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General: [Sticky] Rescuing: Some important clarifications
I have been reading some statements on this forum that concern me deeply, and I think it is important that it is addressed.
Having worked nearly 20 years in dog rescue I really must express, BUYING a dog from a less than ethical breeder or pet store is in no way rescuing or helping the homeless dog issue. It is in fact one of the primary factors in CAUSING the homeless dog problem. Every time someone purchases a dog from a backyard breeder/pet store (any pet store)/or puppy mill it conveys to that business that there is a demand for their merchandise (I.E. puppies). They now have added incentive to continue producing more puppies.
All the while millions of dogs are killed daily because suitable homes cannot be found; MILLIONS, more than 80% pure bred, many of them puppies (admin Pam "Ryu" adopted Roxy at 9 weeks old from a rescue group, my friend Mitch rescued a 9 week old shiba from another group, my Moto was 6 months old when I got him, they are out their for the patient).
Now I have nothing against people getting dogs from responsible breeders. I do believe that there is a place for them in this world. A responsible breeder cares about the welfare of the breed, not just their dogs. They are trying to maintain the health and stability of the breed and are trying to keep it from going the way of so many other breeds (look at GSDs and their hips, or these mammoth labs with so many health and temperament issues). Most are active in rescue. A reputable breeder does not over breed their bitches, or breed hundreds of puppies. It is a labor of love.
I also cannot tell anyone what to do for themselves. If you are unwilling to wait on a reputable breeders wait list, and are unwilling to pay a reputable breeders prices, and do not want to go to an actual rescue group and save a homeless dog or puppy, that is absolutely your right and your choice. But as someone who has had to make the list of dogs to get put down, not because they were sick, not because they had issues, but because there was no room at the shelter, please do not try to justify that you are saving a future homeless dog.
Well said indeed. "Rescuing" a dog from an irresponsible breeder just means they can go on to create more dogs that need to be "rescued".Brian, proud shiba-dad of Violet (along with Janie, shiba-mom)
I agree 100%. As a person who helps with rescue and has 2 rescue myself, some of these statements are frustrating.Stacey and Jason. Shibas : Kuma (Mr. K), Fuu (Bug), Foxey Kai: Tora (little T)
Great post Jessica!My name is Beth, Personal slave of Tetsu(shiba inu) Tikaani(siberian husky) and Safyre(cat), and ruler of Tom(Boyfriend). Living in scenic Suffolk County, Long Island
I have a rescued Kai right now that was accidentally mistaken for a Shiba, well not so much mistaked as there are no Kai rescues, and I got her from Red at the No. California Shiba Inu Rescue. He has I believe 6 foster Shibas right now looking for homes and dogs always coming in.Tara surviving in the burbs with Koda & Maymay (Kai Ken)
Great post that needed to be said. My first dog/shiba came from an irresponsible breeder when I was young and naive and didn't know better -- never had anyone spell it out for me. We love him all the same, but now that I know better and have also put some time in with animal rescue groups, I know there is so much more to be said and done.
I want to echo the sentiment about being patient. My partner and looked for over a year and a half (checking various listings just about every day) to find the second dog that we eventually did adopt. It's just as possible to spend more time or less time waiting for the "perfect" pet to come along through rescues/shelters. But if you truly love animals and keep your heart open, the right one WILL come along, and when it happens and everything seems to work out, it will be that much more magical and rewarding.Bowdu 寶肚 (shiba) and Bowpi 寶媲 (basenji) at the House of Two Bows
For those in the Illinois/Wisconsin area, our two shiba puppies came from a rescue called Tiny Paws Small Dog Rescue http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/WI320.html in Union Grove, WI. They are on petfinder.com and get shiba puppies in every once in a while so just watch for them and be patient until the right dog(s) for you are posted and ready for your loving home!Proud Mommy of two red Shiba Puppies, Trixie and Wasabi.
Can we post this thread as a sticky please? I think that it would be useful and informative. Not only does it state in a clear, precise, and in my opinion, non-inflammatory way why so many object to non-ethical breeders, puppy mills, etc. but it's also a great resource for a number of good rescues across the country.Janie, Brian, and Violet (the puppy monster)
Just wondering if we could re-organize the list to indicate which groups have designated 501(c)3 status, and which ones do not or are in the process of obtaining one. Such information could make this sticky more useful, especially when one would like to choose a group to send tax-deductible donations...Bowdu 寶肚 (shiba) and Bowpi 寶媲 (basenji) at the House of Two Bows
If someone is interested in doing the research by all means feel free. When I created this thread it was not created as a rescue resource but more an opportunity to clarify that BUYING a dog is not rescuing or adopting and calling it that is in poor taste.
I personally don't gauge my monetary donations by their tax deductibility but by the work the organization does for the cause. If I can write it off I see that as a nice bonus.Jessica “Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace.”-Milan Kundera
Heh... At this point in my life, I hardly earn nor am able to donate enough where a tax deduction would benefit me very much. But having worked on the development side of a 501(c)e before, and seeing the flood of sizable donations that come in right before the end of the calendar year from folks asking them to be cashed immediately for proper tax credit, I know that it does matter to some people.
I don't mean to hijack the thread or anything. It seemed that discussion was starting to move towards a listings of good rescue groups, and as this is the only sticky related to rescue, this seemed like a good place to add the information. I got to thinking about this when I was trying to figure out all the regional shiba-specific rescues and how they may (or may not) be related. For example, there's the "National Shiba Inu Rescue" resource online, of course, and they seem very comprehensive and great and well-networked with MSIR, but I was stumbling across all these other smaller groups in Central Florida, Colorado, the ones listed above, etc. that seemed to fall through their cracks. It just got confusing to me.
Anyway, I would be interested in pulling together such a list/spreadsheet. Give me a few days, and I'll post my findings for feedback. =)Bowdu 寶肚 (shiba) and Bowpi 寶媲 (basenji) at the House of Two Bows
http://www.midatlanticshibarescue.org/rescue/index.php This is where I've been courtesy listing shibas ( & jindos) looking for a new home. Applications to adopt can also be filled out and Itry to match apps up with the shibas.
There is also SIRRA: http://sirra.shibas.org/ They help foster shibas who require vet care over and above the normal routine care. They helped me in the past with a foster who had to go through HW treatment.