opening puppy mill yorkies' rescue?

[omichka]

I have been thinking about it for a long time. I want to work with small breeds from puppy mills, mostly local (too bad - we have many in our state).

It will be incorporated 501(c) rescue.

However, many things are still not clear for me.

How and where I get dogs from puppy millers? I do not want to support them at all, although some rescues go to a dog actions in MO, for instance, and buy (condsiders as saving) some dogs..

I also suspect that some rescues work with puppymillers on wholesale basic, something like rescues buy unsold puppies from them. I truly believe this is wrong, since puppy millers still get their money, just wholesale price.

I am not talking about situation when puppy mills is busted.

So this is my 1st question. WHERE and HOW I get those dogs?

Second concern is how 501(c) works? For instance, I want to start with one dog only, and not planning to have a lot of them, especially at one time. We all understand that it will be a lot of expenses.... Is it OK to have a limit of dogs like 1 or 2 per year for 501 (c)? If, for any reason, I open a rescue, but will not rescue any dogs for certain time?

Some local rescues always have many dogs at one time, have many volunteers and fosters. In my situation, I will not be able to do it , maximum 1-2 dog so far, however I want to have a legal non-profit registration...

Sorry, if my questions look too naive, but I am still educating myself re this subject. Still thinking.....

Please, do not advice about opening private rescue or work for another rescues.

I do know some of local rescues, but they not very open to discuss how they work. Plus, with all my respect, some of them have so difficult adoption process (even if they try to do their best), that people get tired and...... as result we see more purchases from breeders.... some of them a little bit narrow-minded, sorry, and don't see the whole picture of this problem. One of rescuer just doesn't get why we do petstore protest!!! can you imagine?! Without educating public we never stop puppy mills. I do know some "pretended to be rescue", but they are breeders at same time !!!! I went to fundraising event for rescued dogs as vendor to just find out that they just have puppies from their breeding dogs (and btw, too many for one time ).


Also, there is something else in my mind, this is why I want 501 (c) only.


Anyway, all advices will be greatly appreciated. Thanks-)

[megansmomma]

I am a little confused by your questions but I will try to address some of this as I am "perceiving" what you are trying to ask.

We would like to be involved in rescue, working directly with a mill to save their unwanted dogs, rehabilitate and rehome them one or two at a time.

The reason that you become a 501(c)(3) rescue is to become tax exempt for donations to your rescue. Rescue take in donations and also charge a rehoming fee to help to recoup the money that is paid for vet care of their rescues. You need to contact the Secretary of State in your state, make sure that you will qualify, follow the rules and apply.

With that being said, I do not think your idea is not totally out of the question but you do have several obstacles associated with your objective. I do not believe that rescue should go to the mills to "save" dogs. There are plenty right in the shelters that need to be saved, some even from the mills and I suggest that you start there. Build a relationship with a local shelter that is known for having puppymill dogs in their care.


Many shelter will also allow a rescue to "pull" a dog without paying the charges that the public would be charged if you are a 501(c)(3) organization in exchange for taking care of their medical needs. A mill will not (likely) just give away any of their dogs to a rescue. They will lay on the guilt to squeeze that last dime out of their stock.

You need to anticipate that a mill rescue will come to you most likely having no house manners, frightened of humans, needing to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dental, heartworm positive, and those are the lucky ones. Many have genetic issues like severe LP which can cost thousands to fix. They will most likely have many if not all of their teeth infected and might lose many during a dental. These dogs are usually a mess and have huge medical bills and are emotionally scarred. You will need funds to pay for vetting, possibly thousands of dollars to care and rehab a puppymill rescue prior to having a dog in your care.

Which leads to your other question about adoptions about making it difficult for adopters. After spending hundreds or even thousands to rehabilitate a dog you too will want to raise the bar to make sure that they find a permanent forever home. I really do not think that rescues make it hard to adopt to be mean, they really want to make sure that after all that their rescue have been through they will forever have a home and be loved the way they should have been all their lives.

In conclusion, my suggestion to be to:

Research 501(c)(3) in your state. Go to your Secretary of State website and get all of the rules that will need to be followed to be granted a 501(c)(3).

Gather your funds to pay for vetting.

Get your message out. Begin a dialogue with shelters in your area to call you when they have a mill pup surrender. Search Petfinder.com for pups in your local shelters that are mill surrenders.

I wish you good luck with your ideas and congratulate you on wanting to help the cause.

[omichka]

Thank you for the answer and sorry, if I didn't write everything clear.


I do not believe that rescue should go to the mills to "save" dogs. There are plenty right in the shelters that need to be saved, some even from the mills and I suggest that you start there. Build a relationship with a local shelter that is known for having puppymill dogs in their care.

Well... puppymill is my biggest interest. There is reason why I want to work with puppymill dogs. But working with local shelters is definitely right idea, I was thinking about it myself .

your other question about adoptions about making it difficult for adopters. After spending hundreds or even thousands to rehabilitate a dog you too will want to raise the bar to make sure that they find a permanent forever home. I really do not think that rescues make it hard to adopt to be mean, they really want to make sure that after all that their rescue have been through they will forever have a home and be loved the way they should have been all their lives.

Agree-)....Actually, I don't have a question re adoption. This is very clear for me. There is the reason why I mentioned it. Since I have educated people about puppy mills/BYB/shelters/rescues for last 5 years, I have heard complaints from unhappy potential adopters MANY TIMES. Some of those people finally bought puppies from breeders. Although I always try to explain why rescues charge high adoption fee and why application is so complicated, the true is ... sometimes rescues are going a little bit too far. I do not want situations when people start from rescue/shelter trying to save a dog, finally get a puppy from some BYB because they have too much problems with rescue (showing no interest, lie, making feel quilty, etc). Too many discussions with people made me think that way. I think it is just not right when good promptings turn to a problem.


Anyway, again, thanks for respond

[livingdustmops]

I have to tell you your post is confusing to me as you don't want a private rescue and you don't want to foster but what you are saying you want to do is exactly that...

Until you have walked in rescue's shoes and had an animal pay the price (death or rehoming again) for bad placement you will not really understand why rescue's work so hard on placements and why they are tougher than most breeders.

• Only 38% of all dogs and cats will remain in their first home for their entire lives.
• Nationally, over 50% of all adopted animals are no longer in their adoptive home after just the first year.

They do not want the dogs they have rescued be rehomed again. What they do, is for the dogs Not the people.

[Nancy1999]

Several other people have wanted to start a rescue, and this is a huge project. You are correct in saying that:

"some rescues work with puppymillers on wholesale basic, something like rescues buy unsold puppies from them. I truly believe this is wrong, since puppy millers still get their money, just wholesale price."

However, these are not legitimate rescues, they are more like pet stores, they buy wholesale too. Rescues work mainly with adult dogs, not puppies, and a rescue should have the funds to spay and neuter every dog it receives and not place any unaltered dog, otherwise you will be contributing to the problem.

Rescues have to have many homes that are willing to foster dogs until a long term home can be found. This is really where most of us can best serve, and as a foster home, you will help save many lives. Private individuals cannot bust puppy mills, they have to work with some sort of state authority, and your local human society can probably give you more information on this.

Regarding your thoughts on most rescues are too hard on the potential clients, I strongly disagree, and breeders should be every bit as hard as the rescue, not visa versa. The job of the rescue and good breeder is to place the dog in a permanent home where rehoming is never necessary. Rescues do not make ANY money, they spend more on the dogs than they receive for the dogs, they make up the excess in donations, but this money must be accounted for, and you can't spend it just any way you want.

Just want to add, I would never donate to a recue who was working more to make the client happy than to make the dog happy. You should have more unhappy unsatisfied humans, than dogs. Many humans should not own a dog.

[omichka]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

I have to tell you your post is confusing to me as you don't want a private rescue and you don't want to foster but what you are saying you want to do is exactly that...

They do not want the dogs they have rescued be rehomed again. What they do, is for the dogs Not the people.

What I said is I would prefer to open my own rescue (and there is the reason for 501, not private), instead fostering for someone else (than I did before).
Because I am not always agree with some rescues, sorry.

Does it look clear?

Regarding adoption process...., seriously, I am not that person who doesn' understand why adoption process is so difficult. I am the one who explains same things to unhappy people , and always ask them to understand WHY, always advertise rescues, not breeders. I really do not need explanation about it, since I do know it myself very well .

My point was not about adoption process, and the only reason I mentioned it that i am not always agree how people in rescues work and communicate with potential adopters!!!. and explained already why - because pretty responsible people complained to me about their experience with rescue.
This is WHY!!!! I absolutely agree when NOT responsible people cannot get the dog, I am talking about situation when GOOD resposible people have trouble. trust me, I have a lot experience and know what i am talking about.

[omichka]

However, these are not legitimate rescues, they are more like pet stores, they buy wholesale too. Rescues work mainly with adult dogs, not puppies,

This is why I asked... because some rescue (legimate, 501) have designer breeds puppies, or young adults. I was told by the owner that she pays for transport only and take unsold dogs from miller. That's all I know.

....... breeders should be every bit as hard as the rescue, not visa versa.

It's true. Although rescues try to do their best, this is reason why people turn to the breeders .

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by omichka

However, these are not legitimate rescues, they are more like pet stores, they buy wholesale too. Rescues work mainly with adult dogs, not puppies,

This is why I asked... because some rescue (legimate, 501) have designer breeds puppies, or young adults. I was told by the owner that she pays for transport only and take unsold dogs from miller. That's all I know.

....... breeders should be every bit as hard as the rescue, not visa versa.

It's true. Although rescues try to do their best, this is reason why people turn to the breeders .

There's nothing wrong with a rescue taking a mixed breed, they are rescuing dogs; they are not supporting breeders. If the rescue is only paying for transportation of the dogs, they aren't really buying the dogs, and I see nothing wrong with this. There are some breeders who just shoot or starve to death unsold dogs.

[omichka]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

There's nothing wrong with a rescue taking a mixed breed, they are rescuing dogs; they are not supporting breeders. If the rescue is only paying for transportation of the dogs, they aren't really buying the dogs, and I see nothing wrong with this. There are some breeders who just shoot or starve to death unsold dogs.

Good to know, thanks for this answer, because I was always confusing how it works...

[megansmomma]

Rescues really want to place their fosters, it is the only way to make room for the next pup that is in need. Many people believe just because a dog needs a home it is their right to have a dog. These little ones have turned up in shelters and then rescues because there owners did not take care of them properly and were uneducated. People trying to adopt need to understand that if they are good pet owners and can prove they know what is expected from them they will not have a problem adopting a rescue.

[omichka]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

People trying to adopt need to understand that if they are good pet owners and can prove they know what is expected from them they will not have a problem adopting a rescue.

This is what I try to explain to those who are offended by rescues

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by omichka

This is what I try to explain to those who are offended by rescues

Just keep talking................

[addevo]

Originally Posted by omichka

I have been thinking about it for a long time. I want to work with small breeds from puppy mills, mostly local (too bad - we have many in our state).


How and where I get dogs from puppy millers? I do not want to support them at all, although some rescues go to a dog actions in MO, for instance, and buy (condsiders as saving) some dogs..
)

As you probably know, Oprah did a show about puppy mills in April 2007. Bill Smith, the director of the Main Line Animal Rescue in Chester Springs, PA was a guest and he explained how his rescue gets dogs from puppy mills. He has been working to develop relationships with puppy mill owners in Pennsylvania over the past several years. Eventually, their breeding dogs get too old to produce puppies any more, and sometimes they have puppies who are very sick but they don't want to incur any vet bills. The millers used to just take these dogs out and shoot them, and according to PA law at the time, this practice was perfectly legal. The director said that he asks them to contact him when they have dogs that they don't want any more. He doesn't pay them anything for the dogs, the millers give him only the dogs that are useless to them, so that they don't even have to "waste a bullet" to get rid of them.

He said it has taken him a long time to develop these relationships, and that it's horrifying to go to the mills to pick up only a few dogs and leave so many others behind in misery. But he has to remain detached or else the millers won't call him any more and will just take their unwanted dogs out and kill them themselves.

I have the highest respect for Mr Smith and the work that he and his organization does. This method of dealing with puppy mills directly is not for everyone, though, and will take years to build these relationships.

[omichka]

Thank you for reminding about that guy. Of course, I know him. Unfortunately, I don't remember the info you just wrote to me, but I do have his website, and was planning to read it very careful, or even contact him directly. Btw, this guy also does great job on his billboard projects!!!!

thanks

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by omichka

My point was not about adoption process, and the only reason I mentioned it that i am not always agree how people in rescues work and communicate with potential adopters!!!. and explained already why - because pretty responsible people complained to me about their experience with rescue.
This is WHY!!!! I absolutely agree when NOT responsible people cannot get the dog, I am talking about situation when GOOD resposible people have trouble. trust me, I have a lot experience and know what i am talking about.

Sometimes responsible people DO get turned down for reasons that have nothing to do with them and everything to do with the pup they want! The goal of a rescue, in my opinion, is to always place the pup first and the adopter second. If that is done, then it will be a win win situation for both!

I have had plenty of responsible people apply for a pup that would not fit in their home. You say you understand, but I wonder if you have been in rescue and handled the many applications that come in for each particular pup. Only until you do that will you totally understand..seriously!

A pup should be in a foster home for a minimum of 3 weeks before any home is considered. We do not see the true personality of a pup until around two weeks! They ALL change!! I have had them come in and be very social and then regress...and some do the opposite; but I always know there will be some kind of change.

Then, once a pup is settled, you can see what he/she is about. Does he/she socialize well with other pups? Does he/she have any toy or food aggression problems? Does he/she have issues with children? Does he/she have separation anxiety? the list goes on and on and on...... THEN, and only then can you really properly screen potential adopters. You have to know what the needs of the pup are.

Trust me, there are MANY reasons that people are turned down by rescue and I would venture to say that many of them either do not know the reason or are not being honest when complaining. Some people look great...seem to love their pups....and then we do a vet check.
First thing to do when an application is reviewed: Call the vet! I can tell you that so many what one would think are responsible people are SO neglectful of their pups it is mind boggling. Most people who look good who do not get pups...have a bad vet reference! And, anyone looking at them would think the rescue was crazy for not adopting to them.

I can tell you that if you are starting a rescue, I strongly advise you get a group of people together so that each person can do different things. There is SO much to consider. It is a lot of work and once it is started, it continues to be a lot of work! know because I am a founding member of YHR. I could never have done it all by myself and maintained my sanity!