??? for those who have adopted a dog from a rescue???

Question

did you have any fears about rescueing a dog? Our family would like to get another dog and I have filled out an application at a german shorthair pointer rescue is there any advise as to what to look for in a rescue? what type of questions I should ask and so on? all your answers would be greatly appreciated..thanks
the reason I chose a german shorthair pointer is because I grew up with the breed as a kid.

Answer 1

If you are working with the breed rescue, they are MOST careful about placing the dogs.

Here is the National GSP rescue

http://www.gsprescue.org/main2.html


You can verify with them if you are working with one of their regional contacts

Does this look familar:

http://www.gsprescue.org/gspr_forms/adoption_agreement.html


Breed Rescue will interview you as much you them about the dog.

The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperament, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), health, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place jsut any dog. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newspapers, chewing.......They have dogs that are purebred and sometimes part-bred (1/2 or so of their breed.) Dogs that come through rescue are so thrilled to have a forever loving home having once been abandoned to a shelter or rescue that they are typically extra devoted and loving. Dogs lose their homes for reason that are not their fault: death, divorce, a move and they couldn’t keep them, financial problems….

You need to work with rescue to decide which of the possible adoptees is bested suited to you.

They are going to want a containement system of some kind - fencing, electric, something.

The will talk to you about how much time you have, will you take it to obedience class, crating.....

Here is their protocol for deciding whether or not to place a dog:

http://www.gsprescue.org/protocols.html


It is a LOT harder to adopt a dog from breed rescuses than from the local shelter - they are very concerned and rather fussy. They will be checking in on how the dog is doing, following up, if it doesn't work the dog goes back to them.....

Frankly, breed rescue is about the most reliable way to get a dog suited to you and your home.

All these poster abve are acting as if "breed rescue" were the same thing as the local shelter. IT IS NOT!!

The dogs that come into a breed rescue connected with a breed club are placed with people highly experienced with the breed, assessed for all matters of concern; and given excellent vet care.

Answer 2

I rescued two surrendered pure bred collies. They were turned in because they kept getting out of the yard and were not licensed so it got expensive to keep retrieving them from the pound. One is showing some aggression, but only toward the other dog when she is near one of us. They are fine together if neither is near us. Be sure to ask if they were surrendered or a stray. If surrendered, why? Ask people at the pound/rescue about typical traits about the breed. Do extensive internet research as well as asking people who own the same breed. If you are interested in a dog, make the application for the dog so that you do have the option to adopt the dog, then go home or to the pet store, the library, the vet, friends, etc. and find out all you can about the dog's breed. How big will it get? How much exercise will it need? Is it a typically mischievous breed (Pomeranians). How is it around children? Are there any health problems that are typically found in this breed?

I hope this helps you and good luck.

Answer 3

First you are doing a great thing!

They may not have a good back ground on what the dog has been thru.

Most rescue places will have completed the basic vet stuff. Make sure you get the shot records from them. And what the vet check, especially heart worms. Ask them if the dog has been given any medication, etc. You'll want to make sure the dog has at least been seen by a Vet prior to adoption.

Ask what type of food the dog has been eating, this way you can gradually switch the dog to the brand you will be feeding him.

If the dog was neglected and underweight you will need to monitor how much food you are giving it. Too much food to at one time to a dog that is underweight can cause them to get sick.

Ask their policy on returning the dog in case the fit isn't the best for all parties involved.

Remember it takes 4-6 weeks for a dog to adjust, instead of focusing on training him on sitting, stay etc. Focus on your bond with the dog and letting him know his "place" in the family

Good Luck

Answer 4

I used to volunteer for a shelter. I started working with all of the dogs and animals and saw how they reacted to people that came and visited the shelter. They get very excited when people come visit and might not show their true colors. Definitely ask to take the dog out for a walk or to one of the big cages to throw a ball with the dog and so on.

Questions to ask:

What history do you have on this dog?
What vaccinations, wormings, and tests has the dog had?
What behavior problems have been noticed since the dog was incarcerated?
If the dog is a purebred or an obvious combination of mixed breeds, what breed information is available from the shelter before the adoption?
If you have little or no information, will you refer me to a book, a breeder, a breed or kennel club, or a rescue organization?
Do you provide training services or referrals?
Do you provide consultation on behavior problems?

Answer 5

You should ask about any health problems based on his or her age. I wouldn't worry too much about aggression, as the workers generally won't put a dog up for adoption if he's food aggressive or known for being a biter.

You could also ask if he's cat-savvy, if your family has a cat. I adopted both my dog and my cat at a rescue (they are 8 years apart) and I never had a problem with the two of them not getting along. My friends have got their dogs from shelters as well, both as puppies and as adults and most, if not all, agree that shelter dogs--pound puppies are the best.

I've also found that they enjoy having furry company during the day when everyone else is at school/work....just makes for happier pets. No one wants to be alone.

Answer 6

Assuming you are working with a good rescue, you hopefully won't need to ask much about the potential dog you are interested in. Rescues usually check for temperment and often site issues that may arise after they take in a rescue and place them in foster care. A rescues main concern is giving the dog a forever home and they want to be sure they are matching the right dog with the right family (i.e. dominant behavior, not so good with very young children).

But if they know anything of the dogs history, that's a good start. Definitely plan to spend some time with the dog, your whole family, including any other pets in your home, to make sure you hit it off well. I don't know if rescues do this, but it would be good to bring a dog your interested in to your home for a day, 3-6 hours, just to see how he/she does in your home environment.

Hopefully, if the dog doesn't work out, the rescue will take him/her back. We had to do this just this past summer with a rescue we took in, but was showing dominance over our young children and we decided he would do better in a home with older children. Ofcourse, usually, you won't get an adoption fee back in this case, we didn't, but possibly ask them if it doesn't work out, but you would still like to consider another, if they will allow that fee to be placed with another dog you might wish to bring home.

Good Luck finding a rescue dog, and I'm so glad to hear that you are going to save a dog!

Answer 7

Make sure they are non profit 501(3)(c). Be sure to get their tax id # to write the adoption fee off on your taxes. (It is a donation).

Be sure to remember there are bad rescues. They make their "qualifications" to adopt the same for every dog. Every dog is different be sure they are aware of your needs. Most rescues will not out right lie to you. They took the time money and effort to save the dog and do not want to send it out with characteristics you can not deal with.

You have fun with your German shorthair pointer and remember breeding standards are not as good as they were years ago. People have bred dogs just to make themselves money with no regard to improving the breed. Be open to several options even GSP mix. Check out your local shelter and adoption events. The best rescues are those that foster them in their homes. They can tell you what the pet is like in familiar surroundings and with everyday family functions. I can tell you the little quirks about my fosters. I always disclose the good and the bad and often do more to get someone to not want the pet verses adopting and it not be a good fit.

Be sure the rescue is on petfinders, and network for good. Look for local articles about the rescue and what they do to help the community. Petsmart charities usually works with reputable rescues. Call your local petsmart rescues and ask for a reference. Also remember many kill shelters don't put all their adoptable animals online (petfinders) due to the fact they may have to euthanize. So be sure to watch their adoptions

Added:

First of all every abuse case I have fostered has been the best!!! They are much more appreciative of being rescued.

Second Demodex mange is often the result of stress and yes it is very common in facilities. How would you feel being in a cage day and night. However if you do more to create a stress free environment it will clear up. Sarcoptic mange will clear up faster due to the number of medicinal products to kill the mites.

Third any reputable rescue will let you know everything they know about the pet. Most of us get very attached to our fosters and don't want them to be returned at a later time because something wasn't told to you. If an adopter doesn't want to deal with something I would rather keep the pet till someone comes along that loves that pet no matter what an issue is. We look for unconditional love for our rescues. And we look for people that know every pet has its moments to aggravate and cause problems.

Answer 8

Most shelters will know a lot about a dog. They will test it for aggression around food, toward other dogs, children, cats, etc. Make sure that it is housebroken and not destructive.
Sometimes it's best to let the shelter workers tell you about the dogs they have rather than by picking for looks or breed, so you get the right fit for your family. This dog may be totally different from what you expect or it may be just what you're looking for. Ask the people who have him now, they can tell you a lot.

Answer 9

i would only be concerned if there is any history of abuse to the dog,,and why was the dog given up, or how did it come to be rescued.....also, can we return the dog if it does not get along with our other dog ??!!......does the dog have any medical problems, or is it food aggressive....is it ok with small children...find out as much as you can about the dog...usually rescues already have this information, and will share all they know about the dog, and not hold back anything of importance from you, because they want the adoption to work...just ask if there are any negatives or cautions about the dog's behavior, that you should be aware of... i have adopted 2 dogs from rescues, and have been very pleased and happy with my adopted dogs... if i can be of further help, email me...good luck with your new pet. Bless you, for adopting a dog, and doing a good deed !!!

Answer 10

I would ask if it was an "owner turn in" if it was then they would have filled out paper work and they would have stated if the dog was good with kids... You dont want to bring a dog home that is known for biting, at least I wouldnt... That would be my main concern and if it gets along with cats (just because I have some)... Also if it was an owner turn in, then they should be able to tell you if there are any behavior problems with the dog, hoping that the previous owners didnt lie... Sorry that is all I could think of