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Attn: Border Collie people!!!!!
From Kay of PacNW Border Collie rescue:
Two of the busiest rescuers in the Pacific Northwest United States are calling it quits. We have both been doing rescue for over 10 years and realize that despite numerous education attempts, people just don't get the fact that there is a huge Border Collie overpopulation problem. We have gotten to the point where breeders are turning over partial or even entire litters to rescue because nobody wants them (not BYB dogs either-good working lines.) We have dozens of dogs on our waiting lists because we can't place the fosters we have fast enough. For our sanity, we need to take a break. In most cases, we are the only thing between these dogs and euthanasia. Border Collies rarely pass shelter temperament tests, even if they are solid, wonderful dogs outside of that terrifying environment. When we close the door to these shelters and the dozens of individual owners who call us every month, many nice Border Collies will be lost. Of course, we know that we cannot save them all, especially with all the new breeding going on because of the popularity of Border Collies for sport and as pets. However, if we could recruit some new foster volunteers, as least the most promising dogs will have a chance for a happy ending. EVERYONE who cares about Border Collies must get involved in some capacity. It does not do to say "I am too busy." Nobody actively competing in agility is as busy as I am and I can do it (and still have time for myself.) Most of our foster dogs are easy to take care of-they crate well and integrate into the family scene quickly. We can provide food, crates and other equipment if needed. All it takes is a few mintues a day of one-on-one training to get a dog to the point where it is ready for adoption (most come in with no real problems anyway and can usually go up for adoption right away.) Heck, a lot of our foster volunteers say they've found their dream dog through this program (nothing like being able to try a dog with no obligation to keep it!) It doesn't wash to say "I have litters on the ground and can't risk disease." Any ethical breeder should be heavily involved in rescue, right? Being involved doesn't have to mean physical fostering of dogs. It can also mean helping with education and fundraising and maybe even donating money or supplies now and then. Saying "I don't live in the Pacific Northwest," doesn't get you off the hook either. Rescue is in a crisis everywhere in the US. Britain and Australia are reporting terrible over-breeding problems-per capita, maybe even worse than ours. I don't expect to get a big response to this post. In fact, fellow rescuers and humane workers bet it will be completely ignored because people don't want to feel guilty that they are not willing to inconvenience themselves a little to help these poor little dogs who work so hard for us. I don't want to believe that. This is not a fluffy, feel-good message because the situation is really dire for these animals. How can we feel good about promoting a breed when we know that such a large percentage of the dogs are in improper homes or dying in shelters? If you have bothered to read this far, take it as a challenge to make a difference in even one homeless dog's life. You might find that it makes you feel a lot better about yourself. If you have any trouble locating a rescuer near you, let me know and I will direct you to one! Thanks for helping to save a life!! Kay Gaeta Working Dog Rescue, Penner Institute for Animal Welfare, Pacific Northwest Border Collie Rescue Oregon, USA http://www.pnwbcrescue.org/ The two women quitting are the two that I foster for. We are desperate for help. Please, BC people, quit making excuses for why you 'can't' help, and find ways that you _can. I'm one of the people that evaluates dogs at shelters, and frequently I am the last resort for those dogs. Quite frankly, I'm damned tired of looking into a dog's eyes and having to walk away, knowing I was that dog's last chance at life. If you TRULY care about dogs, Borer Collies in particular, quit making excuses and STEP UP. Debbie |
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Debbie wrote:
The two women quitting are the two that I foster for. We are desperate for help. Please, BC people, quit making excuses for why you 'can't' help, and find ways that you _can. I'm one of the people that evaluates dogs at shelters, and frequently I am the last resort for those dogs. Quite frankly, I'm damned tired of looking into a dog's eyes and having to walk away, knowing I was that dog's last chance at life. If you TRULY care about dogs, Borer Collies in particular, quit making excuses and STEP UP. Debbie, Are any of the border collie registries helping at all? Or is it a "not my problem, I only sell to fill in the blank homes" type of thing? Beth |
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"Debbie S" wrote in message ... We have gotten to the point where breeders are turning over partial or even entire litters to rescue because nobody wants them (not BYB dogs either-good working lines.) That's appalling. Good "working lines" or not, turning puppies over to rescue is a bright and shining hallmark of the worst kind of BYB. Christy |
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On Mon, 9 May 2005 21:41:35 -0700 Debbie S whittled these words:
From: That's appalling. Good "working lines" or not, turning puppies over to rescue is a bright and shining hallmark of the worst kind of BYB. No kidding. I've been pretty shocked at the numbers of puppies coming through. When I asked Kay, she told me they were coming from working farms, whole litters. That's how I ended up with Tsuki - they dumped twelve puppies - 6 five week olds and 6 twelve week olds. And earlier that month somone dumped the bitch with the litter. It feels endless - it IS endless. People letting the family dog breed have NO clue how many nice dogs die daily. Personally I can't cope with the emotion so I work on the education/prevention end of things. Anything that keeps me away from direct contact with the dogs ar risk. Otherwise I might be a "collector" which is not helpful to the dogs. -- Diane Blackman http://dog-play.com/ http://dogplay.com/Shop/ |
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Diane said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds:
Personally I can't cope with the emotion so I work on the education/prevention end of things. Anything that keeps me away from direct contact with the dogs ar risk. Otherwise I might be a "collector" which is not helpful to the dogs. I tread the middle path. When I have room, I offer daycare space for socialisation of others' foster dogs. Even though these dogs go home at night, I must admit that I've been sorely tempted to keep one or two. -- --Matt. Rocky's a Dog. |
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On 10 May 2005 15:08:28 GMT Rocky whittled these words:
Diane said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds: Personally I can't cope with the emotion so I work on the education/prevention end of things. Anything that keeps me away from direct contact with the dogs ar risk. Otherwise I might be a "collector" which is not helpful to the dogs. I tread the middle path. When I have room, I offer daycare space for socialisation of others' foster dogs. Even though these dogs go home at night, I must admit that I've been sorely tempted to keep one or two. I wish I could manage to do that more often. Intellectually I can make it all make sense, but emotonally it usually doesn't work for me. Once a dog enters my care it is forever my responsiblity. I have a hard time keeping it in a rational scope. I try to know my limits so I don't do stupid things. -- Diane Blackman http://dog-play.com/ http://dogplay.com/Shop/ |
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