The Anti-Rescue Movement and Why Some Americans areFurious with RescuesAnd all of the misconceptions and misinformation |
The Dog LiberatorAny time any of us picks up the phone or sends an email to try to help a homeless dog, we are all Dog Liberators! |
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Can we just start discussing this topic, by agreeing on one thing? When we don’t truly understand another person’s situation, views, goals, etc., it’s so easy for us to judge. However, the more knowledge and understanding we gain about “the other guy” may change our opinion a bit.
Can we agree that there are some horrible rescues out there, and like I have said before, there are good guys and bad guys in every profession?
Can we agree that we should not lump any one group and label them as “bad”?
Just in case you have landed on this webpage, I am going to repeat some of the information found on the Plight of the Animal Rescuer page. However, there is much more to learn about this subject, from the average person’s point of view.
Before I dive deep into this, please be aware that I did join a n Anti Rescue Group on yahoo for a while, just to hang out and learn what they were just so darned mad about! It didn’t take long before my membership was pulled! Details about this group is provided below, along with a link to their yahoo group. I did learn a lot about other’s views! |
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Here are two very important Stories that will be Blogged for Discussion. I want to take the time to share these two stories with you so you can see how quickly we can learn to hate, and how quickly we can become judgmental.
Just a Little ShitzuThis little Shitzu was welcomed and loved, however, he relentlessly attacked the other dogs at the home. The home was one of a well-known horse rescue. Many dogs, cats and livestock had found their permanent home at this rescue.
Even though the Shitzu had mad manners, he was loved and tolerated!
One day, at a local groomer’s, a groomer caught wind that a wonderful customer, who was in her 60s had lost her little Shitzu. Consumed by grief, the customer explained her loss. The groomer thought that maybe her friend’s bad-mannered Shitzu could be re-homed with this sweet grieving woman.
The Shitzu’s owner agreed. Confident that the Shitzu would be in a loving home, with someone who could afford him, someone who had experience with Shitzus, and the Shitzu would be in a 1 dog family. After some thought, the owner agreed.
That day, the owner delivered the Shitzu to the groomers, with the understanding that the grieving older woman would have a new Shitzu to help ease her pain. The Shitzu’s owner felt it was a win-win situation for everyone. After all, the sweet older lady agreed to allow the owner to visit the Shitzu when she wanted!
Somehow, for reasons still unknown, the Shitzu was immediately given to a rescue, who posted him on Craig’s list and other advertising media, adoption applications poured in and the Shitzu was in rescue for days before he was adopted.
The previous owner had no knowledge that this had transpired. She felt that her little dog was with the sweet old lady. It wasn’t until someone she knew told her that her dog was posted on Craig’s list by a rescue.
Now how this went wrong, we have no clue. Why the dog wasn’t given to the sweet old lady, we have no clue.
This story alone would make anyone question rescues. Anyone in the Anti-Rescue Movement would jump all over this story. But what really went wrong here was the trust factor.
The owner of the Shitzu trusted her friend, who worked at the groomers and she gave her dog to a third-party.
Never give your dog to a third-party!
The owner of the Shitzu is not bitter with the rescue, after all, they did their job, and found a good home for her dog, but the owner was not looking for a “rescue” to take her dog, she was interested in re-homing the dog to this one specific older and grieving woman.
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Jim Willis
I stole your dog today. No, I didn't set a foot on your property, but from the condition of your dog, I can imagine what it looks like...the word "junkyard" comes to mind.
I found her along a road, with a heavy chain wrapped around her neck, still attached to rotten boards from her doghouse, with rusty six-penny nails protruding. Not only did I know that most of the town had already ignored her, judging by where I found her, but I knew that if she had gotten into the woods the "cross" that she dragged behind her would have wrapped around a tree until starvation or thirst killed her. The local populace is usually deaf to the sound or blind to the sight of an animal in need, unless they decide to shoot one for trespassing.
That her ribs showed, that her ears were filthy, that her overall condition was poor and that her coat and eyes were dull, were good indications that you didn't deserve her. But just to make sure, I checked with the local authorities for a report of a missing (unlicensed) dog matching her description and to see if you'd placed a "lost dog" advertisement in the local newspaper. You hadn't, which I can only surmise means that you do not miss her. That's rather convenient, because the fact that she is not spayed, probably unvaccinated, and possibly heartworm positive means that restoring her health could cost me around a thousand dollars. Perhaps it may be some small comfort to know that she doesn't miss you. In fact, her very act of escape made it clear that she'd had enough of your brand of pet guardianship. It took her about a day to realize that I'm not you, that I won't hurt her, that despite our brief acquaintanceship, I love her. It took two days for her to realize that the other animals who live here accept her and that one of the joys she has been missing has been the companionship of other dogs. It took three days for her to appreciate the ecstasy of a homecooked meal and that a couch is meant to be reclined on, and that she no longer has to sleep outside - in fact, when the thunder starts, she'll get a hug and her ears rubbed, and I'll make a fool of myself with baby talk.
She has a beautiful name now. Already in the first week she has come to look more like she should. Her eyes sparkle and she has learned to wag her tail in greeting. She has stopped flinching when I make a sudden movement, because she knows now that I won't beat her, in fact, she rarely leaves my side. She's even become brave enough to bark at a cat and today I watched from the window as she initiated play with the other dogs. No, it's clear she does not miss you or her former life of neglect on a chain. Of all the things that have become apparent from my brief relationship with her - such as the forgiving nature of the dog, their wonderful ability to heal and to trust, the fact that love can work miracles - one of the most apparent is what a fool you are. She was possibly the most trusting, loyal and loving being in your life, and you consigned her to a life of filth and loneliness until she made the best choice she's ever made when she broke free. Perhaps her guardian angel helped her escape. Lest anyone should mistake me for an angel, I will admit that one day I hope to be as good as she; I believe she forgave you within the first twenty-four hours of her new life for the about four years of her previous "life," while I still wrestle with the part of me that hopes that one day you will burn in Hell.
It's not clear yet whether she'll remain here or whether I'll find her a loving home where she can count on more individual attention than I can give her, but one thing is certain, this is one bit of stolen "property" who is never returning to you. So sue me, prosecute me, plead with the courts that she is rightfully yours...I'm convinced this is the best "crime" I've ever committed. Hardly anything has pleased me more than the day I stole your dog. I need only look into her beautiful brown eyes to know that she'd defend my decision with her life. If we have one prayer, it is that you will not replace her, and if we have one special day to commemorate together, it is the day I stole your dog and the day she stole my heart. Copyright Jim Willis 2002 http://www.crean.com/jimwillis Where's Daddy's Baby? A Tribute to My Lost Children |
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The Anti-Rescue Group Fanatics and the Myths that they Promote
The new anti-rescue movement has me really concerned. While I’m sure there are some really dishonest people out there that pose as rescues, there are also some very dishonest people out there that pose as reputable breeders. We must accept that in every profession, dishonest people exist. Most folks are that against Rescues have passed judgment because of bad press.
Example: When is the last time you heard of a great foster home on the news? You don’t! The news only covers the horror stories. I would like to ask my readers to make up their own minds and not to judge every Rescue based on what’s on the 5:00 news!
So many folks hate animal rescuers, yet I challenge you to walk, just one day, in their shoes. Some folks are furious when they are turned down when trying to adopt a dog, because they don’t truly understand the laws and the protocol that licensed pounds, shelters, and rescues must follow to maintain their reputation.
I hear from people everyday that want to give up their dog, but refuse to give their dog to a rescue. It makes no sense to me whatsoever. But I do know that there are exceptions to every rule, and that is discussed in detail in my blog. There are no absolutes in the dog world. |
The Misconceptions ofAnimal Rescuers
It absolutely kills me to see an individual, who has dedicated their life to rescue animals.
While we’re at it, let’s agree that we use the word “rescue” loosely. I have to be honest, I’m getting quite sick of the word.
I believe “liberate” is truly what they do.
You rescue a dog when it’s abandoned, lost, starving, and hurt.
You rescue a dog from a kill shelter, because its time is up, and it’s facing the needle, or worse, the gas chamber.
When you take in a dog that has been owner-surrendered, you are facilitating an adoption. The anti-rescue groups don’t like the word “adoption” so I’ll rephrase and say re-homing!
The dogs that come to a rescue that are thunder-phobic, dog-aggressive, or dominant (they bite) are rehabilitated by a good rescue. They are retrained, worked with, and if the dog is not successful, the rescue finds a home that is suitable for that dog, given its “issues”.
If a dog bites a child, a pound will euthanize the dog if it is owner-surrendered. A rescue will save it, and find it a suitable home.
In most cases, rescues receive dogs that have not been spayed or neutered. They pay for it.
In some cases, rescues receive dogs with kennel cough, they pay for it.
In some cases, rescues receive dogs that have heart worm or parvo. They pay for it.
Yet, the anti-rescue group screams about an adoption fee… woops, re-homing fee.
More about the Life of the Animal rescuer coming soon. |
If you’ve been Turned down by a Shelter or Rescue
Coming soon
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For those of you who would like to join this anti-rescue movement, you can find one on yahoo called “dog_anti-rescue_anti-peta_new”
However, when I was on the group, to gain an insight into why they had such a deep-seeded hatred toward certain groups, and why they were proud to be breeding their dogs, I was stifled when they challenged my use of the word “adoption”.
Their opinion was that we should simply use the word “purchase” instead of “adoption”. I challenged their use of the word “purchase” when I eloquently explained that dogs that were once owned, and then surrendered are clearly not re-purchased, but that they are re-homed or adopted.
I explained in even more detail why I felt the word adoption was acceptable for such a transaction, for at the age of four months, in Montreal, Quebec, I clearly was not “purchased” by my parents, I was legally, and lovingly “adopted.” I explained that I would surely have hated to go through live knowing I was bought. It was at that point, my membership was pulled!!! I thought it was a real shame, because I was learning so much about their views. I referred to them as “the other side”.
Oh well, I love this country, everyone has a right to their opinion. However, I believe we should base our opinions on as many facts we can get our hands on. So feel free to join this group if you believe all Rescues and Shelters are the bad guys!
Here is their group’s description:
Description We oppose "rescuers" who steal animals,abuse people, falsely accuse, destroy property, destroy families. We oppose all their crime and illegal activity. "Rescuers" seek glory and high "adoption fees". They insult family breeders by calling them "backyard breeders". Overpopulation is a myth. Due to scarcity SHELTERS ARE IMPORTING dogs to keep up "adoption" fees. We encourage helping dogs in distress but most "rescues" are fake and hurt efforts of the sincere and most BRAG about their "rescues". Rescue groups apply HUMAN terms to animals.
I must agree, that dogs are not humans. My dogs listen much better to me than my kids, and I have 2 of each! Feel free to join this group if you feel it is your calling. |
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Is there a right and wrong way to surrender my pet? What things can I try to avoid surrendering my pet? Is there a difference between shelters and pounds? What states still use carbon monoxide (gassing shelters) in this country? Why some states have laws preventing them from gassing animals, yet still do? Why some people are so against rescues? Why rescues are against irresponsible breeding? What is a responsible breeder? What is breed-specific legislation? Why are animals stolen? Is it okay to buy a dog from the internet? What are the different forms of euthanasia? What cities have reduced euthanasia rates and increased adoption rates? |
