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Be informed! HB2790 is an IL bill
you should be aware of.
Please read the original bill and its 2 amendments
carefully!
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why won't you
take my dog? He's only 7 and we've had him since
he was a puppy. He's a great dog!
Answer: Our rescue
loves dogs of all ages and we have personally adopted
several of the seniors and housed them lovingly until
death, but that is the commitment you are asking of
a rescue when you relinquish a senior dog.
When you
adopted or bought your dog you committed to a lifetime.
You most likely enjoyed the cute fluffy stage and the
young gorgeous stage, but then, for whatever reason,
you now are giving up an elderly animal. You are in
turn asking complete strangers to now open their home
to your now unwanted dog. Your dog has most likely,
only
known and loved you all of its life and is now expected
to adjust to a new life.
Our primary problem with accepting
senior dogs is the availability of space and no demand.
This means the dogs stay in rescue for prolonged lengths
of time or until their death. This really isn't the
retirement plan they looked forward to. Also, this
means that several young, healthy dogs will be put
to sleep in that time because the space is taken in
rescue.
If there are homes looking for seniors or rescues
specializing
in seniors we do our best to match the dogs up. However,
the likelihood is small. It is one of the hardest things
we have to deal with because it isn't the dog's fault,
only the sudden loss of his/her home and beloved owner.
The best solution is for the owner to retain their
commitment to their animal, the next best is to already
have a family member or friend that could help in times
of an emergency. Unfortunately, for many dogs, euthanasia
is a kinder alternative to being dumped in a pound
or shelter to only be put to sleep due to age at the
hands of a stranger after spending days or weeks in
a cold concrete
and chain link cell.
We are absolutely
floored by phone calls from persons who say" I
have a puppy and a 10 year old dog, they don't get
along. I'd like to give up the 10 year old".
We understand tragic human situations, such as admission
to a nursing home, etc... and we certainly do not want
to make those persons feel guilty about calling rescue
for help. However, for all the other circumstances
that are the majority, we really would like them to
think very hard about what they are doing.
If the dog
is
elderly and biting due to arthritic pain, urinating
in the house due to incontinence, or needs thousands
of dollars of veterinary care due to age, if you
can't take care of your dog anymore and do not want
to; what
makes you think complete strangers want to adopt
those troubles? Really think about what is in the best
interest
of
the dog. It is your last final kindness for a lifetime
of unconditional love.
Return to the FAQs main page.
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| Did
you know... |
Approximately
8-12 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every
year and approximately 5-9 million are euthanized (60% of dogs and
70% of cats). — Annual Shelter Statistics, ASPCA
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals (ASPCA) answers the question Why
Spay or Neuter? (PDF—15K). This low-cost surgery keeps
your animal healthier and helps fight pet overpopulation.
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| You can support this rescue with purchases... |
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Visit
our German Shepherd
Dog Shop at CafeShops.com
Sammie's Meal Time Bib now available! |
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| Try the ASPCA's "Is
your Home Poison Safe?" Interactive Quiz on the ASPCA
web site. |
Elizabeth Riddle, our rescue president, outside
of her full-time job and continuing educational pursuits, is an animal
behaviorist and an obedience instructor, with a Bachelor's degree in
Biology from the University of Illinois with a specialty in Ethology
(the study of animal behavior). She officially founded this rescue in
November of 1997 while attending the University of Illinois. Learn
more about this rescue...
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