Dog Rescue Barriers - Why?

How can there be dog rescue barriers when a dog rescue is a place for homeless and displaced dogs?

Usually a group of volunteers, often associated with a dog club, provide a place for dogs that do not have a home, a rescue.

Sometimes these dogs are found by the pound and referred to the rescue. Other times the owner has to give the dog up because their moving or can not take care of the dog for another reason. These rescues often focus on a particular breed, my second sheltie, Miracle, came from the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Greater Baltimore, he was a wonderful dog.

So why are some people hesitant to get a dog from a rescue? They have dog rescue barriers in their head, here are some.

Barrier 1 - Puppy Syndrome

Often people are committed to the idea of getting a puppy. Puppies are great, I love them, but a lot of people do not realize the hours, weeks and months that go into raising a puppy. I can't speak for all shelters but I believe that generally speaking, you are not going to find puppies at a shelter, the puppies usually end of there after 8 months or so. They are still puppies but an eight month old doesn't have that 8 week old puppy look.

Barrier 2 - Taking The Path Least Resistance

I can't prove this scientifically but its human nature to avoid a challenge and take the easy route. What I am referring to here is the fact that rescues are more picky about who they "give" dogs to, perhaps more particular than the SPCA facilities. There are applications and sometimes visits and there might be a waiting period.

Its easier to go to a pet store or a backyard breeder, plunk down your cash and carry the little guy or girl home. People don't realize how much "unknown" there is in this route.

Barrier 3 - Fear of the Unknown

I have suffered from this fear in the past. The reason was that I lost my sheltie Miracle to cancer 5 years after he was adopted. After that we were so heart broken we decided to get a puppy to hopefully avoid a repeat. I know its totally illogical.

There's no reason my current sheltie, Murphy, couldn't have gotten sick and died but I felt some comfort at the time knowing the breeder and knowing Murphy's family ancestry. I was further comforted by the fact that the breeder I purchased from, and would purchase from again, is a veterinarian.

I would be remiss not to mention how supportive the rescue was through my time with Miracle; they were awesome!

Barrier 4 - Fear of the Older Dog

People fear they can not teach an old dog new tricks. They are worried that a dog that has been abused in some way will not make a good pet.

With a little looking you will find story after story from pet owners of dogs from rescues, who will tell you how great their dog is. It seems as if the dog is grateful forgiving them another chance. Dogs can be trained at any point in their lives. Not to mention, dogs from the rescue may already know several basic commands and be house broken; the volunteers take them into their homes and work with them to get them ready for adoption.

Ignore your dog rescue barriers. Don't be afraid of the rescues! They are a great way to get a loving pet that is often trained to a degree and house broken. I would certainly do it all over again.

A few years ago, I attended a local sheltie competition. A basic obedience competition. One of the shelties in that competition was going to be put to sleep (if I remember correctly because he was untrainable or something) and here was this dog in an obedience competition!

Rescues are an awesome option, be sure to consider it if your thinking of adding a furry friend to your family.

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