LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED

[OwnedByChaucer]

I'm thinking that I'd like to become more involved with rescue and thanks largely to the attitudes of a lot of nice people here, I'm becoming convinced that for every nasty self righteous animal rights person out there, there are 10 folks who have their heads screwed on and live in the real world.

I've filled out the volunteer application with DRNA and also to do transport with Dachshund Undergroud Railroad, but I'm also interested in working with CCDR, since I've been so impressed with the CCDR people here....really, I have no reason not to be willing to work with both groups in what ever way I can be of use. (I don't go in for all that political human type stuff anyway.)

Anyway, I've heard that the best way to get involved is to talk to the reps directly rather than just filling out stuff directly from the Web sites. I'm in Northern Virginia...I saw CCDR already has a rep there, so I didn't know if I could even be of use...but, I'm trusting those of you who are involved will tell me how to go about hopping on the bandwagon (or is that the doxiewagon). I'm interesting not only in fostering and transporting, but also in helping out with stuff like newsletters and awareness (I'm in marketing/graphic design so I might as well use my talents for good)

I'm hoping some of you seasoned rescuer types can help me get involved.

[Roxane]

Great. There is always more of a need than people to take on the responsibilities.
Sure you don't want to move to NC? We could use your enthusiasm.
You brought up a good point that isn't often addressed on the BB. Sometimes when I bring up the subject of rescue an individual's eyes will glaze over. I recognize that I need to let them know there is a big difference between rescue and activists who release mice from labs, in the middle of the night.
To each his own, it just doesn't happen to be my bag. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif
I have experienced great cooperation between both DRNA and C2CDR on our Board. I am sure you are headed in the right direction.
Best of luck,
Roxane and crew

[Oscar's Mom]

Me too, with all that I'm learning here, I cant just sit by and listen. Over the past month or so, I've been emailing people and trying to get word around on important issues. However I need to get my thoughts together about all this, so I can talk to people rationally. You know what I mean?
Saturday I was walking by the pet store in the mall and someone was just finishing the purchase of a maltese puppy. It just broke my heart, I wanted to run in there and yell STOP. But I would have just looked like a nut.
Then on Sunday I was visiting family and my uncle says that he wants to breed their dog, 2 yr golden retriever, to help recoup vet bills. Again I just couldn't say anything becasue I didnt know just what to say http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif

[sillysadie]

If anyone is interested in helping Dachshund rescue...doesn't have to be fostering....please contact me at shelleydavis@earthlink.net. I am the membership chair for DRNA and would love to help you get you started and to find representatives close to your area to work with. All that is required to start helping is a completed membership application so I can check references. I hope to hear from some of you soon. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/jacks.gif http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/walking.gif

Shelley Davis
DRNA Inc New Mexico<FONT COLOR="Green">Text</FONT c>

[Jennifer]

That is wonderful that you are looking to get involved!! Sounds like you are definately on the right track. By getting involved in an established group, you can learn so much about rescue. I have been doing mixed breed with a group for the past year and have been doing shelter rescue for 2 months now. We are in the process of creating our own rescue group. Everyday I realize how much I don't know. There is so much to learn about rescue and it is important to find people who can help you learn.

One of the easiest ways to help is simply spreading the word about shelters and rescue groups. Some good facts to know is the number of dogs PTS in your local shelter in the last year. This is something that most people aren't aware of. I have been able to convince people to go the adoption route instead of the purchase route simply by telling them that sobering statistic.

I also run my mouth a lot about dog rescue alot. After doing this for a few months, people are always coming to me now to help them find a dog. A lot of people simply don't know about rescue groups. They think that the only place to get a purebreed is through a breeder. When in fact 25 percent of all shelter dogs are pure. My Betty dachsie is from a shelter, she is beautiful, so whenever people are admiring her, I always tell them how she was 2 days from being PTS. I want to spread the word that their are highly adoptable doggies in the shelters.

Another thing you can do, is get a list of all the breed rescues in your area. I keep a copy in my purse. Whenver someone is asking about a specific breed of dog, I whip out my list and give them the contact info. I have done this in parks, grocery stores and many times in PetSmart.

Another thing that you can easily help with is spay neuter education. I found a low cost spay/neuter service and whenever someone I know gets a new dog, I just email them the info. Really easy to do, and hopefully I have saved unwanted puppies from being brought into the world.

Rescue is wonderful. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. There are many days that you will cry and feel like you can't do it anymore. But there is nothing more satisifying than getting an email or pictures from someone who is so happy with their new dog that you helped rescue. There is something extremly satisfying about knowing that a dog is alive because of your efforts and that a person now gets to experience the great love that this doggie has to give.

[Roxane]

Oscar's Mom:
In a kind and gentle way, please tell your Uncle, no one I know of (forgetting puppy mills, if we can) has ever made money breeding backyard dogs. By the time you pay the vet bills for the puppies, feed them, advertise and all the other expenses and time that go into raising a litter, you will be in the hole. In addition, often the byb ends up with several no one wants.
You can follow that thread all the way to the local shelter.
We have several serious breeders on the BB. They might be able to fill you in with more information for your Uncle.
Hope this helps,
Roxane and crew

[pkmiddler]

Tell your Uncle or should I say talk to your Uncle about the problems Goldens have.In order for any Golden to be bred to a member of the G.R.C.of A. dog they have to have a HEART check,OFA hips and elbows,and a Eye check.I have 2 very good friends that I help whelp their litters and 10 puppies is normal but there are so many problems with hips in that breed just as with the German Shepherds I bred and HEALTH IS SO IMPORANT.PRA and cataracts, Heart stnossis is a MAJOR thing going on right now.Ask your Uncle is he prepared to give MONEY BACK if the dog someone buys from him dies before it's a year old.In some states there are LEMON LAWS and the breeder or Seller can be held responsible in COURT.Tell to SPAY the bitch and LOVE her maybe tell him to ask his vet about getting OFA x-rays,and OFA is raising it's prices I just saw.Oh Well I'll get off the soapbox. Tudox

[Oscar's Mom]

Thanks for the advice with my uncle.

Jennifer - thats a great idea to get together a breed rescue list. How did you put yours together? I've been searching the internet but cant find a good site.

[Krista]

try this one:
http://www.muttart.com/humanelink.html

they have lists by state of all breeds and a list at the end of breed specific. They always welcome any new links and post them accordingly too.

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Krista on January 09, 2001 at 08:56 AM</font>

[Jennifer]

I use www.thepoop.com (http://www.thepoop.com) to find breed rescues. Seems to be very comprehesive.

Also, if you can find an all breed web page for a group in your area, they often contain lists of local breed rescues.

Krista, the link you posted didn't work. I'd love to have another site listing breed rescues.

Jennifer

[Krista]

oops I popped an "l" on the end of it by mistake.

Try this: http://www.muttart.com/humanelink.htm

I found other lists for my state by looking around the links provided there too.