Poodle / Mix / Doodle / Fuzzy Critter - RESCUE / REHOME
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHELTER & A RESCUE?
About Animal Shelters and Dog Rescues:
Animal shelters, dog pounds, and dog rescues, all of them take in unwanted dogs and try to find them new homes.
There are two major differences between shelters and rescue groups. Shelters are usually run and funded by local government. Rescue groups are funded mainly by donations and most of the staff are volunteers. While some shelters put animals into foster homes, many are housed on site in kennels. Rescue groups place all their rescues into foster homes as they do not have shelter facilities.
The term "dog pound" is usually more closely associated with a town's animal control office, and often houses dogs that have been seized for whatever reason, or picked up as strays. "Animal shelter" covers pounds and animal control offices as well, and is a much friendlier term without all the negative connotations that "dog pound" has.
There are Two Types of Shelters:
"KILL" SHELTERS
"Kill" shelters, and "no kill" shelters. Pets in a "kill" shelter are given a grace period (usually a matter of days) while they hope for adoption. Once that grace period runs out however, unless the shelter has room to spare, the animal is humanely euthanised, regardless of potential. Dogs and cats are also euthanised if they seem aggressive or are in very poor health. Kill shelters are not evil, they are, unfortunately a necessary part of life until pet owners become more responsible.
"NO KILL" SHELTERS
"No kill" shelters are similar to sanctuaries. Pets are not euthanised regularly, unless they are in very poor health, or dangerously aggressive. "No kill" shelters are almost constantly overflowing and often have animals that have been in residence for years.
There are literally thousands of dogs, of all ages, shapes, breeds and sizes currently in shelters that need homes. Every town has an animal shelter or dog pound that collects them. Remember that the dogs are there for all kinds of reasons, not necessarily bad ones.
There is also a common misconception that all shelters impose a time limit on animals in their care. With many of the more progressive shelters, this is absolutely not the case.
As animal shelters evolve, the lines between animal rescues and animal shelters can become blurred. It's important if adopting from a shelter or surrendering to a shelter that you ask the organization what there "kill policies" are.
Once you've decided to add a dog to your family, adopting a dog is one of the best and fastest ways to make it happen. Even if you want a purebred puppy, you can usually find one for adoption, rather than buy from a breeder. It might not be the instant gratification you want, but you likely won't have to wait for months like you would with a planned litter.
FINDING A SHELTER OR RESCUE NEAR YOU
What Happens Next:
Once you enter the shelter, you'll be taken to spend some time with the adoptable dogs. Take your time to play with them, get to know a bit about them and how they react to you.
Ask the shelter workers any questions you can think of; they'll answer them to the best of their ability. Be prepared to answer questions as well. The shelter workers are going to want to know all about your home life and living situation. You must be completely honest! The workers do their best to match dogs with families and less than complete honesty could make for a less-than-harmonious relationship with your new dog.
If you prepare for your visit to the shelter, you'll help move the process along more smoothly. Things to bring with you:
1.The name and number of the veterinarian you'll be using.
2.Statement of permission from your landlord (if you rent).
3.A good attitude. (The workers do their best to find their dogs homes and will turn you down if they don't think your home will work out. They don't owe you a dog.) Cooperate, answer their questions, ask your own, and hopefully you'll be approved for a dog.
4.Money. (There will always be an adoption fee.That fee usuallly covers the vetting/immunizations/spay/neuter of that particular animal)
5. A collar and leash ( many shelters have a "shop" where you can purchase theses things once you have adopted a dog. I think it's actually to your credit if you come prepared with your own collar and leash.)
How Do I Know It's the Right Dog?:
This question might run through your mind, no matter where your dog comes from. Spend some time getting to know the dogs available for adoption, and make sure that you know what you are looking for in your new companion. If you don't find the dog that catches your heart right off the bat, you can always keep looking, and going back day after day. The dog that didn't arouse your interest might turn out to be the dog you want after he gets to know you better (and vice versa).
Another option that you might find more feasible, is opening your home to more than one dog, and taking them on as foster dogs. Most shelters are in desperate need of foster homes, and it's a great way for you to get know more than one dog and find out what really suits you in a companion.
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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on -
I have to add that there are private rescue groups who have their own shelters. This is a goal for many rescues. There are private shelters which are state of the art facilities, usually much nicer than even your favorite doggie boarding facility or day care. These places are absolutely no kill and do not take every dog that comes along, so they are rarely overcrowded. They provide full veterinary care, behavioral assessments, training, education programs, and screen adoption applicants as rigorously as any private rescue out there. Some shelters can have an application 5 pages long.
I would much rather have a dog in that place than fostered in some of the private homes I know. So it's important to understand that not all shelters are bad, and not all shelters allow anyone who applies to adopt an animal.
Just because an animal happens to be in an "animal shelter" does not mean that animal isn't being well taken care of or is in any danger.
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Permalink Reply by 1hdrl4zp59ffu on
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Please be patient with me Lynn, as I find my way around your web site. This is wonderful info. about the dif. between shelters and private rescue. This is a fun but important decision to make both for me and a dog looking for that forever home and companion too. I hope to find a dog in Va. or the Northern part of NC. if possible because it would be easier for me to get there and to get to know the dog. Anyway I'm just going to look around the site and familiarize myself with it. Thanks, Suzy
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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on -
Welcome, Suzy and Thank you. It's been awhile since I have had time to write, but the rescue takes much of my time. Searching for your Furever Friend can be time consuming, too but keep with it. Your perfect pooch is out there waiting for you.
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Thanks so much for taking time to answer me Lynn. I was looking at a dog, I think his name was Bently and he has "recourse qaurding issue". Could you please tell me a little about this. I am actually a little hard of hearing and actually looking for a dog that will bark if a stranger comes around, not to attack but let me know. I know nothing about this particular hummm trait for lack of a better word. Could you please inlighten me a bit because it may actually be something that if directed the right way could help me. Hope that makes sense since I know nothing about it. Suzy
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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on -
There are varying levels and symptoms of resource guarding but the basic of it is he "guards" something like his food or a bone and will growl and at it's worst, might bite if another dog or person tries to take it. I have a dog who is o RG and he treasures socks. He will get one every once in awhile and won't let it go for anything. Just carries it. He is a low level guarder but when I first got him he was terrible. It takes a lot of patience, but it can usually be overcome. You would have to do some research if you adopted a RG and be aware of triggers, but there is hope if you did adopt a guarder. I hope that helps.
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Yes, it does help. I will 'google' the ? also and see what comes up. There is of course hope for a dog with this kind of habit and with time and patience and realizing he can keep his food and his sock he can relax and be at peace ;) Even though I am 65 this year, I am also very active but time has taught me patience is a great healer and teacher. I have time now for both :)
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