Lassie, Cleo, Rin-Tin-Tin and Toto don’t show up in rescue. We don’t get the elegantly coiffed, classically beautiful, completely trained, perfectly behaved dog. We get the leftovers. Dogs that other people have incompetently bred, inadequately socialized, ineffectively trained and treated badly. Most rescue dogs have had it. They’ve been pushed from one lousy situation to another. They’ve never had proper veterinary care, kind and consistent training, or sufficient company. They’ve lived outside, in a crate or in the basement. They’re scared, depressed and anxious. Some are angry. Some are sick. Some have given up.
But we are Rescue and we don’t give up. We know a dog is a living being with a spirit and a heart and feelings. Our dogs are not commodities, things or garbage. They are part of sacred creation and they deserve as much love and care and respect as the next Westminster champion. So please don’t come to Rescue in the hopes of getting a bargain, or indeed of “getting” anything. Come to Rescue to give love, to save a life — and to mend your own spirit. Rescue will reward you in ways you never thought possible. We can promise you this — a rescue dog will make you a better person.
While we receive some funds through our adoption fee, it does not cover all of our expenses. Last year our average cost per dog was $500 – yet we only ask for a $300 donation* when someone adopts a Cocker Spaniel. Last year we treated more than 20 dogs with heartworms, took care of numerous cherry eyes, nursed several Cocker kids through kennel cough and gave another a chance to walk again by treating a leg bound by wire and a rubber band.
*See our complete Adoption Fee Schedule.
