I'll make no bones about it I am a BIG supporter of rescue but I do not agree with the NO CHILDREN NO EXCEPTION RULE. I feel that every home should be judged independently for one another. Rescues generally will say No children under the age of say 12. Well, I have seen many 5 yr. olds behave a lot better with animals then some 12 or older kids.
In so far as quiet homes for puppymill rescues. I have to say that in MOST cases the rescue is right. As posted above these dogs are different then any other dog you've had as a pet and require a much different home then may be tolerable with a dog that did not live his life as they. AND, MOST people are not able to be a family for a puppymill rescue. This is the truth believe me. Yes, if they are rescued early on they will come out of it sometimes fully sometimes not fully but certainly enough to make them a good family pet but sadly very few older puppymill rescues get over what they have gone through. Noel came to us under a year old. She had been beaten and she is now almost 4 yrs. old. Keep in mind how young she was when we got her. 1. It took six months before she'd allow my husband to pet her. AND, it took up till now almost 4 yrs. later before she will slowly approach anyone outside our immediate home and that is with diligently working with her. NOW imagine an older dog who has lived it's ENTIRE life in a cage producing puppies, who has no concept of human contact, no concept of grass or noises other then other dogs barking and fighting them whatever food is thrown their way. This is why rescues will state QUIET HOME - No Children or no other dogs etc. The no other dog policy is hit or miss - some will not state that as a requirement - some will. They will usually gage that on how the dog was with other dogs while in foster. Remember some have had to fight for their lives while in puppymills so no other dogs are not playmates to them. Anyway, I just wanted to post a few different views. AND, yes just like people and homes there are good and bad rescues too. You have to investigate and not just jump because they call themselves a rescue. Elaine |