| er you are considering becoming a first time dog | | | | their pet has a good home. Most rescue |
| owner or adding a new canine member to your | | | | organizations also maintain contact with local |
| household, consider a breed-based rescue | | | | shelters and will save breed dogs from euthanasia |
| organization as a great source for your new pet. | | | | when it is believed that the dog is a viable |
| The advantage of selecting a pet from a | | | | candidate for adoption. |
| breed-based organization is the foreknowledge | | | | Rescue organizations go to extraordinary lengths |
| you have about your pet’s personality. | | | | to make sure that your family and your new pet |
| Although your dog may not be AKC registered | | | | are well matched. There are rescue organizations |
| for that breed, he or she will be primarily | | | | for most AKC recognized breeds. You can find |
| characterized by it. | | | | one close to your home through your vet, the |
| You should begin your search for a dog by doing | | | | yellow pages and on the internet. The American |
| some basic research on individual breeds. In | | | | Kennel Club maintains lists of breed specific rescue |
| addition to considering size, you should think about | | | | organizations organized by state. Although |
| exercise requirements, guard or watch dog | | | | adoption procedures vary among organizations, |
| behaviors, and hereditary diseases that may be | | | | the following activities are fairly standard. In your |
| associated with that breed. You should be honest | | | | initial contact with the organization, you will |
| with yourself about your willingness to housebreak | | | | register and provide basic information about your |
| a puppy or provide an environment that includes | | | | expectations and the environment you will |
| daily walks or outdoor play time. Once you | | | | provide. A preliminary phone interview or home |
| establish your basic requirements, select a breed | | | | visit may be conducted to allow the caring folks |
| that typically exhibits the desired characteristics. | | | | from the organization to ensure that you are |
| The breed-based rescue organizations, such as | | | | worthy of being a caregiver to one of their |
| The Golden Retriever Rescue, have potential pets | | | | special dogs. The organization really wants you |
| available including puppies, mature, and senior dogs. | | | | and your dog to be happy together rather than |
| The rescue organizations usually provide medical | | | | just placing a dog to decrease inventory. |
| and foster care and can tell you about individual | | | | When you have selected a dog that you want to |
| habits and personality from direct experience. In | | | | become a member of your family, the rescue |
| many cases, they will know how the dog reacts | | | | organization may schedule a visit between you. |
| to other dogs in the home, young children, and | | | | They want to know about the environment you |
| cats. Rescue association will check their dogs for | | | | will provide. If you have other pets in your home, |
| illnesses and heartworm. They provide treatment | | | | there may be a supervised meeting to determine |
| when necessary and neutering before a dog is | | | | if there are potential compatibility problems. |
| placed on the eligible list. On organization websites, | | | | Rescue organizations are usually non-profit and |
| you will be able to see pictures of the available | | | | staffed with volunteers who are also pet owners. |
| dogs and get information about their behavior in | | | | There is a fee for adoption that typically ranges |
| their foster home and any special needs or | | | | from $200 to $300. The process to adopt from a |
| considerations. | | | | rescue organization may seem lengthy and |
| Dogs come to rescue organization because their | | | | involved, but, the organization exists to protect |
| owners can no longer care for them. They are | | | | their dogs and ensure that new homes and |
| not bad, sick, or misbehaving dogs. There are | | | | families work out well for both the dogs and the |
| many reasons why someone must give up a pet | | | | new owners. You benefit greatly from their |
| such as: illness, moving to a new location that | | | | stewardship because you get a pet that is |
| does not allow pets, a new baby in the house, or | | | | matched to your needs and is ready to share his |
| a change in financial circumstances. These owners | | | | or her unconditional love with you. |
| are being responsible and trying to ensure that | | | | |