Thinking about adopting a dog from a rescue shelter?

The downside of the JRT is that they aren't as cool as a mini schnauzer and they shed.

Of course, the downside of getting a mini schnauzer from www.msrh.org is that the cost is higher ($300 ish compared to $100 ish).

However, all of the money from MSRH (mini schnauzer rescue of houston) does go back to the purpose of rescuing dogs, and your up-front cost in getting a dog is minor compared to the long term costs. Plus, you can choose from dozens of mini schnauzers and find the perfect match for your personality.

 

We got a mutt from our local rescue shelter. Named him Rocket.

Rocket was a 3-MO lab mix. I was leery of getting a dog any older because we have young children around the house and you don't know what kind of treatment a dog might have received before getting sheltered.

He's a great dog!

 

I am a huge advocate of getting animals from shelters. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats and they are all rescue animals. Tons of animals need good homes and when you get a rescue from a shelter, you pay $65-75 and get a pet that is fixed and has its shots for the year. Plus, it is microchipped. The shelters all screen the animals for tempermant before they put them up for adoption.

The cost of spaying/neutering + shots + microchipping would cost you in the $400+ range at a vets.

Good luck and enjoy your rescue animal. I volunteer at the humane society and someone else here volunteers at the SPCA. Both good places to adopt from.

 

I have a JRT-Chihuahua mix I got from the Humane Society. $85 bucks and he was given all his shots, he was fixed, microchipped and checked out for any health problems. They also have a network of vets that you can take your new pet to for free for the first visit.

Previously I tried to go to a rescue group near my place, but they were going to do alot less (no microchip, no shots, etc.) and then charge me $300. Also, their screening process was a bit too intense. They wanted information that my employer doesn't even have. I am happy with my decision. My dog is great, healthy an happy.

This is what I would do. I would check out SPCA, Humane Society, even the city pound. You can find full-blooded dogs there if that is what you are looking for. You may have to be patient and make several trips, but you will find what you are looking for. I searched for about 2 months untl I found my dog. When I went to the Humane Society, the lady in the small dog area actually asked what kid of dog I was looking for and told me which dogs would fit the bill. It was a perfect match.

One thing that became clear to me is that all rescue groups are not created equal. SPCA, Humane Society have regulations and practices that are approved. Some groups that act as non-profit are totally for profit. Some other groups have their hearts in the right place, but have no clue what they are doing.

Hope this helps.

 

I applaud your contribution of wanting to own a dog straight from the shelter... I thank your good service in hopes of more people do the same of adopting dogs from shelters...

 

you thought about it for only 2 weeks? sure it's not an impulse thing? it's a big responsibility, i just want you to be prepared on what you're getting into, good luck

 

Yeah you're basically raising children when owning a dog. I treat my dogs like my little brothers...

 

I also highly recommend adopting dogs from a shelter. When I was a kid we adopted two dogs (mutts) from a shelter, and they were awesome dogs! One was a German Shepherd/Chow mix. She had a little bit of a temper, but would never bite a person, only other dogs. The other was a Sheltie/Rottweiler mix, and was fiercely loyal and protective. They were my mother's faithful companions for 15 years.

Make sure you REALLY want a Jack Russell Terrier. The ones I've known required a LOT of attention and were endlessly energetic. Think about if you want to take care of one for the next decade-plus.

 

Since my wife is highly highly active in an independent animal rescue group, I can both concur with what you are saying but would also like to point out the SPCA, Humane Society are not "all that". They may have rules and regulations, but that bureaucracy can also create stupid rules and regulations.

The SPCA still kills about 50% of their animals. That's a lot better than BARC (Houston's city pound), but still.

Adopting a rescue dog is great. Frankly, there should be no other way to do it.

While I'd be wary of $300+ adoption fees, OTOH, you don't know what the rescue group is doing financially. It doesn't mean they are making a profit. My wife's group charges mid $100's, and you get the dog fully fixed, micro-chipped and healthy. But they also have a pretty rigorous adoption process, won't adopt to anyone without doing a home visit, etc. May sound over the top, but you'd be surprised the number of dogs that people end up deciding they no longer want. The last thing we want is that dog ending up back in the pound in a few months. Plus, she can immediately tell whether someone is concerned about the adoption fee, in which case it's a pass. If someone is concerned about $150, even up to $300 for services they'd otherwise pay much more for, then we have to be concerned about that persons ability to handle the responsibility of a dog.

Anyway, please go the adoption route. We had a JRT we fostered for a few weeks. It was adopted pretty quickly. The smaller ones tend to be. He was a great little fella...I've heard they can be high energy at times, but he was pretty good, great little dog.

I'd warn you, do NOT get a dog based solely on looks. Even if you've narrowed the breed down. Understand what type of personality you want in a dog. Happy high energy dog who'll play chase. Lap dog. Guard dog. Highly social dog. Etc. Ask the rescue group about the dogs personality. It is a life-long (for the dog) commitment, and you should be sure you and the dog are a great fit. In this case, you obviously need to make sure the dog is good with other dogs. It probably even makes sense to let him meet the Yorkie before going forward with the adoption. If they're going to live together, they should get along. Even the friendliest dogs can often just not like another dog.

If that adoption doesn't come through, and you still want a dog, please email through the board and I'd set you up with a very reputable rescue group - we have a bunch of dogs available for adoption (see link - that is nowhere near the full list of available pets, though). Or if you want someone to just make sure the group you're looking at is a good one, just let me know the name and I'll ask the misses...she knows them all.

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/redcollarrescue

Have fun!

 

We should all go to the public park and play fetch with our dogs, how about it???

 

There are several dog parks around town. I used to be a regular at the Bellaire Dog Park. It is so hot this time of year, I tend to avoid the parks. We have a quiet bayou behind our house we can let the dogs run free on and it is great for them. They play and run, but we only have to spend 20 min or so out there. We try to get them out twice a day. Big dogs, so they need there run time.

As the dog whisperer says: "A good dog is a tired dog." (If he doesn't - he should.)

Remember that as a dog owner, sufficient exercise goes a long way to making your dog a good dog.

 

Crap. I hate not being able to edit. I need to chip into the pot soon, so I can.

Dog whisperer should say: "A tired dog is a good dog."

 

Thanks for the great read.. I will tell anyone who is thinking about owning a dog to go to that link up above... Great job friend...

 

This thread has good timing, my wife was running errands the other day and came upon this little puppy she managed to save it from the middle of a busy road before it got run over...she felt it must be someones lost puppy since it was so young and clean.
Upon further inspection by the vet, it was determined that due to its emaciation that it had been scavenging for food for much of its estimated 13 weeks of life.

Soooo, what it comes down to is this, we already have a dog, and dont have the time to deal with training a new one, yet, It doesnt feel right to take it to the pound and have it put down 5 days later after they fail to find a home for it.
The vet says it has hookworms, but we are treating it for that right now, and will give you the rest of it so they can be eliminated.

Anyway...take a look at this puppy and see if you can find a home for it...I simply can not give it the home it needs at this time.
Its very playful and affectionate, we arent sure of exactly what breeds it is a mix of, but based on the size of its paws, it isnt gonna get a whole lot bigger.



Come on guys and gals...help me out here, I dont want to have to take it to the pound.

 

Brings a tear to my eye whenever I see an abandon pet like that.. I would take it for sure, but I have 3 other dogs already.. I'll make sure to ask around... Cute little guy/girl..

 

Your link is broken, but I think this is where you were trying to send us: http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=TX1086&preview=1

 

That puppy is freaking adorable. Damn this stupid apartment.