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Not sure this would be the right place to post this or if there are certain forums that would be better but I'll give it a shot. I've always been a dog lover and wanted to work with them and help them. I recently read an article about military dogs coming back from War. I want to open up a non-profit rescue for military dogs coming back that are having a hard time getting adopted. I have tried to contact several rescue centers because I have no idea how I would go about starting this. Does anyone have any ideas on how to go about this or where I could put this post to put it to best use?
I don't know much. But I know you won't be able to get existing rescue centers involved. They already have too high of a demand. You'll need to set up a rescue with foster homes, where you coordinate people volunteering to be foster parents for the dogs. While they are at their foster homes, the foster parents help aclimate the dogs. It shouldn't be too hard since I'm sure the military dogs are house trained. And then your rescue group works towards finding permanent placement in "forever homes." They usually have a website with pictures and bios of the dogs available for adoption.
You have a great idea. I'm sure it will get a lot of support because there are many people in our country who are patriotic. You'll be able to get a lot of free advertisement via press releases. The news networks will be eager to cover the story. The more press you get, the more people know about your rescue, donations, volunteers increase along with people who wish to adopt dogs.
Establish yourself legally as a nonprofit corporation so you don't have to pay taxes on donations. I'd contact vetrans groups to find the initial volunteers and foster homes for the dogs. Also make sure there isn't already a rescue organization for military dogs. If there is, you can help out by volunteering to be a foster home.
After further research, I've discovered that it's going to be very difficult to start a rescue or to even adopt one of these dogs.
The law restricts adoption to only people who are capable of handling an attack dog.
Military Working Dog Foundation, Inc.: What You Need to Know To Adopt a Military Dog (http://www.militaryworkingdogs.com/needtoknow.shtml - broken link)
I'm a very experienced dog handler. But I know I am NOT qualified to own a dog that was professionally trained to be an attack dog.
Then it sounds like these dogs need to go to the veterans that have worked (trained) with the dogs. It is the same when they retire police dogs. Their handlers keep them.
Their is an organization, "Pets for Vets," I bet they could help with these military dogs!
Recently on the military channel they had a special on the WW2 war dogs. Families donated actually loaned the dogs because of the war effort. After the war, the dogs came home. Some were returned to their original owners. Some of their owners decided to donate the dogs to the soldiers they had become so attached too.
All of the dogs that returned, all did well with their families (including children) and with their soldiers.
I am certain they (families) did not have attack dog handling/training and yes, I know things have changed since then. My point? Check into it, do your research and DO NOT give up. These dogs need an advocate and it could be you!!!
You have a great idea not only for the dogs but for those willing to take them! NEVER give up!!!
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WW2 War dogs...
