Adopting Bichon Frise Rescues

Those who are looking for small dogs are sure to find Bichon Frise rescues from any of these shelters.

You are probably wondering how such a lovable little dog as a Bichon Frise ends up in an animal shelter? The most common cause is abandonment. Families grow tired of their dogs when they become adults and have lost their "puppy cuteness". Some "purists" throw Bichon puppies in the street, especially those that have been produced from accidental cross breeding. Most of these Bichons end up wandering the streets, frightened and hungry, until they are picked up by a rescue group. Pet owners who are moving to another country end up leaving their Bichons in the shelter in the hopes that another family will adopt and care for them.

Perhaps the most dramatic cases of Bichon Frise rescues are those poor dogs and puppies that are seized by the police and animal welfare groups from puppy mills or from dog meat traders. Starving, beaten and abused, these dogs undergo a great transformation as they are loved and cared for in the shelters. What is undoubtedly the greatest rescue for them would be getting adopted by loving new owners.

It is said that adopting a rescued Bichon Frise is more difficult than finding a pedigreed one. In a way, this is true. Since most of these dogs and puppies have been neglected or mistreated in one way or another, rescue groups are determined that such abuse will not happen again in their new homes.

To do this, they would need to screen potential adopters, like you. The first step is to fill out a lengthy adoption application form. The form asks many questions, including a description of your home and your neighborhood, your reasons for wanting to adopt a dog, adjustments that you intend to make in your daily living schedule so that you can care for the dog, just to name a few. A committee will then make a selection of ideal pet owners after evaluating all applications.

The next step is the interview. Many interviewers will ask you the same questions that are in the application to check for inconsistencies between your spoken and written replies. They would also need to seek clarification on certain points that may seem questionable for them. For example, if you are living alone and intend to leave your pet with a friend or neighbor while at work, the interviewer would like to know more about the person you'll be entrusting your dog to in your absence. Another consideration is the transportation of the Bichon to its new home. No reputable rescue group will ship your dog to you via UPS. You will have to pick up the dog yourself.

Even if your application for adoption is approved and that you do get to bring home your new pet, the rescue group can and will make surprise visits to see how you and your Bichon are doing. Any signs of neglect or abuse, they can take back the dog from you, and have you blacklisted so that you can never own a pet ever again.