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ABC's of Irish Wolfhounds Puppy Tales: Find a person in your area for help and information
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Rescue
by Gayle Curtis Some of the most loving animals you can meet are placed in homes with the help of a rescue organization.
The owner calls the closest Irish Wolfhound rescue contact, (see anyone on under 'find a person in your area…'). If the owner has not informed the breeder, we attempt to contact them to let them know that one of their breeding has been released to rescue. Ethical breeders will make arrangements for the return of their dog, as they are ultimately responsible for that dog from birth to death. If we cannot contact the breeder or they refuse responsibility for their dog, the dog then goes to its' foster home. While being fostered, the dog will go to the vet for spa day, this can be as simple as a quick physical or as involved as a spay/neuter, heartworm treatment, dental work, etc. Applications are submitted to rescue organizations year round so the next step is to match the dog to the best home. All dogs have special needs, some emotional, some physical, and rescue volunteers do their best to match these needs to the applicant. A volunteer then goes to the applicants' home to conduct a home interview, check the property, offer advice and answer any questions anyone in the home has, including the children. An Irish Wolfhound is a family decision. The next step and one of the most rewarding is arranging for the dog to go to his/her new home. Sometimes the dog is delivered, sometimes he/she is picked up from the foster, but there are always hugs and many times a tear or two. Working in rescue is part and parcel of an ethical breeding program. A bumper sticker viewed at an all-breed dog show sums this up, "If you don't rescue, don't breed". All wolfhounds deserve loving and caring homes, whether very young, or in the twilight stages of their lives. Don't think that adopting a rescue dog is the fast track to Irish Wolfhound ownership. The wait for a rescue can be as long or longer than waiting for a puppy from the breeder you've selected. Although the wait can be a form of torture, it is worth it in so many ways. If you open your heart to a re-homed Irish Wolfhound An Irish Wolfhound is a big decision but an even bigger responsibility. |
Rescue is a blanket statement that tends to give a person the wrong impression. Most of our Irish Wolfhounds are more appropriately re-homed. The dogs needing assistance can be cases varying from unforeseen circumstances such as divorce, job transfer, moving, etc. There are many instances where the owner didn't do their homework properly (they should have read this website) and are not prepared for the responsibility of Irish Wolfhound ownership which can sometimes be overwhelming. Some are just unprepared for the many stages of Irish Wolfhound development from the adorable puppy to the teething puppy, to the adolescent pushing the rules and the teens figuring out what's expected of them. It is not often we have dogs that have been actually mistreated in any way. Rescue's job is to find forever homes for these dogs.