Dog Rescue

What Is Dog Rescue?

Dog Rescues save homeless and soon-to-be homeless dogs, and provide new homes for them, sometimes providing lost and found services as well. They can take many forms from individuals who rescue and care for only a few dogs each year to nationwide non-profit organizations. Sometimes dog rescue is simply a network of people who provide foster homes and/or share information to place dogs with new guardians. There are rescues that only take animals from shelters, often only taking those animals scheduled for euthanasia, while others take dogs from individual owners seeking placement for their pets. Breed specific rescue organizations exist for nearly every breed and type of dog. Most rescues are overworked and underfunded. They must rely heavily on donations of money, supplies, and volunteer work. The purpose of all dog rescue is to save the lives of dogs.

Why Do Dogs Need Rescue?

Approximately 2 million dogs are surrendered to shelters each year. Surrendered means voluntarily given to shelters by their owners or guardians. This does not include those canines found as strays or taken from owners who may have kept the animals in unsanitary or inhumane conditions. It does not include dogs turned over to rescue organizations or dogs that were abandoned. Over 56% of dogs and puppies entering shelters are killed. Most shelters automatically kill dogs of certain breeds, such as Chows, Pit Bulls, and Wolf Hybrids, even in places where they are legal to own.

Overpopulation

Overpopulation, due to irresponsible owners and breeders, is a major contributor to canine homelessness. One female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in six years.

Behavioral Issues

Behavioral issues are the main reason that people willingly discard their dogs. The most common behavioral problems that cause dog owners to throw in the towel in frustration are:

• Non-aggressive behaviors such as excessive barking
• Chewing
• Soiling the house
• General hyperactivity

Almost all behavioral problems can be easily resolved with obedience classes or a simple trip to the vet.

Some behavioral problems are health or nutrition related. Most are a product of owner ignorance. Often people purchase or adopt dogs with no clue about what they are getting into. Many people want puppies and are less willing to adopt older dogs, but puppies require time, attention, and consistency much like babies. When neglected puppies get big, their bad habits grow with them. Behaviors that were once cute or a small nuisance can become very destructive. Also, when dogs reach adolescence they often test their boundaries. When bonds have not been properly formed, some owners are frightened by the change in behavior.

The majority of surrendered and abandoned dogs are six months to two years old.

Change in Lifestyle and Unforeseeable Circumstances

Dogs are given up or left behind when their guardians move. People having babies, especially first time parents, give up dogs they feel will not coexist well with their new child. Owners die. Occasionally dogs develop expensive health problems and their guardians cannot afford to provide proper care.

Breed Specific Legislation

Possibly the most tragic reason that dog rescues are employed is breed specific legislation (BSL). When laws change, some dog owners simply cannot move to another city or state on short notice and are forced to find a new home for their dog in order to save its life. BSL is often the cause of emergency rescue situations where dogs must be placed and moved quickly.

Adopting From a Dog Rescue

Rescue organizations can be found in nearly every city and state. Many pet rescue organizations provide veterinary care, personality assessment, behavioral training, socialization, and have the dogs spayed and neutered. Any information that the rescue has on the history of the dog is disclosed to the potential adopters, including health, behavioral issues, and past abuse. While some dogs in rescues have had an unpleasant past, it is a common misconception that most rescued dogs have been abused.

Breed specific rescue organizations are a great choice for those seeking purebred dogs. It is a myth that high dollar dogs do not wind up in rescues. Because their mission is to save lives and place dogs in permanent homes, rescues are motivated to be honest about their dogs. Breeders, on the other hand, are in the business for profit. While there are reputable breeders, many are dishonest and will do anything to get top dollar for puppies with no regard for what happens to the dogs once they are sold.

Rescues typically have a strict application process to insure that the dogs are going to a permanent and loving home, and some charge a small fee. Most dog rescues have a return policy for the rare case when the adoption does not work out. Online lists of rescue organizations can be found on Petfinder.com, The Dog Rescue Email List, and many other websites.