By John Bowen
A. The goal is 100% immunity from contacting rabies. Immunization demonstrated by adequate titer levels should qualify a dog for license. B. All dogs should be uniquely identifiable with a tattoo or microchip. The microchip is preferable due to easier (safer) reading and singularity.
This I believe
I am a dog fancier
"Why on earth would anyone want to adopt a rescue dog? After all, aren't they like used cars? Who wants someone else's problems?
If the dog is so wonderful, why would anyone give him away? If he was a stray,why didn't someone try to find him? I'd rather buy a puppy so I know what I'm getting, and besides they're so cute!"
Rescue groups often hear a variation of this conversation. Many prospective dog owners are just not convinced that owning an older (i.e, 6 mo.+) "pre-owned" dog is better than buying a puppy. But there are a number of reasons why adopting a pet from a rescue that carefully screens and evaluates its dog can provide an even better alternative. Here are the "Top 10 Reasons You Should Consider a Rescue."
But, it is not uncommon for Rescue to get $500 dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their novelty with impulsive owners who considered their dog a possession rather than a friend or member of the family; or simply did not really consider the time, effort and expense needed to be a dog owner. Not all breeders will accept "returns", so choices for giving up dogs can be limited to animal welfare organizations, such as Rescues, or the owners trying to place their own dogs.
Good Rescues will evaluate the dog before accepting him/her (medically, behaviorally, and for breed confirmation), rehabilitate if necessary, and adopt the animal only when he/she is ready and to a home that matches and is realistic about the commitment necessary to provide the dog with the best home possible. Choosing a rescue dog over a purchased pup will not solve the pet overpopulation problem (only responsible pet owners and breeders can do that), but it does give many of them a chance they otherwise would not have. But, beyond doing a "good deed", adopting a rescue dog can be the best decision and addition to the family you ever made. Rescue a dog and get a devoted friend for life!
This article has been modified from it's original format. The original article was written by Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. and can be found on their website at www.lrr.org."