 |
Are your dogs altered (spayed/neutered)? |
 |
Yes. All of our dogs, if not already
altered when they arrive at Rescue, are spayed or
neutered shortly afterward. |
|
|
|
|
|
Why is it
so important to have your pet spayed or neutered? |
|
|
There are many reasons why it is
important. The main one would be to help prevent the
suffering and deaths of millions of animals. Millions
of animals (who were once "cute" kittens and puppies)
end up suffering as strays, or are euthanized because
they are no longer wanted or cared for.
Many of these animals are the result of unwanted
and/or unplanned litters. Another reason is to
have a better behaved animal. 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 |
|
|
|
|
|
Do your dogs have their current
vaccinations? |
|
|
Yes. All of our dogs have their
current vaccinations and are on heartworm preventative. |
|
|
|
|
|
Are your dogs tested for heartworms? |
|
|
Yes. All of our dogs have been tested
for heartworm disease. If a dog is heartworm positive,
depending on the intensity of the illness, they are either
given intense heartworm treatment (which takes several
months), or they are given Heartgard monthly, which is
considered a "slow kill" (kills the worms gradually). |
|
|
|
|
|
What is Heartworm Disease? |
|
|
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 (such as Heartgard).
For more information on Heartworm Disease,
please read our
Heartworm Disease flyer, or visit the
Heartworm Society Web site.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why do you only take
beagles and hounds? Isn't that "discrimination" so to
speak? |
|
|
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 knowledgeable of that breed,
and can educate potential adopters of that breed.
This helps prevent the dog being returned because "we didn't
know this type of dog digs, howls, runs away, etc.". Many people do not realize that all 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, and can be very stubborn. German
Shepherds can be allowed to "run loose" with proper training,
as may other dogs. German Shepherds are also "herders"
and "protectors", as are other "shepherds" such as Shelties.
Some breeds are good with children, some are not, the list
goes on...............
It is impossible (unfortunately) to rescue EVERY dog, but you
would be amazed at how many rescue organizations there are out
there. We are all doing our best to save as many dogs as
we can. Most rescue groups are also pretty low on funds
and can only do so much. If you'd like more information
about how rescue works, please
email us.
We would be happy to answer your questions!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is crate training cruel? |
|
|
Absolutely not. The dog is a natural
den animal. He/she is very comfortable in a small space. 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 "time out" for bad behavior,
the pup or dog should still be put in the crate with a pat on
the head. "Kindly but firmly" is the ticket.
Many people think confining a
dog to a crate (to prevent it from digging, chewing, or
hurting itself) is cruel. But dumping your dog at a
shelter is much more cruel, because 99 out of 100 times, the
dog will be euthanized. |
|
|
|
|
|
I can no
longer take care of my dog. Can your organization
take him/her? |
|
|
Please visit our
Giving Up Your Dog
page. |
|
|
|
|
Where do most of your dogs come from? |
|
|
The majority of our dogs come from local
shelters. Some Beagles we rescue are strays, and some
were dumped off at the shelter by their owners. Most
"owner-turn-ins" Beagles are dumped for reasons (and not good
ones), 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 chews. Many people think confining a
dog to a crate (to prevent it from digging, chewing, or
hurting itself) is cruel. But dumping your dog at a
shelter is much more cruel, because 99 out of 100 times, the
dog will be euthanized. |
|
|
|
|
|
Are rescue dogs problem dogs? |
|
|
Although some do come in with behavioral
problems, most rescue dogs are not a "problem".
It just takes a commitment for proper
training in most cases. Please read our "Are
You Right for a Rescued Dog?" page. |
|
|
|
|
|
Aren't most dogs dropped off at shelters
or picked up by Animal Control eventually adopted? |
|
|
No. In 1997 alone, Harris County
Rabies and Animal Control reported that a total of 21,695 dogs
arrived at their shelter. Of that 21,695 dogs, only
1,475 were reclaimed by their owners. Even less than
that (539 dogs) were adopted. Approximately 350 were
picked up by rescue organizations. A total of 19,326
dogs were euthanized at Harris County Rabies and Animal
Control in 1997. Amazing and heartbreaking,
isn't it? Believe it or not, some owners are contacted
when their dogs are picked up, and they choose to just leave
them there. Dogs turned in or refused by their owners are the FIRST
dogs to be euthanized. |
|
|
|
|
|
How many dogs are euthanized in shelters
each year? |
|
|
In Harris County alone, approximately
97,000 dogs are euthanized each year. That is
approximately 265 dogs PER DAY.
|
| |
|
|
|
What
happens to a dog when the owners take him/her to a shelter? |
|
|
For a realistic view of what
happens to a shelter dog, please view
The
Fate of a Shelter Dog. |
|
|
|
|
|
Why are there so many dogs and cats in shelters? |
|
|
Sigh. Where should I start?
First of all, and most importantly, the majority of
pet-owners in the United States are not getting their
animals spayed or neutered. So many
organizations offer low-cost, and sometimes FREE
spay/neuter services and people still do not do it.
This results in many many unwanted litters of
puppies/kittens. Then the pet-owner may give the
babies away, or the babies may become stray, therefore
the cycle continues.
Also, many people decide they want a pet without
giving much thought to the responsibility of pet
ownership. They may not properly train the
animal, which results in the animal going to the
bathroom in the house, destroying things in the home,
etc. These animals usually end up as "outside"
animals, either left in the back yard or chained up.
The ones left in the back yard most likely will escape
and become stray - resulting in the ultimate suffering
of the dog, and if not spayed/neutered - producing
more "unwanted" stray animals. Needless to say,
the ones "chained up" suffer as well. Think of
living YOUR life chained up! Many pet-owners
decide that they "really don't have time for" their
pet anymore, and take them to the shelter.
I cannot tell you how many times we have heard "We
cannot deal with our dog anymore because he destroys
the house when we are gone". But when
crate-training is suggested, we are told "Oh no, crate
training is cruel!" Another one we hear often is
"I had a beagle, but it ran off". Many people do
not research breeds before getting a dog. They
are different breeds for a reason - not just
appearance - but many other reasons. Hounds
cannot be left off-leash in an unfenced area - they
will track a scent and follow it without paying
attention to their surroundings, which results in the
dog becoming lost or "stray". |
|
|
|
|
|
How many rescue organizations are
there? |
|
|
There are many many rescue organizations.
Many rescue 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 have
rescuers!! |
| |
|
|
|
I want to fill out
your online application, but I am worried about my
personal information being accessed. Do you share the
information you get with other companies? |
|
|
No. We do not share your personal
information. Please view our
Privacy Statement
for more information. |
|
