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Coyote_Bandit

(6,783 posts)
24. While I have always taken in animals in immediate need of a home
Sat Jan 7, 2012, 01:52 PM
Jan 2012

I have also started training them to show, to do competition obedience, to do agility work and to do therapy work.

It is one thing to take in a rescue animal as a companion and family pet. It is quite another to take in a rescue animal with uncertain genetics, breeding and experiences and invest that kind of time, effort and expense into training.

I have had dogs with uncertain pasts. I am well acquainted with the problems of caring for dogs with serious lifelong health problems and with multiple genetic and behavioral issues. It is expensive, its takes an emotional toll and it does impact other animals that share the same household. It certainly isn't for everyone - and no one should be made to feel obligated to take on such a challenge.

There are good breeders. You have to seek them out and know how to identify them. And if you want one of their animals then you need to be prepared to pay a premium.

If you want an animal companion and family pet and are willing and able to assume the costs and responsibility of caring for an animal with lifelong health and behavioral issues than by all means get a rescue or shelter dog. I'll applaud you for doing so - as long as you don't proselytize me to do the same and infer that I am somehow inferior should I make a different choice.

If you are not willing and able to assume that responsibility, then find a responsible breeder and negotiate contract terms that include health guarantees. Many responsible breeders guarantee that their animals will not have or develop certain health problems during their lifetime and will assume financial responsibility should those occur.

I adopted a dog from a traditional rescue organization once. Less than 24 hours after taking possession of the dog I had him examined by my vet because it appeared to me that his health was not as represented. My vet advised that the dog likely was considerably older than represented, had severe heart problems and likely would not survive for a year. The dog's physical condition was either intentionally misrepresented to me or the rescue organization was unaware of his condition. Either way, the dog did not meet my requirements and expectations and I immediately surrendered him back to that rescue group.

I have not taken in an animal since then without first having my own veterianarian examine the animal and do a variety of tests. It is well worth the expense.

I'm not lookng for a dog at the moment. If I were looking for a dog that I expected to invest considerable time and effort and expense in training I would likely look for a dog through a responsible breeder. And I would make the placement conditional on the results of a physical exam by my vet.

Thanks for this plea. phylny Jan 2012 #1
both of my cats are rescues CountAllVotes Jan 2012 #2
This is important and really needs to be repeated often. Warpy Jan 2012 #3
I couldn't agree more Warpy! CountAllVotes Jan 2012 #4
One of my Caturday friends... badgerpup Jan 2012 #33
several years ago I adopted a dog CountAllVotes Jan 2012 #35
Spay and neuter is the solution! roody Jan 2012 #5
Your title is flame bait. ceile Jan 2012 #6
It's amazing to me that anyone would think that advocating adoption... Walk away Jan 2012 #7
I love your title. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #13
This IS the place to advocate for the animals. roody Jan 2012 #16
I agree with you... joeybee12 Jan 2012 #31
Your title is perfectly fine. hamsterjill Jan 2012 #36
It's not a bit inflammatory, esp. to one who has worked to save and rescue animals from high-kill japple Jan 2012 #12
Every animal I have ever had was in immediate need of a home Coyote_Bandit Jan 2012 #8
There is nothing glamourous about the county roody Jan 2012 #17
The majority of people know Coyote_Bandit Jan 2012 #20
Over the last 10 years we have had 7 cats (of which we still have 5). Mac1949 Jan 2012 #9
All my animals are rescues. wildeyed Jan 2012 #10
Totally Agree! nt avebury Jan 2012 #11
Well said! RavensChick Jan 2012 #14
Elsie says: astonamous Jan 2012 #15
A shelter pet isn't for everyone TorchTheWitch Jan 2012 #18
Then I hope that you thoroughly research any breeder that you avebury Jan 2012 #19
Of course, that goes without saying TorchTheWitch Jan 2012 #26
While I have always taken in animals in immediate need of a home Coyote_Bandit Jan 2012 #24
The only dog we ever bought was a 3 month old Weimaraner. michaz Jan 2012 #25
Oh my. 99Forever Jan 2012 #21
"What the heck, eh?" Stinky The Clown Jan 2012 #27
Of our last six cats (over 15 years), three have been from shelters, madinmaryland Jan 2012 #22
We've never bred or bought an animal, ever. Stinky The Clown Jan 2012 #23
I've always gotten shelter pets onestepforward Jan 2012 #28
2 of my Shepherds came from the Toronto German Shepherd Rescue Society, Joe Shlabotnik Jan 2012 #29
Lost a kitty to feline leukemia... badgerpup Jan 2012 #34
Though I am partial to German Shepherd dogs, I agree with you. PotatoChip Jan 2012 #30
I have a co-worker who recently took in her niece, great-niece, and three dogs. avebury Jan 2012 #32
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