Adopt from a rescue

[RustysMom]

I read so many posts of people who want to adopt a Yorkie from a rescue and then get dishearted about it because no one contacted them.....

As a person who volunteers in rescue I know that our Yorkies are never just given to who ever asks or pays like a normal dog. To adopt from most rescues you have to fill out an application and wait. Most rescues do a home inspection too before you are allowed to adopt a Yorkie.

You will be asked to also be a foster Mom or Dad and if and when a Yorkie is rescued near you, you will be asked to foster that Yorkie and later adopt him/her.

If you are inspected and cleared, keep in email contact with the group to let them know you are serious. Many people are not serious and they want a Yorkie immediately.
Rescues who have the Yorkie's best interest at heart never will work that way. They want you involved for the long haul, not just until the fascination wears off.

County shelters almost never have Yorkies. You can be sure that when a Yorkie does arrive, somebody has a family member who is looking for that kind of dog, and the dog never makes it into rescue.

If you want to adopt, please understand that many of the Yorkies have behavior problems such as yapping, biting and especially not being housebroken. File the application and remain serious. Patience will be rewarded.

If you can't foster etc., please contribute either $$ or supplies to a rescue near you.

Hope this helps someone understand how rescues work.

[jrsygal37]

Originally Posted by RustysMom

I read so many posts of people who want to adopt a Yorkie from a rescue and then get dishearted about it because no one contacted them.....

As a person who volunteers in rescue I know that our Yorkies are never just given to who ever asks or pays like a normal dog. To adopt from most rescues you have to fill out an application and wait. Most rescues do a home inspection too before you are allowed to adopt a Yorkie.

You will be asked to also be a foster Mom or Dad and if and when a Yorkie is rescued near you, you will be asked to foster that Yorkie and later adopt him/her.

If you are inspected and cleared, keep in email contact with the group to let them know you are serious. Many people are not serious and they want a Yorkie immediately.
Rescues who have the Yorkie's best interest at heart never will work that way. They want you involved for the long haul, not just until the fascination wears off.

County shelters almost never have Yorkies. You can be sure that when a Yorkie does arrive, somebody has a family member who is looking for that kind of dog, and the dog never makes it into rescue.

If you want to adopt, please understand that many of the Yorkies have behavior problems such as yapping, biting and especially not being housebroken. File the application and remain serious. Patience will be rewarded.

If you can't foster etc., please contribute either $$ or supplies to a rescue near you.

Hope this helps someone understand how rescues work.

Great post Rusty's mom.

Elaine (mom to 5 - 4 of which are rescues)

[Jacoby]

Good post!! I didn't know that it was like that. i hope to volunteer at a shelter soon!

[Emmsmom]

Adopting a rescue is not always easy! I called and tried to adopt a Yorkie/Maltese mix. They would not allow me to adopt him for many reasons. I have a soon to be 11 year old, I have a bigger dog, and my yard isn't fenced. I know MANY YTer's who have young children, big dogs and no fenced in yard. They are also wonderful owners.Obviously this hasn't been an issue with my own yorkie who is going on 3 years old and as for my daughter well she is an only child that has been around small animals her entire life. I had my heart set on bringing that little boy home and I was also willing to pay the $400 adoption fee as well. So you will have to forgive me for not being a very big fan of rescue groups.

[ladyj]

I don't think fostering is required before you can adopt a rescue dog. I adopted a puppy mill Chihuahua and I have never fostered any dog. Most people aren't situated to take just any rescue dog. I have size requirements because of where I live and other restraints. I wanted a female. There are plenty of rescues out there needing homes and you can get the sex, age, size, etc. that fits your life style. I wish I were situated to take any and all rescues, but that just isn't the case with me and isn't with most people. I agree that placing a rescue dog should be carefully done, but some of the carved in stone requirements could be eased in some cases and the dog would have a great home. Absolutely requiring a fenced yard for a little four-pound dog is kind of ridiculous. I'm not allowed to fence the yard where I live and I can't have a dog over 20 pounds. I can guarantee that any dog living at my house will have the best life I can provide, with proper health and dental care, great food, tons of love and affection, proper exercise, toys, blankets, play time, the works! I tried to adopt a little three-pound Maltese before I found my rescue Chihuahua, but they required a fenced yard, absolutely, end of story. That little dog missed a really great home because of their carved in stone requirement. I'm retired and home all day with plenty of time for walks and play time. I wonder if that little dog went to someone with a fenced yard that works all day. Being home all day was not a requirement. Seems to me that being at home and having the time to walk the dog would be better than being gone all day and having a fenced yard. Just my humble opinion.

[Ladylavender]

Originally Posted by Emmsmom

Adopting a rescue is not always easy! I called and tried to adopt a Yorkie/Maltese mix. They would not allow me to adopt him for many reasons. I have a soon to be 11 year old, I have a bigger dog, and my yard isn't fenced. I know MANY YTer's who have young children, big dogs and no fenced in yard. They are also wonderful owners.Obviously this hasn't been an issue with my own yorkie who is going on 3 years old and as for my daughter well she is an only child that has been around small animals her entire life. I had my heart set on bringing that little boy home and I was also willing to pay the $400 adoption fee as well. So you will have to forgive me for not being a very big fan of rescue groups.

I felt the same way until I actually adopted a rescue. I have new respect for the rescue groups and the reasons that they have these rules in place.

It does not matter where your heart is or what your intentions are, when you get that rescue dog, all that goes out the window. The only thing that matters is your commitment level. And even that (on certain days) can go out the window. The rules are in place so not only is the placement a success for the dog, but a success for you too. And believe me, you need all the advantages you can take and these rules put those advantages in place.

[Emmsmom]

Originally Posted by Ladylavender

I felt the same way until I actually adopted a rescue. I have new respect for the rescue groups and the reasons that they have these rules in place.

It does not matter where your heart is or what your intentions are, when you get that rescue dog, all that goes out the window. The only thing that matters is your commitment level. And even that (on certain days) can go out the window. The rules are in place so not only is the placement a success for the dog, but a success for you too. And believe me, you need all the advantages you can take and these rules put those advantages in place.

That just it. I have TRIED to adopt rescues and because of the reasons I listed I am turned down. I am glad you were able to adopt but that won't happen for many of us. SO instead we turn to breeders.

[Ladylavender]

Originally Posted by Emmsmom

That just it. I have TRIED to adopt rescues and because of the reasons I listed I am turned down. I am glad you were able to adopt but that won't happen for many of us. SO instead we turn to breeders.

All I am saying is if you really really want to adopt a rescue for the right reasons, you will respect the rescues reasons for their rules and do what you have to do to meet the criteria. Because adopting a rescue is NOT about whether or not you "think" you will make a good home for the dog, it's about what's best for the dog. And maybe as a general rule rescue dogs, do better in fenced yards and without small children because of the "issues" a lot of these dogs come with. If you can't meet the criteria for reasons beyond your control, then maybe you are not a good candidate for a rescue dog, no matter how much you want one and what your altruistic reasons are.

[linsvs]

I tried on several occasions to adopt from a rescue! For a few years whenever I would see a small breed pictured on a local rescue website I would hurry to go see and was always told there was a long waiting list ahead of me. One day I was at the local shelter when someone brought in a small breed. I asked about it and was told I couldnt apply for adoption until it was cleared. I asked about putting my name on it so when it was cleared I would allready be concidered. I was told it cant be done. That dog never appeared on there web site, so someone allready had dibs on her or him ?? Anyway after trying to adopt a small breed from the shelter I gave up!! I was allready approved to adopt but it looks like unless you know someone you are not concidered!!!!!!

[Emmsmom]

Originally Posted by Ladylavender

All I am saying is if you really really want to adopt a rescue for the right reasons, you will respect the rescues reasons for their rules and do what you have to do to meet the criteria. Because adopting a rescue is NOT about whether or not you "think" you will make a good home for the dog, it's about what's best for the dog. And maybe as a general rule rescue dogs, do better in fenced yards and without small children because of the "issues" a lot of these dogs come with. If you can't meet the criteria for reasons beyond your control, then maybe you are not a good candidate for a rescue dog, no matter how much you want one and what your altruistic reasons are.

Sorry, I am not going to get rid of my "big" dog or my 10 year old child for that matter to "meet" their criteria. The dog I was trying to adopt was a PUPPY. Not likely to have any serious "issues" yet. Like me there are many of us who will simply go to a breeder to find our next baby. I sure hope that the many dogs who are up for adoption find homes. If they don't it won't be because people aren't trying to give them good loving homes.