What makes a Rescue Reputable?
You decide you want to get a new dog for your home. After some research
and hearing about the number of dogs that are euthanized every year, you decide
you should adopt from a rescue. You turn to the internet and find a rescue
that has the breed you are interested in adopting; but with over 150 rescues in
the state of Arizona--how do you know the rescue you are choosing is a good and
reputable rescue? Are there laws that govern rescues in the state of
Arizona?
The only laws that exist for animal rescues are for those that are considered a
shelter. Rescues fall under the same animal cruelty laws as the general
public, but there are currently no laws mandating that the dogs must be altered,
vet checked or that an adoption contract even has to be signed. Many
people have been duped by what seems to be a great rescue only to find out the
rescue wasn’t honest at all. Anyone can say they are a rescue; but what
makes a rescue reputable? Here are some things to look for in a good
rescue:
1.. All rescues should spay or neuter the dog you are adopting prior to
releasing the animal. In some cases, a rescue will release a young puppy
prior to altering, with a contract stating you will have it done and collect an
extra deposit. But many won’t even do this. If a rescue tells you
that they will give you a discount because the dog is not altered, the only one
getting a break is them. Most often, the discount they give is not equal
to how much it will cost you to get your dog altered on your own.
2.. All rescues should vet check and vaccinate the dog you are adopting.
The rescue should provide you with the proof of a rabies shot as well as a copy
of any vet records the dog may have. If the rescue tells you they lost the
paperwork or they cannot find it, request the name of the vet and call the vet
to verify the information.
3.. A rescue should not charge exorbitant fees for the dog you are adopting.
If a rescue is charging over $300 for a dog, question the expense. The
goal is to try to cover most expenses, but charging $500 for a rescue dog is
just taking advantage of someone. Yes, sometimes rescues put more money
into a dog then they recover from the adoption fee, but other times the adoption
fee is more than enough to cover any expenses the rescue may have incurred.
4.. A good rescue will have its own business account. Any rescue that asks
you to make the check out to an individual person should be questioned. It
only takes a few minutes and very little money for a rescue to register a trade
name and then open a business account. Rescues need to have accountability
and if the money is going to a personal account there is no ability to decipher
what is going to them and what goes to the dogs.
5.. All rescues should get the dog in the best health possible before adopting
it out. A good rescue will keep the dog in rescue until it is of a good
weight and is as healthy as can be. If a rescue adopts out a dog with
health issues they should be upfront and honest about the issue.
6.. A good rescue will do a home visit and require that you
fill out an application prior to adopting a dog. Rescues are doing this
for their love of the dogs. Most want to see that the dog is going to a
good home and is going to an environment suitable for that particular dog.
7.. All rescues should have you sign a contract upon adopting
a dog. They should state that they will always take the dog back, for any reason
at any time. They should also express interest in staying touch and make follow
up phone calls to check on the dogs welfare.
8.. You should expect that the location the dog is at should
be fairly clean and that there are no noticeable fleas or ticks. If it
looks like they haven’t done poop duty in a while--they probably haven’t!
There is also no excuse for dogs that are covered in ticks and fleas. A
trustworthy rescue will treat the dog for these things prior to adoption.
9.. Good Rescues will provide resources for training and or
vet care. Rescues want to see the new home work out for the dog and will offer
support through suggestions for trainers as well as good vet recommendations.
10.. Rescues should let you come and view their location or
where the dogs are being kept. Most rescues will ask you to fill out an
application prior to coming to meet a dog but they should allow you to see where
the dog is living. If a rescue says you can’t come to their location or foster
homes ask them why.
Remember these are just guidelines and with many fraudulent “rescues”
that are only trying to make a fast dime it is important to know what to look
for before adding a new rescue dog to your house.
There are many great rescues out there and it only takes a few minutes to
ask these important things to find out if the rescue you are considering
volunteering with, fostering for or adopting from is a reputable rescue.
Written by:
Melissa Allen
3D Rescue of Arizona
threedrescue@aol.com