Recently I began our blog by asking a few simple questions about the basics when it comes to adopting a rescued dog. I also mentioned the dangers of backyard breeders...but let's take one thing at a time.
If you are interested in adopting a dog, start with a local rescue or shelter. If it is possible to obtain, began with the history of the dog. Shelters are overwhelmed by sheer volume alone. Other then having a dog listed as, "stray," "found," "owner surrender," etc., a shelter only has it's volunteers to turn to to advise the public a little bit about the personality of a dog.
A rescue, and I can only speak for our rescue, takes in one dog at a time. We have that luxury to control our intake. We start with an evaluation of the dog, if the dog passes this part, the next step is to ready the proper foster home. (Our rescue is composed of ALL volunteers, we are non-profit and 100% of the adoption fees, donations, etc.; goes to pay vet bills; buy whatever items are needed for the dogs; and purchase items needed to promote the rescue-business cards, brochures, banners, etc.) The foster is asked if they are ready for another foster dog-it's important the dog is coming into a welcoming environment. A history is helpful but not absolutely necessary-DOGS CAN MOVE FORWARD. We don't dwell on what was; we address what is and what we are going to accomplish.
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The dog is bathed, completely vetted, altered and a new life for them begins. It is the job of the foster to observe, train and learn about their foster dog. Every foster has a dog or dogs of their own. Socializing the dog with others and at the adoption events, interviews with potential families all lead forward to a successful adoption...then the process for the next rescue begins again.
