humane society or breed rescue?

[bckrazy]

I really support breed rescues. They obviously do consider all breeds worth rescuing, but a LOT of people have a specific breed they really want in mind, and breed rescues are great for that. I volunteer for BCRNC, and they routinely take in BC's, BC mixes, and other similar breeds. They specialize in BC's because the rescue is run by the Border Collie club, and because they see the need to give a second chance to the thousands of BC's dumped in shelters nearby. Shelters are also a terrible place for Border Collies, in particular, because they are such sensitive dogs and may be overlooked because they act shy or fearful in such a scary environment.

I support either, but as far as the foster environment, rescues do a lot for the dogs and it is easier to find a dog that fits you through rescue (generally). I paid $150 for my puppy from a private rescue, and I was completely happy with that fee. The foster mom and rescue spent much more than that caring for him.

[critter crazy]

I chose either, but usually i go to shelters first. Petfinder especially, i have adopted many dogs from shelters over my life and have loved everyone dearly. Alot of the times tho, because people know of my love for animals they come to me before the dog reaches the shelter. Which i truly enjoy!

[moosmom]

I try to pull older cats who have been there for a long time. They stay with me until I can find a home for them. My friend lists them on her website and so far we've had wonderful success. I think rescuing ANY cat either from the Humane Society, a specific breed rescue organization or any kind of shelter is a good thing. Why line breeders pockets???

[wolf_Q]

I chose either but I would prefer going to a rescue (breed specific not absolutely necessary, they just need to have a husky ). I like the fact that the dogs are in foster homes instead of just a shelter environment so they can tell more how the dog really is temperament-wise.

If they can't rescue all breeds they obviously don't see all dogs as good enough to live.

I really do not think that is true at all. They can't rescue all dogs needing homes its just too many! I don't see the problem in focusing on a specific breed (most rescues I've seen also take mixes of the breed as well). Especially with dogs (like siberian huskies) who are not for everyone and can be harder to deal with than your average dog, it's good for them to be in the hands of those who know the breed and know who would be a good match to adopt the breed. Other rescues might have a husky but not know enough about them to tell the one wanting to adopt them their less wonderful attributes (such as them escaping, high prey drive, etc.).

[IRescue452]

You know what blows me away as ignorant,
#1)The fact that many of you are ruling out shelters and humane societies on the fact that the one you went to didn't have a behaviorist, well guess what-many do have behaviorists and if you wanted to adopt the dog you should have asked to spend some time with it to find out about its temperment. My shelter will let you have a trial time with an animal if you've been preapproved.
We even have classes for humans to take to learn about proper care and training a shelter dog.

#2) The fact that some of you think rescues know more about the animals previous life, in realty they usually get the dogs from the shelter and know as much as the shelter does. When people bring their breeds to the specific breed rescue you can't count that because had they took it to the shelter the shelter would have had the same information on hand.

#3) The idea that somebody who goes to a rescue knows about that breed. Wrong, a rescue is just another resource in the community and if somebody wants a dog they can't find at the shelter, they'll go to the rescue. They don't need to have any information on the breed. Usually the shelter will point out the rescue if they come in looking for a breed, no knowledge needed to be told where to look, anybody can go anywhere.

[CathyBogart]

I chose both, but I would go to a rescue first, and I would probably look for a dog that has been in the foster home for a few months....after all the problems we've had with Wilbur (He was fostered for less than a week) I would want to make sure that dog didn't have any aggression issues or, unlike Wilbur, was able to be housebroken. I don't mind housebreaking a dog, but my parents have had Wilbur for three years now, worked with a behaviorist and several methods of ousebreaking, and have made almost no progress.

[PinkSunshine]

We don't 'adopt' (we've gotten all 3 of our dogs from breeders) but if we were to adopt, we'd probably go to the local humane society.

[Chilli]

Either for me. You how when you find a dog you KNOW you'll get no matter what, how you know he's your soul dog? Well, thats how I get my dogs, and thats how I always will. I do not automatically say I won't buy from a breeder or say that I won't buy from a humane society.
Frisk was bought from a breeder. He was from an accidental litter, and we raised him from 6 weeks. He behaives the best out of all three dogs.
Ethan was adopted from an organizated that rescues animals and puts them in foster homes, not pens all together. He came to us very timid, and he is dog aggressive, toy aggressive, and treat aggressive.... sometimes aggressive toward people.
Skylar was adopted by my sister from a humane society that kept thier dogs in kennels by each other, all exposed to each other. He came to us with many health problems (mange, intestinal infection, whip worms, and a few other problems). He is the most out-going best tempered dog we've ever had.

And like mentioned below, MANY shelters do not have a behaviorist. There are five or so shelters that are close to where I live, and I know for a fact that not a single one has a behaviorist. Maybe if they would have, Ethan wouldn't be so aggressive, or I would have at least been warned about it, but I don't care. Just because I wasn't informed of his issues, doesn't mean I will never adopt from them again.

Sorry if I got on anyones bad side, and I didn't mean any of this in any way to affend anyone.

[bckrazy]

I think it's dumb to view either the HS or a breed rescue as "bad" or "good". As long as they are working to place homeless dogs in good homes, they are ALL great! I only wish all shelters could operate through foster homes, and/or have behaviorists on hand to really evaluate each dog well. This is something that a lot of rescues provide, let's not forget breed rescues AND shelters are totally intertwined.

[shihtzulover850]

Snuggles was bred but next time I am adopting. And to IRESCUE The people at some of these places are doing what they do to help dogs. not to hurt them at least they aren't on the streets. But i do agree with the behaviorist thing.