What To Look for in a Rescue Group (from “Dog Fancy”)
Reputable, responsible, and reliable rescue groups:
• are staffed by experienced volunteers
• operate as nonprofits, although they may not have official 501(c)3 status
• require a written adopter application with a veterinary reference, if available
• require an inspection of your home
• bathe and groom the dogs they take in
• provide basic veterinary care (an examination and shots) prior to placement
• spay or neuter all dogs they place
• provide full disclosure about a dog’s medical condition and behavior
• provide ongoing support, if needed, as the adopter and dog adjust to each other
• will always take back a dog if the placement does not work out
National Collie and Sheltie Rescue Organizations
American Shetland Sheepdog Association
An informative starting point to educate yourself about the Shetland Sheepdog. If you are thinking about a Sheltie as a companion, read “Looking for a Sheltie” to find out if the breed is right for you.
American Working Collie Association
The American Working Collie Association is dedicated to promoting the working ability of the Collie. This association is dedicated to promoting the working ability of the Collie. Originally bred as a working stock dog, the Collie developed a wide range of talents. Their Versatility Program recognizes Collies that have proven their competence as versatile working dogs.
Collie Club of America Rescue
The official Club listing of Collie Rescue contacts is issued by their Committee for Welfare and Rescue. The list contains contact information for the United States and England. The U.S. information is organized by state.
Collie Club of Colorado
A specialty breed club licensed by the American Kennel Club. Their members are committed to the protection, and advancement of the Collie breed, and to encourage and promote the exhibition and training of purebred Collies.
Collie Rescue Foundation
A national organization established to promote and assist in the rescue of purebred Collie (RMCSR is a member). The foundation’s primary goals are to provide emergency funding to rescues; to provide education on responsible pet ownership; and offer guidelines for adoption of rescue Collies.
Dog Owners Guide for Your Collie
An online magazine for all pet and show dog owners that offers an informative and helpful guide on the Collie breed with links to unusual “Dogwise” books.
Dog Owners Guide for Your Sheltie
An online magazine for all pet and show dog owners that offers an informative and helpful guide on the Sheltie breed with links to unusual “Dogwise” books.
National Sheltie Rescue Network
A non-profit organization that helps Shetland Sheepdogs in need throughout the country. The network supports different rescue groups in each state, and provides a listing of the groups nationwide.
Sheltie Nation Rescue
The best way to find your perfect Sheltie is through a rescue organization dedicated to the breed. This site includes an extensive listing of Sheltie rescue groups, by state, as well as information about the breed.
Pet Rescue Organizations
Adopt-A-Pet
Want to adopt a dog, cat, rabbit, hamster or more? Select the search button, provide your zip code, add the distance, the breed, the sex, the size, the color, or the age, and hit Fetch Now. This brings up pictures and information of selected animals in your search area that need homes. RMCSR lists their dogs on this site.
ASPCA
Official web page for ASPCA. Founded in 1866, the ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Its mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” The ASPCA works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide.
Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends is the perfect place to visit: help the animals, explore the natural wonders of the southwest, and find peace within oneself. The animals come to the sanctuary from far and wide. But once they’re here, we make sure that nothing bad will ever happen to them again.
Colorado Animal Rescue Express
Twice a week, C.A.R.E. arranges and provides the safe transportation of dogs and cats from high-kill shelters in Colorado and neighboring states that are going to rescue groups or adoptive homes. C.A.R.E. works with over 110 rescue organizations (including RMCSR) who commit to taking the homeless animals into foster care for proper assessment and placement.
Colorado Deaf Dogs
The Spirit of Deaf Dogs Colorado is not a rescue organization, but is a resource for owners of deaf dogs. It addresses training issues, sign language for dogs and provides an opportunity to meet and network with other owners of deaf dogs.
Colorado Shelter List
This site provides a link to animal shelters and rescue groups for most states in the USA. If you are looking for interesting articles and essays regarding rescue, or health and welfare, many links are provided.
Denver All Breed Rescue Network
The mission of the Denver All Breed Rescue Network, Inc., is to provide a vehicle for the fostering and re-homing of abandoned purebred dogs, to assist in increasing the adoption of shelter dogs by promoting awareness and working with shelters, and to educate the community regarding responsible dog ownership including the spay/neuter of companion animals (RMCSR is a member).
Dog Rescue Directory
This site is brought to you by SitStay Dog Rescue. You can search by breed or by state to find rescue organizations near you.
National Mill Dog Rescue
The National Mill Dog Rescue mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home discarded breeding dogs and to educate the general public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breeding industry.
National Shelter Directory, Pet Harbor
Find a friend, save a life. This site helps locate lost pets, helps found pets get home, and helps homeless pets in local shelters find new homes.
PetfinderAn online, searchable database of animals that need homes. It is also a directory of almost 8,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the USA and Canada. It also includes classified ads, discussion forums and a library of animal welfare articles. Petfinder is updated daily. RMCSR posts their adoptable dogs on this site.
Pet Rescue Library
A small, non-profit animal rescue organization located in central Florida that provides information on a variety of subjects, such as finding lost animals, the tragedy of free to a good home advertising and health matters.
PetWork
Features links to animal shelters, humane societies, rescue groups, pet-assisted therapy programs, and hospice, low-cost and free spay/neuter programs, financial aid programs for pet care, pet loss support services, veterinarians, animal hospitals and other pet-related resources. New listings are added daily.
Resources and Information
American Kennel Club Breed Directory
Dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function, advocate for the purebred dog as a family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership.
Behavior Training Library
This site places emphasis on what science has to say about dog behavior and training. It is a useful resource for pet owners, hobby trainers, professional trainers, scientists, veterinarians, police K9 handlers, and other students of canine behavior.
Complete Dogs Guide Rescue Resources
Provides a variety of information about dogs such as names, psychology, grooming, rescuing, breeds, groupings and stories. Includes directories of rescue centers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland, and specific breed rescue organizations.
Dog Owner’s Guide
Provides information about choosing, raising, training, and caring for the family dog and dogs that compete in a variety of sports. Features articles about shelters, rescue, and dogs and the law.
Foster Care for Dogs Website
Fostering, what it’s about from the basics to tips from the trenches.
Help for Fearful Dogs
If you live with a scared or shy dog, find information to help you be more effective in rehabilitating your dog. Find products, services, books, and other resources that are available to help with the process, including groups, message boards and websites that can offer support and advice.
Health
American Heartworm Society
The mission of the AHS is to lead the veterinary profession and the public in the understanding of heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other species of mammals, including wolves, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and (in rare instances) humans. Heartworms are classified as nematodes (roundworms) and are filarids, one of many species of roundworms. Dogs and cats of any age or breed are susceptible to infection. For additional detailed information, please visit the AHS website.
American Working Collie Association
Important information and the latest research on Collies and drug sensitivity, particularly to certain pharmaceuticals in the treatment of heartworm and mites.
Animal Eye Care
Provides a selection of informational discussions about eye disease in domestic animals and a link to locate board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists in your area.
ASPCA Poison Control
An excellent resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
Canine Food Safety
Provides a list of foods that dogs should not eat and links to similar web sites.
Canine Poisons and Toxins
Provides ten tips for a poison-safe household plus information on canine vaccinations, observing signs, and knowing when to immediately contact your veterinarian.
Collie Health Foundation
Promotes appreciation and understanding of the diseases, defects, injuries and other ailments that afflict dogs in general and Collies in particular. Also sponsors medical research on health problems, genetics, breeding and history.
Financial Assistance for Veterinary Care
Provides a list of organizations that may be able to provide some financial assistance paying for veterinary care. Many of them are specific in terms of the type of medical care they will cover.
First Aid Kits, Emergency Treatments, and Other Tips
Many situations require fast and correct action to prevent further injury, infection or death. Assemble a first aid kit now.
Information on Bloat
ASPCA’s discussion of this medical emergency, which results in death in approximately 25% of cases.
Multidrug Sensitivity in Dogs
Some dog breeds are more sensitive to certain drugs than other breeds. Collies and related breeds, for instance, can have adverse reactions to drugs such as ivermectin and loperamide (Imodium). At Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine you can get your dog tested for drug sensitivity and keep up with the latest research.
Drug sensitivities result from a mutation in the multi-drug resistance gene (MDR1). This gene encodes a protein, P-glycoprotein that is responsible for pumping many drugs and other toxins out of the brain. Dogs with the mutant gene cannot pump some drugs out of the brain as a normal dog would, which may result in abnormal neurologic signs. The result may be an illness requiring an extended hospital stay – or even death. Please refer to Health Issues for important information on anti-heartworm drugs containing ivermectin, such as Heartguard, to which Collies and some Shelties are extremely sensitive.
Pet Medical Library
An alphabetical listing of informational materials on some of the most common medical concerns of pet dogs and cats.
Problem Drugs
Many different drugs and drug classes have been reported to cause problems in Collies and other herding breed dogs that carry the MDR1 mutation. We and other researchers have documented the toxicity that occurs with several of these drugs. Please refer to Health Issues for important information on anti-heartworm drugs containing Ivermectrin, such as Heartguard, to which Collies and some Shelties are extremely sensitive.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Eye Issues in Collies and Shelties, Collie Eye Anomaly, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Sugar-Free Products Warning
If your pet ingests sugar-free products like chewing gum, candy and baked goods that contain Xylitol, it can be life threatening.
Toxic Foods for Animals
Provides a list of fairly common “people” food that could be dangerous and potentially lethal to your dog.
Toxic Plants
Are you gardening with canine assistance? Is your pet digging up possible toxins? Also provides information on natural fertilizers and pesticides.
Resources for Handicapped Pets
If you care for an older, injured or disabled pet, this site will guide you to products, services, and support.
Resources on Helping, Rehabilitating, and Training Puppy Mill Dogs
Advice from RMSCR Volunteers and Adopters
Experienced RMCSR volunteers and adopters provide step-by-step advice on helping puppy mill dogs adjust to a happy life.
Caring for Unsocialized Mill Dogs
“The damage done during years in the mill usually can be overcome, but it takes time and dedication.” This site offers advice on all aspects of helping puppy mill dogs.
Puppy Mill Rescue
Hundreds of thousands of puppies are raised each year in puppy mills. This site describes those mills and provides information about their markets.
FAQ on Rehab for Puppy Mill Dogs
Summary of guidelines for helping puppy mill dogs. Answers many “How do I . . . ,” “Why does my dog . . . ,” “I’m scared because . . . ” questions.
St. Louis Sheltie Rescue
Web site for Second Change Sheltie Rescue in St. Louis area. We recommend that you visit their site and order The Diary of Lucy Blue, the story about one of the Great Stars of Second Chance Sheltie Rescue. Follow Janice and Gary Mitchell as they relate the careful rehabilitation of a puppy mill dog. This diary has become an icon in rescue, giving guidance and insight in taking care of animals abused in the Missouri puppy mill industry.
A Start on New Life
If you are adopting a puppy mill survivor, you will be interested in reading an article on this site that was written by Michelle Bender and Kim Townsend titled “Rehabilitation of a Puppy Mill Dog.”
Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project
“Getting legislation passed for animal protection is not for the faint of heart. It takes years work, planning and grass roots efforts.” This site is dedicated to ending the suffering in puppy mills through public education in Wisconsin.
