Having a dog as part of your life can be a rewarding experience for both you and a canine friend. A well-cared for dog provides companionship, unconditional love and a warm welcome when you get home. And getting a dog through an "adoption" means you just might save a dog's life in the process.

A great place to find an adoptable dog is through rescue organizations such as Colorado Greyhound Companions or Colorado Collie Rescue. Such groups focus on rescuing dogs of a certain breed for adoption. To find a list of the area rescue groups, see the websites listed below.

The biggest advantage in getting a dog from a rescue is the personal service you receive.

"There is a very intimate connection when adopting a dog through a rescue group," said Heather Schwartz, director-at-large for Colorado Greyhound Companions. "We foster (care) all the dogs and get to know their personalities."  

Adoption fees vary with each organization, but the money rarely covers all the costs to care for the animals and the groups rely heavily on volunteers and donations.  

Before dogs become available for adoption they are put into foster homes. All the medical needs of the dogs are addressed, they are spayed or neutered if necessary, groomed and given lots of attention from the foster "parents."

Once a dog is placed in your home, a good rescue organization will follow up to see how you and your new pet are adjusting to each other and to answer any questions you may have.

"I want the new owners to be happy and the dog to be happy," said Vicki Kuhlmann, West Central Coordinator for the American Lhasa Apso Club. "The more tools I can give them, the better."

Before contacting a rescue organization, keep the following points in mind:

Research the breed. Get as much information as possible. Does this breed have a lot of energy? Is it good with kids? What are the typical problems associated with this kind of dog? Is this a high- or low- maintenance breed?

Find a good rescue organization. Make sure set adoption procedures are in place, all the animals accepted for placement are screened, that the group takes in only as many dogs as it has room for and the dogs are spayed or neutered before being released. Ask how many foster homes the group has, how many dogs it has placed in homes and how many have been returned.

Go with a breed-specific rescue. Rescue organizations that specialize in a specific breed of dog are the best resources if you are looking for a certain breed. Volunteers will know the positive and negative qualities of the breed and be able to give you tips and information on the best ways to handle the dog.

Examine your life. Be honest about the amount of time and money you can devote to a dog. If you live in an apartment or condo, do you have time to walk the dog a few times a day? If you are thinking about a high-maintenance pet like a lhasa apso, do you have the time and money to take it to a groomer every six weeks?

Be patient. Adopting an animal through a rescue organization takes more time then going to a pet store or an animal shelter. The procedure typically includes an application and a home visit. "Rescuers want the adoption to work the first time, as it is hard for the animal to be bounced from home to home," said Lisa King of Colorado Collie Rescue. "Therefore, careful thought and consideration is given to each adopter."

Local Agencies:
www.coloradocanineconnection.com
www.coloradobassetrescue.com
Colorado Greyhound Rescue: 207-1064
American Lhasa Apso Club Rescue: 663-5910