Oh boy. People love to tell you they own a rescue dog.
“This is my dog. She’s a rescue.”
“He’s still getting used to us. He’s a rescue dog.”
“We adopted our rescue dog last week.”
Sometimes I get the feeling these statements really mean: Look at me. I’ve done something noble. I’ve personally rescued a poor creature from neglect or certain death.
Don’t get me wrong. Taking in a rescued dog is a wonderful act of kindness and charity. You’ve given a permanent home to a dog that really needs one. You’ve also reduced the burden of a rescue group that is likely running on a very tight budget and operating with limited space. But make no mistake, when you adopt a dog that has been rescued from an animal shelter, you are not rescuing that dog. That dog’s safety was already assured by the fine people at a rescue group. Once rescued by an organization, a dog will spend its days very well cared for in either a kennel, or with a foster family while it awaits adoption. The safety of that dog is guaranteed for the rest of its life, even if it is never adopted.
What it Means to Rescue a Dog
What exactly do rescue groups rescue a dog from? Euthanasia, abuse, or neglect. Rescue groups tend to recover dogs from animal shelters with a high kill ratio. They also rescue dogs from situations in which dog owners are not providing proper care. Rescue groups also take in dogs that have supposedly outlived their usefulness in one capacity and are slated either for death or abandonment. For example, Greyhound rescue groups recover dogs that can no longer race, and are deemed useless to their owners.
Can You Actually Rescue a Dog?
If you want to actually rescue a dog, there is a way. Go to your local animal shelter and tell a volunteer working there that you wish to adopt a dog that is scheduled to be euthanized in the next few days. Mentally brace yourself for what you are about to see. That volunteer is not going to show you fluffy little Poodles, bright-eyed Schnauzers, or even happy, enthusiastic mutts. You are going to be taken to the pens where they keep the dogs everyone else has rejected. There you will find dogs who look bad, behave badly, or have obvious health issues. Even rescue groups have a hard time taking in dogs from this group. It’s true, rescue workers will take in a “diamond in the rough” if they feel a dog can be nursed back to health or groomed to an acceptable appearance, but they do not have the resources to save every animal. Some are left to fate. These are your candidates for rescue. Still interested?
I believe enlisting the services of a dog rescue group is the way to go if you are considering adopting a dog in need of a home. A good rescue group will have quality dogs available who would have otherwise died either at a shelter or at the hands of a neglectful owner. Adopting a dog that has been rescued is important work. It doesn’t confer upon you the status of Saint, but you are helping.
Take Action:
If you are considering adopting a dog that has already been rescued, go online and look at your choices. Many dog rescue groups have excellent directories of adoptable animals that include photos and detailed descriptions of each dog. The Atlanta Small Dog Rescue and Humane Society is one terrific example. You can find a link to their website here.
Even if you decide not to adopt a dog, or if you have already adopted, every rescue group desperately needs donation dollars and supplies to stay afloat. Please think about giving.
Let Us Know What You Think:
If you work for a dog rescue group, or you have adopted a dog from a rescue group, let the rest of our community know some of the issues you face every day. Use the comment section below to reply.
Coming right up! You’ve adopted a rescue dog. Now what? Here’s what to expect as your dog adapts to your home; and, how to cope with strange and unexpected behavior.
