Adopting a Dog From Dog Breed Rescue

Rescue groups, unlike animal shelters and humane societies, usually don't have a central location where dogs are housed for the public to come see.

Instead, a rescue group is a small group of dedicated dog lovers who maintain a network of temporary foster homes. When a dog is turned over to a rescue group, he is placed into a foster home for an evaluation period. The foster family provides health care and basic training while the rescue group searches for the right permanent home.

Some rescue groups specialize in one breed (like Pug Rescue of Sacramento). Others offer several related breeds (Northeast All Retriever Rescue). Still others offer all breeds, crosses, and mixes.

Advantages of rescue groups over animal shelters

• A rescue dog, as opposed to an animal shelter dog, has been evaluated in a home setting, so the foster family can usually tell you quite a bit about the dog's habits and behaviors. They know if he's housebroken, if he barks a lot, if he likes children, if he gets along with other dogs and cats.

• A rescue dog has usually received some housebreaking, socialization, and training from the foster family.

• A rescue dog will always be spayed or neutered, and has had any health problems treated (or at least diagnosed and treatment begun).

Disadvantages of rescue groups

• It can be DIFFICULT to adopt a dog from a rescue group. You have to fill out a lengthy questionnaire, submit to an interview, provide references, and often allow a visit to your home, as though you were trying to adopt a child. Rescue people try to be very careful with their dogs, so their adoption requirements are often strict.

• It's usually more expensive ($100 to $400) to adopt a dog from a rescue group than from an animal shelter or humane society. But keep in mind that the rescue group has neutered the dog, treated health problems, started a flea and heartworm preventative program, provided grooming, and invested time and effort in basic training. Rescue groups do NOT make money -- indeed, their adoptions fees don't even begin to cover their costs.