[capt_noonie]

I would suggest that when you fill out these applications you stop using the term "rescued from a pet shop at 2 months". What that tells me is you really believe getting a dog from a pet shop is rescuing, when in reality it is supporting the business of pet shops and in turn puppymills. It doesn't matter if the dog was drastically discounted (unlikely at that young age), bc the owner of the shop probably bought the dog for a very low price (another reason it is from a mill) in order to turn a profit.

And even if you don't use that terminology, if you get to the phone interview stage, the interviewer will know what questions to ask you to see if that is really how you feel (you rescued) or not bc they will ask you about your current dog and where you got her. Of course every rescue organization is different, but frankly I'm tired of hearing people say they rescued from a pet shop. They didn't, they bought. Unless you went in there and stole the dog, if money exchanged hands, you purchased the dog.

Rescues do charge for their dogs, but that is to help pay for vetting that has already been done. Dentals, shots, any other procedures needed. Also the training and socialization done by the foster parent, and that doesn't even cover food, toys, clothes, and leash/harness/collar. I usually send my fosters to their forever homes with loads of stuff for the dog. I never get paid back for that. Pet shop puppies have no vetting unless they are showing signs of distress.