What is "A Reputable Animal Rescue"?
Dont be fooled by fancy websites and promises which never materialise.
Beware of online forms and people who
offer to help rehome your dog without ever having seen it! They can not
possibly know what your dog is like or what type of home is going
to be suitable for it.
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A reputable rescue has a contract, screens every potential adopter with
a MANDATORY home visit before a pet is placed there, incl. foster/temporary
basis and requires references.
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A reputable rescue follows through on contacts and references and investigates
each thing completely.
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A reputable rescue has references from shelters in their area and works
with those shelters.
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A reputable rescue checks on the care of the previous or current pets with
the vet, to ensure future pets will have proper medical attention.
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A reputable rescue spays/neuters all pets before placement.
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A reputable rescue makes sure animals are up to date on all vaccines, and
microchips where appropriate to ensure all pets are healthy, up to date
on all shots, worm prevention, and received necessary vet care before placement
.
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A reputable rescue always takes its adopted animals back/ helps with rehoming
if the placement isn't successful.
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A reputable rescue keeps animals in foster care, or in situations where
the animal was at a shelter, works with shelter staff for a short period
of time before placing them, to screen for health or behavior problems.
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A reputable rescue helps educate new adopters, and may require adopters
to participate in training courses to assist in a good adoption.
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A reputable rescue always returns calls or emails in a timely fashion.
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A reputable rescue works carefully to match up the right forever home with
the right pet, based on the pet's needs/personality/etc.
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A reputable rescue will help adopters make decisions about which animal
is a good fit for their home, and will offer advice and assistance on meeting
the correct animal for the adopter.
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A reputable rescue may ask that all family members and resident pets meet
the new animal before an adoption is finalized. Where breed appropriate,
several meetings may be required.
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A reputable rescue will never ask an adopter to take an animal "sight unseen"
or take an animal arriving in on a transport right to a new home.
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A reputable rescue makes an effort to work in harmony with the shelters,
humane societies and animal control facilities in their own area.
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A reputable rescue will have a cordial and informed relationship with other
rescues.
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A reputable rescue is not for profit, and works on adoptions, not with
sales and fees.
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A reputable rescue takes responsibility for the animals adopted through
them for the span of each animal’s life, not "just” for the span of foster
care or transport.
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A reputable rescue carefully screens incoming animals for temperament and
health, and has met and interacted with animals being offered for adoption.
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A reputable rescue does not offer animals to be used for breeding, and
should not promote animals with unstable or unknown temperaments.
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A reputable rescue never places an animal as a surprise to the intended
adopter.
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A reputable rescue never places an animal as a gift to the intended adopter.
The rescue will always involve the recipient in the decision to adopt as
well as the application, home visit, and selection of the pet.
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A reputable rescue places the welfare and happiness of the animal first,
and screens the homes to ensure that the placement is a sound one for that
animal.
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A reputable rescue will never “hurry up” a process, or waive requirements
simply for the convenience of the adopter.
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A reputable rescue requires an application form and adoption contract.
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A reputable rescue requires an adoption contract which includes a legal
clause to have the pet returned to this rescue if the new adopter relinquishes
it.
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A reputable rescue prioritises working with shelters and owner-surrenders
from within its own area first
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A reputable rescue prioritises rescue animals from its own geographical
area whenever possible (i.e. does NOT haul vanloads of puppies/dogs/pets
from out-of-area shelters!)
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A reputable rescue requires a legal release form for owner-surrenders.
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A reputable rescue understands the limits of its resources; does not accept
more animals than it has legal authority or space/time to care for.
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A reputable rescue is recommended as a "good breed rescue group" by at
least two established non-profit shelters in its own area.
A reputable rescue will NEVER ask you to turn up, unaccompanied,
to the house of a total stranger in order that you can view a dog.
This organisation is NOT
a rescue organisation our advisors can only give you advice. They can NOT
take your dog but they can advise you of any reputable rescue they know
of in your area.
No monies
are taken by Helpline members towards their personal expenses in
providing this service nor do they receive any payment for their time.
