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Rescue requirements experience?

dpenning

Well-Known Member
I've started looking at rescue groups for my next mastiff and they all require all dogs be current on heart worm and flea and tic prevention. I'm cool I the heart worm but I don't dose my dogs for flea and tic unless they need it. In the interim I dust with diatomaceous earth.

Does anyone have any experience with rescues and would that be considered adequate?


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Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
In my experience ... it depends on the rescue. I know. Big help. Some are very strict. Ridiculously so. Some, if you give them good reasons for your choices, will take that into consideration and not immediately dismiss your application. The rescue I worked with denied my application to adopt a dog I was fostering - because I didn't vaccinate my elderly boxer with health problems annually. Crazy stuff. Best of luck. Rescue dogs really can be something special.
 

dpenning

Well-Known Member
Thanks BG. I've tried rescuing in the past and have always been turned down for what I consider asinine reasons. It is frustrating but I'm going to try again. I would really like to take I seniors. We will see.

In the past I have been denied because I had a doggie door that went from the laundry room (the kennel) to a side yard with a six foot privacy fence.

I still have doggie door but now it will go into a dog yard with a 4" fenced dog yard within 46 fenced acres.

It will be interesting to see if the mastiff rescues are more reasonable.

I always invite them to come see how my dogs live but so far none have.


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angelbears

Well-Known Member
I agree, it varies wildly. I think I am building up a big enough network that I could help you. The ones I'm seeing are usually in bad shape, at minimum they are skinny. When one comes across my feed would you like me to tag you? There is one running loose right now in the Houston area. Someone is feeding it but no one has room for him in rescue. They are nothing like what we are used to but with a couple months of love and good food they are wonderful dogs and some are stunning. Others are just damn good dogs.
 

dpenning

Well-Known Member
Absolutely Robin. I saw that one but the comments were sketchy as to whether or not he had an owner. I don't need any legal battles over a dog!


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BAMCB

Well-Known Member
I feel you on this. I have been denied due to renting despite having a lease that states a dog is ok. I came across Chica informally, sounds like the same as AB does. She has been a wonderful addition to our family! They only set back is they come with the good and the bad. Unfortunately Chica(as everyone knows) has some major health issues. A rescue has the funds to figure out all that but we are limited. I will have to admit though, when we rescue again, I will do it the same. Rescues are extremely picky but the dogs they have are well cared for. The dogs like Chica don't have that luxury. She most likely would have died due to the owner not even caring enough to bring her to one.
 

angelbears

Well-Known Member
Bam, I couldn't agree more. If you know where to look you really don't need to go through a rescue. As far as healthier. Rescues really only check for heartworms and any obvious signs illness.
 

Harrygto

Well-Known Member
after 7 rescued dogs in the last 45 years I found that it will take some time for an older dog to get bonded to you Barney the one I just got from Oregonmastiffrescue he was dewormed had his rabies shots ears cleaned microchip and castration was done and a flea treatment I got him 6 weeks ago and is doing very wellone day I might be able to post pic's no luck so forand yes they are very picky on who get a dog
 

FosterMom

Well-Known Member
I signed up to foster with a giant breed rescue group out of Denver 3 years ago. I have found that the requirements seem stiff on paper but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, there is wiggle room. This group did my initial interview over the phone. I've never actually met any of the people involved face to face. I've met some of the people that transport because I do that sometimes too. But, its pretty much the honor system with these folks. I just researched different groups online, then picked out a few and called and visited with them over the phone. Good luck-I hope you're able to find a rescue that will be a good fit for you. It is a nice feeling to be helpful but it is very disheartening too. It doesn't help one's faith in humanity-or at least it didn't mine.
 

DDBsR4Me

Well-Known Member
A lot do seem really stiff/strict/daunting, which has always put me off going through a rescue - I totally understand why they are the way they are but on the other hand I think they pass up on a lot of great homes too when they could be getting dogs adopted. That being said I just decided to take the leap and go the rescue route about three weeks ago. It had been about 5 months since I lost my 8.5yr old DDB and my 2.5 yr old female and I (well more probably me) were ready to open our hearts again. I knew I wasn't ready for a puppy and thought why not give an adult dog a chance. I applied and they asked for vet and personal references. They only ended up calling my vet, who gave me a great reference. Then they came for a home visit, brought him with them, and now I'm the new owner of my first Presa, an approx. 2yr old male. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but the process seemed a bit weird. He's settling in well and is very sweet. Just needs a new name - he's not a "Max" (the name he came with)
 

QY10

Well-Known Member
The last rescue I had dealings with was a terrible experience. They focused solely on the 'negative' things and were actually quite insulting toward me. The bottom line was that no home would be good enough for the senior EM that I was trying to adopt. It didn't matter that I had done extensive research on arthritis and caring for seniors. It didn't matter that my good friend owns one of the only underwater treadmills and canine rehab facilities in our area and that I would have open access to it for the dog. It didn't matter that I had glowing vet references and access to fabulous vet care. It didn't matter that I was willing to replace the 3 stairs in my house with a ramp for the dog. What did matter was that Thalia was unspayed at the time. I was literally told, "It's people like you that are the reason so many pit bulls are being euthanized in shelters each year." I really had no idea that all of the onus was on me for that one! I was also told to, "check my facts" before speaking with them re: my reasons for not spaying. Despite my facts coming from well known vets, kennel clubs etc... I honestly thought that the fact I was able to keep an unspayed dog without any accidental litters spoke to my being responsible, not irresponsible, but oh well. In the end, they would not adopt the dog to me and instead, he died at that rescue with no family around him, just volunteers that came and went, no access to things such as underwater treadmills, laser therapy or acupuncture ... I honestly think I could have given him a much better life than that. So, my experience was pretty terrible and I'll probably just stick buying puppies from breeders even though I love seniors and would love to be able to open my home to giving them peaceful and loving final years/months in a family home environment.
 

BAMCB

Well-Known Member
The last rescue I had dealings with was a terrible experience. They focused solely on the 'negative' things and were actually quite insulting toward me. The bottom line was that no home would be good enough for the senior EM that I was trying to adopt. It didn't matter that I had done extensive research on arthritis and caring for seniors. It didn't matter that my good friend owns one of the only underwater treadmills and canine rehab facilities in our area and that I would have open access to it for the dog. It didn't matter that I had glowing vet references and access to fabulous vet care. It didn't matter that I was willing to replace the 3 stairs in my house with a ramp for the dog. What did matter was that Thalia was unspayed at the time. I was literally told, "It's people like you that are the reason so many pit bulls are being euthanized in shelters each year." I really had no idea that all of the onus was on me for that one! I was also told to, "check my facts" before speaking with them re: my reasons for not spaying. Despite my facts coming from well known vets, kennel clubs etc... I honestly thought that the fact I was able to keep an unspayed dog without any accidental litters spoke to my being responsible, not irresponsible, but oh well. In the end, they would not adopt the dog to me and instead, he died at that rescue with no family around him, just volunteers that came and went, no access to things such as underwater treadmills, laser therapy or acupuncture ... I honestly think I could have given him a much better life than that. So, my experience was pretty terrible and I'll probably just stick buying puppies from breeders even though I love seniors and would love to be able to open my home to giving them peaceful and loving final years/months in a family home environment.

That's awful:( IMO sometimes rescues seem so bitter that they actually pass over great homes:( I know rescue is extremely hard work(physically, financially and emotionally) but they cannot let their personal feelings of frustration and anger with people prevent their dogs from going to good homes. That is just my personal feelings and not a blanket statement of ALL rescues. Just some I've come across.
 

QY10

Well-Known Member
That's awful:( IMO sometimes rescues seem so bitter that they actually pass over great homes:( I know rescue is extremely hard work(physically, financially and emotionally) but they cannot let their personal feelings of frustration and anger with people prevent their dogs from going to good homes. That is just my personal feelings and not a blanket statement of ALL rescues. Just some I've come across.

I totally get that it's a tough business to be in, but at the same time, people need self awareness to know when they're becoming jaded and do some pretty significant self-care to avoid burn out. When that doesn't happen, the animals will pay the price.

Sadly, they did that dog a huge disservice. They even mentioned that I was the only person that expressed interest in him since he was in their care. Maybe my home wasn't absolutely perfect, but it was certainly better than living in a rescue with 100 other animals (their website says they were at capacity and cited over 100 animals living at that place).
 

BAMCB

Well-Known Member
I totally get that it's a tough business to be in, but at the same time, people need self awareness to know when they're becoming jaded and do some pretty significant self-care to avoid burn out. When that doesn't happen, the animals will pay the price.

Sadly, they did that dog a huge disservice. They even mentioned that I was the only person that expressed interest in him since he was in their care. Maybe my home wasn't absolutely perfect, but it was certainly better than living in a rescue with 100 other animals (their website says they were at capacity and cited over 100 animals living at that place).

That's really sad. I'm sure it happens more than I want to think. I do believe they should put more weight in a great veterinarian recommendation and condition of current dogs as that is an accurate indicator of how they treat their pets. Sadly though, it seems to be more about the stupid crap like fences and difference of opinions. And that is why so many dogs(not all) still sit in rescues.
 

vizcarmb

New Member
Rescues are their own worst enemy. I believe that the super strict ones are psychotic sociopaths that dont believe that anyone can foster or adopt a dog. People that give out asinine response blaming the applicant of not spaying or neutering are the very sole reasons why people would rather buy a dog from a breeder than to adopt one from a rescue. Whatever happen to giving the benefit of the doubt.