Once you've decided to adopt a dog, you will likely have a particular breed in mind – whether it's a Lab, or a Poodle, or a Sheepdog, or a Pug, or whatever. But, when it comes down to the final decision, and the resources you have available, it's not always possible to afford the price of a purebred puppy. Life, bills, hobbies, and family are all in competition for the same financial resources, and this is when a Dog Rescue organization can come to your “rescue”.
What is a Dog Rescue?
Dog Rescues are operated by dog lovers who are concerned about dogs that have been abandoned or mistreated by prior owners. The goal of these groups is to find a place where these “unwanted” dogs can thrive, hopefully in the homes of caring parents.
Many dog rescues specialize in particular breeds of dog. This makes it easy for you to find the special breed you have in mind. The organization will likely put you on a waiting list, contact you when a new dog comes in, and then it's a matter of finalizing the adoption.
You can find these Dog Rescues by checking the yellow pages or searching on the internet. Hint: Adding your town or city to the search terms (like “Perth pug rescue and adoption“) should localize the results for you.
Matching You With a Dog
Be prepared to be quizzed about your suitability as a potential dog parent. They will ask you about dogs you've owned before, your family's dog readiness, your house and yard and where the dog will be kept. Do you know the basics of dog training? Does your personality and character work with the particular breed? Stuff like that.
There's good reason for interviewing their clients like this. If you and the dog are a good fit, the likelihood of the dog returning to them is minimized. These poor pooches have already been through enough – like abusive or neglectful owners – and are scared and nervous. Dog Rescues are in business help dogs, not cater to the whims of potential dog owners.
Costs and Other Factors
So, now that you know a bit about the process, what else can you expect from a Dog Rescue? The first major difference is the price you will pay. Generally, you can expect to pay a couple of hundred dollars instead of the $1000+ you will pay to a private dog breeder.
Compared to a publicly owned and supported dog shelter, this might still seem a bit expensive. But, you have to keep in mind that many of these dogs arrive at the Dog Rescue in poor health or even injured. Often, they have nasty skin conditions, fleas, ticks, worms and other issues. Their vaccination records are either missing, or not up to date.
To prepare a dog for adoption, all of these things have to be addressed and hopefully fixed. Vet and food bills can easily account for a few hundred dollars.
And, the costs may not stop there. Because many of the dogs arrive in such a poor state, it may take time to remedy all its issues. You may have to shell out additional money for further treatment down the road.
Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
You will likely end up with an older dog. Adult and adolescent dogs are more likely than puppies to be rescued. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It's generally easier to gauge an older dog's personality, making it easier to find a temperament that matches your personality and lifestyle..
Matching of a dog and its owner goes both ways. Is the dog right for you? And, are you right for the dog?
Questions to Consider
Can you provide enough stability for a rescue dog? Abused dogs need a loving owner or family to repair any mental damage they may have suffered.
Are you prepared to provide the dog's daily care, and any required grooming or medical care? Especially if the dog needs extra attention in one of these areas?
Can you provide the training (or re-training) that the dog needs? Oftentimes abused dogs have incontinence problems or lack house training. Do you have the patience and intestinal fortitude to handle that?
Would an older dog be better suited to you and your household? Do you prefer female dogs or male? Dog Rescues often have trouble placing males dogs in homes. Would you be able to provide a home for a male dog?
Other Thoughts
It should be obvious that some of the best prospective parents for rescue dogs would be older couples. Their own children are likely no longer in the house, leaving them more time provide the pooch the attention it needs.
Another advantage to a rescue dog – once your rescue dog has recovered and received the proper amount of loving care, it will show it's appreciation for what you have done. After experiencing the “bad”, everything you do will be good, and you will have a friendly and loyal companion for life.
Todays' Tip from Doggo Designs.
We are a fashion brand for folks who love serious style. “Doggo” means “stay still” and actually came about as a description of the the good times and fun in the sun we've shared with family and friends (and dogs :)). We donate a portion of sales to the local animal shelters in Tallahassee Florida to help with pet adoptions. Please consider helping us support these admirable charities by supporting our small start business. Cheers!
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