To rescue means to save, to remove from harm or to protect from imminent peril. We all see the pictures roll through our social media feeds of countless different ways animals are in dire need of assistance. Whether maimed, stray, abandoned, abused or neglected, our initial instinct as human beings is to help. Monetary donations, fostering, transporting, adopting, sharing posts are all ways that we show we care for countless creatures. Society has created such a vast network of volunteers to help the helpless that it has become an overwhelming machine that can hinder as easily as it can help.
Many animals that make their way into rescue are injured or suffering with an illness. Those in greatest need are tended to first. I have been a part of many conversations where volunteers debate what is most humane in regards to injured animals. Do you spend thousands healing one when you could vaccinate, spay, neuter or re-home more than one? Some will do everything they can to save an animal even if the suffering will be great and the healing time excessive. Some will let an animal rest in peace rather then watch them suffer fighting their way back from near death. How each rescue chooses to address illness and injury is very much a personal issue based on what they feel to be best after consulting with a veterinarian. If you have ever watched an animal suffer, perhaps even your own, then you have only a fraction of an idea as to what animal rescue persons are faced with on a daily basis.
The stray by chance is an unfortunate victim of time and location. Often, owned dogs end up on the run despite our best efforts to contain them. The lost dog can be picked up by a stranger and returned to its rightful owner or picked up by Animal Control. Many of us have pounds where stray owned dogs are brought until owners pay their fine and take their animals home. What happens if Animal Control transports your dog out of your district if the pound in your region is full? This is the very unfortunate part of what is supposed to be a sound system. There is only a 72 hour hold on any animal picked up and brought to any pound, after that time limit your animal is placed up for adoption should you not make claim. So while you are taking hours upon hours searching for your lost animal, you may very well be searching in all the wrong places. After three days without any luck trying to find your dog it can be rehomed and you will never see your animal again. Once adopted, a stray by chance according to the law, is no longer a member of your family and you have lost all of your rights as their legal guardian. So, if you ever have a missing animal it is imperative that you contact every pound in your city as well as the surrounding regions because there is no guarantee that your animal will not be transported to a holding facility elsewhere.
Legitimate strays are literally everywhere, in every community, in every region, in every county. Animal rescues focus a great deal of time and resources trying to alleviate overpopulation on First Nations reserves as well as in other populated regions. Many rescues provide education, spay-neuter clinics, supplies and vaccination clinics to not only remote regions but for low income families as well. So what about animal rescue could ever be considered wrong or misguided?
There are many issues that seem to be surfacing on a far more frequent basis with animal rescues across Canada. I'm certain these same issues will hold true for many other countries as well. For all the good a rescue can do there are also the detrimental behaviours and acts that plague them. If you notice rescues or persons affiliated with rescue intentionally trying to harm each other's credibility then that is a serious issue. Often these situations are due to jealousy over donations, publicity or sponsors. There is also the issue of piety which runs deep within many rescue persons. Some think that they do no wrong when in fact everything that they are doing is counterproductive. Dictating how you should train your adopted dog, how you should feed your adopted animal or how to care for them medically. More often as of late I am inundated with serious concerns from adoptive families about the lack of support or understanding from their rescue of choice. This is a problem. We all have our own beliefs and practices regarding animal welfare and that needs to be respected even if we do not agree. This however works both ways. If you as an adopter sign an adoption contract then you are committing to whatever that contract should detail. A rescue should always be approachable and the adopter should always feel comfortable discussing any concerns regarding their adoptive pet with the rescue.
The most debilitating issue I see on a regular basis is the piety of persons in rescue. Some can not seem to comprehend that not all people are on the same level of understanding. The majority of people in this World know that food, shelter and water are the very basics of care for any animal. Walks, playtime, treats, toys, agility, grooming, proper medical care, vaccinations, spay and neuter, these are all in addition to the basic necessities of life. Likely, half the population does the majority of the extras mentioned. If you fall into the category of the under extra you are scorned, mocked, alienated and even laughed at by those individuals who are supposed to be helping you better understand how you can elevate your animal welfare awareness. People need to understand that there are some who would rather call the animal welfare authority in your area or potentially abduct your animal as opposed to educating you. There is also the very serious issue of tethering your dog. This is extremely frowned upon by animal rescue organizations, so much so that if you do not have a fenced in yard they will not adopt a dog out to you. Not everyone has the luxury of a fence, that is a simple fact. You could be the most loving, compassionate, caring person but that may not be enough. These are all precautionary issues that need to be addressed. As a potential adopter or a pet owner you have the right to know what could cause you issue and what to expect.
If you don't have to fill out an adoption application, supply references, have a trial period with an animal then you are not dealing with a reputable rescue. If you can not access financials then you are not dealing with an accountable rescue. If you feel like you have to hide your head in unnecessary shame when facing any issue with your adopted pet then you are not dealing with an accessible rescue. If you are picking a puppy out of a box in someone's driveway then you need to understand that is not an animal rescue.
The great rescues are the ones who are accessible, accountable, helpful, understanding and last but not least, non judgemental. The rescues you want to deal with are those who will answer any questions or concerns you have. They will welcome you into their community where you can have all of the guidance you could ever need to succeed with your adopted animal. You will want to deal with a rescue who will understand that any dog adopted out may face issues at one point or another because that is reality. We all know that rescue animals come with their quirks just as every person does. Every being is an individual and you will want that mindset from the rescue you are dealing with. If you are faced with a mouth full of denial and promises of perfection; keep walking. Setting people and their adoptive animals up for failure is not an option.
As the majority of the population is aware, not every animal can make their way into a rescue. So what of the animals who have to wait? What can be done to alleviate overpopulation? Strays in both the dog and cat populations are vast in Canada, animals are literally everywhere. There are spay and neuter clinics as well as a contraceptive implant project (Dogs With No Names) that are making progress with the stray and feral dog populations particularly in First Nations reserve communities. For the cats, there are Trap-Neuter-Release programs which are gaining more ground throughout Canada as a satisfactory alternative to many who will not make it into a rescue. Trying to get a firm grasp on animal overpopulation is an incredibly frustrating venture for some rescues. Day in and day out the feeding and trapping of stray dogs and cats can lead to mental, emotional and physical exhaustion. The rescues trying their best to do whatever they can for those that are truly helpless are without a doubt the most successful. These rescues do so much with so little and are seldom recognized for their efforts. Support for these rescues is critical, they need to thrive because they are looking to address the heart of the problem that has become animal rescue.
The complexities of animal rescue are vast and can be confusing to many. It is not as simple as saving a life as many state. 'Out of the goodness of ones heart' is not enough to justify letting ethics and rescue management slide out the back door. Animal rescue is a free for all, they are not accountable to any governing body nor is there an ethical code of conduct. The only body that holds rescues accountable are the citizens with whom they deal with, that is it. Humane Societies, SPCA's, independent rescues write their own mandate, set their own terms, dictate their personal views and practices. Many get this right, do as they should and honour the animals in their keep. Some do everything wrong and not every rescue is created equal despite the umbrella they may be under.
Many rescues will tell you what they expect of you but what is it that you expect of them?
L.A. Bowden
