I didn't understand why some people -- particularly those on Craig's List -- are so reluctant to take our help when we offer to take in a Golden that they are offering "free to a good home". Our volunteers report that there is a lot of distrust. I asked them to tell me the arguments they hear most often. Then I wrote the following to be used in a few blogs that we maintain. The education process is never-ending! I'm interested in your feedback/thoughts.
Top 5 Golden Retriever Rescue Myths
Those of us who volunteer to help care for and re-home needy Golden Retrievers hear a lot of misconceptions about Golden Retriever rescue, and dog rescue in general. Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue (
www.gbgrr.org) has won national awards for its efforts, and we work hard to dispel some of the most common myths about rescue organizations.
Myth #1: Rescue groups take in as many dogs as they can so they can collect more fees.
Truth: Nationwide, an estimated 9.6 million lost, abandoned and unwanted pets are euthanized every year. Rescue groups take in as many dogs as we can because our passion is saving those dogs’ lives and finding them high quality forever homes. Rescue groups such as Golden Beginnings are part of the solution. The adoption fees do not begin to cover our veterinary costs to restore these dogs to health. Without fundraisers and donations, we would not be able to save the lives of needy Goldens in our community.
Myth #2: Rescue group volunteers have been known to mistreat dogs, or euthanize them if they can’t find homes quickly.
Truth: People volunteer for rescue organizations because they love the breed. We are sickened by anyone who would mistreat a Golden (or any animal). There are Goldens in our program who have been in our care for a year or longer. Some, due to poor health and advanced age, are with us permanently. Euthanasia is never an option to finding each dog a loving home.
Myth #3: Rescue groups aren’t any better at finding good homes for unwanted dogs than the private party who is trying to re-home their dog.
Truth: Rescue volunteers follow an extensive screening process before placing a dog with an adoptive family. Anyone wishing to adopt must provide verifiable proof that they are responsible pet owners. They must also demonstrate that they are a good match for the breed and for the specific dog. For example, we’d never place a high-energy, ball-loving Golden Retriever with a family looking for a laid back, couch potato kind of dog.
Myth #4: It’s easier and cheaper for me to just find a Golden off of the Internet. There’s no difference in how I get the dog, as long as I provide it with a good home.
Truth: Buyer beware! Dogs listed at cheap prices on the Internet, or “free to a good home” are often in bad physical shape. Significant health problems, such as heartworms in adult dogs, aren’t always obvious and can be very expensive to treat. Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue has also taken in unsold puppies from private parties who were selling them cheaply. Sadly in too many of these cases, these innocent puppies had not been given their vaccinations by their “breeder” and it was too late to save them. Our hearts were heavy when they died of parvo or distemper.
On intake, Golden Beginnings takes each Golden to a licensed veterinarian for a complete health evaluation. We treat for heartworms, and spay/neuter if that hasn’t already been done. When you adopt through a rescue group, we tell you exactly what the vets have told us about that dog’s health.
Myth #5: The best person to tell me about a dog’s personality is the person selling a dog they’ve personally owned.
Truth: People re-homing dogs themselves are often anxious to have the dog gone TODAY. They can and will say anything. We know of families who were assured that a dog was great with kids and other animals. Once they got it home, they discovered the dog was not good with either. Or they find out that it is sick and will need extensive veterinary care. Unfortunately, the original owners rarely return phone calls once they’ve sold or given away their dog.
Like most rescue groups, Golden Beginnings places each Golden in a foster home. The fosters evaluate each Golden and make recommendations for the type of home where that Golden will thrive. For example, the fosters will tell the adoption team if a Golden is gentle around small children, would make a great jogging buddy, is ideal for pet therapy work, etc.
One last thought: If for some reason you cannot keep a Golden that you’ve adopted from a private party, will that person be around to take the dog back? What about in 5 years? 10 years? As a rescue group, Golden Beginnings makes a lifetime commitment to every dog in our program. This means that if for any reason one of our adopters cannot keep a Golden adopted through us, we will take the dog back into our program. We are happy to be a safety net.
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