Notes for Rescue Workers Helping to Re-home Senior Dogs |
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The Internet as a Resource The Internet is growing to be an increasingly important tool in the rehoming of pets. In the material below and via the navigation bar at the left, you will find references to many Internet resources. Also included are links to websites that may give you new ideas for methods of finding good, new homes for seniors. Confidence in Placing a Senior Dog It is sometimes hard to feel confident about placing an older dog. We all know that an older dog usually has fewer years left than a young dog, and also that health problems are more likely to surface. Steve Shlyer of Vizla Rescue makes an important observation about this: "If a dog placed through rescue as a senior is given another home -- a loving home -- I believe we are able to add years to that dog's life -- years she would not have had in her original home. It is like a burst of energy for the dog -- a return to youth -- that will prolong the dog's life, imbuing her with purpose and optimism to live on. Sammy, my senior rescue, has shown me on several occasions his ability to be a youngster again, as if he wants to tell me how he was when he was young, explaining to me what he was like as a puppy." Steve further observes: "Often, the coordinator helping to place the senior dog finds him/herself making excuses for the dog. When a family says, 'Oh, I want a dog for a long time and that dog is too old,' I say, 'It is better to give a dog quality time for whatever period he has left; you may be giving him the best years of his life." Humane Education There is a wealth of information and food for thought on the websites for Save Our Strays and for Best Friends Sanctuary. These are excellent resources for both short- and long-term goals of finding homes for dogs and for improving the conditions of animals in our society. Pet Overpopulation Info Why are pets surrendered to animal shelters? How many dogs and cats are adopted each year? For the answers to these questions and the latest research on pet overpopulation in the United States, you can visit http://www.petpopulation.org. The site, created and maintained by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, features research reports, suggested reading and the Council's newsletter. Established in 1993, the Council works to address the problem of pet overpopulation through systematic, scientific methods. The ASPCA is one of the group's ten founding members. Guidance for Shelter/Rescue Operations The ASPCA has published a three-ring binder book, "Keys to a Great Shelter," which has detailed information on how to incorporate, manage employees, raise funds, design a shelter, initiate adoption programs, set up veterinary guidelines, etc. It is available for $30 from: ASPCA For more info, call (212) 876-7700, ext. 4403, or E-mail: outreach@aspca.org Best Friends Informational Booklets Best Friends has published online a series of booklets that are excellent resources for rescue workers. You may download "How to Find Homes for Homeless Pets" among many other useful publications. Breed Rescue If the dog you are trying to place is of a specific breed, you should always contact the appropriate breed rescue group. See the navigation bar at the left. Also be sure to check Laird's list and to use the google search engine for additional breed rescue contacts (use a search term such as "Pug Rescue.") Being Cautious There are many things to be cautious about in placing a dog into a new home. Not all homes will qualify or be appropriate for a specific dog. Please visit the following websites to find out more: Advertising Your local newspapers and community or church or supermarket bulletin boards are all places to consider posting flyers. Local vet hospitals may also be helpful. On the Internet, an excellent place to post an ad is at the Petfinder website: http://www.petfinder.org PetShelter is another excellent advertising resource. You may place an ad on the srdogs website by following the directions. Advertising in E-groups/Mail Lists SENIORDOGRESCUE@egroups.com and, in New Hampshire, NHDOGRESCUE@egroups.com are good places to post ads. To subscribe to an excellent rescue list, send an E-mail to: LISTSERV@APPLE.EASE.LSOFT.COM Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the message form, type: SUBSCRIBE DOG-RESCUE FirstnameLastname Subscribers to the list may post information on dogs needing rescue. If you wish more information before subscribing to the list, write to: dog-rescue-request@apple.ease.lsoft.com Sanctuaries The need for an alternative to euthanasia for senior and special needs dogs has been answered by several organizations in the U.S. If you have run out of all other possibilities, these are places you should try. They are "last resort" only in the sense that you should do all you can through other means before applying to them. They are excellent facilities, however, and are often successful in rehoming older and special needs dogs where others have failed. Any dog who is not rehomed lives out his natural life at the facility. Unfortunately, space at these sanctuaries is usually quite scarce. Use the link to "Sanctuaries" in the navigation bar at the left to find out more.
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