Question about a rescue or rehome pet adoption

[Maya]

Hello everybody:

I hope you can share your experiences with me, so I know what to expect in my search for a rehome or rescue Doodle.

RESCUE:
I have spent many, MANY hours researching, checking, sending emails, calling... If the dog I am interested in is still available, every single time I am told one of these two: 1) shipping the dogs is not an option, or 2). they prefer to place the dog locally ...when I ask 'how long do you wait to place them locally, before you'd consider an out-of-state applicant', they do not seem to have a firm rule, so I don't get a straight answer.

If you have any knowledge of somebody who managed to rescue a Doodle from another state, and had it shipped to them, please let me know how it works - did they make an exception in their case, and why, or are there some rescue centers, shelters and Humane Society shelters that routinely do that (of course, I know that we would be paying for shipping)?

If you (or smb. you know) rescued one in the state you live in - how did that happen? I found 5 dogs so far (2 were Doodles) that I wanted to rescue, and I was never quick enough (and believe me, I was pretty quick, but every time somebody beat me to it). I am glad the doggies got their forever homes, but I am bummed that at least one didn't get my home :-)

REHOME:
I have posted on this site and on the Seattle Labradoodle Meetup site that we are looking for a Doodle, and asked people if they knew of anybody who needs their Doodle rehomed, to please let me know. I just did that very recently, and it does not surprise me that I haven't heard from anybody yet. In the meantime, I'd like to know other people's experiences with getting a rehome Doodle (or any other dog, for that matter).

Did you post/advertise that you are looking for a rehome pet somewhere? Locally or nationally? Where? How long before somebody contacted you? If it was a family out of state, how did you do it?

I can wait, I only want to know if people mostly get rehomes and rescues locally, or is it worth checking the out of state listings, too. I want to see if I am doing it the right way, and also - what to expect.

Thank you all so much!

Maya

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Maya:
Dogs in high-kill shelters are often pulled by rescue groups and transported, but this is not done for an individual. There are people who try to rehome (and actually re-sell) their doodles themselves, as we discussed in another forum. My understanding is that these people post on Craig's List or that kind of thing. Occasionally, a breeder gets an older puppy or dog returned to them that they try to rehome themselves. Some of the breeders here do post that information. In those types of cases, the owner or breeder may be willing to ship.
With IDOG, other rescues, and shelters, there is almost never a case where they will ship a dog. For one thing, many have home visit requirements. But the one point that we try to make over & over again is that if you are trying to adopt a rescue doodle, you need to fill out the applications at IDOG and any other shelter or rescue in your area BEFORE you see a dog that you are interested in. The desire for certain dogs is very high, and there is great competition for the most desirable ones. Mini doodles in rescue or rehome situations are as rare as hen's teeth, and when you do find them, the group in question already has a list of approved homes on file. By the time you see the dog's picture on petfinder, chances are good that the adoption paperwork is already going through. By filling out an application, you are under no obligation to take any particular dog; it just gets you into the line.
Please take a moment to read through the various discussions on "Rescued Doodles"- 'Your' Stories is one in which many of us, including myself, tell how we found our dogs. Other discussions there give you tips for finding doodles listed on petfinder.
Please also be aware that many many rescues come with a lot of baggage. You can read about that on "Rescued Doodles" too. Even a dog who has no apparent issues and is being rehomed for some of the reasons you & I discussed previously will almost certainly develop issues after the rehoming trauma. These can be successfully dealt with, but anyone going in needs to understand that adopting a rescue or rehome is not going to be like getting a dog from a breeder. And of course, giving up these dogs a second time would not be an option.
I hope this has helped. Please visit the "Rescued Doodles" discussions for more info.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Try emailing a few Washington, Oregon doodle breeders from owner recommended goldendoodles and labradoodles internet site. They may be able to help you find a doodle that needs a new home. They have a pretty good netwoamong themselves. If you don't specifically want a doodle, try your local animal shelter or any of the rescue groups. Siberian huskies are nearly always abundant as are some of the other so called "difficult" breeds. Many shelters will take your name and call you when they get a dog that will suit you. That is how my son adopted a papered Siberian with an excellent temperment, he was called when someone dropped off a mom and her puppies. Good Luck.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Maya....There is a DK member in Portland Oregon who is currently fostering an IDOG rescue in need of a forever home.....The dog's name is Sandy..See link below....If you are interested please contact Shannon and/or Jo at IDOG...

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:249710

[Maya]

Oh, yes, I remember Sandy. I spend so much time checking out the idog and poomix rescue doggies, and the posts here on doodlekisses, that I think I know them all by name by now :-) Some of them look like they are saying 'Maya, take me home'... Some just stay tattooed on my brain, I keep thinking about their adorable faces... how about that Koda in Florida, or Josie... or Zoe in WA State (the owners decided to keep her).

I know there was a reason I did not contact them about Sandy, but now I am not sure, and I can't find her on IDog.biz... my usual reasons are the size, or 'no kids under the age of...'. The kids are afraid of large dogs. We are pretty sure if they spent some time with a large dog, they would not be afraid any more, but it's not something we would test - just too risky to bring a rescue into our home, when we are not 100% sure the kids would get used to its size and not be afraid any more. (not fair to the kids, either :-))

I keep checking the poomix site and the idog.biz one, a few times a day actually, and have submitted an application. So I think I am doing the right thing... but, like somebody said - not much chance getting a rescue miniature Doodle... even if they do have one (which they almost never do) - what are the chances it would be in WA State?!? Yet, I am hopeful!!! And persistant! And talking to the kids daily, how large dogs sometimes like kids more than small ones... when we go for a walk, I always stop to pet a large dog... and I've noticed the kids are not as scared of them as they used to be... so I think...OK, maybe not a large one, but a medium?!

We'll see... I am sure our perfect doggie will find its way to our home one day.

THANK YOU ALL FOR RESPONDING TO MY POST!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, the "big dogs" usually DO have much gentler, more easy-going personalities than a lot of the smaller breeds...I think that's why people like Labs & Goldens so much! Some of the toy breeds can be downright nasty.
If you do a search on petfinder.com in your area and just select poodle for the breed, you may turn up some good small-to-medium sized poomix dogs, maybe even a doodle that the shelter didn't identify properly. I had a schnoodle many years ago who weighed 25# and looked just like a mini-doodle...and had the most loving, gentle temperament.
You are wise to know that the right dog will find YOU...sometimes when you least expect it!

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

That's fantastic news Kelli!!!.....Tell us all about it!

[Maya]

Becky, I regularly check that one and some others. Have you been checking idog.biz, and homelesshound.us. If you want a standard (large) Doodle, I think you'll find a rescue one easily, just give it some time. I am looking for a smaller one.

How long have you been looking?

Good luck!

Maya

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Becky poomixrescue is associated with IDOG.....

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We had a really tough time finding a rescue/rehome doodle. There just seem to be so many people in our area (NJ) who wanted rescue doodles. We also both work full time and I think this hurt us with a few adoptions (we were basically denied). We found Kirby through another forum (someone was fostering him for their breeder).

We were checking petfinder everyday...called or e-mailed shelters immediately. You're right - most shelters want to do local adoptions.

It's tough (I was surprised how tough it was). Just be persistent and you will find the dog meant for you :)

[Maya]

Becky and everybody else: thanks for responding to my post. We DO have a Doodle now, I can't believe it, it just happened 3 days ago! So, Becky, try what we did: check out the local newspapers. I checked the Internet version of Seattle Times Classifieds, and there it was - a family couldn't take care of their 7 month old puppy any more and were looking for a new home for her. They were asking $500 for her. We went there, liked the puppy, even though she is MUCH bigger than we were planning to get, so we took her. She's 7 months old, 33 lbs (the lady said 28lbs, but NOPE, she's a little over 33lbs), black, F1 Labradoodle. Turns out I saw the ad the day it started. So, that's how we got our rehome baby. Rescues are really hard, since they won't ship them.

Anyway, I do feel that things clicked together the right way for us, the way many things happen in life (meant to be? divine intervention? very nice coincidence? who knows?!). She's such a good girl! No crying for her old family, believe it or not - it seems like she's been here forever. We've tested her in the car - no problem, in the crate - pretty good, on a pillow on the floor at night - check again! She does try to do her own thing (she'll jump on the bed many times, knowing very well it's a NO thing), it's not like she does everything we say, but she seems smart, she does understand, and she's had some doggy training, so, knock on wood, we have not seen any typical issues that are expected to come with a rehome doggy. I hope and pray it stays that way!

Good luck, and keep us posted!
Maya

[Adina P]

I think that is fabulous. The best way, OK one way, in my opinion, to prevent issues is to be sure the boundaries are clear right away. Have a routine that she can count on for stability. Im more strict about this, but I think at first no furniture allowances are best. Not until she has earned it, and after you have invested time in training.