[Dailydrool] Rescue Groups Doing More

[Rosemary Glennie]

My response to Karen's and Shelley's posts - AMEN!   Could not have been
better said.  Thank you from one tired/broke rescuer to another........

Rosemary Glennie
Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia
www.bhrg.org


>From Karen:  Cathy Blatz wrote: "I can understand Rescue operations
expecting breeders to take back their own puppies but I would like to see
rescue organizations do more education on responsible pet ownership, too.
It would be nice to see rescue organizations do more to help at-risk owners.
I've read where someone can't afford an operation for their dog so rescue
takes the animal, fixes it, and rehomes the dog.  Wouldn't it be easier (and
kinder) to help the owners with the bills that would allow them to keep
their dog.    I'd like to see Rescue Organizations sponsor free Spay/ Neuter
clinics for owners who can't afford the $200 plus to get the surgery on
their own."

Cathy, I believe that the responsible rescues do try educate people on
responsible pet ownership.  While I understand your desire to see Rescues
sponsor spay/neuter clinics as well as paying for operations so an owner can
keep their pet all monies they receive are through the generosity of others.
They are not funded by the city, county or state with an allotted budget
each year.  In this economy those donations are even more limited and so any
funds they have (IMO) needs to go to save that next basset and care for the
ones that are long term fosters due to medical issues.  I am sure that many
rescues would love to have the funds to pay for needed surgery or sponsor
S/N clinic but sadly the funds are just not there.   I know that if there is
a basset in need of surgery many rescues will work with the family to find
alternatives be it credit, grants from different organizations, discounts
and even ask for donations from their members.

On the flip side you also have those people that believe it is the dog's
right to procreate and S/N is multilation.  Then there are those that no
amount of education will change their minds and so the pups keep coming 1-2
times a year until the bitch is completely worn out or dies.  I have a man
up the road like this and even offers to pay for the spay were turned down.
Take one guess where these pups end up.  

Think about  GGBR's 61 basset rescue in December.  Should we have helped
this person keep those neglected bassets because she "loved" them?  Are we
helping the bassets?  Oh yes and at a  great expense.  The adoption fees
will come no where even close to covering the S/N, dentals (every one of
them needs a dental including the 6 month old buppies) and the different
other surgeries that are needed.  Then add in the cost of microchipping,
vaccines, treatments for giardia/coccidiosis, heartworm testing, blood work,
worming etc. and the costs just keep skyrocketing.  These people keep all
the younger pups to sell which in reality would have been the ones requiring
the least expense to GGBR.  Those pups adoption fees could have helped to
cover more of the older bassets medical needs. The cost of these bassets are
on an average, $600-$800 per basset.  

I want you to know that not all vets donate their services in fact many
don't because of the economy.  Some may discount the prices but nothing says
they have to and these bassets still have to be taken care of so they will
hopefully be in their Furever Homes.

You should also know that the volunteers that work with the rescues many
times provide a lot of the basic necessities such as food, worming
medications and even heartworm meds at their own expense.  Even more than
that the volunteers spend enormous amounts of time with these bassets trying
to undo some of the damage that has been done by others.  They have to gain
these bassets trust which is not always an easy thing to do because they
were never socialized or given a reason to trust humans.   They show them
that love doesn't hurt, that a belly rub is a good thing, that a foot rub
doesn't mean they are going to be kicked.  We try to teach these bassets how
to live in a home, how to accept and give love.  

You don't have to be responsible for all the "other" dogs but I thank God
everyday that there are those that do.   Without these wonderful people and
there loving hearts so many of the breed we love would be euthanized without
ever knowing what love and being a basset truly means.

The rewards the volunteers receive are gifts that we treasure.  Every step
forward that these bassets make is celebrated.  There is a tremendous thrill
when you see a basset play for the very first time, that first little wag of
the tail or that fully upturned belly waiting to be rubbed.   I can tell you
that the joy I felt the first time Sophee met me at the door with the rest
of the gang, bouncing like a little buppy, was immense.  I know when my two
girls find there "Furever Homes" I will feel a sense of sadness  but there
will be a sense of pride and accomplishment that I was able to give of
myself freely so they have new lives filled with love.   They will go,
hopefully knowing that I love them, that my love will follow them throughout
their lives and that they will always have a special place in my heart.  

So for all those that give so freely of themselves to help our beloved
bassets know that I thank you, I appreciate you, I value you and we love
you.

I will get off my soapbox now.
Droolz to all in need,
Karen and The Dog House Gang 

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>From Shelly:     I too would like to comment on Cathy Blatz's post regarding
rescue groups helping owners with vet bills. According to ABC BHR's by-laws,
and I'm sure many other rescue groups, our mission statement is to help
"homeless" bassets. We are not in the business of paying for vet bills for
owners that can't (or don't want to) pay. We are not a benevolent
organization, we are a rescue. I suppose if you open that can of worms,
where does it stop? Do you pay for chemo-therapy? Teeth cleanings? Who
qualifies? Low income? Who is low income? We've had our share of folks
looking for help with vet bills. The answer is always "no".

Several years ago, we had a woman who purchased a puppy at a pet store for
$1,000. He was in extreme pain and needed bone surgery on his front legs
costing approx $5,000. She wanted to relinquish the dog, have us pay for the
surgery, then adopt the dog back to her. Nope, sorry. We ended up
transporting the dog to IL for the surgery for much less. Buckley was then
adopted by a family who volunteers for us. 

And as far as offering a low-cost spaying and neutering clinic...my thoughts
are this...if you can afford to purchase a puppy, be prepared to pay for the
vet bills, including spay/neutering. Perhaps the vets should offer low cost
spay/neuter, here in NY they can cost between $300-$400. ABC BHR fundraises
all year long between waddles, picnics, our auction and The Slobber Shoppe.
We don't do all this work to pay for personal pet's vet bills. If we did,
I'd be first in line!!

Shelly Gordon 
ABC Basset Hound Rescue 
www.nybasset.org 
merchandise at nybasset.org