RESCUE KIT - PART ONE
Rescue Kit
As our national effort evolves, your input will also shape what becomes the Ideal ASC Cocker Spaniel Rescue. Notably, we have not included here guidelines for fundraising, either locally or on a national level. We have not made hard and fast rules for intake, placement and screening - this is intended for use as a general guide as American Spaniel Club Cocker Spaniel Rescue develops. How do you rescue a cocker spaniel? All you do is motor on down to the pound, get yourself a cocker spaniel, place an advertisement and BINGO! You’ve rescued your first dog, right? Well… this dog has a background to evaluate, veterinary needs to address and a requirement for a safe, comfortable home. How do you find not just a home, but the IDEAL home for this dog? How do you weed out the people who think a cocker’s place is at the end of a chain? What if he bites someone? How on earth can you afford to help all the dogs you know need you? It’s enough to give you pause, if not make your head spin! So, here’s our first attempt at describing an Ideal Cocker Spaniel Rescue. We’ve provided a checklist of things to address as you proceed with your rescue efforts. As needed, we provide sample contracts, applications and release forms. But, don’t forget, your best resource is just talking with other people doing rescue - not just cocker rescue, but also those dealing with completely different breeds or even species! Ask questions!
Setting Up Rescue Groups
Cocker rescue, like any dog rescue, will require resources - time and money are the most obvious. This paper is merely a resource and guide - nothing beats talking (in real time!) with experienced cocker rescuers when you must deal with an anxious rescued cocker. In dealing with shelters, owners and potential adopters, you need to prove to them that you are a legitimate rescuer - not just some bleeding heart dog lover. You can’t “do it all” - there is no point in losing dogs in need because the humans were “burned out” or overloaded. You MUST recognize that you’ll need help - there is strength in numbers. Lastly, and very importantly, you also must recognize that there are serious liability issues that you must address (like placing a dog that later bites at its adopted home). We highly recommend that you affiliate yourself with an established, local rescue organization and set yourself up as their local cocker expert. Several members of ASC have already banded together locally to begin organized rescue efforts. Before you join an established group, you should be clear about HOW they do rescue and whether the “system” we propose is acceptable to them. You can find these organizations by checking the Internet, with your local shelter, calling your local AKC or obedience clubs. If you are an ASC member and/or will subscribe to the ASC rescue policy, you can apply to join their rescue network.
(email: CkrRescue-subscribe@yahoogroups.com )
Summary: Join an organized rescue organization to:
gain coverage under their liability insurance
tap into the knowledge base developed by local rescue experts
have access to funds to cover emergency expenses
gain credibility in dealing with shelters and potential adopters
Educational Materials
Notice that a cocker in need of rescue comes from many sources: a shelter, a desperate owner, a veterinarian, another rescue worker and, now, the Internet. You, the local cocker rescue expert, are contacted. You should return the call, call the shelter, or otherwise make direct contact with the person or organization holding the dog within 24 hours.
You need to ask:
1. Is the dog safe? For how long? (You are trying to find out if the dog is in immediate danger of euthanasia, if the dog is sick, if the desperate owner will be placing the dog in a shelter tomorrow if you can’t help)
2. How can you offer assistance? (Do they want to surrender/foster the dog? do they want referrals? do they just want general or behavioral information about cocker spaniels?)
At the end of the conversation you make a decision on whether the situation described is a 1) rescue, 2) an owner give-up or 3) a training/management problem. You will also know whether the time frame for this dog is urgent/immediate or a nonemergency. We feel very strongly that this kind of “first contact” is the very least that an organized cocker spaniel rescue organization can do. A prompt, courteous, helpful phone call is much appreciated by the hassled shelter worker or rattled novice owner. This simple, short communication establishes that there may be a “safety net” for this dog and support for the people already involved.Once you know what is needed, you can proceed more efficiently to the next step:
Counsel owner on how to place the dog themselves
Get the dog to a foster home/vet/boarding kennel immediately
Work with shelter or person who currently has dog on options
Questions about behavior or obedience issues you may be able to handle or you may have an expert in your group to whom you can refer the caller. If the caller wants to surrender the dog, you must proceed on down the checklist.
FIRST CONTACT
Doing A Background Check
If you’ve established that a shelter or other party holding a cocker wants you to rescue the dog, you’ll need to start collecting background information. Let the person with the information talk & ramble - oftentimes the most important details will come out that way rather than having you ask all the questions. Find out:
Name, address and phone number of owner or shelter.
Name or case number of dog in need of rescue.
Is it pure bred? Is it registered? If registered, who was breeder?
Has the dog bitten someone? (Depending on details of bite, these dogs cannot be placed by many rescue organizations due to liability reasons - follow recommendations of your rescue organization. We must realize that people aggressive dogs are a liability both morally and legally. In most cases these dogs should be euthanized.) Has the breeder of the dog been notified? (Reliable, reputable breeders will always take back, foster and place their own dogs - ideally this is the way it should be. Alternatively, they will help you find a home for the dog from their lists of people looking for dogs, or at the very least provide financial help to place the dog) What is the age/gender of dog? neutered or spayed? Are shots up to date? Is it healthy? What is reason for surrendering dog? If you are talking to owner, try and let owner talk so that you can dig past simple reasons of surrendering dog like: moving, divorce, death of owner, no time for dog, dog is too big for yard or house. If these reasons really are basis for surrender, these cockers should be fine to place. How ever, listen for stories or indications that dog has climbed out of 6 foot or over kennel, fought with other dogs, killed cats or wildlife, challenged some members of household, has been over-protective of food. These stories can either reflect care less ownership or much more serious problem dogs. You’ll need to evaluate each situation and decide whether to proceed based on guidelines set out by your rescue organization. What kind of training has dog had? (Obedience, hunting - what commands does it know - come, sit, stay, down?) Housebroken? Inside or outside dog? (does it ride well in automobiles?) Is it socialized? (With adults, children, other dogs, cats, puppies?) Is dog free or is a price involved? (many shelters will still require rescue to pay a release fee. Others will waive the fee, usually under the condition that you spay/neuter the dog.)
© American Spaniel Club Foundation, Inc. 2010 - All Rights Reserved
Improving the health, welfare and general advancement of Flushing Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels in particular.
Give Back to the breed that has given so much to you!
l News
