This sable boy needs a home - Page 1

I was looking around the rescue websites when I stumpled across this big guy.

His name is Ari and hes from west german workinglines (I assume by his looks)

Ari is a large, handsome, sable colored, GSD whose family has no time for him. He is affectionate, friendly, intelligent and very playful. His favorite toy is a squeeky ball. He is so good with everyone (even the mailman) that he went to school with his foster family the second day they had him for "show and tell."

Note: Possible therapy dog candidate judging by the description.

You may view his pictures at http://www.gsdrescue1.org/ari.htm

The site doesn't offer a lot of information do they?

Wonder why they did not take him back to the breeder? He looks very nice and eager to please.

EK

EK -

  That's a good question................. Why do we have Rescue for any purebred? Mostly because there are too many Backyard breeders who take the peoples cash and never speak to the buyer again. At this point several things happen: 1) people don't expect the breeder to care, kinda like when you sell a car and someone doesn't want it anymore  2) Sometimes (far too often) breeders will not take the dog back. I have been in GSD Rescue for over 14 years and out of all those years contacting the breeder if the breeder is known, I can count on 1 hand how many times the breeders took the dogs back into their possession. Very sad.

I was even told by one breeder that they don't take dogs back because they are not responsible for what the owner did/didn't do with the dog over the years and if the owner had trained/titled the dog, they would consider taking back but since he was ruined as a pet, no way (there was NOTHING wrong with the dog!).

But most of the time the people have no idea who they got the dog from when asked. I ALWAYS ask and usually the answer is "oh some guy in _______________", he had really nice dogs". Now, does this mean the dog would be from poor lineage??? Not always. We get A LOT of German Lineage Dogs & Imports themselves (as pups usually) in Rescue because people can't handle the drives.

Tina

Brent, Very often times depending on the local/state.You cant rescue unless you are approved as a rescuer..with a number.Many times those that have that number hoard and cant even take care of the individuals..although they are trying to save lives...with good intent.If they can place the individual into a long term home.There are so many hoops.Unless that individual has a number.The individual will be just taken back to the shelter...to be euthanized. Then the original rescuer loses the number (license) to help rescue.

I dug into the site a little deeper and found out what I was wondering about.

Like many place's the price's are too high.

Too many hoop's as you called them also.     People will go elsewhere.

Some of these place's are scam's.

I have different view's about unclaimed, unwanted animals and how to deal with that situation.

What do you qualify as a good price for a rescue?  Personally (IMO), there are people that would love to own a GSD, don't plan to show or breed, and would prefer to adopt.  Considering that most (not all) of breed rescues survive on donations and adoption fees, I don't think they are "profiting" from the fees.  Also considering that most have many  dogs plucked from the shelters, owner surrender etc. - you have to consider the vet expense along with feeding them, not to mention the time and energy to maintain and treat.   (... advertising, etc...)

I'm sure many of the rescues are not "perfect", but I give them credit, out of love for the breed, for giving many of the "leftover and discarded" dogs that have been kicked to the curb.

Also, IMO,  some of the "hoops" that potential adopters have to jump thru are good at weeding out the spur-of-the-moment-gotta-get-a-dog-now people.    I know that when I got my dog, I did a simular version of the "hoops" thru doing my research.  I spent months before deciding on the breeder/sire/dam resulting litter.  It's no different for those who want to adopt a GSD as a companion to have to go thru due process.  Less likelyhood for "returns".   Again.  Just My Opinion. 

There are very few states that regulate "rescues" because they so often fly under the radar. My state does regulate them, but there are many who are unknown to the agency in charge. There is now a new rule REQUIRING spaying/neutering, just as there should be. Rescues and shelters also must be licensed, but many are not. I am. I have stringent guidelines for potential adopters and turn more than 60% of all potential adopters down because they do NOT meet my requirements. Sadly, I receive between 10 -15 emails and phone calls every two to four weeks from people wanting to dump their dog.  Lately, each such call or email wants me to accept a dog who has already bitten someone. Of course, I cannot and do not accept such dogs.

As for expenses, yes, it is damned expensive to do rescue and I have had to curtail my efforts. I do not openly ask for donations. I feed a premium food which costs me more than $40 a 35 lb bag and I get it cheaper than others. Vet care is expensive, though I do my own vaccinations. I recently had to put a rescue who was 12 years old to sleep. She had an aggressive mammary tumor. That cost more than $200 alone. None of this counts the time and effort spent on the phone, emailing, or spending time with the dogs.

There are some people out there who claim they are rescues who do it without the slightest idea of what they are doing. There are some who are doing it simply because they can con people and think they can make some money. It is ABSOLUTELY unethical to SELL a dog who was accepted as a rescue and/or ask for puppies back.

I do charge a "fee" for adoption, but in every case except one, my fee was less than $300 and in many cases, not close to what it cost me to keep the dog until an appropriate home could be found. I have kept some dogs for many years, others for a year or two and most between 4 months and a year waiting for the right adoptive situation. In one case, where a shelter asked me to take a "healthy" GSD pup, I spent more than $500 getting it really healthy as it came with coccidia. The new owners were kind enough to reimburse me for that. I had the pup for more than 4 weeks of constant trouble trying to rid it of the infection and prevent any other dog from contracting it.

By the way, I am NOT a non-profit status simply because I never have had time to file the necessary paperwork, but I doubt anyone knowing I spent over $21,000 in one year alone on vet bills out of my own pocket will worry about that. My reputation is solid in this regard. I am now a senior citizen and go without many things I need, including health insurance. But I also know when to say "no" to taking a dog, however much I would like to help all GSDs in need.

hodie..  You Rock!

As an aside, I also understand the darker side of some of the Pet Rescues.  It was by coincidence that I found out about a person I knew years ago, who has a Chihuahua Rescue.  Come to find out she is also a hoarder, and prevented many of the dogs she "rescued" out of shelters, etc. from being adopted out.  Was a pretty sad, typical hoarder story.  Overcrowding, health issues...and she "loved" them all.  yikes.

I applaud the bona fide rescues.  I always see L.A. German Shepherd Rescue, among others,  and the volunteers giving their time and weekends up to find qualified homes for their rescues.  I also applaud the individuals (such as hodie) who also take on the expense and care with no expectations. 

There is not any breed (purebreed or partbreeds and everything in between) safe from the threat of overbreeding, and of course from being discarded.  Just read the excuses for dumping/rehoming the dog on Craigslist in any city, USA.  .  Now that is sad.