Why Don't More People Rescue?
 

It's been bothering me lately. Why don't more people rescue dogs? I am not trying to offend anyone who bought their dog from a breeder, I have once myself. But now that I am educated on the subject, I just can't see myself buying another dog from a breeder without feeling so guilty about those sitting in a cold scary shelter, and all those who were euthanized... The whole concept of dogs had become a vicious cycle.. I mean it never ends, and there are so many that just get left behind... I don't know, I just wish more babies had homes :( It's so frustrating.

I know exactly how you feel! We got Tucker from a breeder. and we're getting our new girl from a breeder.
but I feel bad every day for the dogs in the shelters. Ya know what makes me feel the worst? the people who say, "I'd never get a shelter dog. they're all nasty. Someone got rid of them for a reason." that just BREAKS my heart in two. Because Rusty's a shelter dog and he's the sweetest dog I've ever met in my life. It almot brings me to tears when I think that if we hadnt gotten him, in just a few short days he would've been put to sleep. I just wish that people would be more responsible. That they'd get their animals spayed and neutered, and they don't get a pet if they don't have time for it. It makes me so sad thinking about those poor dogs and cats all alone in their cages...:(

romeo is my first pet and he's from a breeder. now that i'm aware i would definetly consider a rescue.

My puppy Kiki is the first dog I ever "bought". We've always taken in strays and re-home type situations, so this is definitely something that I struggled with, and to be honest, still struggle with.

I'm not saying I'd never buy another dog....and I'm even considering breeding myself, someday...but it's a hard topic for me.

I am definitely very pro-rescue. We even drove six hours to adopt a GUINEA PIG from a rescue, once.

I feel for all those poor animals in shelters and until people take responsibility when they take on a pet it is a vicious circle. I think one reason people may not adopt from shelters and rescues is they are very strict on who they adopt to and with good reason, the last thing they want is the dog to end up in the shelter again. But I know I tried to adopt 2 different times off of Petfinders and never got a response. I don't know what the solutions are but something needs to be done to stop the cycle. One thought I had isa sort of preapproval process for people who want to adopt/rescue in the future. Then the info would be on file and when a dog/cat became available that someone was interested in they would be preapproved. I know this takes manpower and most shelters/rescues do not have the resources.

You know what I think it is, seriously. A lot of rescues are older. You don't necessarily know what you are getting. A lot of people want to train their dog the way they want. And you know the old saying, "Can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Also, people are afraid of abused dogs that might be vicious. My aunt is a prime example. She adopted a Yorkie, and he bit her, my cousin, and the vet! The vet said he should not have been adopted out because he's vicious. :(

So I said recently to my cousin: If you want a dog, let's get a rescue. "NO WAY!!! I don't want one like Bailey." I can understand what he means. :(

I would consider a rescue, though. But truthfully, I'm hesitant too. :animal-pa

Until I got Sissy, all my other animals came from pounds/shelters. I firmly believe most folks should help out these animals and they make great pets for most families, particularly if you are selecting a younger animal.

However, with this purchase I had specific qualities I was looking for and really wanted a female yorkie purebred puppy. I would love to see the cycle of unwanted animals end - all the more reason to spay/neuter, just as I would love to see peace in thie world in my lifetime.

I think the biggest problem I come up against with doing rescue is making people understand that not just PUPPIES can learn and be loving. WE have so many older dogs come through here that are the sweetest things but just misunderstood because they are shy or nervous until they get to know you.
I constantly get calls from people wanting SPECIFIC dogs a specific age that are trained and can basically do EVERYTHING. Well shoot.. I been waiting for that dog MYSELF LOLOLOLOLOLOL:rolleyes:

My Baby Bear
 

You took the words right out of my mouth, Nicole ;) I would LOVE to be able to adopt dogs from shelters and pounds. But I am a newlywed and at this stage in my life I just cannot afford the risk. You really don't know what you are getting when you get a dog from a shelter. What if it has health problems? What if it is mean? I just cannot afford to take on something like that right now. When my husband and I have established careers and an established home, we have already discussed rescuing animals from shelters. We are both HUGE dog lovers...I even considered going to vet school...and I would LOVE to adopt a pound puppy. But at this stage in my life, I just can't right now. I think that is how most people feel throughout their lives. They want a puppy that is "theirs." I guess it is kinda like buying a used car, you know? Even though it depreciates exponentially when you drive it off the lot, people like that feeling of it onlying being "theirs."

I would totally rescue! Everytime I filled out an application to rescue a dog, they dont' approve my application. So now I'm looking into a pup that is being put up for adoption.

Maybe you could get this little guy if the owners decide not to keep him!!

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...ghlight=rehome

Ya'll both live in NY! Maybe you could send him a PM.

I have to agree with you. Shelters and rescues are super strict which I totally understand (they don't want those poor dogs/cats to end up back on the street). But some people that I personally know (friends of mine) do not like them asking all kinds of personal, private questions. I understand why they have to ask those type of questions but it turns some people off.

Until pet owners take responsibility for their actions and realize that dog/cat ownership is a LIFETIME commitment, the shelters and rescues will always be full. :(

Thanks but I already contacted them through PM. Jen helped me. She such a saint!!

LOL!! :D Girl I am going to help you find a new baby even if it kills me!! LOL!! I'm a woman on a mission!! LOL :D :D

I'm far away from New York, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open, too! Good luck on your search!

omg...you guys are DA BOMB!!!

Its funny cause I live with my mother and I told her I was getting another dog and she thinks I'm crazy!!! well, I pay the bills and for the dogs so I told her that all she has to do is love them!

That's funny that you say that your mom thinks you're crazy. My aunt breeds dogs (not yorkies) but my family thinks she's crazy for having so many dogs. So when I got my second yorkie, my aunt told me to watch out because if I got anymore, my family would start thinking I was crazy like her :p I just tell my family that yorkies are like Lay's Potato Chips...You can't have just one! :D

I would adopt from a rescue but their requirements are so strict and I have a 6 yr old child.

they are very strict & like most people said most of the small dogs are older if i were to get a large breed it would deff be from a shelter theres no doubt about that but its very hard to find a small breed thats young and healthy and weve looked for the past 10 years they are always scooped up right away or have a temperment or health problem or the shelter is so strict

the last dog I adopted from are shelter turned on me and took my lip and ripped it in half, so I'm a little leary on getting a dog that is not a pup. Before I got Kloey I checked into rescue but at that time there were none available in my area. I would always be more then happy to give my home out to a Yorkie who needed a warm and safe place to stay. Right now my funds are limited but I hope in the future I can rescue a Yorkie!

Good points about it not always being EASY to adopt a dog from a shelter. I've run into the same roadblocks looking for a yorkie to adopt (I don't have a fenced in yard, DO have kids, can't personally afford lots of ongoing health issues, etc).

We do have one yorkie (and a choc lab) that were placed with us by previous owners unable to provide them with the care they needed. I'm always open to those kinds of situations, because our hearts (as a family) really are with wanting to give animals happier and healthier homes.

Shelters are pretty strict, aren't they? Rusty wasn't really from a shelter. it was just a pound. We bought him for...I think $20. He was a little over a year old and we got to take him home that day. I think my dad had to fill out a form, but I'm pretty sure they weren't really strict about it.

Yeah, pounds are way less strict, but that's a double edged sword. Private rescues can/will give you MUCH better insight into the history and personality/temperament of an animal, so that there isn't as much risk of ending up with a pet that is a bad fit for your home.

I've known people who have gotten GREAT pets from pounds, but I'm personally leary. (Esp. having small kids)

It's hard to adopt from a regular shelter because personally, I am not a fan of big dogs, and shelters TYPICALLY have slim to none small dogs.

I have tried going through a private rescue and their procedures are outrageous. I filled out tons of paperwork, got asked 50,000 questions, and then got denied simply because I don't have a fenced in backyard. :thumbdown

Re: shelters--the humane society in my area mostly has large breed dogs and I prefer small dogs (just a personal preference.) Also, I looked into getting a rescue before I got Abbie. I thought it would be nice to be able to provide a loving home for a yorkie that needed one rather than going to a breeder. I found a little guy that was the same age as Max and his family was unable to keep him (for whatever reason). I was interested in adopting him. I understand that rescue organizations are only concerned about the 'best interest' of the dog because they want to find a forever home for the dog but IMO their requirements are too stringent. I would not be an appropriate candidate because I do not have a fenced in yard and because I work. My yorkies get everything they need and then some and it's a bit disheartening to be told that you are not an appropriate candidate to adopt one of their rescues--you're not good enough because you don't have a fenced in yard. Being unemployed and having a fenced in yard does not necessarily mean that you will be a good parent to your dogs! So I went to a breeder and found Abbie and I will probably get my yorkies (or any other dogs) from breeders in the future.

Our first dog was from the pound. He was a german shepard and still a puppy
at one when we got him. He lived to be "17" and was wonderful. Then there
was Teddy. He was 2 when we adopted him from the pound after Pepper passed. Teddy was found in a garbage can in the city when he was picked up. He was a terrier mix and was hell on wheels when we brought him home.
I do not believe he was ever in a house! He ate furniture, rugs, walls actually
ate through the wood gate I put up when we left the house. How that dog
did not have splinters embedded into his gums is still a mystery. After awhile
he settled down and became another wonderful pet. He passed at "16". I tried
to get a Yorkie rescue but never got an answer from several Yorkie rescues I
believe because I am a working Mom! Their loss as far as I am concered because I am very dedicated to my dogs. I bought Buddy for 1,400.00. He is also a wonderful pet. I hope he lives to a ripe old age as well. There are many wonderful pets in pounds and shelters. They just need a chance. Love and patience is the key to any successful relationship.

Tila is the only dog I haven't rescued, all others were.

She's probably the last most likely too
next I'm looking for a papillon mix
they have a ton of websites where you can find a rescue dog ANY age, ANY breed, ANY place.

and the shelter where I live doesn't put dogs down, so
I usually try other places first

the one down side is they're already fixed
and not everyone always wants that

http://petfinder.com