying to understand the whole situation.

Is there any way to contact the state/national veterinary board to find out more information about the dog's records? I can't believe that the records just disappear after a vet retires.

why not treat them like new dog owners with no past vet? When I adopted my dog I had never had a vet of my own.

The rescues I work with do vet checks when they can, but there are times when potential adopters (and some eventually do get the dog) just don't have vet history in hte past five years (and some places destroy records after that long). Sure vet check are a good bonus, but you musn't ONLY adopt to people who currently have a vet??

I've been thinking about this since I posted last, and I'm curious... are you telling the rescues all of this information up front? Why do the rescues have to know the whole story? What if you simply submitted an application with just the contact information for their current vet?

I'm certainly not advocating "lying" to a rescue - I myself volunteer with a lab rescue and sincerely hope that all of our applicants are honest and up-front with us! But if this family genuinely cares for their dog and will provide a great home for a future rescued dog, why bother bringing up the vet history mess with the rescue? Why not let them believe, correctly, that the current dog has been treated by the current vet and that any rescued dog will be treated there as well.

And please don't flame me for saying all of that. I know it's a thin line, but the reason I'm involved in lab rescue is to help find good homes for labs in need. As long as that ultimate goal is reached, I'm happy, and in this case, I think the end would justify the means, so to speak.

What do adopters that have never owned do? Seems to me that their reason for not having a vet reference is logical. So what's the problem?

I'm not entirely understanding why rescues in your area are declining them. If their dog is obviously well cared for and they have a veterinarian that they currently use, why does it matter that their previous veterinarian is retired?

Ok, kinda round about answering ever one's post even though I quoted above.

That's is sort of what I asked them as well. I gave them the name of the vet that they used last to get their lab Vaccinated. They haven't needed to really take her in for any reason since then. I gave them the name they will be using in future but the answer all ways comes back, "We have the welfare of the dog to think of and with no long term Vet history on a 10 year old Lab, we are going to have to pass on these adopters", or some similar variation.

My favorite was the rescue that asked about Vet and past pet history, and after reading the issues about Vetting and that they have had one other dog in the 10 years they have been married, who past away of natural causes, they said something like, "We have decided that due to Vet care issues and the disturbing past pet history, we are denying this family".

I was like WHAT DISTURBING PAST PET HISTORY???? They had ONE freaking dog that DIED AT 11 YEARS OLD!!!

I just told them.... So basically because these ppl have vetting issues, (some easily in their control, some not), and are working to correct any remaining issues (their lab is 1 month late for her boosters), instead of rewarding them for their efforts and strides, we are punishing them?

This is the type of thing that put off potential adopters.

And before you say, "yeah, but when you're that far away, its hard to see what your adopting that pet into...", I had several recommendations from nearby rescues that they could have used for a home inspection at any time.

To be honest, like you, I would never wanted to be lied to about history etc, and I honestly never even thought of coloring the truth until I read your post. And then it was like " :O OHHHHHHHHHHHHH Duh". With a "well, damn it" thrown in there.



why not treat them like new dog owners with no past vet? When I adopted my dog I had never had a vet of my own.

Well, I never thought of that, but many do home checks and with the way my luck has been helping this articular family, they would come all the way from Ohio, Tx, Georgia (Im exaggerating), to see their home. Then how would they explain that suddenly they have a 10 year old Lab they forgot to mention and a 1-3 year old spayed cat? :eek: lol

But good ideas!

There IS *SOME* documented Vet history that we provided. I'm just not sure why everyone is really seeming to play hard ball with this family. Its kind of weird. Heck, they are so good to their pets, I'd give them *my* dog if I had to!

But the family is going to go through all their old records that they stored in the attic when they moved, and see if they can find anything of the Vets they used in the past. The Mom said the other night that she sort of remembers the Vet that retired may have actually sold the business after all, or had a partner. So if they can dig through records and at least get me that.. it will help greatly. They know where about this Vet is, so that helps to if we need to look it up!

So I'm waiting on full names and addresses if she can find them! So at least we will have a vetting history to work with. Even though I have no idea how long a Vet keeps records of you once you stop using them.

*Fingers crossed*

I need a nap!

thank you all for your thoughts! I wont forget them.

Well, that seems ridiculous to me. If their dog is current on vaccinations and has a current vet, why is the explanation that their old vet retired not sufficient? The rescue I volunteer for does vet references, but all we ask about are the vaccinations and whether the current dog is on HW preventive. We don't ask how long they've been using that particular vet. How many rescues are we talking here? It makes me wonder if these people's names have been put on a DNA (do not adopt) list that has been circulating in your area due to one overzealous rescue that denied them. I hope not, but I just find it hard to believe that every rescue you've contacted has given you the same reason independently.

Well, that seems ridiculous to me. If their dog is current on vaccinations and has a current vet, why is the explanation that their old vet retired not sufficient? The rescue I volunteer for does vet references, but all we ask about are the vaccinations and whether the current dog is on HW preventive. We don't ask how long they've been using that particular vet. How many rescues are we talking here? It makes me wonder if these people's names have been put on a DNA (do not adopt) list that has been circulating in your area due to one overzealous rescue that denied them. I hope not, but I just find it hard to believe that every rescue you've contacted has given you the same reason independently.

They finally got approved by, ironically one of the more ...I dont wanna say strict, but they do tend to make sure vet references are checked, and they were fine with the explanation of vet history issues and adopted out to them! YaY!