Does anyone else think SOME "dog rescues" are scams???

Question

We contacted three different "DOBERMAN RESCUES" who profess to be "desparate" to find good homes for their so-called abandoned dogs. After four e-mails to each and several voice mails left on their phones over a period of two months, we gave up. We didn't think much of it until while just shopping in a historic little village with our own Doberman, we ran across other dog lovers who, after a little conversation, told us they too experienced the same exact thing as we had. They left many messages and sent e-mails (two were to the same as we had contacted and three in other states) but never got any answer. One lady said, "I believe there is a BIG scam going on with these rescues because their very elaborate web sites focus more on the "DONATIONS DESPARATELY NEEDED AND APPRECIATED IF YOU CAN'T ADOPT!" She "has heard" that some even post photos of their own dogs! If this is REALLY happening, 20/20 or Dateline needs to do an EXPOSE on it! Interested in helping get their attention?

Answer 1

Yes, some rescues are scams. I foster rescued, abused large dogs, as most of the other fosterers in our Australian rescue group wont foster large dogs, only small or medium dogs. One 'association' we shut down did nothing more than take dogs from the pound, mainly small, young, cute, adoptable dogs, house them at their home with a large run in the backyard, feed them, do no training or rehabilitation, no vet checks and then charge people $200 + to 'adopt' the dogs. We found out after several complaints about sick and untrained dogs with bad behavioural issues eg fear biting, food aggression and unhousebroken dogs after being told they were house trained. The conditions at the house were deplorable, feces every where, unclean water, cheapest dog food available, sick dogs housed with healthy ones, 2 dog carcasses just thrown in an out of the way corner of the yard. It really looked like the worst puppy mill you could imagine except they werent breeding the dogs but some were knocked up and housed together in a run. Yes they also advertised for donations and had applied for government subsidies. The woman running it was arrested and charged with humane offences, taxation fraud, business fraud and personal fraud. She plead guilty. The only problem with it is that she really started out with good intentions but those degraded as time went by. And it gives other rescues trying hard a bad name. Contact your local animal authorities and lodge a complaint, and get everyone else you know to try to contact the 'Doberman rescues' and if they get the same run around , get them to lodge complaints. Complain often enough and they will have to do something. Scam and dodgy rescues need to be addressed as the real ones need the donations and adoptions more.

And i dont know about other rescue groups but we have 4 mobile contact numbers that we have with us at all times, and we have one full time coordinator to ensure that anyone wishing to adopt can get a look at any dogs they want, before we start the adoption process. We also have a roster of available fosterers who take calls only. It can make for some confusion but some one will always get back to you within 2 days. We most definately never ignore a call tho. And we are always very careful about who we adopt to but we will always take applications even if we dont approve them.

Answer 2

Just like anything else there are good and bad rescues and that does include breed rescues. In another breed (not Dobes) I know a gal who started a breed rescue for a state in a tiny house because no one would sell her a show dog. She didn't want to part with any of the dogs and yes she was making money placing dogs. She even got to a point where she started not only charging 250 to adopt out but 100 to take in a dog. Her list of questions was longer than my arm, and not even she or her home would pass her own questions. Most of the dogs she kept on pet finders had been gone for years. She had become very influenced by the Animal Rights people, and spoke about "rescuing" dogs from homes that were far better than the foster care she gave. Basically she intimidated people out of their dogs, told tall tails about care and mills that were not true, and did nothing but try to promote AR propaganda to breed clubs. It is through the shelters that rescues became AR influenced and in many cases they are in it for money. Some aren't but I would say about half are. And that folks is my honest opinion. Date line shouldn't get involved though the bigger story is in shelters themselves, which are far worse. Many shelters are now pretty much all Animal Rightist run.

Answer 3

I have owned a large non profit rescue for many years. I never work with a rescue group that I haven't personally checked out, and you are right. Some are absolute scams, some are just trying to turn a quick buck (HA I haven't been in the red-ever)! Check them out thoroughly. They should have a well thought out application for you to fill out, request a home check and vet references, and have many, many questions to ask you. With the comments you have already heard, there is no excuse for them not to get back to you.
Make sure that you can go to the site to pick up the dog, so you can see the environment he/she is in. The animal should have a current vet invoice with shots up to date, heartworm checked, spayed/neutered, a dental (if needed) etc.
On the other hand, rescuers are volunteers. Many do have full time jobs and do the best they can with what little free time they have.

Answer 4

A good rescue will want a detailed application, and insist on references, a home check and a vet check. You should ask for references too, and contact your local kennel club.

Most rescues are swamped with e-mails and phone calls, while the volunteers have jobs and familes to look after first. So don't be surprised if it takes them a while to get back to you.

Answer 5

Many rescue people have real jobs that they work too. You would not believe the amount of calls they get from owners who can't/won't keep their pets. They are at adoption events, cleaning their shelters, running to the vet, buying supplies and trying to raise families and earn the pay.
Legitimate rescues are registered with the sate as a non profit group, check 'em out.

Answer 6

Oh please, most rescues are very legit. We are busy people with real jobs and do rescue in our spare time. we can't always respond immediately to your emails and inquiries. we try, but sometimes we also have to weed out the idiots and if your inquiry to us looks fishy, we'll probably just skip over it. not to say that you are fishy, but if you really want to go through a rescue, please realize that the process can take a little longer. we check out our potential adopters before just handing them a dog. the last thing we want to do is adopt a dog to people that are going to return it the next day because it peed on the rug or somthing. the dog has already had a tough time. please be patient and you will find that most rescues are perfectly legit. its not like we profit on this. most of the expences come out of our own pockets! thank you.

Answer 7

I rather do no longer evaluate they're going to break some element or critter that eats them. We continuously called them tomato horn worms. To kill them we caught them with a stick till they decrease up and the insides oozed out. dark green interior too. could be from the tomatoe leaves. the main exciting technique to get rid of a tomato horn malicious application is to toss it authentic right into a fowl coop and watch the stampeed and interest of malicious application tag. they gained't injury critters on condition that I never had a fowl die.

Answer 8

Purchasing or adopting a dog from an unknown breeder and history can be dangerous. If you are having any problems getting information from a dog owner, pass on the opportunity for your own sake.

Answer 9

Try www.petfinder.com You can type in your zip code and the breed you are searching for and get tons of results. I know someone that had adopted from them.