What is a Pet Rescue?

In the United States, nearly every city and state has animal shelters. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the ASPCA, is the most well known animal shelter within the United States. However, each city and sometimes each county, may also have public animal shelters. These public shelters are generally supported by government funding and staffed by government employees, although there may be private funding and/or private animal shelters as well.

Within the animal shelter community, there are two types of shelters. The first type, called "Kill-Shelters," euthanize animals that are not adopted within a certain period of time, and/or that simply do not have a space to live within the shelter. The second type of animal shelter, called a No-Kill Shelter, has a policy not to euthanize adoptable animals. Unfortunately, there are many stray animals in America and it can become difficult if not impossible for shelters to provide temporary homes for all of the animals. This is especially true for senior animals, "bully breeds" (like pit bulls and Rottweiler's that are not considered to be highly adoptable) and certain other dogs and cats that are considered less desirable for various reasons.

Private and not-for-profit groups have been created by animal lovers to attempt to fill the gap left by animal shelters who are simply unable to provide homes for all the animals. Private and not-for-profit animal rescues are generally funded by private donations and run by individual animal lovers. They receive favorable not-for-profit tax breaks, but are otherwise unaided by the government.

The role of the rescue groups is to take animals from shelters that would otherwise be euthanized due to lack of space or health issues, and find permanent and loving homes for these animals. No one wants to see dogs euthanized alone, without loving owners to memorialize them with pet urns or pet head stones, so these rescues are highly valued within the pet community. Some rescues operate kennels, where they house the dogs until a permanent and loving home can be found. Other rescues use a system called a "foster" system which is similar to the idea of human foster care. Volunteers take a dog or cat into their home and feed and care for the dog or cat until a suitable permanent home can be needed. The amount of time a dog stays in "foster care" varies depending on the needs of the dog. Some dogs can spend a lifetime in foster care if they have behavioral problems that make them unattractive to adopters, or if they are unadoptable for whatever reason.

Most animal rescues charge a fee for adopting a rescued dog, in order to cover the expenses they have incurred on that dogs medical care or to aid in the care and rescue of other needy pets. However, this cost is generally less than the cost of purchasing a dog from a breeder, and the personal attention that comes with the fee is worthwhile. Foster dogs who have been living with rescuers are generally trained within the rescue environment to become a good house pet. Furthermore, their temperament and mannerisms are well known to the foster family, who can then make sure the dog is a good match with their new owners. This can be really important when a family with small children needs to ensure that the dog they want to adopt is "child-friendly".

Rescue organizations are important because they save the lives of many animals who would otherwise be euthanized. Many rescue dogs go on to live long lives in loving homes, and are memorialized in beautiful pet memorials by their owners when they ultimately pass. It has been speculated that rescue dogs bond even more strongly to their owners than puppies, because they are aware of life without a home and are thus all the more grateful for the love they receive from their owners.

Colleen Mihelich
Owner, Peternity . . . honoring your pet for eternity
http://www.peternity.com
colleen@peternity.com
877-PET-PEACE