breeders/rescue groups - Page 2

I am a breeder, who rescues GSDs and also manages the local Humane Society. I see it all. In the passed year, I have had 6 rescued GSDs come through my home and onto new homes. When a GSD comes into the shelter, to keep everything separate, so as not to muddy the waters between the three endeavors, I will call a different GSD rescue, or go to my list of people wanting GSDs, and give them the information on the dog in the shelter. Sadly, in 2007 there were at least 10 GSDs that I remember that came through the doors of the shelter. If I could contact their breeder, the breeder refused to take the dog back. One was pulled by LE for testing, sadly he failed, but he found a home with an officer. A few went to great homes. A couple had to be euthanized, and a really sweet little one now lives in my neighborhood.

As a breeder, I will ALWAYS, no matter the situation, take one of my dogs back. Afterall, this is their home!

I encourage people to contact their local rescue group, especially if they are a 501c, contact your local shelter, ask to be a GSD foster. Lots of times, we have GSDs come in that cannot be adopted out until they are spayed or neutered. Sometimes that appointment can take weeks, or in the case of a female in heat, at least 2 months before surgery. I do not like to see GSDs (or any dog for that matter) sit in a kennel, waiting for surgery so it can be adopted. I am running out of foster homes for these dogs. If you volunteer to foster through most shelters, there is NO financial responsibility on your part. The dog is the property of the shelter, so we incur the cost of medical, and food. Often times, this assists the dogs in ways you cannot imagine. Fostering helps us determine the situation the dog needs to be adopted into, plus skilled fosters, do so  much manners training.

I don't know a perfect solution, but I'm wondering why, with all the dog legislation floating around in this country, no one has proposed a law that mandates every puppy bred be micro-chipped with the breeder as the final contact of record, ULTIMATELY  RESPONSIBLE for the dogs they produce for the entire life of the dog!  This is such a no-brainer in my book... I'm thinking my next activist move will be to propose this law to the PA Dept. of Agriculture. They like to pass laws about breeders and kennels in this state: Lemon Laws, strict kennel inspection criteria, etc. Why not pass a law that takes some of the presure off shelters and rescue org's?

On another note: Do any of you know what it takes to become a 501c rescue org? The shelter Molly and I worked with at Xmas would not allow me to pull the "unadoptable" dog we rescued at Xmas time because I am just a private trainer. I'm thinking this will come up again and again in future as I have more space and can rescue/re-home more needy dogs. In PA one only needs a kennel license if one runs a boarding kennel or sells 26+ dogs annually.

In my township the chances of my getting a variance for a kennel, then a kennel license, are slim and none, and "Slim" resigned about 15 years ago, so my little operation has to stay under the radar. Sure, everyone knows I'm here and "keeping"  dogs "illegally" according to township ordinances. But everybody around here is breaking a few of the ordinances in that 3" thick book one way or another, be it too many unregistered, non-op vehicles on their property (very popular here in the sticks), buildings erected sans permits, livestock enclosures too close to property lines... and everyone in our neighborhood is afraid of what my historically vengeful husband (who knows if the dogs go, I go with them...) would do if they sent the officials our way, so I'm not TOO concerned about being reported/shut down, but there's always that chance.

SS

we have been known to "rescue" a few dogs, but only in extreme situations when the dog is at risk of being put down and only if the dog is deemed worthy of being "rescued."  i won't hang out a shingle - so to speak- that would make us a dog-dump, but if the vet calls or someone we know personally and says they have a dog that is really nice and deserves a chance, then yes, we will try to find a suitable home for them.  we have a 15 mo old male (non gsd) that we are looking for a special home for right now.  he is definately worth saving, but he is one of those breeds that would be trouble if placed  in the wrong hands.  it is my opinion that not all dogs are worth saving.  i know that is hardhearted, but realistic.  it has been our experience that most displaced dogs come from homes where there should never have been a dog in the first place; from owners who are irresponsible and whose lives are dysfunctional........as in the case of the dog we have here right now.

pjp

The shelters and pounds are basically a PITA when it comes to someone trying to take a dog out in the form of "rescue".  I train dogs for narcotics detection and donate/place them with officers or departments in need of one.  There are not so many suitable (well bred, healthy, high-drive) GSDs in the rescues or shelters, but there is a breed overflowing the walls in many - Pit Bulls.  So, I'm willing to rescue the few Pits that fall into that category (suitable for narcotics detection work).  The problem is the shelters themselves.  First, charging $100+ for fee, and not waiving that to someone willing to rescue the dog.  Second, not wanting to release the dog at all if the rescue isn't it's permanent home, if all the dogs on the premises are not neutered, if you don't have a fenced yard, if you don't plan on keeping the dog in the house, or if you plan on training/rehoming it.  So, they won't release the dog to a rescue such as me, whose goal is to help the dog find a great home, not adopt the dog for my own pet.  Guess they'd rather keep the dog and continue letting their pounds overflow with unwanted dogs, or euthanize them.  It's very frustrating to someone who would like to help but is prevented from it.

molly

I guess I'm of a different mindset in this matter.

I did a lot of research before I decided to buy.  You have no idea the number of websites that I encountered of breeders who had 30, 40, 50 litters, claiming "titles" on puppies or parents,  "imports", "My dog is the sire", etc. In one instance, less than 1% (yes one percent) of the puppies produced ever attained a title, yet the breeder raved about alleged "titles".  It was disgraceful.

One I checked out had been through the alphabet more than twice with litters, most sired by the same dog, and less than 20 of the offstpring had done anything - titles or otherwise.  That, to me, is a commercial puppy mill not unlike those that line Gallatin Pike or Triune here in middle Tennessee each weekend with their X-pens containing puppies for sale.  It's disgraceful. 

I think the "commercial" breeders, who breed one litter after the other, after the other, do contribute to the problem.  Ideally, there would be no "byb's", but that's not the case and such "breeders" are no more ethical than the byb.  The bottom line is the money and they need it to keep up with their unethical practices.

Sadly, few rescue (I found this out the hard way having to ask breeders to help numerous times) because they have "their own dogs to worry about", "no room", etc..  Even sadder is that many who do rescue on occassion are not only selective in their choices but do it for the "glory" - the "recognition", and must let the whole world know about that rescue to reap the possible future financial benefits and not for the love of the breed or the welfare of the dog.  It's one of the biggest reasons that I had to get out of rescue.  It's disheartening.

JMNSHO.

Shelley,

This link has probably the best comprehensive description of the requirements for 501c.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/501(c)

Thanks Deeswolf. I'll look into it.

:)

SS

Unfortunately I don't have the facilities to rescue any dogs and take them into my home.  My schedule for work is long (I drive 2 1/2 hours each way to work - 3 times per week) and need to travel overnight often.  The costs to kennel or have someone take care of my three during the work week adds up quickly, so to add another dog would be costly.   What I have done is help re-home dogs or cats in need.  I have a network of friends who take in pets and then I help them find good homes.  I also help pay for spaying, neutering and food for these animals.  We are not an official organization - just end up with animals no one else wants.  Right now we have a 3 year old calico female that had at least 3 litters.  We are making arrangements to have her spayed and have been searching for a good home. 

I also know of a nice older couple who just had their male gsd pass away.  They know that a pup would be too much for them and would really like to adopt a senior - gsd  They are located west of philadelphia, so if anyone knows a dog that would be suitable for an older couple, please let me know.  It would be a great home.

Cheryl

Cheryl, IMO anything you can do means you are helping - you do the best you can.  Some like myself are fortunate enough to have kennels and room, time to keep dogs, others don't have that but do what they can.  It all makes a difference.

Contact me privately, I have a pup that would be very suitable for an older couple, she has some physical limitations and I am looking for the right home for her.

molly

as i said before, i can only give financial aid to the local gsd rescue group, but god bless all you who can foster or train and rehome. someday, i hope to be able to do more, but, until then, i give to my local gsd rescue. i am really glad to read about so many of you here  who go that "extra mile". sometimes the world is a crappy place  and then again, sometimes the world is full of inspiration. thank you all for the inspiration.....karen