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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
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