The Down Side of Rescue

Controlling People, False Statements Deny Dogs Homes

By Jan Hoadley, published Oct 26, 2007
Published Content: 213  Total Views: 187,057  Favorited By: 16 CPs
Contact  Subscribe   Add to Favorites
Rating: 3.3 of 5
 
Font
 
Font
 
Grab this
The recent upheaval regarding a celebrity's dog dilemma has brought a light to rescue that many never saw before but has been common. The dogs lose when people bicker. Is rescue an option for you?

When I inquired about helping with rescue some years ago I was discouraged from doing so - because my own dogs were unneutered on the idea I might want to breed a litter someday. The recent media frenzy over Ellen Degeneres' dog fiasco has brought to light a problem that has existed for years but many weren't aware of...the controlling obsession of rescue organizations. When ordinary people talk about it it's a means of attack - when it is a celebrity then it somehow gains legitimate consideration. It's brought up that there are a lot of people out there who have been deemed "unsuitable" by rescues - and found a dog by another source, often buying from a breeder. Those are homes - not just one or two but hundreds, perhaps thousands of homes that WANTED these "unwanted" dogs and were denied a chance to have one. The reasons are said to be for the good of the dog but is it really?

 
Share
 
Save For Later
 
Publish Yours
 
Print
More by Jan Hoadley
View all »
The Down Side of Rescue
The Down Side of Rescue
More images:  1  2  Enlarge +

This mixed breed has grown up waiting for a home to love him. Ordinary black dogs are statisticly the last to get homes.

Credit: JanHoadley

Copyright: JanHoadley

You may also like...
Other topics: 
Takeaways
  • Many rescues are more interested in control than getting dogs homes.
  • Not all rescues are the same.
  • Don't give up giving a dog a home for politics.
Did You Know?
Both purebreds and crossbred dogs can be found for free or inexpensive privately. The right rescue is there if something happens and the dog can't be kept. People die, life changes happen.
Resources
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
 
 
I have small children and a small (fenced) yard. As such, I am unsuitable for a rescue. But I still want a dog and see no reason why I should deny my children a pet. I have a little chihuahua- yes, with small children in the house. They were taught from the moment we got him three years ago, how to treat a tiny dog and he has never been injured. They adore him. He is spoiled, well behaved, friendly after he gets to know people a bit and trained to perform some basic commands (sit, shake, stay, play dead, etc.) I'm currently in the market for a little friend for him and after looking at several rescues, I realize that I am still unsuitable for a rescue (I want another small dog and my children are five and seven- still too young- even though they were raised with a small dog and know how to treat them.) So I'll be buying another puppy again. Personally, the level of control a rescue demands of a placed dog goes against my grain. I am a good and responsible dog owner that takes care of m

Add a Comment

Posted on 03/21/2008 at 7:03:34 AM

 
I gave up on rescues long ago. Apparently I never fit their profile as a suitable owner. I don't need them anyway. Animals in need find their way to my place on a regular basis. Two of our current three dogs (the third is twenty years old and the daughter of a dog my aunt rescued) are rescues. One showed up at our gate, the other had to be surrendered and the lady did not want him stuck in a rescue group situation (she'd had her own bad experience with a rescue group). Several of our horses and all of our cats are rescues. Our most recent acquisition is a black and white kitten that was at a rest stop by a busy highway. She was obviously used to people, but scared out of her tiny little kitten mind. Handling her is a bit like handling a time bomb when you don't know what the timer is set for. She is recovering and becoming a more secure kitty though she will probably have issues for quite awhile.

Add a Comment

Posted on 10/31/2007 at 6:10:00 AM

Type in Your Comments Below - (1000 characters left)
Your name:

Submit your own content on this or any topic. Get started »
Showing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
 
Most Commented On