Discussion: Rescue
 

I'm not sure if there is another place to post this, but it's specific to rescue. Over time, I have been looking to adopt an adult yorkie. Before adopting my Tahoe 3 years ago, I looked on petfinder.com and various rescue organizations. I adopted Tahoe when he was 10 years old and he is the joy of my life. Now that I'm looking to add another adult yorkie to my family, I have been perusing these sites (amongst others). One thing I noticed is that there are SO MANY rescues that originate in Texas. Why is this? Is there a larger number of puppy mills in that state? More lenient laws or more rescue funds and organizations than other states?

Just curious why there are so many yorkies available in Texas compared to other states. Any ideas?

I live in Texas and had noticed the same thing. I know this may not come out right, but if these rescue groups would stop being so anal about their requirements, there might not be as many unhomed pets.

Good point... but I would think they're that anal for a reason.

Being from the East Coast I have no idea about Texas. I just want to say good luck on finding your special little one.

I'm not sure about why Texas, but I do know that you will find more rescues in one are due to puppymills. I never thought of Texas though as a big puppymill area. The states that come to my mind would be Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, PA and Ohio and I'm sure I've left out a few. Pennsylvania and Ohio are big believe it or not due to Amish. The Amish which because they are such a religous group of people, you would not think, but are the biggest puppymillers. Dutch Country in PA in which they show all the tourist areas and how beautiful fail to show the true side and that is all the barns filled with dogs being bred over and over for profit. These are the Amish. Because puppy auctions are illegal in PA many travel over the line to Ohio and sell at a local flea market (Ran by an Amish man) in which dog auctions are held monthly. This is really the only input I can give. If you are looking for a rescue another great place to check is www.puppymillrescue.com. They go to these puppy auctions and buy up what they can, then vet them, spay/neuter and place in good homes. The adoption fee is usually $400 or under which considering the price of spay/neuter not to mention shots and vetting is a great deal. Best of luck to you. Elaine (Mom to three rescued Yorkies and one spoiled Morkie)

Thanks. I've made mention of this in other threads so I apologize if I sound like I'm repeating myself: I've submitted, I think, 4 different adoption applications over the past few weeks and never get a reply from any of these organizations. I don't know what criteria I may not be meeting, but I'm an ideal candidate for a pet needing a home. I'm a 35 year old single female who owns her own 2400 sq. foot home with a large fenced yard. I'm very attentive to them...they are probably the only "kids" I'll ever have. My entire social life revolves around them. Heck, I moved 3,000 miles across country and brought two cats with me on the cross country trip (I didn't have Tahoe then). All my pets (1 dog, 2 cats) are indoor. Heck, when I'm home, I accompany Tahoe every time he goes out for a potty! I have an amazing vet who will affirm that I am very attentive to my pets' medical needs. (I spent nearly $3000 in 2005 for vet care for three pets that were ailing over a 2 month period - one of which I lost to what we believe was a brain or ear tumor. I will bring Tahoe to the vet if he so much as has a runny nose. He is also on various medications - for liver issues and pancreatitis - that are ongoing. Not to mention the prescription diet I provide for him.)

The only criteria I can think of is the fact that I work full-time (9-5 M-F). This seems to work well for us right now and I only have one dog (without the companionship of another dog to keep him company.) One of the reasons I would like to get another yorkie is to keep Tahoe company during the day in our very quiet and relaxing home environment. In the sole company of the cats, Tahoe and the two cats have become very close as well...playing with each other and even cuddling up to nap together. But I think Tahoe, who was raised in a household of 8 breeding dogs, would appreciate the company of another dog. And we'd like to make a home for a dog who, much like Tahoe, needs a good home that I know I can give.

Anyway, I am a bit discouraged by the lack of response from some of these rescue organizations when I know very well how much they need to find homes for these dogs. Perhaps since the dogs are fostered, they are not in much of a hurry to find them homes? I don't know. I just know that there is an available home here in Arizona just waiting to give a dog the love and care it deserves.

kelly you sound like a great mom... good luck with your search..i hope
you find another baby real soon...

Hang in there! When I applied for a rescue, I submitted apps to FIVE different rescues. Still waiting to hear from four of them. Through the FIFTH I've already adopted Bernie! By the time the others get back to me (if ever) it'll be too late.

I know they rely on volunteers, but I think some work harder at placing the dogs than others.

JMO

I wish you nothing but the best of luck! I believe everyone should rescue :) That is how I got both Simon and Hallie.

I hope you hear something, be persistent with them. You have a fantastic home to offer a lucky yorkie and someone will see that. Everything happens for a reason!

Good luck finding the perfect little furbaby, and thank you so much for rescuing! :D

I know how you feel! When I wanted to adopt a second dog, and was looking at long-distance adoptions, it seemed to take forever to get a response sometimes! And of course I was so excited, I'd check every two minutes for a response...and I know I got pretty discouraged at times. However, now that I volunteer with a rescue, I can see why it can take so long sometimes. At least with the rescue I'm involved with, everyone volunteers in addition to holding down a full-time job and trying to juggle their own life and animals in there at some time or another, so I understand why sometimes it takes longer. Of course, it wouldn't make me check my e-mail any more infrequently :p.

I don't know anything about Texas either, sorry, I'm way up in Canada, but again...good luck in finding Tahoe the perfect companion!

I can understand why some rescues have very strict rules . Actually , I have a little Yorkie girl , she is only 2 years old and already been in 6 different homes . As a result , the little one have to be treated like a puppy . Many peoples gave up on her but I won't . I know , it will be very much work to do but I am confident that she will learn fast with love and attention .

In the report , it said she was aggressive .

:thumbup: AMEN!

AMEN for what ?

If peoples were less sneaky , maybe the rescue shelters would not be so stricts.

sorry, this is really long!
 

I think both sides have a valid argument. From the rescue's pov they have invested time, money, and love in each and every animal. They want to be certain they are going to go to a good home. A friend of mine evaluates & trains dogs for a rescue in our area. She told me a story about a dog who she worked with for 6 months. When she met the dog he was fear aggressive, etc. Through hard work and training he became a sweet loveable pet ready for a new home. The rescue placed the dog. The family continued to take him for training with my friend. During one session she mentioned how he had really come a long way. The new owner's asked her to tell what he had been like in the beginning. She did. They were apparently upset by his past (even though he had worked through those behaviors). Without saying anything to her or to the rescue they stopped on the way home and had him euthanized!!!:eek: Needless to say my friend and the rescue workers were very upset.

Another example is my little guy Bernie. He'd been through a lot. Other families had been turned down because they did not have a fenced yard. This rescue doesn't always have this requirement, but this little guy had spent nearly 11 weeks in a crate after getting hit by a car. They wanted to keep him as safe as possible. They were attached to him and cared about his welfare.

Often times the little ones in rescue have already been through so much!

Now, from the adopters pov I can see how the rules sometimes seem ridiculously strict and the waiting period can take forever. It can be heartbreaking to set your sites on an animal just to not complete the process (through no fault of your own) in time.

All of that being said, I think it's important that people don't give up. The dogs in the rescue DO get adopted out!!! Eventually they all make it to a home, and most stay for the rest of their lives.

Hang in their if you're going through the process, and let us know the outcome!

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I guess it concerns me that I have expressed interest in adopting these dogs and noone has even CALLED me to discuss them. I did go through the process of filling out adoption applications, as required, but receipt of the applications were never even acknowledged. A note saying "Thank you for considering a rescue. We are processing your application" would be nice...a call to inquire further once the application has been reviewed would also be nice. I can't imagine that they can determine qualification solely on the basis of an application. I mean, I've already rescued once before - a 10 year old - and I've had him for 4 years. My vet has never been called nor have the references I provided on the application been called. (I asked them.) This is for numerous applications through numerous rescues. Don't you think that's odd?

Doesn't this seem like a failure to follow through? I mean, if they really wanted to place all the animals and they REALLY wanted to find good homes as soon as possible to make room for more rescues, wouldn't they be following up on the applications they DO receive?

~ Kelly

I had a bad experience when I tried to rescue my first dog. She was a 3 y/o yorkie/silky mix who had been returned numerous times due to being "needy". She was located in CT. The Foster Mom called me and we talked for at least 5 1/2 hours the first day. She told me that I was the perfect home, to put a deposit down on her and that I was the approved adopter. I told her there was no way I could get there before 2 weeks time, since I am over 8 hours away. She said it was fine, but to try to get there as soon as possible. The very next morning she emailed me and asked me to send pictures of my home, my dogs, and other things. I did that. Then not a half hour later she called to tell me she adopted her out to another family locally and that "if" they returned her I would be the one to get her. All of this in two days time! I felt jerked around and I was heartbroken to say the least. Surprise Surprise she came back to the foster mom from another family that couldn't handle her and it was too late for me to take her in.

Yes, it certainly does seem that they should be doing more. Is there a number that you can call to kind of "push" things along??? Also, check out YorkieShadow's threads, she's posted a couple of yorkies available for rescue. I'm not sure if she's affiliated with the rescue or not, but if so, she might be willing to offer some advice!

Good luck. It's a great thing giving a rescue-dog a forever home!

That's horrible! If you're like me (and I'm guessing you are) you were already emotionally attached!

Please though, don't judge all rescues by the actions of one.

That is awful. Taking a dog out of a rescue home and putting the dog to sleep. They should be arrested. I feel so terrible after reading that. That poor little dog was unlucky enough to meet the wrong people. Were they really there to adopt a dog? Why doesn't your friend press charges. What terrible people they must be and I can't believe they were just there to adopt a dog. They sound sadistic to me. It breaks my heart for that poor little dog. People that owned the dog gave him to rescue, they didn't put the dog to sleep so why WOULD PEOPLE COME AND TAKE A DOG AND PUT IT TO SLEEP ON THEIR WAY HOME. SICKOS WOULD DO THAT!

I have a question, if they rescue people are so strict, who did they end up giving that poor dog to people that went directly to a place to put him to sleep. I am so upset. I think they should be reported and arrested. In NY there are laws and what they did was cruel and they can be sent to jail for what they did.

Imagine how the people who ran the rescue felt!

If you read my post again, you'll see that this couple had the dog for a few weeks and were taking it for training. It was on the way home from training that they stopped and put him to sleep.

I guess my point is, the rescues have seen terrible things happen, I think it makes them OVERLY cautious. Even with that, sometimes unfit people get through. I can't blame the rescues for trying to be careful.

It was hard at first not to judge all other rescues because of them, but I did realize that it was just one rescue and not representative of everyone after I had stopped being so upset.

I was attached! I had a whole suitcase filled w/new things that I bought her to make her trip home comfortable. It was so sad.

OMG, that's truly heartbreaking!

I had a thread about this very thing a month or so ago.

Our heart is really with rescue, and I inquire about dogs on Petfinder from time to time. RARELY do I ever get ANY kind of response. I know it's volunteers, they're busy, blah blah blah...but come on...HOW HARD would it be to at least ACKNOWLEDGE an application with one or two sentences. A FORM letter, for pete's sake.

I think it's really unprofessional, and so many people are getting turned off of rescue because of lack of response, and because of the strict qualifications.

Sad thing is, it's the UNSCRUPULOUS people will lie and portray themselves however they need to in order to be able to get the animal. Honest people like me tell the truth about not having a fenced in yard, or having kids under the age of 10...and our application just automatically gets rejected.

It's discouraging. :(

Well, apparently SOMEONE ( : wink : ) was listening and late yesterday I got a call in response to one of my applications. So, after work today Tahoe and I are going to meet with a nice little 5 year old male yorkie in North Scottsdale. He's relatively the same size as Tahoe (10 lbs.) but has had to endure a surgery. Nevertheless, he's recovered wonderfully and is good as new! :)

I'll let y'all know how our meeting goes. I'm very excited. :)

I think its awful that they are so strict with the requirements. I'm not saying GIVE the dog away without doing any research or investigation but damn. I filled out an application, I have excellent recommendations from my vet and neighbors and I hear nothing. This is why I feel like I am going to have to resort to buying a puppy. I have absolutely no financial issue with buying another Yorkshire Terrier. I just thought I was doing "THE RIGHT" thing by getting an unwanted one first. Guess that wont happen any time soon.

That's GREAT! How did your meeting go???

The meeting itself went really well. Winston was *wonderful*...very friendly and full of kisses. He loves to play with his toys and he is a bit more hyper than Tahoe, who is 14 years old - but not crazy hyper. He is very energetic considering he had back surgery (for a slipped disc, which is why his previous owner's surrendered him...they couldn't afford his surgery) only 2 months ago. He is unphased and fully recovered. He *loves* his toys and loves to play with his toys and his human, but does not play with his toys and other dogs. The only thing that concerned me was Tahoe's *lack* of interest in him. Tahoe has met other yorkies and usually plays with them actively, but he didn't seem interested last night. He did go up a couple times and sniff Winston's nose and wag his tail once or twice, but otherwise was off by himself. Tahoe is my #1 priority. But based on his lack of interest, I have to wonder if I'm doing this for myself or if I'm doing this for Tahoe. Tahoe is also used to getting all my attention and I'm concerned that if Winston is so playful and I play with him as much as he requires, that Tahoe will feel neglected.

Regarding Tahoe's apparent disinterest, the foster did have 7 other small dogs that were quaranteened in the back family room with her husband so Tahoe WAS spending most of his time sniffing around the house and around the other dogs' belongings. That could be the source of his disinterest.

The foster is not sure if Winston has been exposed to cats so she's going to take him to the rescue shelter and see how he responds to the cats there. I told her I would have an answer in 24 hours. If the decision were entirely mine, I'd adopt him. Someone recommended that I see if I can take him home on a trial basis to make sure that it is a sure fit. What are your thoughts on this?

~ Kelly

I had one organization tell me they didn't come to my area and to search on petfinders. I search daily on petfinder and never find a yorkie. I want a yorkie. I would like to rescue one that needs a home. I understand other dogs need rescuing too but I want a yorkie. I 'get' the rescue organizations need to be thorough and do their research. Honestly I am thankful they take the time to do it. I am just very frustrated because I've been trying for about 3 months and I still dont have a rescue organization that's even willing to check further than my initial application. I know I will end up getting a puppy. That's great I love puppies but I wanted to help an unwanted yorkie :(

I admire the fact that the rescue people put persons who want to adopt pets thru the third degree and make them wait until they are absolutely sure it is the right match. But, and I am not blaming your friend, how did this couple get past the rescue team? Wasn't there a hint of some kind that they were unhappy. Who gave them the right to take a life? There are laws in each State regarding cruelty to animals - maybe your friend can do something about that couple, like make sure they never get a dog again.

What I cannot understand, and I am not blaming the rescue people at all, is why didn't that couple tell the rescue people they didn't want that dog. The rescue would have gladly taken the dog back. They had it on their mind to put that dog to sleep because who in the world would drive directly to a place and put the animal to sleep and what doctor would be so cruel to put a healthy dog to sleep. I am heart broken over this. That is one reason no matter how angry I get at my little Yorkie, she stays with me because she is safe and no one will hurt her. Also, my fear is that she has luxum Patela (spelling wrong) in one leg that is bad, but she walks ok( the other leg was already operated on, ) plus I give her suppliments for any pain she might have, that someone else would put her down because they wouldn't want to spend the money taking care of her. I took her home as a puppy and I am responsible for her life. That is how I see it and the only person I can trust to keep her alive is me. People get cheap and put dogs to sleep if they have any illness.

I know I'm going on and on but I cannot believe that couple was not sadistic because there were alternatives for them. No one forced that dog on them.
They probably enjoyed hurting the dog.