Subject: CLASS: The pitfalls of not planning ahead
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 11:55:57 EDT
From: Corinna Ziegler - CORINNAZ@AOL.COM

Hi All,

I started doing rescue a few years ago (chihuahuas and chi-mixes) and I have to tell you, I really should have thought out a lot of stuff before I barreled into it headfirst. I brought home many dogs without considering that they could be harboring colds, diseases, etc., and exposed them to my own dogs. Nothing too traumatic happened, but I did have several cases of unnecessary Kennel Cough, diarrhea, eye infections, etc. The thing to remember is that even if a dog looks healthy and acts healthy, it still doesn't mean that you can expose them to your own dogs for at least two weeks. If you don't have the space to quarantine, then have the dog fostered by someone who doesn't have any other rescues. There is just too great a risk of harming your own animals. Also, I was wondering if anyone had advice or suggestions as to what to do when a rescue is placed in an adoptive home, and then develops a problem and dies? This recently happened to me with a very sweet and healthy 7 month old chi. He was perfect for the two weeks that we had him, after being in his new home for two days, he developed pneumonia and had to be euthanized. Now this poor girl who adopted him is in debt to her vet for $700 and she's heartbroken. I feel like a jerk, but there was just no way to see this coming.

Corinna Ziegler
NY Chihuahua Rescue

Subject: CLASS: Introduction to Rescue
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 10:31:07 -0500
From: Erin Miller - ermiller@tezcat.com

Vicki DeGruy wrote:

What do you recommend that people starting out in rescue do first? What kind of planning is important before taking on their first rescued dog?

My advice: DON'T REINVENT THE WHEEL.

Look around you, find what other rescue grops there are in your area: either of mixed breeds or a different breed. If you want to work with a breed not in your area, find rescuers of that breed in a different area and see what they do. You may not like 100% the way another group (local area different breed; same breed other area) is run, but you can LEARN what they do and then decide what you will do differently. Things will go *much* easier if you hook up with a mentor and learn that way than by trying to start from scratch yourself.

-erin

SABRE (Somali/Abyssinian cats)
National network

Subject: CLASS: What kind of planning...
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 08:34:58 -0700
From: Deborah Jamison - ddj@BEST.COM

When you rescue a dog, you have a responsibility to remain committed to him for his lifetime, even though he's not physically with you.

Sanya Dunn
sanya@lips.com

Where are you? and your geographical range?

I have had some dogs returned to me for rehoming and for long-term "baby"sitting, and sometimes I get this anxious feeling that I'm not really placing them, I'm just loaning them out for a time! ; ) Eventually they'll all be back....yikes!

Debi Jamison, ddj@best.com
Welsh Terrier CARES (a committee of the Welsh Terrier Club of America)
Northern California

Subject: CLASS: Illness
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 10:13:35 -0700
From: Audrey Bowman - glow@cwnet.com

Hello Everyone!

I have a question but first I want to thank you all for having this class! We have JUST started and already I have learned a lot!

Here is my question: If I take in a Lab from a home and he/she is current in the vaccinations do I still have to isolate the dog for disease (I may isolate for other reasons too)?

And here is a little bit about me: I am starting a Lab Rescue with the The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. I am pretty much on my own though!

Audrey Bowman & Ol' Glow (The Best Black Lab)
mailto:glow@cwnet.com ICQ#8375400 Citrus Heights, CA
Labrador Retriever Rescue

Subject: Re: CLASS: The pitfalls of not planning ahead
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 11:09:06 -0700
From: Karen Mayer - rottlover@SYSPAC.COM

Corinna Ziegler wrote:

Also, I was wondering if anyone had advice or suggestions as to what to do when a rescue is placed in an adoptive home, and then develops a problem and dies?

I have worried about that very thing. Earlier this year I got in a rottie that was very wonderful, but he cried when he stood up. I was sure he was dysplastic and I told the potential adopter that. He asked how we can find out, so I offered to split the cost of a hip xray with him. We did it and found out that yes, the dog was severely dysplastic. The man loved the dog, though, and adopted him anyway.

The contract I uses explicitly states that I offer NO warranty on health or temperament. I do my best to tell people up front all I know about the dog, and that's all we can do. If we had bred these dogs, it'd be a different matter.

Karen Mayer
rottlover@syspac.com
Phoenix Area Rottweiler Rescue
http://www.rottlover.com

Subject: CLASS: Planning
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 21:12:02 EDT
From: Marsha Ardoin - MArdoin@AOL.COM

I get a lot of owner and breeder donations which means sick dogs. The one thing I learned early on is to set a limit to how much I can afford to lose per year. I have a dog here now that will hit my budget for the year with surgeries.

From what I have seen so far in rescue as well as no kill shelters budgeting is the main reason for closure.

My budget is what tells me how many and how much I can do for the year. Sad that we have to let money dictate who we can save and who we can't but it is a reality that we must face.

Marsha

Subject: CLASS: starting out in rescue
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 21:21:22 -0400
From: Marjorie Inden - inden@NS1.VH.NET

I'd like to add to these excellent comments, as my perspective is a little different...I am a shelter volunteer. Yeah, you have to worry about the "biggies" mentioned in this post, but don't forget the "little stuff" .... worms, coccidia, and other parasites. I would recommend keeping a pair of shoes as "shelter shoes". Dont wear them in your house! Most shelters you are "tiptoeing through the tulips" at some point when you walk around.

Marge Inden
Shelter Volunteer
Dutchess County SPCA, Hyde Park, NY
inden@vh.net

Subject: Re: CLASS: Planning
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 23:25:48 EDT
From: Janine Peters - NenePeters@AOL.COM

In a message dated 8/31/98 9:20:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time, MArdoin@AOL.COM writes:

Sad that we have to let money dictate who we can save and who we can't but it is a reality that we must face.

I think this is probably the first thing we have to realize or we will crash and burn emotionally and financially. Concentrating too much money on one extremely costly dog may literally cost the lives of several healthy, easy to place dogs. It is not a nice world!

Janine Peters
Dry Prong, Louisiana

Subject: CLASS: What kind of planning- Quarantine
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 21:06:33 EDT
From: Marsha Ardoin - MArdoin@AOL.COM

In a message dated 98-08-31 11:36:08 EDT, you write:

Our vet recommends each dog to be kept in a crate or pen that is at least 4 feet from another dogs crate or pen. Nothing from one dog can touch another dog without being disinfected. Dogs are to be walked on a leash in their own spot. Feed and care for healthy dogs first then quarantine dogs. Do not have air blowing from one dog to another.

I would be afraid that this would not work for Distemper and Parvo. I have three buildings set up for quarantine now, and I generally get the dogs in groups. I group them together in these areas as they come in. It is not uncommon to get 3 or 4 at at time, and I don't take any more until these are cleared. This allows for 12 on intake at a time. The only time I have had more at a time it was due to a puppy mill closing and the other rescues shared the in take so it was still sufficient.

Marsha

Subject: Re: CLASS: The pitfalls of not planning ahead-chi that died
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 23:09:47 EDT
From: Dawn Paul - LuvRBulls@AOL.COM

I would possibly place another dog with her with no adoption fee. It won't bring back the one that died or compensate for the medical bill, but at least she will have a dog to love. Just my thoughts.

Dawn Paul
All-Breed Rescue Contact
South Western, PA
LuvRBulls@aol.com

Subject: Re: CLASS: Planning
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 19:57:08 -0700
From: KMayer - rottlover@SYSPAC.COM

Marsha Ardoin wrote:

My budget is what tells me how many and how much I can do for the year. Sad that we have to let money dictate who we can save and who we can't but it is a reality that we must face.

I can't help but wonder where one draws the line, though. Say I have a budget, and if I reach that figure and find one more dog that with only $10 more I can save. Is a life worth another $10? How about $25? $50? $100? Where do I stop and say this is too much?

I have a 3-legged rescue myself, whom I adore. If I even try to look at her and say that $1000 would have been not worth saving her, I start bawling. The dogs I save will mean this much to someone -- how can I stop myself from going broke?!

Karen Mayer - Mesa, AZ
rottlover@syspac.com
Phoenix Area Rottweiler Rescue
http://www.rottlover.com/rescue

Subject: CLASS: Quarentine
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 20:17:08 -0700
From: Audrey Bowman - glow@cwnet.com

Hello Rescue Friends,

I have yet more questions: I live in a house and I don't have any out buildings for quarentining dogs that I take in. I don't want to just keep them outside. I have an attached garage. Could I set up a pen in there? Could my dog and the rescue use the same backyard (NOT at the same time)? What other solutions do I have for housing the rescues?

Thanks!!

Audrey Bowman & Ol' Glow (The Best Black Lab)
mailto:glow@cwnet.com ICQ#8375400 Citrus Heights, CA
Lab Rescue