[Aliadriel]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thank you for the advice. Even though we got Nala in a pet shop I still think we rescued her. As soon as we got her we took her to te vet and she had a serious ear infection. We were alarmed of this and my mother paid what was necessary to get her into good health. We didn't know what puppy mills were or how to detect them then. After that we never searched for a dog in a pet shop again. I got my westie from an international recognized breeder and when I saw she needed a companion due to separation anxiety, cause she would get sick, her trainer offered me a dog she rescued from the streets that is a chinese crested- terrier mix who was a perfect fit for her. That's when we decided to get Nala a companion as well and now being more aware of rescues and adoption, we decided we would never buy another dog again and that we would rather adopt to save a life. I am amazed at how smart dogs are and how greatly they express their emotions; but what amazes me the most is how unconditional their love is for their dop parents. My dogs are my kids with 4 paws and I know Nala is my mother's baby as well. If the volunteers and caretakers of these rescues would give us a chance we could show how well this new family member would be taken care of.