Thank you Andi, I know this took a lot for you to post and I know what you've posted is the truth, it's one of the reasons I could no longer support them.

Thank you for making people aware of this, it's clearly an important issue. I've also received a PM from someone who is completely outside of all of this - and this person also suspected that OKYR was the rescue in question; it appears they are also correct.

I'm guessing it was pretty tough for you to name them, but I think it's the right thing to do - thank you.

I just found this thread about an hour ago. I've been debating whether or not to post. I just don't know what to think. I adopted the biewer named 'Talon' from the November thread below. Talon, now re-named Jordy, is my sweetheart and it hurts to hear that maybe I was helping the puppy mills instead of helping a 'rescue' like I believed I was. I do know that now he has a momma who loves him, healthy meals, regular baths and all the playtime/naptime he wants. I do not regret bringing Jordy into my home at all. What do you all think? :cry:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ghlight=biewer

Great thread, I wish there was more the average person could do to check out a rescue. I know of one person who wanted to start a rescue for "teacups" or tiny yorkies, and I got the feeling it was just so she could find a free pet for herself, and sell the others. How hard is it to place a tiny? Can anyone call themselves a rescue? Aren't there any laws or regulations, if donations are made?

I think you are a great momma. I remember when Talon and Zeus came to the rescue. They came from an auction-and the link above is posted with so much excitement. WHEN-they were purchased from an auction for a minimal figure and then sold. AND-I don't remember ever seeing posts with such excitement for the yorkies, or the mixes that came through the rescue. What about them? What is this all about? Who's got the best rescue dogs?? :confused:
I think you did a good thing-but it is all in what we learn and what we take from it. You would never trade your baby for the world, but you would know for sure where the next one came from and look at the :animal-paBIGGER :animal-papicture. That baby that came from the auction made a place for another baby. And so the cycle goes on. I am sorry I didn't step forward sooner. This was hard. And I would hate for owners to feel guilty. We are started somewhere.

:eek:
That is insane too!! But-I am familiar with something similar. :(

Talking about a rescue, especially a specific one can be very tough so I commend Andrea for posting this. I struggled with whether or not to reply because I used to be/still sort of am affiliated with this organization. I originally PMed Andrea but I think I have to step in and share my thoughts.

First off, I want to say that I don't think that rescues have bad intentions when they buy from auction. The idea is that they are saving dogs from future puppymills and bybs by pulling them out of breeding stock. HOWEVER, after reading some posts on this thread and rethinking the situation, I do agree that it shouldn't be done. I don't think this alone makes OKYR (or any other rescue that does this) a BAD rescue. It simply makes them misunderstood. They are not trying to buy discount puppies and turn around and re-sell them at a higher price, if that's what some of you are implying. I think they are misguided in their attempt to save as many dogs as possible but I am optimistic that they do so with pure hearts.

I won't comment on the issue of excitement towards biewers/partis vs. other rescues.

While I don't agree with the way OKYR is run or some of the things they do, I do want you all to keep in mind that OKYR is trying their best to do what they say and that is save dogs. I know this thread brought up a touchy subject and at first glance it may be easy to get angry and bash them/other rescues, but for every little bad thing they do, so many more good things happen. The have saved probably over a hundred dogs (probably more... I don't keep track) since the start of the rescue just under a year ago. Don't dismiss them completely because of this. Don't forget that OKYR has made a difference in the lives of many dogs and many new owners, as I'm sure many rescues have. I don't want you all to feel like they are a fraud and/or feel guilty for supporting them.

Hopefully they will see this thread and rethink their actions. If not, they will probably lose a lot of support but that's something they'll just have to consider. I agree that rescues should be transparent and held accountable for what they do. I feel a lot of times non-profits lack any real structure or organization and a lot of things fall through the cracks. This is an issue I struggled with during my active time with them.

Very good post Diana. I agree that this was never meant to be a bashing of any sort. And I apologize if anyone is taking it that way. I just think that sometimes it gets cloudy and maybe things need to be brought back into perspective. It is about saving those that would never be saved. They have done this as well.

I wanted to add that when I adopted Jordy, everyone I spoke with really seemed to care about the animals. I had to fill out a detailed application, answer questions, interview, etc. They seemed to make an honest effort to ensure that I would provide a good, safe home. As I said previously, I in no way regret getting Jordy. The adoption process was, for me, pleasant and friendly. I have recommended this rescue to others and I have to continue thanking them for my sweet little man! This post has been a lesson well learned!

You made good points in your whole post - and I don't disagree with much of what you said. However, when there are probably *thousands* of dogs in need of rescue right outside their front door, WHAT is the point of taking a day's trip to go pick up the biewers?

I'm sorry, but to me - that is just not in the spirit of a true rescue organization. Am I just off-base in thinking this is odd or the intent is "off"?

No you are not off-base. I agree completely, which is why I have reconsidered my involvement with them. I just didn't want people to get so caught up in bashing that they forgot completely about the dogs that OKYR has rescued and is still rescuing. Sometimes threads like this get lost in hysteria. I didn't want it to be blown out of proportion and for people to think that they weren't rescuing dogs right outside their front door AT ALL, because that is not true - they DO rescue a lot of dogs locally. Maybe someone from OKYR will come clarify and answer our questions.

Is it still considered rescuing when the real excitement of a group is generated over the possibility of owning one of these dogs?

I didn't realize rescues purchsed dogs at auctions. I find this very confusing, though I understand the idea of purchasing dogs that will otherwise be destroyed. It really seems like dancing with the devil, so to speak. Buying ANY animal from a puppy mill puts money in the miller's pocket, and this is presumably going to be re-invested in the mill. This seems like the same logic of "saving" puppies in pet stores - yes, you save that one, but you help the cycle continue.

Even cornering the market and then pulling out seems to be an "ends justifying the means" strategy. By cornering the market, you push prices up, and cause more dogs to be bred. Then when the market collapses, at least some dogs will be destroyed. And I don't think this guarantees that bichons won't be bred anymore, does it? It just means that the millers will move to a more popular breed until bichons come back into style.

What am I missing here?

The puppy mill problem seems very solvable to me. We need a cultural shift that makes it unacceptable to buy a dog or cat from a pet store. Kaboom. This happened with "dolphin friendly" tuna fish. It can happen for puppy mills.

Certainly not the best use of funds....

Good points and I do understand what you're saying -- and I am grateful for the dogs they've rescued. I do hope they understand why this is bothering many of us, bc it truly detracts any good they may do, which is sad. :(

Would like an answer to that too. Good question.

I hope someday we get there - I wish it was tomorrow. :)