Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!dreaderd!not-for-mail
Message-ID: <pets/[email protected]>
Supersedes: <pets/[email protected]>
Expires: 31 May 2004 11:22:46 GMT
X-Last-Updated: 1997/03/22
Organization: none
Approved: [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats.announce,rec.pets.dogs.info,rec.answers,news.answers
From: [email protected] (Cheryl Minnier)
Reply-To: [email protected]
Followup-To: poster
Subject: rec.pets:  Starting A Successful Rescue Club FAQ
Originator: [email protected]
Date: 17 Apr 2004 11:27:42 GMT
Lines: 169
NNTP-Posting-Host: penguin-lust.mit.edu
X-Trace: 1082201262 senator-bedfellow.mit.edu 569 18.181.0.29
Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu rec.pets.cats.announce:3299 rec.pets.dogs.info:14613 rec.answers:86593 news.answers:269893

Archive-name: pets/starting-rescue
Posting-frequency: 30 days
URL: http://www.golden-retriever.com/rescfaq.html
Last-modified: 21 Mar 1997

                     STARTING A SUCCESSFUL RESCUE....

  by Cheryl Minnier
  Email: [email protected]

  Anyone can start a pure breed rescue, and many people do. However few
  new rescues are still around six months later. What does it take to be
  successful in rescue? First you have to define successful. Set goals
  and refer to them frequently. Do you want to cover one town, one
  county, one state or more! Will you take only one breed or will you
  concentrate on a group of dogs such as Northern breeds, terriers,
  toys? Will you take only purebreds or will you accept any dog which
  closely resembles your breed.

  The novice should stick to a manageable task. One breed is preferred
  in a small geographic location, as is limiting yourself to purebreds.
  If you become well organized and successful, then it is okay to change
  your goals and branch out. Remember, burnout is fatal in rescue, for
  both you and the dogs you are trying to save. Set your limits and
  STICK to them!

  Once you have set your goals, you need to take care of legalities. A
  good step before beginning is to incorporate. It can be expensive,
  depending on which state you live in, but a "not for profit"
  organization is by far the safest route to follow. You can try to do
  this yourself, but an attorney makes the process much quicker.

  At this point, if you are starting out on your own, you may want to
  consider recruiting others to help. They can share in the expenses and
  the decision making. Finding other people that share your passion for
  your breed is not always easy, but local breed, obedience or all breed
  clubs may prove a good starting point.

  Some rescues are an outgrowth of a national or local breed club. There
  are both advantages and disadvantages to this. Some breed people tend
  to view rescue workers with suspicion. They assume you will condemn
  them for breeding or take all the "good" homes. Remember, alienating
  people doesnt help anyone. Learning to see both sides of the issue
  will, in the long run, be much more productive. Some breeders will not
  want you around because it is a reminder of what they are doing wrong.
  _EDUCATION RATHER THAN CONDEMNATION WILL GET YOU MUCH FURTHER_.

  National clubs can provide access to insurance at reasonable rates,
  advertising and promotion, and for some breeds, financial support.
  Local clubs can provide foster homes and people who are very
  knowledgeable in your breed. They can also provide referrals if
  relationships are cordial.

  On the other hand there may understandably be different priorities
  between you. That may get in the way when it comes to the tough
  decisions about money that all rescues need to make. If you will be
  affiliated with a local club make sure there are policies - in writing
  - that address such things as funds and fundraising, decision making
  regarding accepting, placing and euthanizing dogs, individual
  responsibilities and so on. This will go a long way toward preventing
  misunderstandings in the future.

  If you will be separate from local and national clubs, start out on
  the right foot. Introduce yourself and your organization. Offer
  support to the club when it comes to promotions and education. If you
  end up with a surplus of adoptive homes you may be able to provide
  assistance to club members in placing older dogs. This is a source of
  considerable debate, but I believe it assists breeders in taking
  responsibility for their puppies rather than discourages it. Breeders
  looking to rescue for help in placing dogs should ALWAYS be
  financially responsible for their dogs and willing to provide foster
  care. Rescue can then refer families wishing to adopt to these
  breeders as appropriate. It should go without saying that truly
  homeless dogs should come first.

  The next step in the process is developing policies and procedures.
  Many people cant wait to go trolling the shelters for homeless dogs
  but you should restrain yourself until guidelines are in place.
  Procedures should be developed for:

    * _INTAKE:_ Who will be responsible for accepting dogs into the
      program. Will a visit be necessary first. Will a donation be
      required? Requested? Where will dogs be taken? Will vet checks be
      done first? Who will be responsible for obtaining vet records? You
      will need a form for surrender, that owners must sign, giving you
      ownership of the dog. It is also wise to include a statement for
      them to sign, affirming that the dog has never bitten anyone.
    * _HOUSING_: Will foster homes be used or will your group rely on
      kennels? If foster homes are used, which expenses will be
      reimbursed? Vet bills only? Food? Agreements signed by foster
      homes releasing the organization from liability, acknowledging
      understanding of group procedures, and agreeing to abide by all
      policies are a must.
    * _SCREENING: _You will need to develop a screening tool (usually in
      the form of an application) to decide who qualifies to adopt. Some
      questions you may want to consider will be: Who are the members
      of the household, with ages. (Some dogs should not be in homes
      with small children)
      - Have you had pets before, what happened to them? (If they were
      hit by a car, or ran away - the family may not take their
      responsibility seriously).
      - What size is your house? Fenced yard? (Not all rescues require a
      fenced yard, some require it for dogs below a certain age)
      - Name and phone number of a vet who has seen your animal? (Most
      vets offices will be happy to tell you if the past pets were kept
      up to date on shots, on heartworm, spayed or neutered)
      - Who will care for the dog? Where will he sleep, do you have a
      crate? Have you ever taken an obedience class?
      - Are you ready for dog hair throughout your house? Can you groom
      the dog yourself or will you use a groomer?
      - Tell us why you want a (fill in breed). (Answers such as "for
      the kids" or "as a watchdog" may indicate the need for further
      education).
      These are just a few question to consider. You will need to decide
      what other information you want and add it to your application.
    * _ADOPTION CONTRACT:_ You will need a contract for adopting
      families to sign. Provisions of this usually include:
      - A waiver agreeing to not hold the rescue responsible for the
      dog.
      - A return contract, stating that the dog must be returned to you
      if they cant keep it.
      - A spay/neuter agreement if this is not done by your rescue.
      - A clause giving rescue the right to reclaim the dog if it is not
      properly cared for.
      - Stipulations for the dogs care, including housing, food, medical
      care and restrictions on use (i.e. no attack work, dog fighting,
      research or experimentation etc.)
      It is helpful to have an attorney look at all your forms when you
      have them completed to assure that your liability is reduced as
      much as possible.

  The next thing to consider is _fundraising. _Most rescues find that
  their adoption fees do not totally cover their expenses This is
  especially true for senior dogs and medically needy dogs. Unless you
  decide not to take these kinds of rescue dogs, you will need to have a
  fund raising plan. Some groups solicit funds through newsletters,
  others sell or raffle off dog related items. Whatever method you use,
  you will want to learn the laws in your state that cover fund raising.
  The GRCA has funds available through grants. Contact the committee to
  assist rescue for applications.

  You will also have to consider the toughest questions that rescues
  have to face; when and why to euthanize. Do you put a dog down for
  showing aggression?, or only for biting?, for serious health
  problems?, only if the animal is suffering?. These emotional choices
  are easier (although they are never easy), if you have decided on a
  policy before you are faced with an old dog in a crate in your living
  room. Remember, aggressive dogs are a safety issue and a liability
  issue. You will need to keep in mind that your ability to help dogs in
  the future may depend on your decisions today. Find support for those
  tough choices. It helps not to try and make them all by yourself.

  It is also very advantageous to find a veterinarian who will advise
  your group. Many vets will give reduced prices to rescues. It also
  helps to set up billing procedures before hand. You may need to prove
  that your group has the ability to pays its bills and that you are
  responsible enough to take care of them quickly before vets will give
  you credit.

  To summarize, perhaps the most two most important things to do before
  you start a rescue are to _set limits and be willing to stick to them_
  and secondly,_ to have well thought out policies and procedures in
  place before taking your first dog._

  Good luck!

    _________________________________________________________________
  Last updated: Sunday, March 09, 1997