Applying For a Rescue Dog - 5 Reasons Why You Didn't Hear Back

 

So, you made the decision. You want to adopt a rescue dog. You found the perfect pup and filled out the rescue's online application. And then....

Radio silence. You never hear back. 

Why? 

Here are 5 of the reasons your application might have failed. 

1.  Your application was incomplete. Did you fill out the whole thing with the correct information? Making a mistake on your phone or email might have made it impossible for them to reach you. Check your entries before hitting submit. 
2. You skipped sections. Other pets? Vet information? Who else lives in the house? 
3. You didn't read the animal's about me section. If the information on the pet says must have a fenced in yard and you don't well everything stops there. Or not good with cats and you have a cat? Rescuers are looking to make a perfect match so the animal gets a perfect furever home. 
4. You don't read the questions. Did it ask for 3 references and you only gave one? Really? If you can't supply at least 3 people who can vouch for your ability to own a pet then why should they trust you? 
5. The pets in your house are not up to date on vaccinations. A good rescue will call your vet to make sure you're taking good care of the pets in your care. Either now or ones you owned in the past. If you didn't keep on on basic pet care, your application will be passed over. 

You ask why they don't call or email and let you know why? 

One single dog or cat can have over 30 applications in a week or even a day.  Processing all these applications takes time and a lot of phone calls to vets and references. This doesn't take into account the time dealing with amount of dogs coming into rescue who need medical care or the fundraising needed to take care of them all.  

If the rescue stopped and answered every ap there would be no time left to process the other applications and find that perfect home for the pets in their care or provide proper attention to the new pets coming in. And there are always more dogs and cats needing to be rescued. Isn't that the goal? Finding a great furever home for every single dog or cat. 

Woof! Good dog!

I Adopted Out a Dog Today

 I foster dogs. 

No, it's not easy. 

I adopted out a dog today. His name was Carl and he was the sweetest little boy. Carl was joy in every sense of the word. He loved snuggling on the couch, following me around no matter what room I went into (we did have a discussion on the bathroom but he didn't seem to understand my point of view) and chasing squirrels. 

I adopted out a dog today. He took a piece of my heart with him and now I can't seem to find my smile. 

I adopted out a dog today. My couch is empty and there's no reason to open the back door 20 times a day to play let dog in, let dog, out. 

I adopted out a dog today. There are tears in my eyes and a sadness around my shoulders. I miss his little face, his wagging tail and happy eyes. 

I adopted out a dog today. He's going to another home where he'll be loved and have another dog to play with. I'm happy  his furever home is a good one where they'll keep up on his vet visits, shower him with toys and feed him well. 

I adopted out a dog today. And now my home is open to save another life. Because that's what rescue is all about. Saving one more little life. 

Have a good life little one. 

New Foster Pup!

 

This sweet pup came into rescue from a shelter a few hours away. About 12 lbs, Maybe 5 years old and he's the sweetest little boy ever!  He's slowly getting used to our home and is a bit shy. 

When I picked him up from rescue he was trembling. On the car ride back he wanted to be in my lap. I made him comfortable on a blanket beside me and he settled down.  

When he met our dog, a basset/boxer mix, they did the butt sniff and then just ignored each other.  Mostly because our 8 year old dog doesn't want to be bothered with other dogs. 

So, no this little guy needs a name. Hopefully there will be a decision by tomorrow. I've got a list of names and read them off to him but get no reaction.

 

To Foster or Not to Foster

I hooked up with another Animal Rescue. I go once a week to take care of the pups and work in their store. Cleaning, stocking, and, my favorite part, playing with the pups.

There's a little dog there named Bindi. Doxie mix, brindle like my Love Bug, and sweet and shy. Maybe a few years old, tossed in a shelter, very pregnant. She had the babies under the kind guidance and care of the wonderful people at the rescue. I soooo want to foster Bindi.

Right now I'm watching my daughter's cat while she tries to sell her house. Will the dog get along with the cat? Should I wait till after the cat goes to her new home?

Some foster dogs bring chaos. Some bring hugs. I don't think this little one would be a problem if she gets along with LoveBug.  LoveBug is pretty laid back. Eight years old, just wants to hang on the couch, maybe go for a couple of walks. Eat good food and score a couple of treats. Yep, that's LoveBug's ideal life.

Decisions, decisions.....
What do you think, LoveBug? Need a little sister?

Choosing a Dog Rescue

Dog rescue is just like everything else in life. There are places you fit and places maybe not so much.
I came from a rescue up in New Jersey that had the most amazingly giving and sacrificing people I've ever had the good fortune to get to know. They jumped up and ran to each dog in need. They gave up time, money and their hearts to these dogs and always went the extra mile. I loved each and every one of them for the goodness in their hearts and the kindness in their souls.
Then I moved 900 miles away.

So here I am in Florida and getting settled in to new digs. We have boxes of stuff everywhere and really can't find things because they're somewhere... here. 
I'm unpacking and all I can think about is fostering a dog again. Or maybe two.

I think about the shelters that are over crowded. About the dogs who sit in shelters confused and scared. I think about that space on my couch that could give them comfort and security even if its just a bridge to their furever life.

So now I'm on the search for a rescue like my rescue in New Jersey. That mystical group of people who give more then they take and then give some more.

So my rescue friends, where is that special rescue of love and sacrifice?

Do Something

Maybe you can't foster a dog because of work or family dynamics, but there's always something you can do. 

Big or small, every effort helps.

• Organize a Fundraiser. Set up a box where you work and collect food, blankets, towels, or Toys for dogs. Call up a local rescue and see what they need. A sign and a box and you're ready to go. 
• Find your local rescue and start a Facebook Share-a-thon! Go to their Adopt-a-Pet or Pet-Finder site and share the dogs that need a home. Encourage your Facebook and Twitter friends to do the same. Share those pups right into a new home!
• Volunteer to help out at adoption days. Join your local rescue and let them know how much time you have to spare and take part in events and fundraisers.
• Show up at an animal shelter and offer to take a dog for a walk. An exercised pup is a happy pup and you just might find yourself a new best friend.
• Got a few extra $bucks$? Donate a grooming for a dog in need. Some dogs come into rescue in deplorable condition. They need baths, nail clips and sometimes to be completely shaved down. 
• Set up a recurring donation. Tag a small amount from your weekly paycheck to go to a rescue or animals shelter. Even small amounts add up if enough people do it. 

Step up! Your small effort can make a big difference in the life of  a homeless pup. 

I rescue with Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue

How to Foster a Dog

Did you always think you wanted to do something to help homeless animals, but weren’t sure what? If adoption is out of the question, you might consider fostering. Although being a foster family for a homeless dog can be very rewarding, you might have some concerns. Stay calm. It’s easier than you think.

The foster family opens their heart and home to a dog from a shelter and agrees to work with the pup on basic house manners. The dog you foster might come with a history of abuse or neglect and will need a lot of patience to assimilate to a home again.  Other dogs might be very easy and quickly become acclimated to your family.  Each dog is different, but don’t worry. Here are a few tips that will improve your fostering experience.

1. Find a good dog rescue organization to team up with. Every area of the country has animal rescue groups. Look online or in your local paper and call a few in your area. This is your chance to interview them to see if they are a responsible group. Ask questions such as: “Will the group pay to have the dog spayed or neutered? What if the dog doesn’t get along with my dog? What if he has a medical problem? Who will take the dog if I go on vacation?” Getting answers to these kinds of questions will give you a good insight into the type of people you will be working with and how much support you will get if a problem arises.

2. Be prepared for a variety of behaviors. Most dogs are good and want to please, but shelter dogs need a little time to come out of their shell. The dog may cower and hide when he first arrives in your home. This usually isn’t a problem. Give him space and let him come to you. The little fellow has probably had a rough few days of arriving at the shelter, being transported to the rescue organization, and finally to your house. He doesn’t understand why he lost his home or why he keeps being moved around. Show him where the acceptable bathroom place is, give him food and water and soon you’ll see a wonderful personality emerge.

3. Know a few accidents are normal any time a dog moves to a new home. If your foster dog has an accident gently correct him with a firm, “no”, and show him the proper place to potty. When he does potty outside praise him so he knows he did it right.

4. One of the best tools to get a dog adopted is photos. All good rescue groups have accounts at places like Petfinder.com and Adopt-a-pet.com. When the dog is in your house take some cute pictures of your foster. Send them your rescue group as soon as possible so they can put the photos up on the website. You could even take a short video of your little guy so everyone searching for a new pet can see how precious he is. You should also let your rescue know if there are any behavioral quirks such as chasing cats, resource guarding or marking.

5. The hardest part is saying goodbye. You’ve given him love and affection and watched him go from a frightened little pup to a wonderful family dog and now it’s time to give him up. You’ve read the adoptive family’s application, checked references and decided they would be a good forever home for your foster dog. When you hand the dog over to the new family your heart may break. You’ve fallen in love with the little guy and now he’s leaving. It can be a very emotional time for the whole family, but remember there’s another dog out there that needs a loving foster family so he can find his way to a good life.
   

With so many animals being dumped in shelters every day, fostering one dog might not seem like much, but remember you’ve saved a life. Now that your first foster is adopted into a good family, you’re ready to save another homeless dog. You are the bridge between a scary shelter and a loving home. Be the bridge that gives these dogs a happily ever after and discover the magic of unconditional love.  

Dog Found Cliffwood Beach, NJ

 We're calling him Bruce Springsteen since he was found on the Jersey Shore. (Its a Jersey thing~ Springsteen and summer) He's about a year old, very friendly, neutered, and so skinny he was either out on his own for a long time or ...maybe...neglected and dumped.

However Brucie is very friendly and after a couple of weeks he'll be up for adoption if an owner doesn't come forward. (with a good explanation on why he's so skinny!)
His vet check went well and we updated his vaccinations just in case.

If you know of anyone who lost this cutie...go to Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue and drop us a note.

The Throw Away Dog

Got a call today from a friend who works in a shelter. A family was dumping their 7 month old dog off because it bit the father. He said the dog was aggressive toward his daughter and he got in the middle and it bit his hand. As he turns the dog in he says he's had problems with the dog from the beginning. They said they adopted the dog from our rescue. We looked it up and will be picking up the dog tomorrow. He'll be evaluated and we go from there. We'll pay for training and socialize him. The shelter says so far they've seen no aggression and he seems to be a normal exuberant puppy. Hopefully, he'll be adopted. We've done it before, we'll do it again. And probably again and again and again...

Okay, listen up...if you're going to get a dog you have to train it. Training takes time and patience. If you're having problems figuring out how to train a dog, hire a trainer. A good trainer. One who will train all the family members, too. Dogs need to know how to behave, but people need to know (and practice) how to train a dog. Some stranger taking over your dog for a few weeks is not training anyone. Everyone in the family has to be trained right along with the dog. That's how you create a successful relationship with your dog.

Next issue; A dog is a family member. You are his pack so treat him with the same love and affection that you treat the rest of your family/pack members. Learn to work with them, learn from a good "positive" trainer to make a successful relationship with the family and the dog.

You don't give up on family members. You don't dump them in a shelter where they'll be stuck in a cage, confused and scared and away from the only people they ever loved. You wouldn't do it to your children, don't do it to your dog. If you can't promise the dog forever, then you aren't ready for a dog.

Okay, sorry. Vent over.

Buddy Bob's Update!

Fundraising for Dog Rescue

We save the dogs, bring them into our homes, share love, good food, and a warm bed. Then comes the hard part; handing them over to their forever home.

Now for the other pain of Dog Rescue; FUNDRAISING!

Rescuing dogs is more expensive than anyone, but the rescue team, will ever know. Dogs come into rescue with heartworm, parvo, infections, and too many other problems to list. (Newbies please don't get scared! Not all dogs come in with issues. Most are perfectly healthy, wonderful pups) When dogs come in with health issues the $$$ can add up quickly!

That dog that came in thin as sticks with cigarette burns on his back needs a full blood work up to be sure he's healthy and the burn marks are going to heal. (he is, they did). The one that seems to be limping when he came off transport needs x-rays (and more surgery to heal his back leg). A litter of pups where three out of five end up with Parvo need to be treated by the vet for at least a week (yes, they made it and are now in good homes!). This list goes on and on....

Most times adoption fees don't cover it all. Veterinary bills can add up super fast so a Rescue is constantly looking for more fundraising ideas. Here's a few we've used in the past;

• Cans. Cans can be put in local stores with pictures of your cutest pups to ask for donations. This requires some organization as someone has to check the cans on a weekly/monthly basis.
• Paws for the Cause. Purchase paper/cardboard paw print cutouts and get a local store or restaurant to sell them for a small fee. As people buy the paw they put their name on it and it's posted on the wall of the business. This makes the business look community minded while earning money for the dogs. 
• Bowling days or Restaurant Dinners. Get together with a local bowling alley and offer games of bowling where the rescue gets a cut of the profits. Check with a restaurant in your area to host a Rescue night. When anyone mentions the rescue, the restaurant donates part of the profits. This is usually not a very big fundraiser but is a great way for volunteers to get together with friends and family to support the rescue. 
• Gift auctions & Bingo nights. Lots of work to organize this as gifts have to be secured from generous donors to make up the gift/gift basket prizes. Check out local fire departments and schools as places to have your venue.
• Craft shows. Another top earner, but takes a good organizer. Find a venue, sell spaces to crafters and vendors, sell some food and drinks. 

These are basic fundraisers. If you have any other ideas please post them! We'd love to share the ideas to save the pups!

Fostering Dogs and Volunteering

Over all I've probably fostered about 100 dogs. I never realized there were so many of these lost souls through my home until I started to look through the files on my computer and saw all those furry faces. All went to good homes.
My last foster was Corona, the Chihuahua rescued from an abusive hoarder. Nine years old, fearful, barker...as she was at that point; unadoptable.
Good news! She's adopted. Right here, by me. It took so long to gain her trust I just decided to keep her. Now she joins my other fur-baby, Gracie the puppy mill Shih Tzu. Two quirky dogs. Corona doesn't know how to play, Gracie loves squeaky toys. They've come up with their own weird kind of play where Corona runs circles around Gracie with a bone in her mouth and Gracie barks at her.

My cat is 20 years old and having trouble walking. She's tiny and now frail, has to be lifted onto furniture and roams the house at night screaming.

So I'm taking a break from fostering for now. I don't want to risk this 20 year old frail cat to harassment by the puppies or danger an older, bigger dog can bring.  Sometimes when a dog first arrives it can be unpredictable. Even if cat-tested at the shelter, once in the home it could be different. Food or bed aggression could cause a problem.

Instead I'm at the adoption days, helping with fundraising, public relations and any other opportunity that comes up.

If you want to help homeless dogs and can't foster check out local rescue groups and find out what else is available.
Foster
Adopt
Donate
Volunteer
Everything is part of the process that brings these wonderful dogs into their furever home.

Craft Show for Puppies!

Calling all vendors!

Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue is hosting a Spring Craft show on April 26, 2014 at St. Joseph's Church in Keyport, NJ.

Tables cost $30 each. If you are interested in joining us for this event please email: fundraising@castle-of-dreams.com

www.castle-of-dreams.com

Come out and help save dogs and puppies!!!!
They live because you give. Yes, it really is that simple.

Hoarder Dogs

Saving dogs from Hoarders can be one of the hardest things a rescue can do. Most hoarders think they are either saving these dogs or in love. Some simply don't spay and neuter and then when the puppies come they can't give them up, can't afford to spay or neuter and the cycle continues. Soon the Hoarder is in over their heads and they lose control. They can't keep up with cleaning, cost of food and vet bills or socializing necessary for all pets.

When you have 100 dogs in your house and yard there is no way to give them all the affection they need to love and trust humans. These dogs will run from humans and seek to hide in the pack. Although pack life can be hard, too. Smaller dogs are often starving as the minimal food offered is often claimed by bigger more aggressive dogs.

Hoarder dogs are often aggressive because its how they had to survive. All are fearful of people and new places. The world which used to be confined to a pen, home or yard is now huge and they don't know what to make of it.

Another problem with Hoarders is that they don't want to give up their dogs. We had one incident where the woman with 130 dogs in an apartment in the city agreed to let rescue take her pups. She knew she was in over her head and neighbors were now complaining of the smell and noise. When several rescue groups arrived with crates and leashes the woman changed her mind and refused to let the rescues take any dogs. Luckily for the dogs, the police who where present told her either the dogs go with the rescue or he would have the moved out by animal control. The woman relented and the dogs were taken into rescue.

One of these dogs was Madison (little black dog pictured above) who came to my house skinny and extremely shy. It was evident she had just had puppies but there were no puppies found in the apartment. I set up a crate and put her bed in there with a small blanket. I was worried she'd be cold since she was so thin. For the first week I fed her next to the crate and she ventured out only to use the wee pad. Luckily, she knew what those were for. Gradually, she ventured closer to us, first for a sniff only to run back into her crate. We tempted her with treats and sometimes that would work. It was a few weeks and then she was on the couch getting belly rubs. When company would come she's hide behind the couch. That changed too over time.

Madison went to a good home. She learned her social skills and how to accept people as part of her pack. It was a slow go. Her normal socialization was stunted by a Hoarder who, although she meant well, was in over her head. She may always be a bit on the shy side but I know she'll have a happy life. Madison is a very good dog.

Dog & Puppy Adoption Day!

Rescue Dogs Rock Adoption Day!

Adoption day can be stressful for some rescue dogs. Homeless dogs come from various situations and abused, hoarded, or puppy mill dogs usually aren't well socialized. So when you put them in a crowd they don't handle it well. The shaking, hiding and nippiness you see at adoption day might not be a true  example of their personality.

Corona shook like a leaf the entire time. If anyone came near her she would freeze, growl and show her little teeth. That's not the dog cuddled next to me on the couch right now. Corona does not show well on Adoption Days.

There are two ways to handle this situation. Stay and hope she eventually relaxes, gets used to the crowd? Or take her home and let her hide in her bed for the rest of her life? We compromised. I kept Corona in my arms, stood in the back behind the table and away from the crowd.

But some great things happened today too! Big crowds showed up at Pet Supplies Plus and lots of adoptions are underway. Applications were filled out, puppies and dogs chosen by those who came by and as long as all the reference and home visits go well, there will be some new homes for these precious pups!

Dog Adoption in Hazlet

Slow Days in Rescue

Adoption applications have slowed down. Here in NJ we had Hurricane Sandy hit in late October and things just fell apart. Our rescue, Castle of Dreams, is close to the shore so some of our foster homes lost everything. Other fosters took in dogs misplaced by the storm. For everyone in the area life changed to some degree. Either your friends and family members were affected or were helping those who were. Adoptions for the dogs in rescue stopped.

Then came the holidays and that's always a slow time anyway.

I've had Leena since early October, well before the storm that wrecked our shore. I knew when the hurricane hit that Leena would be with me a while, but now I worry that she's getting too attached to me.

Leena is approximately 7 or 8, a Yorkie or a Yorkie-mix and all of 8 pounds. She's very playful and sweet to people. She's not so thrilled with the other pets in the house. For an only dog she'll be great, but she does have issues.

Since Leena was not getting along with my Shih Tzu I decided to take the dogs for walks everyday to work off some of that aggressive energy. (Note: Leena was only aggressive to my Shih Tzu when she was near me. Otherwise she would just ignore her) After about three days of these long walks, Leena wakes up one morning and won't walk on her back legs.

A trip to the vet reveals she has what amounts to a herniated disk in her back. Of course by the time we get to the vet Leena is running and jumping and looks just fine. (don't they make a liar out of you every time?) The vet suggests blood work for tick disease and x-rays and we do both. Before adopting out any dog we like a full picture of any health issues. Blood work show a tick disease so she's given a cortisone like shot and pills for the back and antibiotics for the tick disease.

That's the extent of her problems. She's a sweet and wonderful dog with jealousy issues around other pets. She needs a calm house without other pets. Probably either older teens or a nice retired couple. She loves to play fetch and will bring her toys to anyone in the house.

So if you're in Rescue; have you noticed a slow down in applications?? What are you doing about it?

I Want To Quit

I want to quit!

My health is bad. There are days I feel so terrible that I can barely move. My phone bills are outrageous, and I could have replaced my van with the funds I have spent these last 3 years—on animals that were not my own.

I want to quit!

I spend hours and hours emailing about dogs. There may be 500 messages when I start—and at 4 AM, when I finally shut down the computer, there are still 500 emails to be read.

I want to quit!

Gosh, I haven't the time left to email my friends. I can't remember the last book I read, and I gave up my subscription to my local newspaper- — I used to enjoy reading it, cover to cover, but now it often ends up under the kitty litter box — unread.

I want to quit!

I've spent days emailing what seems like everyone—trying to find a foster home, help for a dog languishing in a shelter—but his time has run out, and the shelter has had to euthanize to make room for the next sad soul.

I want to quit!

I swear, I walk away from my computer to stretch my legs—let the dogs out—and come back to find another dog in desperate need. There are times I really dread checking my email. How will I find the funds, the help, to save yet another dog?

I want to quit!

I save one dog, and two more take its place. Now an owner who doesn't want his dog—it won't stay in his unfenced yard. An intact male wanders… This bitch got pregnant by a stray… This 3-month-old pup killed baby chicks… The dog got too big… This person's moving and needs to give up his pet. I ask you, friends— what town, what city, what state doesn't allow you to own a pet?

I want to quit!

I just received another picture, another sad soul with tormented eyes that peer out of a malnourished body. I hear whimpering in my sleep, have nightmares for days…

I want to quit!

I just got off the phone. "Are you a Rescue? We want to adopt a male to breed to our female." How many times do I have to explain? I have tried to explain about genetics, about health and pedigrees. I explain that rescue NEUTERS! I usually end up sobbing, as I explain about the vast numbers of animals dying in shelters across the country, as I describe the condition many of these animals are found in. I wonder if they really heard me…

I want to quit!

It is not like I don't have enough rescues of my own to worry about– -but others have placed dogs improperly and aren't there to advise the new owners.

I want to quit!

There ARE some unscrupulous rescues out there—hoarders, collectors, and folks who will short change the care of the animals to make a dollar. They save them all, regardless of temperament, putting fellow rescuers and adopters at risk by not being truthful.

I want to quit!

I have trusted the wrong people— had faith and heart broken…

I want to quit!

AND THEN… My dog lays his head in my lap, he comforts me with his gentle presence—and the thought of his cousins suffering stirs my heart.

I want to quit!

AND THEN… One of those 500 emails is from an adopter. They are thanking me for the most wonderful dog on earth—they cannot imagine life without their friend—their life is changed, and they are so grateful.

I want to quit!

AND THEN… One of my adopted Rescues has visited a nursing home. A patient that has spent the last few years unable to communicate, not connecting– -Lifts his hand to pat the huge head in his lap, softly speaks his first words in ages— to this gentle fur child.

I want to quit!

AND THEN… A Good Samaritan has found and vetted a lost baby, "I can't keep him, but I'll take care of him until you find his forever home."

I want to quit!

AND THEN… "Johnny took his first steps holding on to our dog." "You should see this dog nursing this hurt kitten!" "I was so sick and he never left my side…"

I want to quit!

AND THEN… I get an email from a fellow rescuer, "Haven't heard from you in a while—you OK? You know I think of you…"

I want to quit!

AND THEN… A dozen rescuers step up to help, to transport, to pull, and to offer encouragement. I have friends I have never seen, but we share tears, joys, and everything in between. I am not alone. I am blessed with family of the heart, my fellow Rescuers. Just days ago it was a friend who shared her wit and wisdom, whose late night email lifted my heart. Sometimes it is friends who only have time to forward you a smile. Often, it is my friends who forward me the notices of dogs in need. There are Rescuers who see a failing transport and do everything they can to find folks to pull it together for you. Rescuers who'll overnight or foster your Dog while you seek transport. There are Rescuers not used to or comfortable with your breed, but who put aside their discomfort to help.

There are Rescuers whose words play the music of our hearts. Foster homes that love your Rescue, and help to make them whole again—body and spirit. Foster homes that fit your baby in, though it may not be their breed. Rescuers whose talents and determination give us tools to help us. Rescuers we call on for help in a thousand ways, who answer us, who hear our pleas. Rescuers who are our family, our strength, our comrades in battle. I know I cannot save every animal in need. I know my efforts are a mere drop in a sea. I know that if I take on just one more — those I have will suffer.

I want to quit!

But I won't. When I feel overwhelmed, I'll stroke my dog's head while reading my fellow Rescuers emails. I'll cry with them, I'll laugh with them—and they will help me find the strength to go on.

I want to quit! But not today. There's another email, another dog needing Rescue.

This piece is dedicated, with love and gratitude, to all Rescuers.
--Author Unknown