plumcrazy

I've recently been learning about Eldad & Audrey Hagar and their efforts in animal rescue in California. I want to be like them when I grow up!!

They had a book for sale, which apparently sold out, so now they're offering it free to be read as a PDF online... It took a few minutes for my computer to download the whole thing -but I felt it was quite worth the time to download AND the time it took to read the whole thing - I believe these people have a special place reserved for them in heaven...

http://www.eldadhagar.com/images/free_book.pdf

It's inspiring me to do more on the actual rescue front - I have always done foster care, but usually I foster animals that come through Jillian's Haven, a local rescue organization run by a friend. Jillian's is a no-kill, so I'm not really rescuing - I'm just providing a safe place for a dog or cat that isn't in danger, until they can find a forever home... I think I may have to start trolling the pound...

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Rowan

I just downloaded the book! Thank you, Plum, for highlighting the world of rescue.

We all do what we can, whether it's fostering, donating money to rescues, grooming services, or actually rescuing a needy pooch. I'm maxed out at three and I can't foster, so I sponsor dogs in "kill shelters" making them more adoptable for local rescues who then take them in and find them homes.

If you want to get involved, there's always a way. Many shelters need volunteers to walk dogs or groom dogs or even just help socialize dogs.

In short, you don't have to make huge donations to make a difference. The hard part is not taking them all home!

Rescue is very rewarding!

They chose the perfect quote:

plumcrazy

We don't have many options for rescue/adoption where I live... I'm not sure if I LIKE the homeless animal situation in my town, or if it's just allowing more innocents to fall through the cracks... Here's what we have:

One no-kill shelter with a building & a limited amount of space - they're always full and usually have a waiting list for people to bring animals in. They reserve the right to tell people "No, we can't take your pet." which, IMO raises the risk of abandonment or neglect of that animal. The humane society does good work, but I'm afraid they have to turn away a lot of animals.

One no-kill rescue working out of foster homes only (plus the cat cottages at our local PetSmart) This is the rescue for which I do foster care. The space here, too, is extremely limited. The founder of the rescue (IMO) does too much and tries to take in too many which has caused her own home to become seriously overcrowded - She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer earlier this year and her friends rallied together to get her house cleaned out to the best of our ability so she could move back in (the doctors didn't want her living there in the conditions the home had been in) The crew that helped get her house in shape asked her to promise to not bring in any more orphans to her own home. Unfortunately, since she has a hard time saying no, she's back up to 1/2 dozen dogs and maybe double that in cats in her very small home. I know she thinks she's "saving" them, but there IS a limit and I don't think she's found hers yet.

One city impound which houses stray animals from Bismarck and Mandan. They are kept for 3 days to allow owners to reclaim, if they are not claimed within that time, they are put up for free adoption to the first person who wants them - many times, farmers will come and take as many cats as they can because their populations get wiped out by distemper or predators and they want to rebuild their rodent catching staff. If the animals don't get adopted within a period of time (the pound is flexible - if they have room, they'll keep them as long as they can - if they get full, they have limited time to find homes) they are taken to the vet for euthanasia. They are not careful to whom they adopt at all, and they offer no education... I feel that sometimes they are their own best customer because they give these living creatures to people who aren't prepared or equipped to have them and they end up being dumped again...

The pound only takes in strays found within city limits and will not accept owner surrenders or pets found in the country; and both of the private shelter/rescue run at maximum (plus) capacity at all times. If an irresponsible owner decides they don't want their pet anymore, there are very few good options. This is where I feel we're losing some through the cracks... I wish there was a place where any/all abandoned, unwanted animals could go to be safe and not run the risk of being dumped or abandoned to an uncertain fate.

I know I've said this many times before, but if I ever win the lottery, I want to have a place like that - offering education, too, to people who might have good potential to be decent owners, but just don't have the information they need to be successful.

It KILLS me how many people get "rid" of their pets because: they got too big, they need more attention that I can give, they require more grooming than I thought, they are more expensive than I can afford, I don't have enough time... etc., etc., etc... If they would have researched the breed first, they'd know how big they'd get, how much exercise and/or grooming they need, etc.

It is so sad to see giveaway ads in the paper saying, "4 month old puppy for giveaway - we don't have time", or "we just had a baby." Did these people not KNOW they were expecting a child before they got the puppy TWO months previously?? And they've only tried to take care of the pup for a couple of months - how do they really KNOW they don't have "time"... it's all excuses and it makes me sad... Human beings can be quite selfish at times.

I'm thankful that the pets I have will never know a day of want. They will never know what it's like to be treated harshly. They will never be left behind...

God bless people like Eldad & his wife who help the less fortunate find a better life.

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Rowan

I have no patience for the excuses at all. I'm a firm believer that you adopt or purchase a dog, it's for life. So you get pregnant. Big deal. Are you going to get rid of your other children? So why does the dog get kicked to the curb? People who don't take responsibility for their actions make me sick. You adopted / bought that dog, s/he didn't ask to be a part of your life. So step up, deal with it and quit taking the easy way out (for you).

And people who fail to do a minimum amount of research before choosing a certain breed really annoy me. I have a friend who often proclaims, "I'm getting a Rhodesian Ridgeback." This friend is a couch potato with cats. This isn't the breed for her family. I did my best to steer her towards a more acceptable breed by loaning her some books and sending her copious links about the breed. I think it worked! One person at a time...

It's not rocket science, and I'm with you on winning the lottery and starting up a rescue--one that provides extensive education, and not just to potential adopters. If only people put as much thought and research into the dog they're about to adopt/purchase as they did in their next car, Blackberry or computer. There would be a lot more people content with their choice, and far less homeless dogs out there!

Make sure you have tissues: http://www.youtube.com/eldad75

petitpie

I did my own dog rescues years ago off the street, got them vet care, and kept them. There was nothing else except the pound.

Much as I am in favor of private funding for charities, I have to say that rescues are a drop in the bucket compared to the reckless allowance of government to support the unchecked breeding of many species of animals. Our generous donations and help are no match for this flood.

The hard choices involve quiet resolve to end terrible plagues of government control not of our choosing. Write your congressmen and vote for people who will make the right changes.

ArreauStandardPoodle

This couple have given me a bit of faith in humanity again. Selfless and focused on saving lives, they are an absolute Godsend! I am posting a Youtube link so people can see some of the many rescues they have done.

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cookieface

Thank you for sharing the link. My heart breaks when I hear about the way some people treat animals. The world needs more people like Eldad & Audrey Hagar.

When we first started looking for a dog, my instinct was to rescue. For several reasons, we ultimately decided to go to a reputable breeder. I wasn't sure I knew enough about dogs to provide the necessary support to a rescue. However, I'm already looking ahead to adding to our family, and this time, we definitely will rescue.

plumcrazy

Thanks cookieface... I have done both rescue and have purchased from a great breeder - In the future, I will probably do both again... it all depends on the individual animal and what I'm looking for in a new family member.

I know I have a limit on how many dogs can live in my house at one time (Darn it anyway!!) So, when I reach my limit of resident dogs, I foster whenever I can. By doing this, I know that I'm playing a small part in helping that rescue dog find a forever home (even if it won't be with me)

I've spoken to people who have expressed their opinion that they'd never be able to foster because they'd want to KEEP everything they take in... I've never had that problem. Although I absolutely love and cherish every life that crosses over my doorstep, I know that there is another forever home out there for these orphans and as long as I'm willing to help them find those homes - I can help save one at a time!

If more people aren't willing to foster, then fewer animals will have that chance to find their homes...

I was hugging on my Hannah-banana today - my 14 year old mixed breed, and she looked into my eyes and gave me one of those deeeep, contented sighs; and my heart crunched. I just will never understand how anyone can abuse, neglect, abandon or harm an animal...

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petitpie

Wonderful video of Chase! I wanted to hear Eldad's calm voice explaining her situation and hoped-for outcome. Thank you for passing this blessing along on Poodle Forum, ArreauStandardPoodle.

plumcrazy

Pages 26 and 27 of the book I linked in the original post discuss Chase's rehabilitation a little bit - there are some pictures of her too!

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