If you are an animal lover and need to rehome a pet or a stray dog, you are probably looking for a dog rescue to work with. You want to make sure the dog is well cared for and is placed into the best hands, so finding the best dog rescue in your area is important. Check out these tips to help you learn more about your local rescues and figure out which one to use.
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Tips for Finding the Best Dog Rescue
Ask to See Credentials
Check to see what your state requires for credentials with rescue organizations. If there are certain licenses or certifications required, ask any rescue you are considering for their credentials. If they don’t have any (and should have) or are hesitant to show them to you, consider that a red flag.
Ask for References
Ask any rescue you are considering for references. Ask for references from individuals who have adopted from them in the past and from local animal control facilities. Take the time to call the references and talk to them about their experiences with the rescue in question.
Talk to Animal Control Workers
Your local animal control workers will be able to give you insight about local rescue groups. They should already be working closely with each one so give animal control a call and ask which rescue groups they recommend and which ones they work with most frequently. Animal control should also be able to tell you if there have been complaints about certain rescue groups and if any of those groups have been fined or cited for any reason.
Visit the Facility
Be sure to make a visit to any dog rescue facility before you choose to work with them. You will want to get a good look at the conditions they keep rescued dogs in. Be sure to talk to them about how their organization works. Some rescue organizations make use of a series of foster families for rescued pets instead of housing the dogs at their facility, while some rescues will do a combination of fosters and facility housing.
When visiting facilities, pay attention to the condition of kennels, runs, and the overall facility. Does it smell? Is there adequate lighting and ventilation for the animals? Find out about the daily care of the animals — how often do they get out of kennels, how are they socialized with other animals and with people?
Search Online for Reviews
Online searches can yield a great amount of information about any organization you are checking out. Search for reviews from people who have worked with the rescue in question. You may glean a great deal of information about the rescue from forums and reviews.
Go With Your Gut
Finally, go with your gut when it comes to a dog rescue. If your gut is telling you that a specific rescue isn’t the one you need to work with, then keep searching. Trust your instincts.
Don’t make hasty choices when it comes to working with a dog rescue. Take your time and invest some effort into checking out each rescue you are considering. Find out all that you can before making a decision.
