New Rescue decision -------

[Fuzzywug]

As a newbie to Yorkietalk and someone who is starting a new rescue - I would appreciate feedback from members who are concerned about rescues.

I have fostered the sick, old and dying in the past, for a national rescue. I've held them in my arms and helped them to the bridge. I've changed the diapers of the incontinent, cleaned wounds, irrigated ears, done physical therapy with others. I can tell you that it is emotionally draining. At times, it was more than I thought I could handle.

I have seen so many Yorkies on rescue sites who have been there for years or are so sick and in pain, (dogs will often suffer in silence), just dying slowly, they have very little hope of ever finding a home...my heart goes out to their foster moms. I can't bear to be that type of rescue; so I've made these decisions:

Please take into consideration that the main focus of my rescue is not to save....... but to re-home Yorkies.

Due to financial and space limitations, I have decided that I cannot take in yorkies over the age of 8 or who need extensive medical procedures - unless of course, it just happens. Taking in the very old and sick would soon make us a nursing home/hospice and fill up the limited number of foster homes I have; thereby stopping us from taking in dogs for whom I could quickly find loving, forever homes.

I cannot in good faith allow rescues to leave our rescue without being up to date on shots, heartworm tested, socialized, healthy and altered. That is all my small budget and endless time will allow at this moment.

They each stay with foster moms for a minimum of 2 weeks........ in most cases quite a bit longer. I feel that the sooner a pup can go to it's forever home, the faster the adjustment process. It's easier on both parties. We have strict adoption policies, but each case is ultimately decided based on the compatability of the dog and the family. There should always be room to relax a policy if for the good of the dog.

Thank you in advance for anticipated input. I honestly do appreciate your thoughts, whether you agree with me or not..... I'd like to know.

[TLC]

[TLC]

I think it's great that you have set a course and are going to follow it through. In so many ways you are helping both Yorkies and Families in need. I appreciate you even being able to take care of just one.

You can not possibly save the world, but you are making a difference.

THANK YOU

[Patti]

Very fair policy!!! Best of luck in your wonderful work.

[bettyeanne]

Originally Posted by Fuzzywug

As a newbie to Yorkietalk and someone who is starting a new rescue - I would appreciate feedback from members who are concerned about rescues.

I have fostered the sick, old and dying in the past, for a national rescue. I've held them in my arms and helped them to the bridge. I've changed the diapers of the incontinent, cleaned wounds, irrigated ears, done physical therapy with others. I can tell you that it is emotionally draining. At times, it was more than I thought I could handle.

I have seen so many Yorkies on rescue sites who have been there for years or are so sick and in pain, (dogs will often suffer in silence), just dying slowly, they have very little hope of ever finding a home...my heart goes out to their foster moms. I can't bear to be that type of rescue; so I've made these decisions:

Please take into consideration that the main focus of my rescue is not to save....... but to re-home Yorkies.

Due to financial and space limitations, I have decided that I cannot take in yorkies over the age of 8 or who need extensive medical procedures - unless of course, it just happens. Taking in the very old and sick would soon make us a nursing home/hospice and fill up the limited number of foster homes I have; thereby stopping us from taking in dogs for whom I could quickly find loving, forever homes.

I cannot in good faith allow rescues to leave our rescue without being up to date on shots, heartworm tested, socialized, healthy and altered. That is all my small budget and endless time will allow at this moment.

They each stay with foster moms for a minimum of 2 weeks........ in most cases quite a bit longer. I feel that the sooner a pup can go to it's forever home, the faster the adjustment process. It's easier on both parties. We have strict adoption policies, but each case is ultimately decided based on the compatability of the dog and the family. There should always be room to relax a policy if for the good of the dog.

Thank you in advance for anticipated input. I honestly do appreciate your thoughts, whether you agree with me or not..... I'd like to know.

I am so happy to be able to help you in this endeavor!! We can make a difference .... "one Yorkie at the time"!!

[wemple2]

I think it's wonderful that you guys are doing this...one yorkie at a time really does make a difference. The world is a better place because of people like you. Good luck with your new rescue, it takes a very special person to do this...

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

Originally Posted by wemple2

I think it's wonderful that you guys are doing this...one yorkie at a time really does make a difference. The world is a better place because of people like you. Good luck with your new rescue, it takes a very special person to do this...

I 2nd that! Good luck on your venture!

[ChestersMom]

My advice to you is to try and be a bit open-minded when dealing with prospective new homes. So many of the rescues I've dealt with (as well as other YTers) are so anal when it comes to the application process.

ALWAYS return emails and phone calls; nothing irritates us more.

If you truly feel the applicant is not suitable, TELL THEM. That may be the most difficult issue you'll face, but you need to find a way to say no without hurting anyone's feelings or feeling guilty.

Set your limits and make them known. If you do not want to let a dog go to a home with small children, MAKE IT KNOWN UP FRONT. Don't wait until someone's heart is set to lay out the rules. Publish them up front.

As for the small children rule, I think this can be a bit unfair. There are several things to take into consideration; how young is too young? how hearty is the dog? If you're unsure, have the family bring the children and watch them interact with the dog.

Always remember that your goal is to find a forever home for the dog; not to have a herd. And yes, I've met rescue people who love playing the martyr and having a houseful; it makes them feel loved and needed - NOT THE GOAL.

Best of luck to you. I hope I've helped from the other end. I've always had rescues and because of the reactions I've received, none of them came from a rescue "group." I was once even put in the position of one group pitting me against the other. What a freaking nightmare. They just loved the drama.

You're doing a very great service. I hope all works out for you.

[MissSophie]

Well said, Chester's Mom. I am an adoption (real children) caseworker, and I do home studies for couples adopting infants. I see so many people who want to adopt, and it is my job to evaluate the situation. Rarely do we turn someone away. There are so many wonderful people out there. I always need to keep and open mind. What I often find is that people will rise to the occasion, and sometimes people I may not have thought would be one way will really surprise me. Bless you for taking care of all of those wonderful Yorkies. I would love to be a foster mom to a Yorkie. We do have great Humane Societies here, and although I joined a rescue group, it was a national one, and our Humane Society won't refer. Oh, well, I do work full time, which does make it harder to foster. Anyway, you are a wonderful person for all you do.

[Fuzzywug]

Chestersmom........I think we think alike!... I couldn't agree more with your advice!

Having been on both sides of the fence, foster mom and applicant, I dislike the hassle some places make it to be. We return every e-mail, every phone call. If an applicant is not suitable for that dog, I tell them right away and ask if they'd like to stay on file in case the perfect one for them arrives. If they say "yes" we check references and put notes on that application. It makes it easier in the long run to have the applicant approved. If the application is approved I call and tell them to stay in touch and I do the same. If they find a dog on another rescue site, I will contact that rescue for them to help with the process. We treat people, and dogs, the way we'd like to be treated.

The most important tools used to determine a good applicant are the vet checks and a personal conversation. It's amazing what comes up that isn't revealed in the application.

I reject some people right away, on just what they have to say: "I want a dog to carry around in my pocket," I would give it up if I got married" or " when I have a baby," I want a cute dog to jog with me," "If he pees in my house" or "If he's not very pretty." I tell them I don't have any dogs that are suitable for them. (A stuffed animal is more what they are looking for.) Really, these are actual reasons given.

The small children rule is a tough one. We will not adopt, under any circumstances, to families with children under 4 years old. I've taken in too many from those circumstances to think it will work out. I honestly believe that children that young and yorkies are not a good match. I don't want the dog or the child to get hurt. Over 5 is always a consideration.

Foster moms always stay in touch with our adopters. They usually call within 24 hours of the placement, then a week, then a month. I want them to know that the dog is loved and we're here to give any help we can. There's always a transition period. If it doesn't work out, we will take the dog back.

Our goal is to re-home yorkies! Gathering, saving, and hoarding is not what we are about. I don't believe anyone can give the necessary time and care numerous dogs require; let alone pack issues. That would defeat our purpose! Taking into consideration that these mom's also have their own yorkies - No foster mom in our rescue can have more than two fosters at any given time.

I think we may just be the type of rescue that you will trust and be happy to recommend.

[SophieRose]

As the forever Momma to Charlie, 10 yo., being a rescue foster Momma is equivalent to Mother Teresa. I don't know what happened to Charlie except for a brief period at 4 yo.(medical records), but his life was rough until he was saved in 2006 by UYR. Because of his loving foster Momma, he blossomed into a trusting, sweet older gentleman.

Someone complimented him yesterday that he was so very gentle and friendly. That is Charlie-Barley and along the way, he was given love and showered with praise. Briefly, but it left a lasting impression, and I received the joy of this wonderful gift through people like you.

Thank you.

[Superstarkba]

Thats very good. Im very happy that you do what you do. Thank you so mucH!

[bettyeanne]

I totally agree with Trish! I just wanted to add in regard to Yorkies [especially the very small ones] and small children. I was fortunate enough to be able to observe a tiny Yorkie who was being fostered/trained and hopefully transitioned back to it's home. In the home was, a Mom who obviously loved it very, very much, a Dad who hated it, a four year old child and a two year old child. The Mom and 2 children came to visit and I just happened to be there. This little Yorkie changed from the happiest little one he could ever be, to a scared, running, hiding baby that wanted to be anywhere except with them!! When they first arrived he did act like he was somewhat glad to see the Mom [that didn't last long] ... but it was also obvious that it hated those children. They were awful ... every chance they got they were chasing, grabbing, squeezing, etc. and by the time they finally left, this baby was a basket case. Shortly after they left, the poor baby was curled up traumatized, exhausted and napping. The Mom readily admits that he is much better off where he is and that's where he will stay!

I know there are small children that are taught gentleness and love of all living creatures ... mine were taught this and they are teaching this to their children. However, as much as I love them [our youngest grandchild is four], I have been very up front with my children and advised them that a Yorkie is absolutely not suitable for their homes. The sweetest, gentlest children in the world can accidentally cripple or kill a tiny little Yorkie. After observing Toto for over three years, they are in total agreement!

[Ellie May]

I have never actually tried to rescue a Yorkie but three things that really bother me about most rescues are:

1. You can't adopt a dog because you don't have a fenced in yard (I always supervise my dog outside so what is wrong with a leash?)

2. I was looking at an adoption site and after the original home check they said that the first year is a probationary period and you are subject to more home checks throughout the year (I can understand one home check and a probationary period but more than one home check is really excessive).

3. Some rescues think that you are not a responsible pet owner because you have an animal that is not spayed or neutered. That is an opinion only. Maybe there is a reason for not altering your pet. I do think that talking to the person's vet is a good indication of how they treat their pets though.

Congratulations on starting this.

[Lexi Rae]

i just want to say thankyou to every single foster parent out there, whether it be for animals or children... this world would not be the same without you all. you are just very special people to do what you do... thankyou!!!!