is your sheltie from a breeder?

I'm sorry you feel that way about rescue groups. The intital rule in our rescue is what's best for the dog, not the adoptee.
If you want to adopt a sheltie from a rescue organization you have to understand that these dogs may have been runners, bolters or may have behavioral problems and possibly may have been abused. So if you are hanging your objection on the fenced yard rule I think you are doing a disfavor to all of the hard work rescue organizations do to place the right dog in the right home.

We have a reputation of being brutally honest with prospective adoptees in order to insure that the dog is a perfect fit for the family.
 
Thanks for the input

SunChaser said:
I'm sorry you feel that way about rescue groups. The intital rule in our rescue is what's best for the dog, not the adoptee.
If you want to adopt a sheltie from a rescue organization you have to understand that these dogs may have been runners, bolters or may have behavioral problems and possibly may have been abused. So if you are hanging your objection on the fenced yard rule I think you are doing a disfavor to all of the hard work rescue organizations do to place the right dog in the right home.

We have a reputation of being brutally honest with prospective adoptees in order to insure that the dog is a perfect fit for the family.
Click to expand...

Thanks for letting us hear the other side of the story. I can understand both points of view.
 
We Love Rescues

Rescues do great work. I don't think anyone is disagreeing with that. And they have their rules for a reason. Obviously, they have received countless dogs from people who gave them up for the smallest of reasons (no yard, hyper, nipped kids, had to move, didn't want him). So they go to the extreme in setting requirements to minimize the above reasons they have been given for owner turn ins, also probably to deter people who aren't really prepared to give a dog a home for 15+ yrs from applying. Unfortunately, some good dog owners get shut out from consideration as well. And it is sad that some dogs miss out on a good home due to these rules, but I guess as long as they avoid being placed in bad homes even more frequently that it works out. Since the dogs belong to the rescue, it is their RIGHT to set any rules they want.

I don't think anyone here is 'mad' at rescues, mostly sad/frustrated they couldn't adopt.
 
I love rescues.:yes: I think that is some cases, though very few, the rescues rules are just a little too strict. One person might be a great owner for a dog at the rescue, but just because of one little issue they can't get a dog from a particular rescue.
And I think that my local animal shelter's rules are a little too lenient. Just about anyone, whether they are a good home or not, can go on there and adopted a dog.:mad:

I'm all for rescue/shelters.:yes: I'm also all for good, responsible breeders who breed to keep the breed healthy.:yes:
 
Thanks you

Cindy said:
Rescues do great work. I don't think anyone is disagreeing with that. And they have their rules for a reason. Obviously, they have received countless dogs from people who gave them up for the smallest of reasons (no yard, hyper, nipped kids, had to move, didn't want him). So they go to the extreme in setting requirements to minimize the above reasons they have been given for owner turn ins, also probably to deter people who aren't really prepared to give a dog a home for 15+ yrs from applying. Unfortunately, some good dog owners get shut out from consideration as well. And it is sad that some dogs miss out on a good home due to these rules, but I guess as long as they avoid being placed in bad homes even more frequently that it works out. Since the dogs belong to the rescue, it is their RIGHT to set any rules they want.

I don't think anyone here is 'mad' at rescues, mostly sad/frustrated they couldn't adopt.
Click to expand...

That was well said Cindy, I couldn't agree with you more.
 
Rescues are needed and great.

I do see both sides of the coin, though. Because there are lots of people who would give some of these dogs an awesome and very loving home.
They should maybe ease up a little and do a case by case study and get references from vets that have treated animals from these prospective adopters. :yes: And yet I see the other side as well because if you don't own your own home you might have to move and live where no pets are accepted. :uhoh: I have been in this situation. I do rent. I had to move because they were selling the home I was renting, I couldn't afford it. But I wouldn't move until I found a place where all my animals could come with us. At that time I had 3 cats and 2 dogs. I take care of them and got references before I even started looking for a new place to live. I have convinced owners who have always refused to rent to people with pets to accept mine. :yes: Thank God for that one. Go prepared and show you are a responsible owner and that I think should do it. Now that I have bored you all to death with my rambling on, Have a great day !!
 
Fencing Suggestion

I have also grappled with the fencing dilemma for my Shelties, although not for rescue purposes. Even though we have a large parcel of land, after putting up the horse fencing adding another one for the dogs wasn't an option. But there are times I want a space where they can be safely confined. I picked up an idea from my breeder friends who take exercise pens to shows. I used one to house train our last puppy, and it was terrific. So I bought another three 30" high pens from Pet Edge where you can get them as cheaply as $30 apiece and strung them all together and I have a fenced in area that is portable, moveable and keeps the dogs contained. You can do as many or as few ex pens as you'd like; you just have to give long lines some support with a stake or two so they don't fall over. I've also used them to contain a dog indoors when I need to. Here's the link to the Pet Edge ex pens for anyone who's interested. They come in different heights, but I've found the 30" ones are usually sufficient for even my jumpers. You get 8 panels in a pen, each panel is 2 feet wide and they can all be connected with clips for instant fencing.
http://www.petedge.com/ProSelect-Goldtone-Exercise-Pens-ZW128.pro
 
Rescue Woes

Yep, we were rejected by a Sheltie rescue, so we checked on petfinder.com to search for Shelties at other shelters.

We did have a problem with adopting Sparky. The shelter felt that by having Max (the pup) and Sparky (the old man) that they wouldn't "bond" to us, only to each other. However, it worked out in our favor and it turned out Max and Sparky did NOT bond to each other-Sparky attached himself to me and Max to my hubby. Apparently the shelter worker had no idea about the pack mentality and the pecking order the pack follows.

If you've had past experience with rescues, especially abused rescues, then make certain you have references to proove it, i.e., rescue name and contacts and show that you've kept in touch with the rescue, sending photos and updates. Even let them know if your rescue is ill or has died. Also a pristine vet record helps.

As far as AKC papers go, I believe that Sparky and Max both were purchased from breeders, but no paperwork was submitted to the shelters at the times they were taken in. But, it made no difference to us, as we love them anyway!:biggrin2:
 
I was also turned down by a rescue or two, mostly because I don't have a fenced in yard yet. After some time I was able to rescue a Sheltie from Georgia Sheltie Rescue. They did a great job of matching the right dog for the right family. While the sheltie I adopted won't win any Conformation Trials, he has a great personality and temprament. Riley will make a great companion for years to come.

My first two shelties came from breeders, one a pup the other as a rescue. My third sheltie Riley is a rescue.

Scott
 
I got Chase from a breeder.. Picked him out at 4 weeks, visited at 6 weeks, and picked him out at 8 weeks :)

I would be open to adopting my second Sheltie, but I've been looking for almost a year and can't find any Sheltie rescues in my area or Shelties at pounds/shelters =/
 
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