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I thought my search for a rescued dog would be a breeze. But I contacted many rescue groups and the responses I received were sometimes surprising. One group took over two weeks to respond to my emails. Sometimes I’d see postings for local dogs, but they were actually several states away. Occasionally there were postings for dogs who were deceased. Rescue groups used the post as a memorial and an opportunity to ask for a monetary donations. Often groups required me to submit a lengthy application before they would respond to questions regarding specific dogs. I’d spend over an hour filling out the application, only to be told later that the dog was permanently on “medical hold” or had already been adopted. In the end, I found the right animal rescue organization for me, and ultimately, the right pet. Here is what I learned about doing a careful pet search.
Be honest with your lifestyle and dog requirements
Spend just as much time determining your needs as you do picking out your dog. For at least one month, reflect on your lifestyle. Research dog behavior. Think about dog traits that you like. Think about the dog traits that you find annoying and make a list of all of these determining factors. These issues are more important than the appearance of the dog. Don’t worry, there will still be many cute dogs that meet your requirements. My list required a housebroken dog small in size, who didn’t require a fenced yard or a very active lifestyle. A low maintenance coat, very little barking, no food guarding issues and being able to be alone for five hours at a time were also on my checklist.
Do your own background check
Not every rescue group is organized or reputable. See how long the group has been in operation. Call your animal shelter or SPCA and see if they have heard of the group and approve its track record. Meet with the group in person. If the group takes longer than 24 hours to respond to your email or hesitates to meet with you in person, move on. For safety reasons, Many groups only meet with individuals at planned group events.
Use extra care when considering a purebred rescue organization
Often these groups re-home animals that were breeding stock from puppy mills. These dogs need homes, too, but you may not want an animal without social skills as your first pet. For example, I took in a 4 year old dog who had never lived inside and had little contact with people. It took over six months to housebreak him. We spent at least a year working on leash training. If you’re not extremely dedicated, patient and consistent, consider a dog who‘s behavior has been tested in a foster home first. Purebred rescue groups do great work. Just make sure you contact a group who is forthcoming about the background of each dog.
Consider fostering a dog
Owning a dog is a huge commitment. You will be responsible for its care for years-maybe even decades. If you are not sure if you are ready, be a temporary guardian for a dog while they are looking for a permanent one. If you are not sure what traits you are looking for in a pet, this is a good place to start. Fostering a dog usually requires signing a contract and agreeing to show the dog to interested persons at adoption events.
Be Patient
There is a lot of information you need to sift through before you find your perfectly matched pet. Take your time. It’s more important to find the right dog than to bring home a pet quickly.
Becky Reil is a lover of art, architecture and good food. Traveling with her husband and friends is her favorite way to enjoy all of her interests. She ate her way through thirteen countries and has several trips planned for the near future. Local food is her passion, and she will reluctantly share her "secret" sources for sausage, beef, grits and produce. Becky is constantly working to enlarge her fabric stash and enjoys quilting and collecting textiles. A graduate of Radford University, she has worked as an Art Teacher and as a Job Coach for disabled persons.
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