Rescue Outreach

Today, Holly, Eileen and I visited a humane society which has two senior shelties available for adoption. Whenever possible, we try to visit shelters and introduce ourselves. Our goal is to get the sheltie out of a shelter environment and into a foster home, where they can relax and be themselves.

Sometimes, the shelter is very happy to see and meet us and willingly gives the dog to rescue. They realize that shelties do much better in a quiet place, since they can be noise reactive. Foster homes are where they get the care, understanding and attention they deserve and often need. [Imagine Lauren in a shelter!] And, by getting the dog into rescue, it frees up much needed space for another pup.

Sometimes, the shelter flatly rejects the idea of working with a rescue. There are many legitimate reasons for this:

• Fear that the rescuers are actually hoarders
• A feeling of responsibility towards the dog
• The need for the easy adoption fee a purebred dog often brings in
• Not understanding the role of rescue in the shelter environment

At this point, I am not sure what type of shelter this will be. We didn't get a chance to talk to the director. However, we will be sure to impress upon her that even if she feels uncomfortable turning the dogs over to rescue, we want to help out by sending interested adopters her way. This isn't the best choice for the dog, IMHO, but we will do whatever it takes to build trust and a working relationship. And, THAT is what will be best for the dogs in the long run.