Here's wishing Starsky all the very best - may he stay healthy and happy for a long time to come!
FYI, I have experience of osteosarcoma. If you are ever looking for a specialist vet, the folks at the Animal Oncology and Imaging center in Hünenberg ZG were beyond fantastic. We also had a consultation at the Tierspital, and were very impressed with them as well.
Hats off Mr and Mrs Grumpy.
down my face every time I read about shelters... and each day it gets
worse. Anyway, I just havea very quick question that I'm sure somebody will
be able to answer.
For a long time I played with the idea of adopting a dog, but in the end we
ended up buying one. My boyfriend wanted a staffie, but as we can't have
one in Zurich (how can anyone ban this dog is something that still makes my
eyes widen with surprise) we decided to look for a similar one. That's when
we came across Adamobulls, a breeder near Solothurn that has Old English
Bulldogs. We fell instantly in love with this breed (and Rosario Adamo, who
puts you through tough interviews, wants to make sure he isn't selling his
babies to just anybody) and decided to go for one. So when we got Gin, the
idea of adopting slowly faded away.
But now it's back. I read the other day a post here about a westie named
Snowy. Then I saw him on the tierschutz page. I have a westie back in
Spain, so I instantly fell in love with him (yes, I know, I fall instantly
in love too often). I have written to the shelter, asking them if we can go
see him with Gin (she is a kid/adult/dog/cat/anything lover, but just to be
on the safe side...) but have received no reply.
Could anybody let me know if that is not the correct procedure? If I have
to go there, or call or fill in any forms?
Many thanks!
When you wrote, what did you say?
Something to think of: Wearing my rescue volunteer hat, I am often a bit taken aback at how little some prospective adopters do to present themselves in a positive light.
The first contact is your opportunity to convince the rescue why you are the right family for the dog. In the initial mail, it is alway good to address each and every point in the dog's dossier, describing how your family meets the dog's needs. Here are some things I like to see from potential adopters - as well as what I do when applying for the next member of the Muttley Crew:
You should also give a brief description of your family, your accommodation, your past experience with dogs, your views on dog training, etc. Emphasis should again be on how your family meets the dog in question's needs. If you live in a flat include your permission to keep a dog. Talk about your current dog and how you will go about ensuring a good personality match between the two. (Did the dossier say that the westie can live with other dogs?) Ask questions about the dog, show that you are thinking of all the issues that might arise. It is also a good idea to mention references - your vet and current trainer are good choices here. And or course you should mention your SKN courses.
Think of your mail to the rescue in the same way you would initiate contact with a potential employer - you want to leave a good impression.
If you don't meet all the rehoming criteria, some rescues might still consider you - but would expect you to explain in that first mail how you could provide an alternative.
Do be aware that each rescue has it's own rehoming guidelines and practices - there is no one way to go about the process.
Also be aware that some rescues are hesitant to rehome animals during the holidays. ('A dog is for life, not just for Christmas', and all that.)
So give the rescue a call - and good luck!
Many thanks for the reply, that was a long useful answer! To be honest my letter to them was very simple, just telling them that I had seen the dog and asking whether we could go with ours and see if they got along. I had no idea it had to be so elaborate.
I'll try calling them tomorrow, and if I can't contact them then I'll try writing them a more extensive email with all the details you told me... Snowy is 7 years old and it really breaks my heart to know that he has been left in a shelter. I know I can't save them all, but maybe one.
I'll let you guys know if we're lucky!
I would have thought that his owner would have put an update or something , not just put him in the Rescue place.
I hope you can adopt him, poor wee mite. Fingers crossed!!
Good luck.
To be honest I hadn't thought about going there directly, but I might try if my call and second email fail. You might think I've gone crazy, but I know Snowy is for us and I'm definitely ready to use up all the options!
I assume that means he has found a new family, and that that is the reason I never received a reply from them. It would have been nice though, to have someone reply to my email. Anyway, I can only hope he has found a great family, just in time for Christmas.
Many thanks to all for the info you provided and for all the good wishes. It looked like they worked, just not as expected!
If Snowy is no longer listed that likely means that he has found a new family. While I know you are disappointed, we still have to be very happy for him.
Don't dispair - your next friend is out there. Keep an eye on the database in the next weeks/months and when you see another dog who tugs at your heartstrings write the rescue an introductory note, and in the note state that you will call later in the day to follow through. And then do so.
The important thing to stress when applying to adopt a dog is how you and your family can meet the dog's needs. Rescue isn't about finding a home, it's about finding the right home.
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Just a note about dropping by a refuge... I would suggest calling first to find out if this is allowed or not.
Some shelters are 'open', but many prefer that prospective adopters make an appointment first. Strange people milling about the kennel area can be very stressful for the animals - many shelters have stopped this practice for that reason. A kennel environment is hard enough on some dogs, stressing them further can lead to behavior that might hurt their chances of finding a new home.
But as my eariler post - every shelter works to it's own policies, you will see many different approaches. But do call first to find out what the policy is at the shelter you wish to visit.
And while you are searching for that next new friend, maybe take this time to get to know the staff at local rescues? Perhaps you and Gin might undertake some volunteer dog walking?
Wishing you all the best.
If you are specifically looking for a westie, have you looked for breed rescues or breed rescue portals?
Breed rescues are not all that common in Switzerland, but there are many in Germany. Google key words like 'Westie' (or whatever breed) and 'in Not' or 'Zuhause gesucht'.
A quick google brought up this:
http://www.westiehilfe.de/zuhause.html
Again, good luck with your search.
To answer your other question, we are not looking for any particular breed, it's just that Snowy reminded me a lot of Angus (the family westie back in Spain). But you know... I'm not picky about this. After all, they all need the same help.
Since we've been talking about Gin, here's a pic of her (this is just me bragging about my lady):
Does anyone know of any cat shelters that don't insist on allowing cats to be let outside?
Seems like such a draconian way of thinking to me.
All our cats have been outdoor cats- and all have lived to be 19- our current cat we adopted from a UK shelter is about 17- she has always had outdoor access, both here and in the UK. I would just not have a cat if they did not have safe outdoor access- of course accidents can always happen, even in 'safe' areas. UK shelters do insist on visiting the home and will very rarely allow a cat to go to an indoor only home- unless it is elderly or has never had outdoor access, same with French shelters.
Perhaps because they feel that is what’s best for the cat. And don’t forget that outdoor access can mean as little as a secured, cat-proof balcony.
I agree with Odile, if my cat can’t go outside then it’s not really worth having one. Our last cat lived to the age of 16 and suffered no side effects from being an outdoor cat, although luckily we lived in two quiet areas with little traffic. But if/when we get another cat I’ll have our garden made into a secured area where the cat can go outside when it wants to during the day.
If a cat has known nothing else, that’s different and yes there are cats in shelters here that are labelled as indoor only because that’s what they’re used to. But I doubt you’ll find a shelter here or in the UK which would allow you to have a kitten as an indoor only cat.
But anyone who thinks truly outdoors is best for a cats in an urban area - they're cretins, to be frank.
Personally I wouldn't have a cat if it didn't have access to the outdoors so if I lived in the middle of a town then I wouldn't have a cat at all.
Your cretin comment is totally uncalled for and rude IMO.
You sound like one of those people who think they should be declawed as a matter of course as well.