Why Rescue? I'd like to know

[Lizaveta]

I recently purchased a new domain for the purpose of promoting dog and cat adoption and rescue as opposed to buying from pet shops and breeders.

The site will mostly be a blog listing Australia and international based dog and cat events, specifically those targeted toward rescue dogs, as well as listing new additions to various local shelters and rescue organizations.

One of my pages will be dedicated to why exactly people would want to rescue a pet. Not ONLY in the sense of saving the animal, but also the benefits that they could reap from doing this instead of buying from a breeder or shop. My idea is to put quotes and thoughts of people who own and/or foster rescue dogs or(and?) cats or have done so in the past.

So for everyone out there who doesn't mind their opinion being shared on the web site: Why do YOU think people would want to rescue? What are some reasons and incentives to rescue dogs and cats beyond the obvious?

[Dauxside]

For me, and I did/may breed again, when someone would call to make an inquiry, I'd tell them to take a rescue if they weren't interested in competing and/or showing. Because there were too many in my breed that needed to be saved - and if the client wanted just a pet than a rescue is just that...a pet needing a home.

[AtomicSkies]

to save an unwanted life simple as that

[FairyDogMother]

What a wonderful thing! I'll give you a novel on my thoughts when I get home to my desktop pc!

[Sheltiemama]

Why rescue? Why not. The quality of the dog is not any better or poorer than one you will get from a back yard breeder or from a pet shop (read puppy mill). There are more puppies born to byb and pm's each year because there is a market for those cute little critters in pet shops. Dedicated breeders have limited litters because they are trying to better the breed rather than make money from the puppies. Not so for the millers and the BYBs. So the quality of the animals in the pet shops are not the best. They may be registered but they are not breed standard. When you rescue even if you get a puppy you are giving that animal a second chance at life instead of an untimely death. Behavior problems are not limited to rescued dogs. Some of the dogs coming out of pet shops have behavioral problems and their temperament isn't always conducive to what is normal for that breed. Economically speaking you will pay less for a rescued dog than you will for a pet shop animal. There will be no difference in the cost of veterinary care for either dog so that isn't an issue. Finally a rescued dog often is older and more mature and will be easier to house train (or already is) and most likely knows some obedience.

Rescue is the only way for me.

[FairyDogMother]

For every rescue adopted, it's one less in demand for the byb's and pm's. Every bit of demand that's brought down helps one pup at a time.

I modified this from GG girls greyhound saying by inserting rescue where greyhound was (with her permission of course).
Adopting a rescue will not change the world but I'm certain the world will change for that one rescue.

By adopting a rescue, you save a life already here in need of a home. It instantly makes you part of the solution as your pet will not continue the reproduction cycle of unwanted dogs and gives the others a chance.

All that an AKC or UKC purebred papered dog means is that they're purebred, period. It means nothing as to the quality of the dog yet very high price tags come with them and all too often the specific breed ailments too. They still have runts or throw backs, more dominant pups and more submissive ones just like all the rest of the litters.

When a pet comes from a rescue, you are usually afforded much more information about the dog you're interested in as they normally live intimately in a home. Often one can be recommended as a good match for a family once information is gathered and communication has occured.

There are many more but I'm a little tired, so it wasn't a novel, just some thoughts of mine! good luck and what a great idea!

[fairlight]

I'm sorry to be the negative one here. I can only base what has happened to ME. One two separate occasions....two different states of the country I went to the pound and "rescued" a cat, and then a dog. Within 10 days both of my animals were dead, both from severe distemper from the pound or shelter either ignoring or not immunizing these animals. Would I get an animal from a foster home?......yes, but never the pound.

[Lizaveta]

Thank you for everyone's input. I'll be sure to post a link to the site once it's mostly up and running I really appreciate it.

Fairlight, that's horrible and I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'll be sure to specify on the site that the potential rescuer, when rescuing from a pound, should specifically ask for records of the dog or cat being immunized and inquire in detail about any previous health problems.

[Moo]

To be honest, I don't think that there is another reason other than saving a life. And that one reason is a very good reason. Rescuing is great, but the entire purpose is just that- to rescue. I wouldn't really say that a rescue dog is better than a breeder-bought dog in any perspective, and I am not being biased. A rescue dog is definitely a better alternative to a petshop dog- but again, for the reason of rescuing and saving a life; and because your knowledge of history of the dog for petshop dog vs shelter dog is generally the same.

Every dog will love you the same, and I am absolutely pro-rescue, but in all fairness, a rescue dog is not always ideal, even for pet homes. The element of unpredictability (is that a word?) makes a rescue dog not always the best choice.

[dobermom]

Moo, any dog can be unpredictable.

Moo, at your house with your little brothers and your smaller dogs, I as a rescue person would have to be careful what dog I put in your home, but I am SURE there would be several options.

For me rescue is helping and saving an otherwise unwanted dog, someone elses trash.

There was a recent thread, I think it was "A poem for rescues", you can do a search for it. Might be nice to include on your sight.