[ Post a Response | Rhodesian Ridgebacks And Friends ]
Posted by Alyssa on 6/30/2008, 11:24 am, in reply to "Another RR on CL"
24.251.89.239
As a former RRRI coordinator, I can tell you how frustrating it is to try to work with a family in want of surrendering a dog and then have that family totally confused about who is actually going to take the dog -- and them having them give the dog to someone completely different because they were annoyed with crossed wires and confusing communication.
Worse, a concerned individual takes the dog, then expects Rescue to take off their hands! (Not that you were planning this, but...some people have the idea that they can "rescue" dogs on their own, but have RRRI supply a foster home and foot the bill.) Here's the thing: legally, a surrender form MUST be signed, otherwise no legitimate rescue can take that dog and rehome it.
Rescue typically doesn't need help getting the dogs; we need help with fostering them. If you are able to foster this dog, then contact your coordinator and let her/him know so that the Rescue team can continue to work on getting that dog.
Not having open foster homes is probably the #1 reason dogs "slip through the cracks". If it takes 2 weeks to find a foster home and that family wants that dog gone NOW, you can figure out the rest from there. Boarding is really expensive (eats into the funds alloted per dog really quickly!) and most kennels won't take a dog that has no proof of vaccination.
And honestly, most of the RRs I've seen on CL and tried to get are for sale or their owners really don't want to work with a rescue. For whatever reason, they feel more "responsible" by "knowing where their dog goes" rather than turning them in and having to face a Rescue volunteer.
Anyway, the best way to help dogs that you see advertised is to contact your state coordinator and offer whatever help you are able to. Paying the boarding costs would also buy some time for the dog while a foster home could be figured out.
-- Alyssa
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