FAQs

Yes. All of our dogs, if not already altered when they arrive at Rescue, are spayed or neutered shortly afterward

There are many reasons why it is important. The main one would be to help prevent the suffering and deaths of millions of unwanted animals. Millions of animals (who were once “cute” kittens and puppies) end up suffering as strays, or are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them all. Many of these animals are the result of unwanted and/or unplanned litters. Another reason for altering a pet is that it is a better behaved animal with hormones controlled. Also a spayed or neutered animal will live a longer, healthier life (an average of 2 to 3 years longer than an unsterilized animal). Click here to find out more about spaying and neutering

Yes. All of our dogs have current vaccinations, are microchipped, and are on heartworm preventative.

Yes. All of our dogs have been tested for heartworm disease. If a dog is heartworm positive, depending on the severity of the illness, they are either given intense heartworm treatment (which takes several months), or they are given a monthy treatment, which is considered a “slow kill” (kills the worms gradually).

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other species of mammals. Heartworm infected dogs showing no signs or mild signs have a high success rate with treatment. Patients with evidence of more severe heartworm disease can be successfully treated, but the possibility of complications and mortality are greater.
While treatment of canine heartworm disease is usually successful, prevention of the disease is much safer and more economical. There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection. Heartworm disease is transmitted to dogs and cats via mosquitoes. So, if you live in Texas, you MUST give your dog or cat heartworm preventative medication year round.

There are many rescue groups for many breeds. Some rescue groups take in any breed. The reason we (and other breed-specific groups) only take one particular breed is because our volunteers are very fond of and knowledgeable of that breed, and can educate potential adopters about the breed. This helps prevent the dog being returned because of lack of knowledge on a hunting breed, which if not trained, can dig, howl, run away, etc. Many people do not realize that breeds are different. For instance, hounds are scent dogs and cannot be allowed to “run loose”. They are also “food thieves” and cannot be free-fed. Hounds can be rather stubborn (but oh so cute!). There are many breed-specific and non-breed specific rescue organizations in the Houston area to find the right dog for the family’s life-style.

Absolutely not. Dogs are natural den animals. He/she can be very comfortable in a small space. Even when their crate is left open, many dogs choose to sleep inside that crate. Often if there is a lot of confusion (company, construction, noise, etc.), a dog will seek out his/her crate as a place of safety (think of it as their bedroom).
The crate should NEVER be used for punishment. If it is needed as a “time out”, or for safety reasons, the dog (or pup) should be put into the crate with a treat and a pat on the head. “Kindly but firmly” is the ticket.

It may seem that confining a dog to a crate (to prevent it from digging, chewing, or hurting itself) is cruel. However, resorting to taking your dog to a shelter is far more cruel, and the dog could be euthanized.

Possibly. Please visit our Giving Up Your Dog page.

The majority of our dogs come from local shelters. Some Beagles we rescue are found as strays, and some were dropped off at the shelter by their owners. Most “owner surrendered” Beagles are given up for stated reasons, such as “I don’t have time for him/her anymore”, “Nobody will take care of him/her”, or because the dog howls, or digs, or nips or chews due to lack of training. Confining a dog to a crate, building a small, secure fence, attending a training class, and taking your pup to doggie day care are all methods for getting past those difficult stages.

Although some do come in with behavioral or health problems, most rescued dogs are not a “problem”. It just takes a commitment for proper training and patience in most cases. Please read our Are You Right for a Rescued Dog? page.

No. Every year Harris County Rabies and Animal Control receives 15,000 to 18,000 animals at their shelter. While some are adopted or returned to owners, thousands end up euthanized due to lack of enough homes and space. BARC receives over 20,000 animals every year, and thousands of animals do not leave the shelter alive. Sadly, some owners are contacted when their dogs are picked up, and they choose to just leave them there.

In Harris County and local shelters, 44,000 dogs and cats are euthanized each year. (Houston Chronicle, April 19, 2019)

For a realistic view of what happens to a shelter dog, please visit the website Petharbor.com to view the animals that have been given 72 hours by law to be retrieved before euthanasia, in order to make space for the never-ending intake of new animals. Thankfully, some are adopted or rescued.

First of all, and most importantly, too many pet-owners in the United States are not getting their animals spayed or neutered. Many organizations offer low-cost, and sometimes FREE spay/neuter services, yet people still do not do it. This results in many unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. The pet-owner may give the babies away, or the babies may become stray, and therefore the cycle continues.

Also, many people decide they want a pet without giving enough thought to the responsibilities of pet ownership. They may not properly train the pet, which results in the animal relieving itself in the house, chewing or destroying things in the home, etc. These pets usually end up as “outside” animals, either left in the back yard or chained up. Hounds left in the back yard likely will escape and become stray – resulting in suffering of the dog, and – if not spayed/neutered – producing more “unwanted” stray animals. Needless to say, the ones “chained up” suffer as well. Imagine living YOUR life on a chain! Some pet-owners decide that they “really don’t have time, or funds or patience” for their pets anymore, and take them to the shelter.

Frequently we hear “We cannot deal with our dog because he destroys the house when we are gone”. but these same people are opposed to crate-training, believing it is cruel! We also often hear that “the dog is always running off”. Many people do not research breeds before getting a dog. There are different breeds for a reason – not just appearance – but a variety of behaviors that have been selectively bred into a dog, such as for hunting or guarding. Beagles cannot be left off-leash in an unfenced area or non-secure area. They will track a scent and follow it without paying attention to their surroundings, which results in the dog becoming injured or lost, and taken to an animal control facility.

There are many types of rescue organizations. Some organizations “specialize” in a particular breed. You can find a rescue organization for just about any breed of dog or cat. Even rabbits, ferrets, snakes, iguanas, guinea pigs & pet rats have rescuers!!

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