RESCUE

Click on the image to read about a rescue weim we are very proud of..... Tika

 

WONDERFUL!
Perhaps you’ve decided that a puppy just isn’t the best choice for your lifestyle, or perhaps the idea of giving a homeless Weim a second chance at a family of his own appeals to you. Maybe you need help in finding a new home for your Weim. Whatever the reasons, you undoubtedly have some questions. We’ve prepared this handout to give you an overview of our Rescue Program and to provide answers to the most common questions. Then, let’s talk!

JUST WHAT IS THE WEIMARANER RESCUE PROGRAM?
Our program operates under the auspices of the Weimaraner Club of America Rescue Committee, according to quidelines established by the Weimaraner Club of America and the American Kennel Club. Our objective is to rescue homeless Weimaraners, evaluate them for placement in a recuperative foster care situation and place them in appropriate adoptive homes that will continue this care.

WHERE DO THESE DOGS COME FROM?
Our rescue Weims come from animal shelters and humane societies and from private owners who can no longer keep their dogs. Within 48 hours of rescue, each dog is given a complete veterinary examination, treatment as needed and updated vaccinations as recommended. The dog is then taken into a foster home for recuperative loving care and evaluation. Each Weim is evaluated for socialization with adults (male and female), children, other pets and strangers, and for aggression. (Aggressive dogs are not deemed suitable for placement.) Special abilities and personality traits are noted. Obedience and crate training are begun as soon as possible. The rescued dogs remain in the foster home until a compatible adoptive home is found.

WHAT ARE THESE DOGS LIKE?
Each situation is different, of course, but all rescue Weims share some characteristics. Since the Weim is a hunting dog bred to work with humans, he is happiest when he with "his people." The recent loss of "his family" leaves the rescue dog somewhat confused and lonely; he may exhibit some shyness. He recuperates quickly; each of the wonderful rescue Weims who have shared our homes have been real lovers, glorying in the affection and attention they receive.

We don’t know, and probably never will, what each Weim has lived through prior to rescue, but all seem to respond quickly to love and consistent, gentle discipline. Some Weims have had the misfortune of being undisciplined and present a special challenge to the adoptive family. Some have even suffered abuse. But their delight in being valued and loved is proportional to their desire to please.

Since most of our rescue Weims are at least one year old, they are prime time students, finished for the most part with their puppy foolishness, and ready and willing to learn and love. Patience, discipline, love and lots of exercise, combined with a nutritious diet, will see these dogs through the adjustment period with flying colors in an average of six weeks.

SO, WHAT DO YOU GET?
Lots! First and foremost, you get a loyal grey friend for
life who has been thoroughly vet checked, is current on vaccinations, spayed or neutered, housebroken and ready for love-giving and love-taking.

Second, you get a network of concerned and knowledgeable Weimaraner owners who will support your adoption and counsel you through the adjustment period and beyond.

Third, you get some neat stuff: a collar, Weimy’s favorite blanket and toy, any current medications, a supply of food, Carol Benjamin’s excellent book SECOND HAND DOG, and an information sheet detailing Weimy’s medical record, feed program, favorite activities, special talents and special needs. We can also provide a serviceable crate at a reasonable price.

OK, HOW DO YOU ADOPT A WEIM?
Discuss this thoroughly with your entire family to be sure all are willing to work toward a successful adoption. Then, contact one of us at the address/phone number below. We’ll be glad to answer any remaining questions you have and we’ll send you an adoption application.

When you are approved and as soon as a dog is available that is compatible with your family, we’ll contact you to arrange for a visit in your home with the dog. You’ll have a chance to get to know each other a bit with no obligation to adopt. If it seems a match made in Heaven, the adoption proceeds with a $250.00 minimum adoption fee, refundable within the two week trial period.

And then you begin the exciting adventure of owning a slightly-used, but thoroughly-great dog, a Weim.

DO YOU HAVE A WEIMARANER YOU CAN NO LONGER KEEP?
Let’s face it: situations change. Marriage, divorce, moving, illness, even the death of a loved one can suddenly find you unable to keep your beloved Weim. Whatever the reason, you’ll find non-judgmental, caring and competent help with Weimaraner Rescue. We’re experienced in placing Weims in just the right home—it’s what we do. Your dog will be kept in a loving foster home until placement, so he will never know the stress of an animal shelter, and you won’t have to worry if he’ll be placed "in time." He’ll be custom-matched to a thoroughly screened adoptive home that wants to give him all he needs. Our follow-up support service helps to assure that his new home takes the very best care possible.

If you can no longer keep your Weim, please call Weimaraner Rescue. Give him the best chance at a new loving home you can. (Proof of current rabies and DHLPP vaccination is required.)

Top Ten Reasons To Adopt A Rescue Dog
(Many thanks to Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. for the Top Ten List!)
10) In a Word--Housebroken With most family members gone during the work week for 8 hours or more, housetraining a puppy and its small bladder can take awhile. Puppies need a consistent schedule with frequent opportunities to eliminate where you want them to. They can't wait for the boss to finish his meeting or the kids to come home from after school activities. An older dog can "hold it" much more reliably for longer time periods, and usually the Rescue has him housebroken before he is adopted.
9) Intact Underwear With a chewy puppy, you can count on at least 10 mismatched pairs of socks and a variety of unmentionables rendered to the "rag bag" before he cuts every tooth. And don't even think about shoes! Also, you can expect holes in your carpet (along with the urine stains), pages missing from books, stuffing exposed from couches, and at least one dead remote control. No matter how well you watch them, it will happen--this is a puppy's job! An older dog can usually have the run of the house without destroying it.
8) A Good Night's Sleep Forget the alarm clocks and hot water bottles, a puppy can be very demanding at 2am and 4am and 6am. He misses his littermates, and that stuffed animal will not make a puppy pile with him. If you have children, you've been there and done that. How about a little peace and quiet? How about an older rescue dog???
7) Finish the Newspaper With a puppy running amok in your house, do you think you will be able to relax when you get home from work? Do you think your kids will really feed him, clean up the messes, take him for a walk in the pouring rain every hour to get him housetrained? With an adult dog, it will only be the kids running amok, because your dog will be sitting calmly next to you, while your workday stress flows away and your blood pressure lowers as you pet him.
6) Easier Vet Trips Those puppies need their series of puppy shots and fecals, then their rabies shot, then a trip to be altered, maybe an emergency trip or two if they've chewed something dangerous. Those puppy visits can add up (on top of what you paid for the dog!). Your donation to the rescue when adopting an older pup should get you a dog with all shots current, already altered, heartworm negative and on preventative at the minimum.
5) What You See Is What You Get How big will that puppy be? What kind of temperament will he have? Will he be easily trained? Will his personality be what you were hoping for? How active will he be? When adopting an older dog from a rescue, all of those questions are easily answered. You can pick large or small; active or couch potato; goofy or brilliant; sweet or sassy. The rescue and its foster homes can guide you to pick the right match. (Rescues are full of puppies who became the wrong match as they got older!)
4) Unscarred Children (and Adults) When the puppy isn't teething on your possessions, he will be teething on your children and yourself. Rescues routinely get calls from panicked parents who are sure their dog is biting the children. Since biting implies hostile intent and would be a consideration whether to accept a "give-up", Rescue Groups ask questions and usually find out the dog is being nippy. Parents are often too emotional to see the difference; but a growing puppy is going to put everything from food to clothes to hands in their mouths, and as they get older and bigger it definitely hurts (and will get worse, if they aren't being corrected properly.) Most older dogs have "been there, done that, moved on."
3) Matchmaker Make Me a Match Puppy love is often no more than an attachment to a look or a color. It is not much of a basis on which to make a decision that will hopefully last 15+ years. While that puppy may have been the cutest of the litter; he may grow up to be superactive (when what you wanted was a couch buddy); she may be a couch princess (when what you wanted was a tireless hiking companion); he may want to spend every waking moment in the water (while you're a landlubber); or she may want to be an only child (while you are intending to have kids or more animals). Pet mis-matches are one of the top reasons Rescues get "give-up" phone calls. Good rescues do extensive evaluating of both their dogs and their applicants to be sure that both dog and family will be happy with each other until death do them part.
2) Instant Companion With an older dog, you automatically have a buddy that can go everywhere and do everything with you NOW. There's no waiting for a puppy to grow up (and then hope he will like to do what you enjoy.) You will have been able to select the most compatible dog: one that travels well; one that loves to play with your friends' dogs; one with excellent house manners that you can take to your parents' new home with the new carpet and the new couch. You can come come home after a long day's work and spend your time on a relaxing walk, ride or swim with your new best friend (rather than cleaning up after a small puppy.)
1) Bond--Rescue Dog Bond Dogs who have been uprooted from their happy homes or have not had the best start in life are more likely to bond very completely and deeply with their new people. Those who have lost their families through death, divorce or lifestyle change go through a terrible mourning process. But, once attached to a new loving family, they seem to want to please as much as possible to make sure they are never homeless again. Those dogs that are just learning about the good life and good people seem to bond even deeper. They know what life on the streets, life on the end of a chain, or worse is all about, and they revel and blossom in a nurturing, loving environment. Most rescues make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions.

Unfortunately, many folks think dogs that end up in rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for Rescue to get $500 dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their novelty with impulsive owners who considered their dog a possession rather than a friend or member of the family; or simply did not really consider the time, effort and expense needed to be a dog owner. Not all breeders will accept "returns", so choices for giving up dogs can be limited to animal welfare organizations, such as Rescues, or the owners trying to place their own dogs. Good Rescues will evaluate the dog before accepting him/her (medically, behaviorally, and for breed confirmation), rehabilitate if necessary, and adopt the animal only when he/she is ready and to a home that matches and is realistic about the commitment necessary to provide the dog with the best home possible.

Choosing a rescue dog over a purchased pup will not solve the pet overpopulation problem (only responsible pet owners and breeders can do that), but it does give many of them a chance they otherwise would not have. But, beyond doing a "good deed", adopting a rescue dog can be the best decision and addition to the family you ever made. Rescue a dog and get a devoted friend for life!

Written by Mary Clark at LABRADOR RETRIEVER RESCUE, INC. Permission has been granted to freely reprint and distribute this document as long as LRR, Inc at http://www.lrr.org/ is credited.

ILLINOIS WEIMARANER RESCUE
For breed and rescue information, contact
Liz Raiman, President
Weimaraner Club of Northern Illinois

    6971 North Tonty Avenue
    Chicago, Illinois 60646
    Telephone:(773) 631-8272
    Cell:(773) 960-6566
    Fax:(773) 775-7133
    ERaiman@aol.com