Animal rescue

[Kimberly C]

I dont know where I should post this. I few weeks ago I was staying at my mothers new place and when we woke up we heard a dog whinning and barking. I went outside to find a med. sized dog looked to be a mix of chow and akita. It was chained to her post on her porch and tangled in the bushes. I got up the nerve to approach it to untangle the leash and luckily it was well behaved and let me. My mother lives near a trailor park so we had the kids walk it around and knock on doors to find out who was the owner. It played with the kids for a few hours and nobody came by to claim him. We then called the animal control and they said that they dont rescue animals on the weekend unless theyre a threat. They said to let it go and maybe it will find its home. That didnt sound right to me, it actually upset me. There was no other place we could find to call. I was just curious if anyone would know how I would go about finding a place that would help animals in or around Grand Rapids, Michigan. Also would like any info. on how to go about starting such a place.

[Linda]

The first thing that came to my mind was to take the dog to a vet and have it scanned. I don't think they charge for scanning. Most likely, since the dog was abandoned I really don't think that the previous owners would of taken that great of care to have some kind of identity on the dog. Some call chipping caring for animals and other call it dangerous. I am against it.
Maybe looking in the phone book or internet, calling major pet organizations for a location search of finding a place that would help animals in your area. Sanctuary's, or looking for a foster homes.

"Also would like any info. on how to go about starting such a place."
Might want to call the ASPCA in your area or ask around while your looking for a local search of finding a place to help animals.

[gayle67]

I am curious as to why someone would think it to be "dangerous" to microchip your pet. It's a great way to find them if they get lost unless of course one wanted it "lost" to begin with because they no longer want the animal. But i would think irresponsible owners would not microchip for that reason.

[kelly]

i would take it to the Vet!!! or make up flyers, about finding a stray dog. but if some calls, have them answer a certain question about markings on the dog, to make sure someone working for the experiment labs doesn,t try to claim it!!!! as for micro chips, i my self don,t do it, because i don,t like having foreign objects or undue chemicals in my dogs, unless i have to. but my babies live in the house and i,m home with them, and live in a small community. i watch over them like a hawk!!!!! i think its a persons choice.

[diane]

Hi Linda,
Why against the microchip? All too often pets get out the front door and run fast after a squirrel or something and the owner can't catch it. If the pet has a chip and the owner can not locate the animal, it's nice to know that a vet or pound can scan the animal and find the proper owner. Also, be advised, collars with tags don't always do the trick because they come off when they get stuck on bushes or if the animal gets in to a fight. If I had a dollar for every collar my cat, Sam, has lost, I would be very wealthy.

[Lin]

I agree that the dog should not be turned loose! What about it getting hit by a car or any other disastrous thing that could happen to a sweet dog.
A/C's recommendation stinks. Take it to a vet and send out flyers and yes, ask many questions if someone wants to claim the dog. Take care not to put it in the wrong hands!
Good luck and thanks for rescueing it from the bushes.

Lin

[Debbie]

http://aspcacommunity.ning.com/group/rescuegroups

I started this group with you in mind, hopefully we can get the rescues who are on the ASPCA family to contribute their information.

Hugs,

Debbie

[Edda Bataan]

First of all God Bless you for taking the time to help that dog and not turn away. I have had the same experience once when I found a dog wandering I had my hands full walking my own dog and then a carriage but somehow managed to get hold fo the dog and then no one wanted to help. Not the ASPCA not animal control no one because like you it was a Saturday but they didn't say to let it go and MAYBE it would find it's home...that person should NOT be working at an animal control office how could they advise that???? Anyhow can't fight them but yeah I had to beg beg beg someone to open up the facility and my friend drove the dog over I posted signs all over the neighborhood with FOUND DOG and a phone number mine and the facility turns out the owner went over and claimed his dog but most of the time it's not that way owners dump their dogs hoping that someone will pick them up or mainly they don't give a hoot eitherway just darn cruel.

If you have the space and get donations you can start your own kind of rescue place and post found dogs online get a website and try to have the pups adopted. Get in touch with a local vet or a aspca or whatnot and see if they will spay any dog or cat for free if you help out. It may work. I hope this helps and again I applaud you for NOT turning your back on that dog. God Bless

[Honeysmom]

Hi,

I agree with taking it to the vet to have it scanned. You can also search PETFINDER.COM for rescue groups in your area! Please update us and let us know what happened! As far as how to start a rescue group ... It's A HUGE undertaking, but if you'd like to look into it, there is LOTS of information at BESTFRIENDS.ORG!

Good Luck! And, GOD BLESS YOU FOR CARING!

[michelle sirois]

this is the first reply i've done so hopefully i won't offend anyone. i rescue. have been on my own for over 20 yrs and tomorrow i'm going to go o my town hall and see what my first step will be to be a registered shelter. in the last yr i've recued a terrier x that was tossed from a car window, a pit x that was dumped in the parking lot where i work and an akita/lab x pup that was being neglected. tomorrow morning i'm picking up the brother and sister to the akita/lab x and this saturday a 6 mth old pup is being transported from a kill shelter in Ohio (dogsindanger.com). with all the "found" dogs, i first stop at the vet. get them going on the age appropriate shots and maybe the vet will recognize the dog. then i notify the police, animal control and any shelters in the area. after 2 weeks they get spayed/neutered and become members of my family. these "found" dogs make really great pets. they seem to appreciate the attention and care.

[Linda]

To gayle and Diane,

I have a post about microchips for animals if you have some time your welcome to pop on over there to read what is said about chipping an animal. I hope it will answer your questions.

PLEASE SEE: Microchip in Dogs and Cats. Implant in your Pet, Is it safe?
This is a group discussion in the "Helping Animals" group.

My cat Michael is micro chipped but not of my choice, I adopted him from the Humane Society and it was a requirement before I took him home, which at that time I didn't know any better and it was years before I joined this web site.

[Susan Kroll]

Welcome to the common response from animal control. These are people that are doing a 'job' for the paycheck, not for the animals. Most of them are capable of euthanizing animals. Many of them are hardened and overwhelmed.

I believe that because you were put in it's path you should find it a home.IN IL if you pick up a stray it is your responsibilty legally to care for it or relinquish it to animal control or a lincensed shelter.

Do not under any circumstance give it away!-'bunchers' pose as loving adopters and sell to labs, fighting rings or sell for profit to unfit homes. Screen adopters, I have our Humane Society's questions we ask if you would like help, and get a vet reference-always. Any current or recent animals they have/had need to be up to date on vaccinations and altered. Also ask if they own or rent,. If they rent are they positive they can provide a forever home-do they have landlord permission-get the number and call to see. Also, make sure they know it is a process to housebreak and that the dog will be indoors and they have a realistic expectation of how long it can hold it without going out. Make sure they are prepared to educate themselves and seek help on training issues. It is vital they are prepared to exercise the dog. Dogs need physical and mental simulation to be mentally and physically healthy. Most behavior problems come from lack of exercise and /or caregiver's lack of knowledge in training. Training takes consistancy and patience! HSUS, ASPCA and Petfinder have literature available on this. I can forward more info if you are interested.
If you can keep the dog until a local rescue has a spot they may help you- do a search for local NO KILL shelters.