Rescue
Rescue
The TRUTH About Rescue
Hello division VI Bulldoggers, we would like to clear up some myths about rescue.
The biggest myth is that people that turn their dogs over to rescue don't care about them. Most DO care about their bulldogs, and look to rescue to find a suitable home for their dog. After all, what group is more qualified to evaluate and react to meet the dogs needs than the members of the BCA. When placing the dog, it's acceptable to ask for a donation. This is a great way to raise money for rescue.
The second biggest myth is that dogs always come with health and behavioral problems. Some do have health issues, however a lot are placed with out any problems at all. A lot are better behaved than my dogs!
The third biggest myth is that "rescue is not my problem". Or "It's the breeder that is to blame for this dog needing a new home". This is not true. How can a breeder predict a divorce five years from now. Or a job change, or a death in the family, just to name a few. There is no question that some breeders don't do a good job screening prospective homes. If they don't care enough where they place the dog, then it's not likely they will care about a six year female that needs a new home. Much of the time, the owners cannot find the breeder anyway. Even if they would take her back, do you want her to go there? So many people set out to breed bulldogs thinking that they are going to make money. All too soon, they realize that the money is not in this breed, and "POOF!" They are gone.
Another myth is that "rescue is not needed in my area". I doubt this. Rescue is needed everywhere. If bulldog rescue is not in a particular area, all-breed rescue groups are happy to take a bulldog. Bulldogs are in demand, and all-breed groups take donations too. The problem with all- breed groups doing the work is they don't have the expertise about bulldogs. They also don't have a waiting list as long as we do that have people with years of Bulldog experience.
The myth that rescue is a thankless job is far from true. Most of the time the people surrendering the dog have a sincere thank you for caring for their dog as much as they do. The people that are receiving the bulldog are just as grateful. Doing a follow up visit after a few weeks and seeing the happy new home is very gratifying. It seems like everything works out great when the best interest of the dog is in the forefront of each person involved.
One bulldogger said to me "if I volunteer to help with rescue I will have my home full of Bulldogs". There are plenty of ways to help with rescue besides fostering dogs. In our club we are fortunate to have a great group of people involved in rescue efforts. We have ways and means for fund raising. We have a secretary for the paper work. We have a public affairs person that is handling the booths at pet shows. We have a wonderful foster home. Soon we will have an advertising person to get applications and advertise special needs dogs and send out mailings. Other ways to help rescue would be to offer to pick up or drop off even one dog per year. Or offer to follow up by phone after dogs are placed. Or offer to do a follow visit with dogs placed near you. You could volunteer to go into a less experienced home and teach people how to bathe and groom a bulldog. You could offer to drive out to look at a dog that may or may not be a bulldog. In the area of fund raising the sky is the limit. One thing that IS true is that rescue is a lot of work. It can't be done by one person. So please step up to plate and offer what you can. Even if it's as little as donating items for an auction or a raffle. Your help is needed and greatly appreciated!
-Written by: Aaron Johnson
You can contact the Rescue Coordinator for Division 6 by emailing Rita Guthmiller at rita@reingoldbulldogs.com
