What is Rescue?
Where do Rescue Dogs come from?
What does WSR do when they are called to rescue a sheltie?
How do you know the dogs are healthy and will make good pets?
Aren't rescue dogs usually abused or neglected, making them dangerous?
What happens if I adopt a dog, but can't keep it?
How much does it cost to adopt a rescue dog?
Why can't I breed my rescue dog?
Are there different styles of shelties?
Are shelties good with children?
Why would I want to adopt an older sheltie?
What is Rescue?
Wisconsin Sheltie Rescue is a volunteer group with two main purposes:
- Find new homes for displaced Shelties.
- Educate the public abou the Shetland Sheepdog breed.
WSR believes a permanent home exists for every dog that comes into the program.
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Where do rescue dogs come from?
Rescue dogs come from a variety of circumstances and places. Some are from shelters, having arrived as strays or owner-surrenders. The reasons they need new homes vary, but we often hear statements such as:
We have no time for a dog.
We're moving.
A family member is allergic to the dog.
The dog does not get along well with children.
Shelties come to rescue at all ages, from puppy to 15+ years. It is WSR's belief that there is a permanent home for every sheltie, regardless of
its age.
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What does WSR do when they are called to rescue a sheltie?
First, transportation is arranged. If the dog is "local," Lisa may pick it up herself, or she may have a volunteer pick it up. Outstate dogs who are more than a few hours' drive, may be brought to WSR by other breed rescuers, who arrange transportation "legs" of the journey to WSR; or a network of volunteers, comprised of WSR adopters will cover legs of the trip. Planes, trains, automobiles and feet have brought many a sheltie to rescue.
After pick up, the dog is immediately taken to a vet for a check-up,
and is spayed/neutered. Back at WSR, the dog receives a flea bath,
necessary shots, and finally, a temperament examination. Dogs
are introduced to other dogs and temperament tested to see how
they react around different things in a normal environment. After
assessment, Lisa looks over the adoption applications and matches
the dog to a potential adopting family.
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Where are the dogs located?
Wisconsin Sheltie Rescue is located in mid-northern WI. Sheltie rescue is a nation-side network of individual rescues, all devoted to helping shelties find the best forever home. If you fall in love with a dog not in your state, transportation from a neighboring state is often possible.
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How do you know the dogs are healthy and will make good pets?
Every dog in foster care is temperamentally and medically screened
to ensure placing of only sound, healthy dogs.
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Aren't rescue dogs usually abused or neglected, making them dangerous?
Most rescue dogs are the result of bad decisions, the result of their owners doing insufficient preparation and research of the breed. As for those that HAVE
been abused or neglected, many new owners tell us the dogs seem
to understand their good fortune and respond by demonstrating an
especially attentive and loving attitude.
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What happens if I adopt a dog, but can't keep it?
Sheltie rescue takes the time and effort to match people with dogs,
usually resulting in lifelong placements. If a dog does not work
out in his new home, the dog MUST be returned to sheltie rescue,
and the full adoption fee will be refunded.
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How much does it cost to adopt a rescue dog?
Our cost to spay/neuter a dog, vaccinate it, and test/treat for
heartworm can be several hundred dollars. However, the adoption
fees are strictly based on age, not on how much the dog has cost
the program.
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Why can't I breed my rescue dog?
The fact that there are dogs for us to rescue, and more being put
to sleep daily in shelters across this nation, attests that there
are too many dogs already being bred. This is why all rescue dogs
are already spayed/neutered prior to placement.
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Are there different styles of shelties?
There is only one breed of sheltie, although they do come in various
colors and sizes, due to different breeding. There is no such thing
as a mini-collie or mini-sheltie!
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Are shelties good with children?
No dog is born to be bad with children. However, some breeds are
more tolerant than others. A sheltie is a very smart dog with herding tendencies, therefore not as tolerant as other breeds might be. Our current policy is to not adopt to families with children under four years of age,
but exceptions are sometimes made in special circumstances.
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How do I adopt a sheltie?
The first step is to fill out an adoption
application and submit it to WSR. If you have questions before you are ready to submit an application, contact us and we will try to answer your questions. After your application is reviewed and approved, you will be notified when an appropriate dog is available. You will be asked to sign a contract when you adopt a dog from Sheltie Rescue. We require that all dogs be house dogs.
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Why would I want to adopt an older sheltie?
Senior dogs are the best kept secret of the rescue world. Visit our Senior Shelties page for information about adopting an older dog. Read the stories by those who adopt, rescue and foster senior dogs.
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Links of interest:
- Download an adoption application.
- Download an information brochure about Wisconsin's Dog Seller and Dog Facility Law (AB90).
- Download WSR's position paper about Wisconsin's Dog Seller and Dog Facility Law (AB90).
- Read about our competition stars!
- Support our sponsors.
- Visit our adoption page.
- Contact Us.
- Read the lastest success stories.
- Senior Dogs - the best-kept secret of the rescue world.