RESCUE or NOT ?
 

:aimeeyork IF you think you are doing the dog a favor by adopting them, you have the wrong attitude. It takes a special person to adopt a dog with special needs.( Many of us, myself included, have rescue dogs. I am not bragging nor do I want to be praised or recognized because I have worked with and adopted rescues. Because these wonderful little dogs have taught me, and given me more than I could ever return to them.) I started this thread because, I do not think all people should get a rescue. I am hoping all of you will add your thoughts.
I often see people giving the advice to adopt a rescue, don't breed your dog, or don't buy from a pet store, save a life etc... But really some people are not able to deal with a dog that may previous issues. Just as I believe not all people are able, (or willing) to cope with a child with physical disabilities, mental illness, brain damge or behavior problems. I think we all have gifts or abilities but, we can not expect others to have the same desires or talents we do. I know that I was the right person to deal with my Gracie . I had the experience, love, time, and determination to commit to her. I was bringing her home forever. She had two homes before me, :( not including the horribal puppy mill she came from. I was prepared to deal with what I knew about her and what I didn't know about, I was willing to accept and work with. She was not house broken, under weight and was afraid of loud noises, needed dental work, and I was told that. I was not told, she had never been trained to do anything, never been groomed or that she bit everyone and barked non stop. :D That was just the tip of the list.
My point being, adopting a rescue is not always good advice. I thank God every day for the wonderful people I know and the ones I have met on YT that work with saving and finding the right home for rescues. What do you think ?

I think you are right.:)

I also think that people who adopt from a reputable rescue are getting good information from the rescue as to the pros and cons of the pup. However, all rescues are not created equal.

Lots of time people refer to rescuing a pup - as from an animal shelter and not necessarily a rescue.

Well, I'd clarify...Are we specifically speaking Rescue Dogs or Special Needs Dogs via a Rescue? There's a big difference in my opinion.

I also have three dogs. Two of which were rescued (as Karen notes above I did get mine from a shelter). Like you I don't do that for the recognition. However, in looking at the animals at the local rescue locations I will not consider a special needs dog. I don't think that makes me a bad person. It's just that I don't feel I can cope with and meet the needs of a dog that had added needs.

Now, to further clarify that statement in this topic:
I consider special needs to be severe issues, amputations, blindness, etc. In my newest dogs case, she had a horrible skin condition. I am used that that due to my other small dog who has mange with annual or bi-annual flare ups. So I knew that adopting this new dog could be another pet with a lifetime of issues and/or meds and it may still come to that. We can only battle that one day at a time.

But I do agree with Teresa, a rescue dog typically has more issues to deal with be they physical or emotional and may not be a perfect match for someone that is looking for a new companion.

I think you bring up some very valid points. I respect those who take on the challenges of special needs dogs. I feel everybody has the right to decide if they want to purchase or rescue their dog. If they decide to purchase it is important that people should research where their new dog is coming from and make sure it is from a reputable breeder. Also they must realize that it is a life time commitment to a living being and be prepared to assume responsibility for the animals care. If you are not sure you can handle the responsibility then wait until you are ready.

:thumbup::thumbup:

Exactly!!! People spend time researching their breed, but many should be researching themselves...taking an honest assessment of who they really are, how they really live & what their personality/patience/tolerance level is.

I wouldn't look to adopt a rescue. I know myself. I'm way too persnickity about what I want. Doing so would probably end up with the dog back at a rescue.

I think it depends on the level of issues. I will NEVER adopt a special needs child. I have a special needs brother and I love him with all my heart but seeing what our adoptive parents go through with him and how much work it is and how time consuming and sometimes painful and expensive. I am not a patient person. I'm not a bad person but even caring for my own two healthy children can drive me crazy sometimes with their antics.

I adopted Jenks after I spent a week with him at my gramma's his worst issues are that he jumps a lot and he occasionally has accidents on the floor. He nips when he is exited and basically tries to climb you. Those things I can deal with in a seven pound dog. NO WAY would I have taken him if he had separation anxiety or was aggressive. I know my tolerance level and those things go past it. I have to say I pretty much agree with you wholeheartedly.

:thumbup::thumbup: well said. To each his own.

This is true whether your dog comes from a top breeder or a rescue. Both require a lot of thought, research, and patience. Dogs should be assessed and matched with the owner.

Before I had my second pup, I learned of 2 gorgeous Yorkie brothers at a local rescue. Perfect health, great personalities and behavior. They were surrendered by an owner who had extenuating circumstances that made it impossible for her to care for them. I wanted those boys badly, but I could not take 2 at the time.

I don't think there is any pressure on YT to rescue/adopt. There is pressure to stay away from BYBs and stores (the window fronts for mills).

When people come here and say they want a dog that looks exactly a certain way and weighs a certain weight and has certain characteristics, yes, they are often advised to adopt an adult. That doesn't necessarily mean rescue. There are plenty of adult dogs available from good sources, especially great breeders. I didn't want another puppy, so I adopted an 8 month old from my breeder.

Maybe I see only the positive side of rescue (special needs pups) because there are so many success stories among us here on YT. :)

I don't like puppies. I prefer a dog that has already shown some of his personality. I mean puppies are cute and I love to cuddle them and pet them but I don't want to raise one.

I have to agree with you. Well said!!!

I admire and respect people who rescue. I think it takes a very special type of person. But I know myself, I would not be the best person to provide a home to a rescued dog. I have had 1 dog in my life when I was younger and that was a cocker spaniel. And although I loved him and played with him every day, I am not the one who took him to the vet, who worked on training with him, etc. I am still so new to the world of dogs really. I have loved them ever since I was a child, but I am still learning. And I don't think I would cope well with having a dog with issues. I just think I would feel lost and not know what to do and in the end would feel like I wasn't the best Mom to that dog. I think a rescue dog needs a family that is more experienced and can devote 100% to the dog. I think maybe in the future as I learn more and experience more, I might could be that person. But right now, I don't think I could handle all the challenges that would come with the rescue as well as someone who is more experienced might.

:thumbup:

I disagree with the original post for the most part. Yes, don't get a special needs rescue if you can't handle it, but what happens when one of your current, non-rescue dogs develops problems? My 8 month old, somewhat fearful little rescue is no more work than my 10 year old with a list of issues and I raised her! (minus the fact that he is in the puppy stage of course).

On average, I really like the attitudes of rescue dogs. Vetting them is a planned expense. And behavioral issues - don't all Yorkies have a few of those? Yes, if it's a highly reactive dog and you can't deal with it, then don't adopt it, but there are still times when an adult that has been with you for a long time can develop issues.

I'm not sure that there is pressure on YT to adopt. After all, these dogs don't need to be bounced around anymore. If you don't have the desire to commit or aren't going to love them because of xyz, then I say back away from the pups. Then there is a big difference between a rescue and a very special needs rescue. I'd just hope that even if some of the dogs on YT ended up in the vety special needs category, they would get what they need from their owners.

The OP may not be intending to blur the line, but let me emphasize that not all rescue dogs are automatically "special needs."

There are alot of healthy, well loved, well adjusted dogs that end up at shelters or with rescues. Sometimes people's situations change, and they can no longer take care of their dogs. The previous owner of our current dog developed a brain tumor, was facing surgery, months of recovery and follow up care (chemo,etc) and had no family or support system nearby. She loved her dog enough to turn him over to a rescue because she felt she wasn't going to be able to continue giving him the spoiled, pampered life style he had become accustomed to. He was house trained, healthy and sweet as can be.

Any good rescue or shelter will make potential adopters fully aware of any known health or behavior problems with their "candidates." It does no good to try to hoodwink an adopter into taking a dog that they are not going to be up to the financial or emotional burden of caring for.

So please, don't automatically put all rescue dogs in the same category. They aren't all emaciated, mean, sick and abused basket cases. I'll say it again, there are alot of healthy, friendly, well adjusted dogs out there waiting for you.

And as other posters have pointed out, you can get a well bred puppy from a good breeder and still end up with a special needs dog. Our friends researched breeders, carefully choosing one that was reputable, paid alot of money for an adorable Westie puppy, and still ended up with a dog who went blind before she was 3 years old. There are no guarantees that a dog will NEVER develop a health problem down the road. And all dogs, if they live long enough, become "special needs" near the end of their lives.

I was seriously considering becoming a foster home for Yorkie rescues, but when I looked at their website Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue Adoptions and Shop I realized that the vast majority of the dogs were in VERY poor condition. Serious health problems, no training whatsoever, often very traumatized by their previous living conditions. The few healthy, happy dogs have adoption fees as high as buying from a breeder. I could handle fostering a dog with a few minor problems, but there is just no way I can take care of a dog in that kind of condition so I had to give up on the idea. I was really surprised at the rescue dogs, and from what I've seen other breed rescues have dogs in much better condition. Anyone know why? I'm not trying to criticize, I understand the rescue isn't responsible for the poor condition of the dogs they save.

I don't believe the two situations are comparable. My dog is already MY dog...we have months/years of love, affection, attachment & bonding together. There is already a lifelong commitment in place. IMO, That doesn't compare to taking on the issues of a stranger.

I think the situations are comparable. There are people who dump their dogs when the dog gets sick or difficult after years of being together.

People will fall into all categories of thinking. People here fall in love with Yorkies from YHR who have very serious health issues. One such person has already applied to adopt Summer, the Yorkie mauled by the doberman.

Adding to my post above, not everyone feels the lifelong commitment whether it is a perfect pup from the best breeder or a rescue dog. Some people just can't deal with dogs with health or behavioral problems -- that is how so many dogs end up in rescue.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough or you can't read my mind as well as I thought :p. I should have added that in addition to there already being a life long commitment in place, they are already family.

I was thinking from the perspective of that while I personally would never chose to adopt a special needs pup or child, I don't feel that is comparable to providing continued care to an existing family member that suffers a catastrophic injury/illness. I would no sooner get rid of my pup in such a circumstance than I would my child as they are already mine and we have the bond/love/commitment already in place. I believe that situation to be completely different than choosing to take on the medical/behavioral/mental issues of a stranger.

I will often refer to adopting as in adopting from a shelter, not necessarily from a rescue. I would much rather see someone save a dog from shelter than put money in the pocket a byber from craigslist or something.

I do think it takes a special home for many rescues, but I don't think all rescue dogs should be thought of as special needs.

I have had 7 Rescue Yorkies that I have adopted. 4 of those had a special need of some kind. All of my rescues have been such a joy to me. Even my Little Audrey who so afraid of people.

I have also stated that a adopting a dog is not for every one.

While at times I would love to have another puppy, I just don't think I could handle going thru the puppy stage. LOL

:thumbup: This is an excellent observation and I agree. It is true that some dogs end up for adoption because the owner died, or some other circumstance happened that could not be prevented. ( I am remembering hurricane rescues) Some dogs are happy,healthy and only need love. I was in no way trying to suggest that all rescue or shelter dogs have special needs.
Someone else mentioned that not all shelters, or rescues are good ones. I hadn't even thought of that ! My personal experience has always been with good people and good places. I know our local County dog pound is severely under staffed. Thank goodness they have enough volunteers to balance it out.

I understood what you meant, I think. :) Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same commitment toward family that people like you and I do.

I do not think it has anything to do with rescuing a dog or buying a dog. The relevant question should be whether a person is fit as an owner. I wish more breeders would scrutinize owners more carefully rather than selling to the first person with cash in hand. By the way, not all rescue dogs are special needs, in fact, the vast majority of them are very healthy dogs whose owners cast them aside because they can't or won't take responsibility for them but mostly because of a myriad of insufficient reasons and excuses. The push on YT as I see it is responsible pet ownership. Collectively trying to educate, share stories, help fellow members, and to give support when we have nothing else to offer. I don't see it as a begging or pleading for adopting a rescue so much as I see it as raising awareness to more global issues like responsible pet ownership.

My 17 year old son started volunteering for a dog rescue near our home. I think it has opened his mind and heart to realize that all dogs do not have a loving home as do our 4. It is a good experience for him except he wanted to bring 2 dogs home. Like some of you have said not all of them our special needs. Some of them were rescued recently from a tornado area and one because the elderly owners died. Fortunately they are in a reputable rescue. My son spent 6 hours Sunday just loving on these dogs and giving them the attention they need, I was very proud of him since he usually thinks of himself first, he is an only child. But he has a very good heart. Of course I was not aware of rescue groups until I joined YT. I have owned many dogs and cats from the animal shelter in the past.

YTNR has a lot of pups in bad condition, bc when most rescues wouldn't take them in YTNR will. They do also have a lot of healthy pups and young pups. The younger ones have a higher adoption fee bc the younger ones get more applications. Even the ones with the highest adoption fees are no where near what a good breeder asks for. Sure you can buy a yorkie pup from a breeder for $500, but is that the kind of breeder you want to be supporting?

Also pups who need more vetting will have some higher adoption fees.

And one of the most common reasons for giving up a dog is bc it isn't potty trained. That is not the fault of the dog but of the owner, but sadly it happens much too often. I know of three of my customers who used this exact excuse.

Also, many people forget that rescue dogs are vet checked, receive dental care (if needed), are spayed/neutered, heart worm tested, all shots are given, and they are microchipped. For a healthy dog, that can cost $300. If the dog needs teeth extracted, mammary tumors removed, or other procedures done, that can run into the thousands of dollars the rescue has to pay. It upsets me when people balk at paying an adoption fee. They think a rescue dog should be "free". I hear it all the time at PetSmart adoption events. Well, who do they think should pay for the services the dog they are applying to adopt might need? Every dog I've ever fostered has ended up costing me money out of my own pocket. Some people forget about the "start up" costs involved with buying a puppy.

I guess that makes sense, if it's just that particular rescue that takes in the dogs other rescues won't take, so they end up with more special needs dogs.
When I mentioned rescue dogs costing as much as dogs from breeders, I saw a few dogs on the rescue page for $700-$850. I've seen good hobby breeders on Yorkietalk selling 12 week old puppies for that much. They also required a stay-at-home parent to adopt the dog, with no children, a fenced backyard, and at least one other small dog in the home. These are stricter requirements than most breeders have.

Speaking of how young, pampered, healthy dogs can end up in rescue, take at look at these two adorable little girls:

Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie | Los Angeles, CA | Zu-zu & Tzi-Tzi

Note the 2nd and third picture - it looks like they even came in their own Kwiggy-Bo Alexa bag!

I'm sure they'll get adopted soon - I'm not posting this to make anyone feel sorry for them, I'm just sharing them as an example.

Oh my goodness they are just so cute. I just know they will be adopted soon.

My Allie that we adopted this past March was a owner turn in to the Rescue Group (CRA) I adopted her from. Her sister was also turned in as well. I wish I could have adopted both of them, but Abby her sister went to another adoptive home. The original owner said it wasn't necessary they be adopted together.
Allie is so good, she is 3 yrs old. She is the youngest one I have ever adopted. I usually go for the one's 5 yrs and older.

I think this entire thread from the beginning puts a very sad perspective on adoption/rescue. I have adopted a dog from a rescue that was perfectly healthy and has the best behavior a dog could have. sure he has a few minor kinks, but with love and training he's now a registered delta society therapy dog. i know that rescue/adopting isn't for everyone but you absoultely can and do find wonderful dogs with no prior health or behavioral issues at shelters every single day. in fact you can find brand new few week old puppies that come in because mom came to them already pregnant and needs a home for both mom and all her new pups. so a fully vetted, spay/neutered brand new baby pup can come with NO issues and a fresh and perfect start at life for the price tag of next to nothing.

i think rescuing and adopting is a better way to go. if you can't afford to pick a breeder selling show quality pups and you know better than to buy from a crummy BYB or pet store selling pups with bajillions of health issues, then rescuing is the most cost effective and best way to get a healthy pup or dog.

I fully agree it's not for everyone, and i agree with Cathy (107barney) it takes a look at what you personally offer as an owner more than what the dog offers to you. if you can be a good owner and put time, love, and devotion into a new member of the family, then it shouldn't matter where the pup comes from, it just matters if you have the love and finances and time to put into a lifetime with that dog.