Pet Rescue

when, adopting, they may or maynot be informed of issues be it behavior or other issues. It is the adopters responsibuility to ask questions. I did adopt a a small chiwawua (ms) has definate issues. My family of 6 is having difficult times of ajusting. As well we have 4 other dogs we all know its going to be hard for awhile until we (Humans) are acclimated. Volunteers are always welcome to come and help out just one requirement that is, you must be 18 years of age.thank you for allowing me to joining your group.

I have been working with various rescue shelters and have become very upset lately about the number of dogs that are adopted and returned to the shelter for behavioral issues that could be corrected, or at least helped, with regular training before adoption (and even after if necessary).

One shelter in particular uses a trainer that charges quite a bit, only works with the dogs once or twice a week, has made little progress with some of the more difficult cases (not dangerous but pig-headed or just plain to excitable), and very often resorts to spiked choker collars.
I have worked with many dogs in my 30 years and have taken a couple classes focusing entirely upon difficult dogs. I also have always had plenty of my own dogs to work with (right now 9) and have taken hundreds of hours of training classes.
The rescue won't let me do anything for fear of undoing the trainer's work since I am not a "trainer" just a volunteer. I have resorted to going around each day sitting in each dogs small run and working on basics with each one - sit, down, stop the jumping.
I want to help them - but I can't find anywhere that will give me a chance to get some experience (and possibly a reference for the rescues to see). I wouldn't be competition since I don't want payment - just work with rescues.
I've seen some "schools" that claim to have degrees in training and charge thousands of dollars which I cannot afford and don't think worth the money.


Any ideas where I might look to find training apprenticeship or assistant job (nonpaid) for the experience? I'm in Houston area.


Also, any place to learn how to do Temperment testing for rescues? All the dogs end up labeled "Not Good With Dogs" or "No Children, Dogs or Cats", both of which really limit possible adopters. And some of these dogs were fine with other dogs when they came into the shelter months earlier.


Ideas on how to get some more education from knowledgeable trainers so I can help dogs never come back?

S/Nipped...

Thanks for sharing your story! Wow, it seems to me like you are the feral expert, but like any good expert you are willing to hear new ideas. I don't have any ideas personally, but I may come to you if and when we need help TNRing a local stray. We have TNR'd a few times in our neighborhood. We joke there is an underground passage way to our home.

Do you all euthanize cats that test (+) for FIV and/or Leuk? We have been struggling with what is the best thing to do in this situation.

Hello All, I am new here to the group and wanted to put out our call. S/Nipped is an aspiring non profit organization in Oregon. We are committed to opening a low cost clinic using the Humane Alliance model this year. However for the last 3 years I have been heavily involved in TNR and manage in my local and surrounding area. In just the last 2 years I have trapped, transported, spayed/neutered and returned more than 500 feral, strays and free roaming cats, and many dogs. We routinely run into situations where it is impossible for feral cats to return to their homes and have a very hard time finding barn homes. I am hoping to maybe develop some networking not only for our feral cats but also for the cats that come into our rescue (a network of foster homes) and our shelter.

We are also looking for alot of support for our Pepsi Refresh campaign starting May 1st. We have asked for $250,000 to get our clinic up and running, pay for our transport that will service all areas within a 150 mile radius (maybe farther if necessary), and to develop programs or assist those already here in removing all barriers to spay and neuter. Our shelter lacks the resources to have all animals spayed and neutered prior to adoption, this will be a #1 priority when the clinic opens.

What ideas do you all have when it comes to placing ferals?

HI there i love to rescue animals...most of the pets that i have had are rescue animals

I been a volunteer with K9 Rescue for nearly 20yrs and I volunteer at my local SPCA. I can provide support on the Admin portion of Rescue, do Home visits if in my area, provide Transport from NC to NY, and am able to help with SOME breed IDs and temperament tests. I have knowledge of the following breeds: Pit Bull and Pit mixes within reason, and most Mastiff type dogs.

Hello! I rescued a chihuahua three months ago. My baby, Charlie, now has pnemonia. My vet gave him antibiotics and cough meds. How long does the hacking and coughing last? I feel so bad for him! What should I do to help him aside from the medication?

I am in Southern Calif.
I am the guy who reels in the strays.........who stops when I see a lost dog on the road..........who puts food out for the abandoned/lost and feral cats.
Looking for Southern Calif people who can help me relocate strays when the time comes.
Most times I have to turn them over to our city pound.......
At present there's 5 cats here that MUST go.......Hopefully I can find a new location for 1 or more before the deadline.---

Pet abuse. see Who's charged. moniter their cases http://digs.by/1UA7

Hi, I adopted a abounded lab mix puppy last year after a day of being his "owner" I found out the the puppy (Iggy) had the Parvo virus. He became very ill very quickly and nearly died. He was placed in quarantine in the animal hospital fro 2 weeks and then had to spend and additional 6 months in isolation. All of this was done in the hope of preventing contaminating another dog or exposing Iggy to other canine viruses/diseases. Iggy has survived the disease and is a 65 lbs pound lab mix who is almost 2 years old. Though Iggy survived he has come out quiet damaged. He is very fearful of people, he does not know how to socialize with other dogs (he wasn't able to get the crucial socialization), and he does not like strangers. His fear and anxiety has only escalated with age. While he was ill I hired a trained to come to my home to help me work on the basics with him since he was unable to go to a class. At 1 years old he was allowed to finally enroll in puppy class but was quickly kicked out for being to disruptive. I then hired another trained to come to my home to help me deal with his stubborn behavior, she recommended that I put the dog to sleep or up for adoption. I purchased book after book and video after video to work with Iggy on his behavior.

His once stubborn behavior has escalated into aggressive behavior. He now tries to bite people who pet him(didn't do this in the past), he tries to lunge and bite guests who come in the door, and growls at people we walk by. Even though he lives with another dog he is not pleasant towards other dogs. He either wants to play and its usually too rough or he gets mad and wants to bark at the dog. He has never been aggressive towards our family but has towards friends and extended family. I hired a behavior specialist and trainer who works with aggressive dogs after my vet recommend it. Iggy has gotten a lot better but continues to go after guests. I have all the time in the world to offer this dog but as 1st year teacher with student loans I can not offer very much money towards the expensive trainer. Its $300 per session with the behaviorist and I just can't afford that. I know I can't put him up for adoption and rescue groups won't take him because he is aggressive. I don't want to put him to sleep or give him up I love my dog he is the world to me. But at the same time I can't have the liability. Its not fair to crate him or muzzle him every time I have a guest over or need to walk him. My boyfriend just joined the marines and its likely I will have to do a lot of moving . Iggy wont be allowed on base if he is aggressive and no one will rent to me. I just don't know what to do. Does anyone have advice? Its not his fault he is scared of people he didn't get to be socialized when he was young and all he knows of people are that they hurt him (when he was sick he was stuck, poked, and prodded so much). I can't put my happy healthy 2 year old puppy who is my world to sleep...but I can't have him hurt anyone either! What do I do?