starting a dog rescue

Question
Hi Shawn, thanks for offering your advice to people.
I'm looking to start a dog rescue, and will be filing paperwork soon. But, for now, I'm taking in one dog at a time from the county pound (small and NOT a no-kill facility).
I'm partial to Pitts and this facility won't advertise that they even have any, so they have almost NO chance.
My question: How do you suggest I pick a dog to rescue? Certainly I test for temperament (food,dog,people aggression), I feel for the ugly ducklings, but should I instead go for the ones that will be easier to place because of appearance? How do you decide which ones to take? Also, no test are done on these dog by the pound.

Thanks for any help!


Answer
Hi Danny-

This is a very controversial decision and many rescuers have fought tooth and nail over which dogs should be pulled and which should be allowed to be humanely euthenized (if thats an option).

Since you asked me, I will give you my opinion. And these are words that I have lived by for all 12 years of rescue.

Trying to save them all is like trying to empty the ocean with an eyedropper. IT CANT BE DONE.

It basically comes down to YOUR prefference and which feels like a bigger difference for you. I prefered to get as many dogs as possible out of the shelter and into new homes, and so I worked by volume. I would go and evaluate dogs for tempermant, look for signs of parvo/distemper/mange and other problems, and only pull dogs that looked healthy, had good attitudes, and seemed very adoptable. I didn't pull puppies as often as adult dogs so that I didn't run as big of a risk with parvo. If there was a dog that I knew I would spend $2000 on, I would leave it behind (Which broke my heart EVERY time) because I would tell myself over and over again 1 dog for $2000, or 15 dogs for $2000 and I would take the 15 dogs. However, there are dogs that are just going to tug at your heartstrings and you wont be able to resist. Project dogs... I took a doberman that was nothing but skin and bones and was so badly abused I thought he was going to die before I could get him in my car. It took 6 months and $7500 to get him healthy again, but it was worth every penny and I don't regret it.

Try to remember that you aren't going to be doing anyone a favor, including the unadoptable dogs, if all you pull is unadoptable dogs. Eventually, you are just going to have a house full of "ugly ducklings", you wont have room to take in more, no one is getting adopted, and everyone is just confused and hurt. I completely understand the idea of wanting to take those that no one else will- but there are thousands of healthy, adoptable, playful dogs out there that need to be rescued as well, and your rescue career will go much smoother and last longer if you try to stick to them.

Also, keep in mind that in many states it is very hard to get insurance on your rescue if you rescue pitts. I agree, this is completely unfair, I hate Breed Restriction Legislation, but unfortunatly, it is out there.

Thank you SO much for rescuing, and let me know if I can be of any more assistance. There is nothing more rewarding then beginning your own rescue. Just try to go slow and don't jump in with both feet!

Good luck!