A New Project for Everyone

What a great resource, Karen! :D

KAK pretty much covered the gamut of the local animal rescues here, but I can definitely vouch for FOSMAS (http://www.fosmas.org/).
I volunteered there for quite some time, and the people there were wonderful.

Some other sites that I had perused when trying to find the right dog for my home included:

Bay Area Siberian Rescue: http://www.bayareasiberian.org/dogsForAdoption.html
A neighbor of mine adopted his two huskies from this organization.

Northern California Sled Dog Rescue:
http://www.norsled.org/

Central Coast Northern Dog Rescue:
http://www.ccndr.org/

German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California:
http://www.savegsd.org/
A friend of mine recently adopted his dog from here :)

Dogworks Canine Rescue (dobies and greyhounds)
http://www.dogworks.org/
The woman that runs this also volunteers for FOSMAS, and lives about 2 miles from my house!

In terms of finding some of these places, a simple Google search for the type of pet your looking for + state, city name usually yields pretty good results. For example, if someone were to type into Google "german shepherd rescue, bay area", they would likely find several GSD rescue group options.

A great resource about Puppy Mills is: http://www.nopuppymills.com/
This site has been redone a couple of times, but I believe all of the same information is still there. Very good resource.

Adding to the list for "reputable" breeder questions, here are a few more (can you tell I worked in a vet office? *laughs*):
1. what is the difference between "pet quality" and "show quality"?
2. do you require that ALL pet quality pets be spayed/neutered? (this answer should be yes)
3. how many different breeds of dogs do you breed?
(if it's more than one, this could be a red flag. A reputable breeder shouldn't breed more than one...maybe two (if they're very similar like Tervs and Malinois) different breeds of dogs.
4. What steps have you taken to decrease defects in your dogs?
5. What are the good and bad points of the parents, and what titles do they have?
6. Where were these puppies raised? How have you socialized them?
(a good answer will be in the home, underfoot, with other animals, kids, cats...etc.)
7. Do you offer a Health/Hearing/Temperament guarantee with your puppies?
8. Were there any temperament problems in the ancestry of the puppies? Have the sire and the dam been temperament tested?
9. How much time do you spend planning your litters and rearing the pups ?
10. How many litters do you have per year? (this is to see if there is any "overbreeding" going on)
11. Are the sire and dam OFA Certified? BAER tested? Do you have certificates for me to see ?
12. What is the incidence of deafness, allergies, infections, thyroid dysfunction, seizures, stone formation, hip dysplasia, etc., in the pedigree?

Ok...that's all for now. :o

**hugs**
Karen

This is such a great project, Karen!!
I fear it is useless to add links form my country, since I am the only Belgian member.... :( .

Lots of the info given in all the links already mentioned are useful for me too, as I speak English rather well (well, I hope I do ;) )

In the South there are two organizations that I can recommend.

Southeast Pug Rescue of Atlanta. GA deals in Pugs and pug mixes. They screen homes for new adopters. All dogs are spayed/neutered and up to date on shots. They have a contract as well as an application form. Prices vary, usually around $150.

Pets, Inc. in West Columbia, SC takes in and adopts out all breeds of dogs and cats. They spay/neuter all adult animals and require adopters to have younger ones done at the age of 4-5 months (Deposit required which is returned on proof of surgery). All animals are seen by a vet, updated on shots and given "Home Again" tags. The contract is two pages long and has a $300 charge for failure to live up to it. Prices start at $99 and go up to $175 for a pure bred. Seniors citizens can get a break on price. Also, some animals are less, some are "Two-fers" and payments can be arranged.
Their web page is petsinc.org.

REACHOUTRESCUENFP

THIS IS MY RESCUE BASED IN HOMETOWN, ILLINOIS. WE ARE COMPLETELY NOT FOR PROFIT. WE ARE NOT GOVERNMENT OR STATE FUNDED. IT IS RIGHT OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO AND OAK LAWN, ILLINOIS. WE HELP ANIMALS ALL OVER ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA.

PAWSCHICAGO

THIS IS A NOT FOR PROFIT SHELTER AND CLINIC LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. THEY OFFER LOW-COST VACCINES AND SPAY/NEUTER. PEOPLE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIEVES FREE SPAY/NEUTERING FOR CATS/DOGS.

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Originally Posted by Karen

We'd also like people's thoughts on the questions I posed and any others - like what to ask a shelter employee, and what you should expect to pay - if you can list examples what your shelter charges, that would be helpful.

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1) My shelter fee was $50, but that was 10 years ago. It went up to $75 and then to $100. The shelter affiliated with the Petsmart at which I shop also charges $100. That seems to be the "going rate" around here. There are fund-raisers for potential adopters who can't afford the $100, and my shelter can refer cats to free or low-cost spaying/neuter programs for families that qualify.
2) I had to agree that I would not have Cassie declawed. Her front paws had already been declawed when I got her, and I have never had a reason to have her back claws removed. That would be another question I'd ask - must I agree not to declaw?
3) What steps do I take if the adoption does not work out and I need to readmit the cat to the shelter for some reason?
4) Can you help me obtain a copy of the cat's medical record from the shelter DVM (if I'm not planning to continue using the same doctor).
5) What follow-up can I expect from the shelter - if I have a problem, can I call you? Will you call or e-mail me to see how we are doing?

Terrific cat book: Cats for Dummies, by Gina Spadafori and Dr. Paul Pion. I have the first edition but there is a second edition out now.

Let me know if I can help! Thanks - Elise, Cassie's Mom

Funds For Furry Friends
- cat & dog rescue
Brandon, Manitoba, CANADA
www.fundsfurfriends.com
^where Mickey was from

Winnipeg Animal Services Agency
- cat & dog kill shelter
Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA
www.winnipeg.ca/animalservices
^where Molly was from

I learned about the shelter from which my cat was adopted through a former co-worker. I live in a pet-friendly apartment building, so I've learned about a couple of other no-kill shelters in nearby suburbs. I used to shop at a Petsmart near my work until one opened up near my home. Each of those 2 stores have a relationship with a different animal shelter. I'm on a team of pet people at work and we swap information, too. The same shelter programs and centers keep coming up in our conversations. If I have learned anything in the past ten years it is that pet people love to talk about their pets!

I want answer the question regarding pet stores . To say not all pet store pups/cats are bad. You have to do your research and ask questions of the store owner etc.
My nephew got a wonderful female sheba ino pomerianian (hope I spelled that right). :)
Ellie was in excellant health and was very well taken care of at the pet store where he got her. She has been the joy of his life for over a year now and spoiled rotten by his human grandparents :) If I lived closer, as his human auntie, I'd be added to the spoiling list LOL

www.arkofmccurtaincounty.org
Cat or Dog adoptions. They have some very beautiful animals there. They also have a wish list if you would like to donate anything.

I just found this website for missing pets in Florida. Don't know if you have it yet.

Pets 911

There are a lot of rescues that deal with dogs and/or cats locally. These 'smaller' rescues (as opposed to placed like Best Friends, Pet Finder, shelters) sometimes are known at their own vets. When I worked at a vet people ALWAYS asked if we knew of anyone with dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, etc. We had a rolodex for rescues in the area.

Going to your vet, wherever you live, is a great way to help rescues!!

A lot of rescues will contact vets and put up fliers. This is a great way for them to find homes for their rescues.

PetCo and PetSmart and like stores also have weekend rescue "fairs"....this is an excellent way to find a critter to love.

GREAT idea, Karen. You'd be surprised at how many people DON'T have any idea how to get a rescued or quality bred animal.

:)

My local Purebred Cat rescue that I have kept a close eye on is the Pure Bred cat rescue. They are located in Kenosha Wisconsin they deal with all purebred cats. Siamese, lots of persians and himalayans and they also once in a great while they will get Devon Rex, Sphynix and Ragdolls. The people at this rescue are absolutely amazing and extremly easy to work with. They really do an awesome thing here. Many of the animals are from Bad Breeder seizers. It would be amazing if they could be placed onto this list.
www.purebredcatrescue.org

I help my local Humane Society I fostered and I adopted my youngest Cat Paris from this shelter. Its located in Eau Claire Wisconsin
www.eccha.org
Very helpful and kind faces at this shelter. And I may be a little bias but I was lucky to get the sweetest little kitty from this shelter also ;)

I've actually been thinking about making an updated list for MI one of these days organized by County. The main portion would only list those that have websites. Down at the bottom would also include those with just addresses. Below that would be other related organizations. I'd also have notes for which shelters still use gas euth.

In the mean time here is one of my favorite links for MI rescues. http://www.kalamazooanimalrescue.org/michlink.htm

I'd suggest for people looking to adopt to look County by county in a search engine. (Also to not forget that the phone book can be a great resource, as well as asking a vet what organizations they might know of.) Type in each of the following. County means the name of the county. "County dog pound" "County animal control" "County Humane Society" "Humane Society of County" "County ASPCA" "County Animal rescue" And also trying the name of any major metro city in any of those combinations. Even the re-arrangement of words can produce different results. AND don't use just one search engine. USE at LEAST three different search engines. (I suggest Yahoo, Goodsearch, and Google. ...with safe search turned off.) If you are truly serious in finding the perfect companion this will be well worth your time!

A good question to ask a shelter is what vaccinations are given? Tests performed?

Fees should be reflective of the care that a shelter gives an animal.

If it is a rescue rather than just a shelter, you should ask what experiences the animal has had since it's time with them and if they know of it's history.

Oh, i wish i had the link on hand, but i remember finding an excellent page on what to ask breeders. I do know to stay clear away from those that don't have questions to ask you. Don't buy any dog site unseen!!!

I recently bought items on Ebay from a women in Sayreville, NJ, who does feral rescues. Her organization name is Whiskers Rescue, and this is what is says on her Ebay site:

Whiskers Rescue is a non profit cat rescue based in New Jersey. Our ebay store consists mostly of items that have been donated to help raise funds for medical expenses. We often have vintage and other kinds of jewelry. What we sell completely depends on what has been donated.

I don't know if she has a website, but you can find her on Ebay by looking up sellers. I believe it's listed as one word, Whiskersrescue.

www.whiskersrescue.org

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Originally Posted by Barbiecat

I recently bought items on Ebay from a women in Sayreville, NJ, who does feral rescues. Her organization name is Whiskers Rescue, and this is what is says on her Ebay site:

Whiskers Rescue is a non profit cat rescue based in New Jersey. Our ebay store consists mostly of items that have been donated to help raise funds for medical expenses. We often have vintage and other kinds of jewelry. What we sell completely depends on what has been donated.

I don't know if she has a website, but you can find her on Ebay by looking up sellers. I believe it's listed as one word, Whiskersrescue.

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http://www.harvesthills.org/cats.php
this is a wonderful shelter in fryburg maine.they really take great care of the cats and dogs there.there are many volunteers that work there.
and they all enjoy helping out.the cats i have seen there really need a home.they are all very loving cats,and very well cared for by the volunteers.
please...if your in fryburg maine and you can take an adult one preferably.the kittens go to quick.

Tucker County (WV) Animal Control has a relatively new shelter for cats and dogs. Up until 3 or 4 years ago, the dog pound was 4 open kennels in a back yard - no covering whatsoever. There was absolutely *nothing* for the cats! I've become friends with the cat shelter manager and the couple who volunteers there, and I can assure everyone that they are the most compassionate, caring people there are. The shelter is a donated (and much used) house trailer which Cathy (the manager), her husband, and the volunteer couple have fixed up nicely. Cathy runs it as a no-kill shelter & works with some rescues to move the kittens and cats on to good homes. She needs all the help she can get! She hasn't the time to do home visits for potential adopters, but does require a veterinary reference. I'm not certain, but I believe her adoption fee is $50, which is more than reasonable. (And some people complain about that!)

I don't know anything about the dog shelter, which is a cinderblock building on the property; it now has suitable covered runs. Things have improved so greatly for the companion animals of that county, but help is always needed.

Their website is http://members.petfinder.com/~WV56/index.htm

Thanks for looking!

I'm in Maryland, so...

Our "local shelter" - Baltimore City: http://mdspca.org - Maryland SPCA (that's where Pinot came from!)
Howard County (my county):
http://www.howardcountypets.org/ non-profit rescue from kill shelters- Animal Welfare Society of Howard County
www.animal-advocates.org non-profit, promotes pet adoptions from the Howard County Shelter
http://www.lastchanceanimalrescue.org/ non-profit, rescues & cares for animals in the Baltimore/Washington area. Cats available can be seen at the local PetSmart stores-so not all pet stores are dealing with mills!!

How you find these shelters? On line, phone book, vet.

What kind of shelters exist? There are kill and no kill shelters - you have to check!

What questions should they ask at shelter? Always ask if the animal has any health issues that were treated at the shelter, what meds they're on or have been on, where the animal came from, how long they've been there, and any behavioral issues. Are there possibilities for covered insurance for any period in time (sometimes there are-we didn't know and could have benefitted)?

What fees should one expect? In this area $80-$135.

What questions should they ask a breeder? I don't have input on
How do I find a breed-specific rescue? either of these, sorry.

How do I find animals that are in foster care?
Petfinder.com specifies, my vet has postings, and the shelter has postings.

I think this would be a wonderful resource, Karen, thank you for doing it.

As far as "stories" - I think mine's been posted, but here's a short version.
Pinot was adopted from the SPCA; she seemed fine, although I was told she had been treated for a respiratory infection and was through with meds. She was 10 months old and 5 lbs. Within a week, she had been treated by the vet for severe dehydration, given antibiotics, had stopped eating and was making HORRIBLE respiratory sounds. We took her (after one week of having her) to the emergency hospital, we were told she needed a lot of things by IV immediately, they would have to keep her overnight and it would be about $800-900. We said-"go ahead"-what else can you do? Anyway, they had her for 11 hours and she turned a big corner that day. She's fine now, and the love of our lives, but, from what I understand, this is NOT uncommon for a shelter kitty. It's adopter beware!

I think that addresses everything - let me know if you have any other questions for my small corner of the world!

Maggie

Hi

For some reason, this post showed up somewhere at or near the top of a forum. I clicked on it and read it and didn't pay attention to the date. when I looked for it this evening, I couldn't find it and had to SEARCH for it. It is 70-some pages into Other General.

1) Has anybody else had this happen?

2) Was a list ever compiled?

I didn't even know about this thread. I guess I missed it when it originated in 2006. I'm glad to find out about it now.