ITALIAN GREYHOUND RESCUE

Rescue is an unfortunate, yet necessary part of the purebred dog world. As long as pet stores and online puppy "producers" continue to flood the market with impulse purchase puppies, rescue will be necessary. As long as breeders and others won't take back dogs they've produced, rescue will be necessary. As long as Italian Greyhounds and other purebred dogs are in need of protection and help in finding good permanent homes, rescue will be necessary.

A breeder that has an adult IG available into a companion home that is from their own breeding is being a responsible breeder. These dogs are NOT rescues, but are being rehomed due to various circumstances that put them back with the breeder.

The idea that all rescue dogs have something wrong with them is erroneous. Granted, many of them have had a time in their life where they weren't cared for properly. Some of them have health problems, some have training or trust issues...nearly all of them can be trained to be a loving companion. Some are special needs, and need special homes where they will be appreciated and will be given the chance to have a good life. Some are elderly, and need a loving person or family to give them comfort and love in their final years.

Some are "retirees" or dogs that have been confiscated from situations involving unscrupulous commercial breeders. Unscrupulous commercial breeders generally keep their breeding animals in small enclosures, often in unsanitary conditions with little veterinary care. The dogs aren't socialized, and their teeth are often horribly rotten to the point they are extracted once the dog is in the rescue program. Most toy breeds have never EVER felt grass under their feet, living their lives in small rabbit hutch type cages. All of the females have been bred every SINGLE time they have been "in season" from the time of their first season, usually between 6-10 months of age until they're "retired". These dogs need special homes, and often a lot of rehabilitation to get them used to living in the world in general.

The fact is, many people don't know what a commercial breeder is. Anyone that is breeding solely for profit, or is supplying dogs to pet stores as a commodity, is in fact a commercial breeder. That puppy in the window of the petstore was most likely born in this sort of conditions. He is a commodity, and is treated the same as the bag of dog food. You are not "rescuing" him by buying him...you are making a space for the person to reorder another one, thus providing the incentive for his mother to be bred again. Puppies from slick websites where the person will accept credit cards or you can pick your puppy from a lineup of cute photos that have been staged, often with prices beside them, are usually from people whose sole intention in breeding is to make a profit from them.

Some of them though...are well bred, young dogs or middle aged dogs whose owners have opted to give them up because of extenuating circumstances such as illness, loss of income, transfer to a location where they can't take the dog.

Those that provide rescue are to be applauded for their unbridled compassion, and their dedication to what is often a heartbreaking task. Helping at any level should be the responsibility of ANYONE who has a purebred dog, but most especially those that breed their dogs. Help can come in many forms, from the actual rescue or acquisition of the dog, to screening potential homes, to giving a foster home and vet care to those that come into the program, to providing transport to get the dogs from one location to another, to supporting the IGCA or other approved rescue organization financially. All the money used in IGCA rescue comes from donations. Many vets will donate services, or provide them at a discount to the group, but the cost of this, and food, and housing, and transporting is staggering.

In the past year, over 700 IGs have come into rescue in the US alone. Many have been placed into what we hope are "forever homes"...some are still in foster care for one reason or another. Most of these dogs have had their beginnings either from a puppy mill or irresponsible breeder. Some of the irresponsible breeders also show their dogs, so just because someone is showing, doesn't mean they act responsible when it comes to their dogs. This number is staggering!!! What's even more disturbing is that each year, the number creeps higher.

If you are looking for a companion that will give back love showered upon him/her...and don't have to have that cute puppy, PLEASE consider rescue as an option. If you would be interested in becoming a foster home, contact your local IG rescue representative. To find out more about rescue, or to find the IGCA rescue representative closest to you, visit http://www.italiangreyhound.org/rescue/default.htm

If you are interested in adopting a "mill" rescue, or to learn just what a "mill" rescue is, please take some time to visit http://www.igsafehouse.org/ . Here you will learn about Addie, who was saved from destruction by some amazing women. Addie, who can be found in many mill pedigrees as Vore's Bluver, was the catalyst for Addie's Safehouse IG Rescue. If you are moved by their stories...and find it in your heart and wallet to help, please do.

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Rescue dogs or dogs needing a new home from a breeder are NOT FREE!!! If you are not prepared to pay a reasonable price for the dog, it becomes questionable if you would be willing or able to pay for medical expenses beyond the norm. Prices/fees vary depending on the dog, circumstances, and whether the dog is coming from a breeder or rescue. It is seldom the price a youngster would be. Homes are screened, and some people are turned down. It's important to know why, if you ARE initially turned down, because the rules aren't engraved in stone.

Don't be afraid of approaching the breeder with the older dog that needs placement. Sometimes they've been retired from a breeding program (usually after one, or just a few litters over several years), sometimes they haven't been bred at all, because they didn't mature as hoped. Sometimes they've been returned for the breeder to find a new home for. Older dogs are wonderful...usually somewhat if not fully housetrained, socialized, have health clearances, and don't destroy everything in their path like a teething puppy can.

BEWARE of people that are breeding and have their own "private" rescue program that they are either asking for donations to help, or have a lot of "rescue" dogs. Often these are dogs they couldn't sell for one reason or another. If they are working with IGCA, feel free to contact the IGCA to see if they are indeed associated with them.

WE AT CURIO SUPPORT RESCUE IN ANY WAY WE CAN!!