Rescue Remedies.myfastforum.org

xxlynne · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:30 am Post subject: Change of Homing Policy JUL09

As you may appreciate running a dog rescue without associated assets like 'buildings, land or benefactors' means that we have to pay large vets and kennel bills every month. We calculate each dog on average to cost around £400-£500. We rarely have a dog come through our rescue that doesn't cost us more than the adoption contribution; a few direct homings and puppies. We state on all questionnaires "Is £150 a problem for you"? We suggest people go to the large subsidised rescues if it is. Compare our rescue with others; our standards are exceptionally high.

When we started to use kennels for most of our dogs we felt that, as many of our dogs had come in stray and not been assessed in a domestic setting, it was only fair to offer "Foster-with-the view-to-homing" (FVH) for say, 2 weeks. So if a significant issue arose which jeopardised the homing, there was clearly no blame and no shame to return. Over the last 6 months this proved to be a 'failed' policy. We have found it VERY hard to secure adoptions and adoption contributions from a considerable number of families who have our dogs. This has proved a waste of our valuable time and has caused us financial difficulties above our already difficult path. It has tainted certain homings inevitably which is so sad.

We will no longer be placing our dogs or ourselves in this position. We need people to respect and support the work we do. They also need to be aware of the costs we endure. We now request people have a cheque book with them on meeting our dogs. Should this turn into a homing then a min. of £150 is requested. BUT please bear in mind that if you were to buy a dog, then vacc. worm. deflea, neuter and sort any medical issues .. with leads collars, treats plus, plus for each dog PLUS costing £7 a day per kennel you'll begin to understand the real world. To be honest even when people pay a little more we are touched, but blush inside as we actually know and they would be shocked to know, how much their dog has cost us to get to this point. We homed a dog last week that has cost us £1,350. But we smile as we are there for our dogs and its all been worth it when we finally see our end goal of their fabulous home at last! A breeder charges £650 for what exactly? So please give generously.

So most adoptions are up front payment preferably a cheque or if not cash. IF there is a situation where there is a cat or we have all agreed to place an unproven dog in with children then we will in these exceptional cases commit to a Trial Adoption where a 2 week post-dated cheque is submitted with completed adoption papers, or we can hold the cash for that period. We hope this meets with peoples understanding and acceptance.

We perhaps need to spell it out to people what it costs to get our dogs ready for their homes. No need to check our expenses we never submit any. We proudly run a rescue based on the highest standards. We cannot afford for people to haggle with our min. donation, provide serial post dated cheques or provide a cheque which bounces. We need assurance people can afford to support our dogs and dog rescue work during these and future times.

We thank the reader and any potential adopters for their understanding.

_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier!

THEY ARE THEIR OWN PEOPLE

www.terrierrescue.co.uk

EmmaSemple · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:46 am Post subject:

Excellent idea and also a policy which my own rescue has just put into place due to people 'ripping off' the rescue.

It is a very sad world when this happens, but it has been highlighted on my website that these rules are now in place.

Can I suggest that with cheques that a cheque card must be produced so that the number on the back with guarantee clearence?

I can assure anyone who doubts that any rescue would pay out that much on one dog, that RR does indeed as many of the long termers are at the kennels I work at and it has a true non-destruct policy and does the very best for each and every dog in their care.

Emma
_________________
Save a Life...Adopt a Staffie!

reclaimingrebus · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:59 am Post subject:

it's a sad old world, Lynne, but I agree that this is a necessary step.

Fred R · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:33 pm Post subject:

reclaimingrebus · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject:

the problem is Fred, that some people think they are doing a rescue a favour in taking a dog in the first place. the dogs come vax chipped and castrated, and often with sometimes substantial vets fees. this, apart from the kennel fees, is what costs the money - often people wouldn't necessarily have some of these things done, and if their dog hasn't been the recipient of extra ordinary vet treatment, don't see that funds must be made available from somewhere for those dogs which do. They are only interested in their own dog, not in the concept of rescue Crying or Very sad

Most people who take an active part in rescue, put their hands in their pockets all the time, phone calls, diesel, time, paper, ink, collars for strays, bedding, wear and tear on the car, food for fosters. We don't claim for it, because that means that there will be funds to save another life, and what those who have refused to pay have done is effectively put in jeopardy lives for which funds cannot be found. we don't do this so that some people get an easy ride, we do it so one more dog makes it out of the pound and into safety.

Ruthi · User Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 38 Location: Berkshire

You are being naive, Fred. When you do a homecheck its hard enough to evaluate people's suitability as dog owners, without assessing their attitude to money. And its often the most upright looking citizens who are the least generous.

I used to sell kitchens, many of them on credit. I never ceased to be amazed at some of the people who failed their credit checks. Believe me, if I could have sniffed them out I'd never have done all that work in designing a kitchen for them!

Lynne, I see no reason why you should accept a post dated cheque. Agree not to present it for the trial period by all means, or promise a refund. But post dated cheques are illegal (they weren't signed on the date on the cheque and as such are fraudulent - can you tell my ex father in law was a bank manager?) and all the writer has to do is tell the bank.

EmmaSemple · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:39 am Post subject:

Good point made there!

I remember someone else mentioning this years ago!

I reckon that I am going to get tough! Shocked

I am going to say to people that any animal is subject to the donation being paid on the day. If the people do not have the money then they should not be adopting a dog.
A lady adopted Saffy yesterday and said that she had never heard of anyone going to rescue and not paying straight away.

If you were to go into Battersea and ask to adopt a dog without paying then they would turn them away. I know this because I used to work there.
They talk to the people and tell them that they are after dedicated homes who are confident that they can handle the dog. They would be aware of any issues and should have taken these issues into account before applying to adopt.

Personally if anyone phones from now on and gets stroppy about payment then I will tell them to go elsewhere as the right home will come along. If they turn up having 'forgot' the donation then they will have to come back another time.

This applies for all animals in my care. I will always make the person aware that animals donations are payable on the day of collection.

Emma
_________________
Save a Life...Adopt a Staffie!

Bud · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject:

We got our Staffie from a kennels that took in stray dogs....they charged us £60...didn’t come and check us out...didn’t give us any info on Bud...they didn’t ask if we had bull breed experience or any dog experience... he was described as “Dog aggressive” which he isn’t.............can you imagine what would have happened if he had got into the wrong hands...£60 is affordable to some!!! We had him chipped and vaxed and neutered £245 so altogether £305 and that was a year ago!!!

Paul&Annie · User Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 107

I can not tell you how horrified and sickened I am by this!

Have I got completely the wrong end of the stick? Are you saying that people take dogs from RR, and other charities, and then don't pay the adoption fee? How can someone who wants to give a home to a rescue dog not have a conscience? I am baffled...speechless....angry.

belles mum · User Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 139

I think you should definately get people to pay upfront - if they cant afford what comes down to a pretty minimal adoption fee (when you consider kenneling and vet fees) how will they cope with ownership costs of having a dog. If people query the fee I would query there understanding of what is involved in having a dog.

If the dog has to be returned within a short period of time then let there be an option to have fee reimbursed.

Maybe it is worth printing out a generic sheet which details kennel fees per day, neutering costs, vacs, flee/worm treatment etc - just to highlight how much the dogs cost to care for.