Most rescues are anxious to place dogs in good homes. A few are over-anxious and skimp on temperament evaluation, health issues, or sterilization. And a few have such strict contracts and adoption processes that they place very few dogs. There's no doubt that rescue has become a cause c l bre among dog lovers. Some rescuers take themselves so seriously that the comment adopting a child is easier than getting a dog from XYZ rescue is no joke, especially to adopters who have gone through an exhaustive interview process only to be turned down because they work full time or live in an apartment.
Some rescue groups go overboard in establishing guidelines for responsible dog care.
In a recent case, a dog entered rescue from a shelter after being turned in by the owner's estranged boyfriend. The woman traced the dog to the shelter and then to the rescue group, but she did not get her dog back until she spent several weeks in negotiation with the group and agreed to abide by rules for exercise and veterinary visits. What to expect from a rescue group Actually, selecting a rescue organization as a source for an adult dog is somewhat like selecting a breeder for a puppy. Although genetic screening is not an issue because the dog is generally of unknown parentage, the rescue should have a clean facility, the dogs should be fit and friendly, the adoption process should be reasonable, and the rescuer should be willing to give references such as a veterinarian or a previous adopter or two. Rescue dogs should always be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and at least relatively healthy before purchase.