Dear Raving: Rescued or “re-homed” dogs can make excellent pets if you know what to expect and where to look for the right dog. The majority of purebred rescues are adult dogs ranging in age from one to 10 and beyond. Adult dogs should be housebroken, past the chewing stage and have some basic training. Many times, however, it is the very failure of previous owners to deal with these issues properly that landed the dogs in the pound in the first place. Older dogs are usually spayed or neutered (or will be before released to a new home) and are great for first-time dog owners who may feel overwhelmed at the intense nature of puppies.

Unfortunately, some rescues come into the system without a history and may have been abused and have some serious issues to overcome. But those placing the dog should conduct an evaluation to insure the he is safe for placement. Always ask if this has been done.

Finding Your Breed

Within The System

To find a specific breed rescue group your best resource is the American Kennel Club website www.akc.org. Go to the “breeds” sections and then click on “breed rescue groups”. There you will find listings by breed or geographic area with rescue contacts, website links and e-mail addresses.

To better handle a rescue dog in your home it helps to understand what a dog goes through in the rescue system. Typically, a breed rescue person is contacted either by the family that wants to give up the dog or by a shelter. Many times a worker will go to the family giving up a dog and conduct an extensive interview. Some rescue workers visit shelters regularly looking for their breed. Once the dog is taken into custody, he sees a vet for vaccination updates, possible spay or neuter and is then sent to a foster home for evaluation. Many times there are serious health challenges, like being heartworm positive, which must be addressed before the animal moves into foster care.

A foster home can range from a boarding kennel to someone’s home. One of the largest problems facing rescue groups is finding people to foster the dogs. During the foster phase, a dog is evaluated for behavior and studied for placement suitability. Workers who know their breed can see problems more readily and offer proven solutions. A dog that goes through a breed rescue program gets a lot of help from those that love the breed. After the foster period the dog is made available for adoption. Workers will conduct potential owner interviews in the same manner a breeder might screen a new puppy buyer. Making sure the placement is a good fit will reduce the likelihood of the dog returning to rescue. At the time of adoption a donation is usually given to the non-profit rescue group. Some have set rates.

Rescue availability usually isn’t a problem. Actually, it’s what would happen in a perfect world. There would be no rescue dogs currently available. However, inventory is high during the peak “dumping times” around summer and Christmas. These purebreds have some of the same qualities as their fancy-bred cousins, but all come with that unconditional love that endears us to them. You can’t go wrong if you take the time to do your research and find the right breed for your lifestyle. With some understanding and patience your new purebred will reward you in a multitude of ways.

Lisa Peterson, a breeder and exhibitor of Norwegian Elkhounds, is a Delegate to the American Kennel Club. Send questions to elvemel@aol.com or P.O. Box 197, Newtown, CT 06470.