General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Adopting a dog - some questions [View all]StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)Not only do rescues need adopting and make great dogs, but foster parents are wonderful resources. They've helped to socialize the dogs and know them really well so they can give you lots of insights, advice and guidance.
Also, unlike shelters, rescue agencies usually conduct home visits to make sure the prospective home is safe and suited for that particular dog and that the family is a good fit.
I foster rescue dogs and one of the best things about it is that I get to know the dogs and, based on that knowledge, can be helpful in finding them just the right home. For example, I had a foster dog who ran away all the time - he'd just dash whenever he saw daylight. A lovely family wanted to adopt him, but they didn't have a fenced-in yard and didn't even have a storm door, so it was likely the dog would run away from them at every opportunity. We denied their application, but the agency worked with them to find them a dog that would do better in their environment.
I don't know how most agencies work, but the ones I work with give me the final word on adoption - if I don't feel comfortable with the prospective adoptive family or don't think the dog is the right fit for them, they don't get them. Period. Several times, a prospective family just didn't feel right to me and I could tell my foster didn't really like them - they have ways of showing that, as if to say, "No. This isn't my forever family. Please don't send me to them." And in each case, after I said no, the perfect families came along. The dog and the foster know ...
So, I definitely suggest going to an rescue agency and working with foster dog parents to find just the right furbaby for you. Good luck!