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  1. #1
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    Info on Adopting a Dog from A Rescue or Shelter

    Though we are going through heartbreak now, we do not blame the dog or the shelter. It is heartwarming to bring a dog that is a "throw away" into a life of love and fun. But as we found out, some dogs just don't want that, because of some unknown reason.

    Wanted to post this to help those who want to bring home a rescue.

    Successfully Adopting a Rescue Dog

    Also research the rescue or shelter first. Good to know.

    KAZ

  2. #2
    House Broken Murphy's Mommy's Avatar
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    This is a great article. I'm going to share it with my friend who is looking to adopt her family's first dog.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Murphy's Mommy View Post
    This is a great article. I'm going to share it with my friend who is looking to adopt her family's first dog.
    Hope it helps. Wishing your friend all the luck finding their first dog! There are really some great dogs out there that would love to find a "furever" home.

    Just make sure your friend researches the rescue. There are some people out there saying they are a rescue, but aren't registered properly. Even some are buying dogs cheap off of Craigslist, then selling them (donations) as rescues.

    KAZ

  4. #4
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Yes you do need to research the rescue. But there is also a huge difference between shelter, pound, humane society (and then variance in the quality of each). A pound or shelter generally has minimal staff and temperament testing. So, you may get a super duper great dog…or less than ideal. You may not know as dogs act very differently in the pound/shelter. Most humane societies have a bit more staff and generally try to temperament test more (some shelters do too).

    Rescues - all are different. But a dog living in a foster home for 2+ weeks will have a better assessment in "real life" situation. Some rescues use kennels to save more dogs, which is fine. Some rescues don't hold dogs for very long so assessment may be more or less accurate if they only had the dog a few days.

    Not sure what you mean by registered rescues. A rescue can be registered as a non profit with the government but otherwise there is no "registry" per say. And a rescue can be non-charitable status and stiff good (and vice versa()

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tanya View Post
    Yes you do need to research the rescue. But there is also a huge difference between shelter, pound, humane society (and then variance in the quality of each). A pound or shelter generally has minimal staff and temperament testing. So, you may get a super duper great dog…or less than ideal. You may not know as dogs act very differently in the pound/shelter. Most humane societies have a bit more staff and generally try to temperament test more (some shelters do too).

    Rescues - all are different. But a dog living in a foster home for 2+ weeks will have a better assessment in "real life" situation. Some rescues use kennels to save more dogs, which is fine. Some rescues don't hold dogs for very long so assessment may be more or less accurate if they only had the dog a few days.

    Not sure what you mean by registered rescues. A rescue can be registered as a non profit with the government but otherwise there is no "registry" per say. And a rescue can be non-charitable status and stiff good (and vice versa()
    Thanks for asking for clarification. Sorry, meant registered with the government as a non-profit. Have to follow certain rules to keep non-profit. But then you have to watch them too.

    Definitely research. Even find someone who can point you in the right direction to one. There are several in my area. Beautiful AWA facility in Voorhees, NJ. New clinic and all. At the time, no pups.

    KAZ

    KAZ

  6. #6
    Best Friend Retriever emma_Dad's Avatar
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    Thanks for posting! My next pup will probably be a rescue!

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by emma_Dad View Post
    Thanks for posting! My next pup will probably be a rescue!
    Its a good feeling when you rescue a dog. Jake, our "purebred New Jersey" was the best dog we ever had so far. Would you go to a Lab specific rescue or just bring home a dog that needs a place and lots of TLC?

    KAZ

  8. #8
    Puppy Debbie C.'s Avatar
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    Hi ZRabbits. I noticed you mentioned the AWA.. I am also from the same area.. I highly recommend them if anyone is looking in this area. We are also facebook friends with them. They have an awesome staff. We didn't get our puppy there since I was looking for a specific type. We got our pup from Crossing Paths Rescue, which is located in Yardley, PA but they get there dogs from Alabama. There site was great, they have a lot of dogs, all shapes and sizes. They checked references of vet and friends before they allow you to adopt. Only issue is my vet and myself don't think we got the whole story about our Butters. We didn't get the health records until after the dog was handed to us, physically, and we didn't open the envelope up when we picked him up.. It looks like he had some health issues that were never mentioned, he was on multiple meds. for diarrhea and when he came he was very sick. We have had him for 2 1/2 wks now and he's been to the vet twice and has cost a lot of money. Hopefully, he's on the right path now.. My point is, even when you talk to the people, they want these dogs to go, they don't always tell you everything or you might not take them. My emotions change day to day of whether or not I made a mistake.. but none of this is the pups fault. Hoping for the best, and I'm sorry for your experience.. If you are going to try again I suggest facebook friending the AWA, they post new babies everyday, with videos.....

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Debbie C. View Post
    Hi ZRabbits. I noticed you mentioned the AWA.. I am also from the same area.. I highly recommend them if anyone is looking in this area. We are also facebook friends with them. They have an awesome staff. We didn't get our puppy there since I was looking for a specific type. We got our pup from Crossing Paths Rescue, which is located in Yardley, PA but they get there dogs from Alabama. There site was great, they have a lot of dogs, all shapes and sizes. They checked references of vet and friends before they allow you to adopt. Only issue is my vet and myself don't think we got the whole story about our Butters. We didn't get the health records until after the dog was handed to us, physically, and we didn't open the envelope up when we picked him up.. It looks like he had some health issues that were never mentioned, he was on multiple meds. for diarrhea and when he came he was very sick. We have had him for 2 1/2 wks now and he's been to the vet twice and has cost a lot of money. Hopefully, he's on the right path now.. My point is, even when you talk to the people, they want these dogs to go, they don't always tell you everything or you might not take them. My emotions change day to day of whether or not I made a mistake.. but none of this is the pups fault. Hoping for the best, and I'm sorry for your experience.. If you are going to try again I suggest facebook friending the AWA, they post new babies everyday, with videos.....
    Hi, I don't think you made a mistake. You can't get the whole history from a rescue. It's impossible and I don't blame them to certain point of not devulging everything. Is it right, to me it's not. We ended up being completely blindsided and then yelled at here for making a decision. People lie. People cover up and then you get what's the real story is.

    How old is the pup? What did the vet say were the issues? Other than loose stool? If the pup is not aggressive, you can deal with a bit of health issues at first. But if it's something that is cronic than that's a decision you will have to make. And you will get no yelling from me.

    You have come to a good place to find out info. But regarding going back to a rescue or shelter, not in the plans here. Burnt to bad and all I wanted was a pup to call my own.

    KAZ

 



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