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Permalink Reply by Sue & the Crew on August 27, 2010 at 7:14am

This crossed my mind as well. I don't know the inner workings, nuts and bolts, of rescue, but I would have thought that if several applications have been received by a shelter for a specific dog, then why would that dog need to be rescued. All too often you see rescues pleading for foster homes. If foster homes are scarce resources, then to me it would make sense to be sure that a shelter dog in (true) need is placed in a foster home (not one that has several applications). Of course, the rescue could contact the shelter and "stand by" as a last resort if the "forever home" adoptions fall through and the dog's "time is up". Also I would think moving from home to home is hard on dogs. So again, it would seem to be that if a dog has a potential forever home, then that should take priority over a temporary foster home.

I don't know, I could be way off here. Maybe Lynne will help explain as she has had several fosters and been involved with many rescues.

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on August 27, 2010 at 8:10am

I agree with both of you and in many cases that is how it does work, especially with highly adoptable dogs. Many shelters that had "pretty, fluffy dogs" wouldn't even allow a rescue to tag them unless they sat for awhile.

A "real" rescue who is truly in it for the rescue of it...rescues to save animals, not to make money. Sadly, some are in it only for the profit to make up for the losses because of excessive vetting or won't even take a dog after a couple heartworm positives or expensive surgery, so they can make up the difference. Just like in every business and people, there are good one's and bad one's.

The shelter should have made the decision to go with the adopters they had and give them a time limit, then if no-one stepped up, allow the rescue to come in.

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Permalink Reply by Sue & the Crew on August 27, 2010 at 8:30am

Actually, I am glad you mentioned the part about the shelter making a decision. It also crossed my mind: why would a shelter release a dog into a rescue, knowing it will still be homeless, when the shelter has several families waiting to provide a forever home?

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on August 27, 2010 at 8:43am

I don't know why, in this case. Usually, most shelters, will go with the adopters. Maybe this dog has some issue like not good with cats or kids, or needs vetting or it could be as simple as no-one showed up to rescue in the time given, who knows. But adopters should know that dogs in shelters are not usually given much time. An owner surrender only has 3-5 days and in many cases, can be put down immediately if the shelter is full. Adopters can't hesitate or think they can wait.

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Member Since 2009Permalink Reply by Dr. Judith P. LaVorgna on August 27, 2010 at 10:49am

Wow Krista what a complex question you asked...and some pretty complex answers too...as part of the big picture of rescue.

Two factors are greatly impacting rescue today that have us all doing the business of rescue in very different ways than five or fifteen years ago. And, both impact on the dogs (and other companion animals) as well as potential owners of dogs in what we call "shelter".

First is technology. Imagine, petfinder practically becoming obsolete, OR, changing with the times because...here comes the stray or dog to be rehomed into a shelter, immediately the dog is taken to the photograph room and generally placed on the shelter's own website...at the same time any history on the dog is being entered into their own database and the photo attached. Click the button and the dog goes virtual or cyber. Then to the petfinder database. Click. Ostensibly within a half hour the dog is available to be seen by the community, the state, the nation, worldwide. Same with owners wishing to sell their dog or rehome for whatever reason. They have options of all kinds including Craigslist which can serve their larger geographicc area. Click...the dog is posted with a photo and description. So entry into the virtual or cyber world is what is a major impactor on how and where and when a dog is "rescued".

Some shelters will wait a few days until the shelter Veterinarian (often a volunteer) can check the dog so you may sometimes see...dog available after X date. The fact is the sooner they place the dog the better the chance that a family who has lost their pet might also see it posted in a neighboring shelter...every thing is impacting on that dog very quickly, especially the understanding that a former loved family pet may shut down after any length of time in a shelter no matter how good that place sheltering the dogs. It can be noisy, cold, hot, and full of isolation from what had been a human canine bond, nutritional changes and so forth. So out is the operative word.

Within hours that dog is being vetted by the shelter, temperament is being assessed, descriptors are being gathered by staff, checking for microchips (even migrated ones if the dog has been picked up as a stray and the facility uses a universal scanner). However, the dog continues to be viewable...even applications can be completed on line and forwarded to shelters as this process is underway. Sometimes that photo will indeed be taken down...why? The dog is ill and dying, the dog is so aggressive shelter staff cannot handle it and euthanasia may ensue, the dog in some other way becomes a danger to itself or others (growling, teeth, dog or people aggressive), diseases not easily treated or treatable in shelter, a handicapping condition like a combination of blindness and age producing fewer adoptive homes available...many measures impact the dog and the shelter that must be measured carefully against the possibility of placing the dog safely in a new home. So think technology as the first impactor now on rescue and everything that technology can do faster and better than ever before.

Second impactor - the national movement by the Humane Society of American and the National Animal Shelter Directors who have attempted to merge toward a policy of working with rescue partners. Meaning...where once the dog was held as a member of the shelter until a home was found within or near the community, the growth of Breed (Great Dane, Boxer, Yorkie, et al and Mixed Breed ( e.g.Doodles and oodles) not for profit and for profit rescue organizations nationally means the possibility the dog will go almost immediately from the shelter to the rescue partner, vetting will be done by the group taking the dog, and a foster home is available until the list of approved applicants for this dog are reviewed as to location and fast access geographically to pick up the dog. Into this mix we add on behalf of the dog...volunteer pet transport companies on the ground and follks like Pilots and Paws who will fly a dog to it's new home as part of the volunteer commitment to helping these dogs get to the best forever home.
Recently in Washington at a conference for Directors of Animal shelters this topic became a
visible and viable option opposed to keeping dogs in shelters that are overcrowded and often understaffed.

These two issues are making a huge parallel impact on how dogs are "rescued" and where they go for a forever home. As for rehoming a dog, many responsible pet owners handle that on their own using either technology like Craigslist (:::() or a local or national rescue organization such as the IDog or Boxer or St. Bernard, or..to rehome their fur friend. Or, may come to a site like this one and ask if they can use the service of "advertising" their dog here but they will do all of the background checking on the family who calls or e-mails them...this is a very fast and very useful virtual tool.

And while both of these factors are at work in the US there is the person who still haunts their local shelter, looking and waiting and watching for their dog of choice to come into and be available for them to adopt if they meet the adoption criteria. Or, if that have an approved application on file with the shelter.

The means today is FAST.. and that is what is changing the ability for people to find or "rescue" a dog in shelter in a county or local building, or in a foster home through an organization. This is why it is sometimes difficult for people to hear...."The dog was placed" "We have a home for this
dog".

I've just really touched the surface of your question, but I hope I've shed a little light on why it can be confusing and difficult in this new world of finding a home for a dog. Act fast, that is a key.

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on August 27, 2010 at 11:17am

All great points, Judy and Krista, I hope this helps you understand...some. There is no National Rescue &/or Shelter System at this point so every shelter, every rescue works under it's own rules and ways, also. How one shelter or rescue behaves or what they do, is not how they all behave or what they all do.

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Member Since 2009Permalink Reply by Dr. Judith P. LaVorgna on August 27, 2010 at 11:37am

Sue I think the organization that steps in to "help" the shelter already has approved homes waiting, AND, has told the shelter they will pay for any vetting neeeded. That, in essence makes the shelter believe that the dog's placement and health are protected immediately opposed to their own existing lists which may be out dated for one reason or another and where the shelter will have to pay most of the vetting costs. So I think it is more a wallet issue than a dog issue. Now, the use of foster homes is a great idea...many shelters are asking community members to step up and shelter a dog for and with them so the dog remains in a home setting, is not going to possibly shut down as is possible in a shelter. The problem with any rescue organization that doesn't actually have a foster home for the dog immediately in the area is that the dog is taken and then wallows either in a boarding facility or a foster home that was willing to foster for a few days but not a month or so. That can be a terrible issue for many rescue organizations. They think they have the foster home...but don't when the moment comes and they are needed, soooo while their may be a permanent home for the dog...that foster part falls apart and the dog is not percieved as safe. Shelter Directors are also monitoring constantly the quality of the rescue organization. If they hear or see that what was supposed to happen actually doesn't, then that organization goes immediately on their DNA list...Do Not Adopt out. Shelter Directors also maintain lists of people in the community that are questionable...say someone who has previously given a dog to a shelter...yup, those people could show up on a DNA list even tho their application has been accepted and sits in the pool of applicants. We have asked sooo much of shelters in this country...almost too much. It looks like most of the Humane Society's are doing this well and safely. The City and County shelters which are more what we call kill shelters...have many fewer resources to step up to the plate in saving a dog's life let alone getting into the adoption and fostering end of things. Most City and County budgets have little money for operational issues, HS's have a Board with a huge fund raising capacity and therefore a dog in an HS is also, in general, considered safe by a rescue organization. And, some County or city shelters will not take an application in advance...they do not have the staff to input and manage the people data. These operational issues are a real problem now with more dogs in shelter than ever before...thus the move to rescue partners which I wrote about below. In no way should a shelter release a dog to any "partner" if the dog will continue to be in an at risk position...it's a national issue and only now attempting to find reasonable and responsible ways to adopt the fur kids out...and let's ad kitty cats to that...and wabbits.

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Member Since 2010Permalink Reply by Krista on August 28, 2010 at 3:31am

Thanks everyone.. I didnt get the wet noodle like I thought I would get! :-) Im kinda liking you guys here! :-)

I guess, like everything else in life there is always room for improvement! Im sort of sad about this whole rescue system. It bothers me that it seems to be a competitive market in rescue as to who can rescue the most which is undermining the whole point? and I can sorta see where animal hoarders may be grown in the name of rescue?

And with that said.. I think I will change my name on here to just K.. because Im sure there are going to be haters! :-) so just in case....

DISCLAIMER: Anything I type is my personal opinion and no one elses unless otherwise stated. Im an American and Im entitled! :-)

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on August 28, 2010 at 8:50am

Kris, This is a No Haters Site. I will not allow DRAMA here. It was in the past but it will NEVER be again.

We hope to be able to talk through opinions, work with people and support everyone. We have many of the same issues that you do with the rescue/shelter system.

You need NEVER to feel like you cannot ask a question, state an opinion or feel like you need to hide or change who you are. If you EVER have a problem with that, tell me and that person(s) will be spoken to and if it continues, they will be put out.

I like your questions and I like that you are trying to educate yourself and make the best decisions for yourself, your family and the dog you adopt. I wish other people would do as much or even a bit of what you are doing.

YOU SHOULD NEVER APOLOGIZE TO ANYONE FOR BEING WHO YOU ARE. The "meanness" of the past on this site will never be allowed back on here. You have my word on that.

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Member Since 2009Permalink Reply by Jeannine, Gamine & Thalie on August 28, 2010 at 9:06am

Dear Krista, you are a very good person who asks very good questions and makes very good comments and you have very good opinions.
No need to apologize for that, this is what we all like about this place, we can express our thoughts with confidence and we can receive others comments so we all learn something.

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Member Since 2010Permalink Reply by Krista on August 31, 2010 at 1:15am

oh.. go on! hahahaha seriously, thank you for saying such nice things.. Im also trying to get people talking on here.. sometimes I learn from lurking just as much!

You all have been so nice to me and so helpful and non-judging. You could certainly give lessons to many on that!

Glad to be a part of this site and maybe eventually I will have time to do more in the way of volunteering here and/or fostering. Right now chasing the twins is about my limit of brain power! :-)

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on August 31, 2010 at 9:11am

As we move forward the Rescue Resource Collective and Oodles of Doodles.org will always be a:

NO JUDGEMENT ZONE and a NO DRAMA ZONE and a NO MEAN GIRLS ZONE.

The rescue and past members who were "asked" to leave this site was because of the hurtful ways people were treated. The people and opinion bashing will not be allowed here any longer.

You should always feel welcome and appreciated and if you ever are not, I hope you will say something to me, as I never want to be associated with that sort of behavior, again.

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