Forming a Pedigreedatabase Rescue Volunteer Force: PLEASE READ! - Page 3

I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. I just didnt expect this kind of response. However, as you can all see, there are offers from many people in many places, and I have also gotten pm offers.  I dont know if any of you realize that with so many people in so many places, that means more dogs will have a chance at a life. More exposure for shelter dogs,  fosters and transporters will make a difference between life and death for so many more dogs.

I am going to work on compling a list of volunteers, so I will know which shelters i can concentrate upon. Once I have that list, with who can do what, I will go through petfinder and petharbor each day, to see if there are GSDS in the area in which I have volunteers. I can then match that with rescues I know who have openings, and if I get commitments, I can then be able to get the dog pulled and held for transport. 

Admin- PDB could help by possibly making this a sticky subject, where it could remain on the first page, at least for a little while, until all who wish to help would be able to put their names here with what they could do as far as volunteering. This is such a busy board the topic might drop quickly to where it might be missed if it is not a sticky. Perhaps 2-3 weeks would give many more a chance to see it. Once we have people on board, we could make a concise list of what everyone could do, without having to scroll all the way through the thread. A state by state network could then be set up, allowing not only me, but all rescuers, to be able to see where help could be found for a GSD in need. Perhaps that state network could become a part of this board. If new people come to the board, their names could always be added to the list. I feel the PDB could really play a very central roll in resuce, due to the sheer number of people here. This has to be one of the biggest GSD boards on the net, so it follows that this could be a source of the most rescources for GSD rescue, in one central place.

I have purchased a kennel at a rescue in Alabama, which enables me to hold a dog in that area, for transport. I dont know if others would be willing to chip in to do that at other rescues, but its worth throwing out there. The other thing that could be done is to possibly do a fundraiser for the spay/neuter of GSDS that a rescue would take, if the dog was spayed or neutered before coming to them. Shelters spay/neuter for very reasonable prices. Oft times rescues want to take in a dog, but with the economy the way it is, the spay/neuter funds just arent there, and the dog loses its life because there arent funds for the altering. I know I want to do my best to make sure that a door to a kill shelter not only opens in, but out, as well. The only way that can be accomplished is with a functioning network of fosters, transporters and hopefully some who would be willing to be transport coordinators. As I mentioned previously, one person just cannot do it all. A 48  hr day would be needed to do it all alone.

I am open to any and all suggestions, but I honestly believe this board could make a difference. It already has!

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (a health registry for registered German Shepherds)
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate
Thank you all so much for your open hearts :)  

I'm in Nebraska, but would be happy to help with a leg or two of transport. I wouldn't be able to foster a dog though... but I can drive any time of the day.

I am in IL, chicago area, willing to help with transport, etc.  I cant foster or hold right now but in the next 6 months or so I will be moving to the country and will be able to foster a dog or two at a time then.

Hi Marjorie,

Unfortuately this version of PDB does not allow for stickies. We/I do want to help and I can approach Oli to add a rescue forum so you folks can communicate and network if that would help.

If you can think of any other ways we can help please feel free to ask.

You guys can keep this thread at the top by bumping and the admins can help by deleting the lower bumps so we don't fill it with bumps.

Everyone go to the Pilots N Paws board, for ideas.... http://pilotsnpaws.org/
They have their own forum asking for pilots, etc. Usually, they can only take smaller dogs, I have used them in the CA area...I am way out of the way, and I have a transport and I do my own fostering up here.

Seattle person, there are 2 rescues up your way, NW GSD Rescue that I started several years ago, and Washington GSD Rescue, both in the Seattle area, they could use your help, thanks for your offer.

I/Steph/ Montana GSD/Belgian Malinois Rescue, handles Montana, N. and S Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Eastern Washington, Oregon and Canada. I haul and adopt to the whole USA. I am NOT a 501c3, I do not take the shelters evaluations into consideration, I evaluate all my own, I am the ONLY rescue up here, that will take a Bite History dog and try to rehome it, 99 percent success ratio!!! If you are a 501c3 you CANNOT take a bite history dog or a potentially dangerous dog, insurance won't let you, that is where I come in...there is alot to be considered in this, but if locals in each state can get "certified" to be able to get dogs released from Shelters, we could go far. Let me know if I can do anything at all.
Steph

Thank you :) I think a rescue forum would help :) I also appreciate you allowing us to bump the topic and deleting the lower bumps. I am trying to spread the word so rescues will come here and also offer suggestions as to things we can do to save more lives. Perhaps some rescues would *partner* with us. Perhaps with our program of transport and foster, it would make it easier for them to be able to save more dogs. Transports can be so expensive, and with a volunteer foster and transport network, I think it would be beneficial for them as well as the dogs. When I worked with New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue as Executive Director, before Missie T and Joss became ill, we had to pass on dogs we could have saved, as there was no choice but to board till transport, then  have to pay for transport, on top of spay/neutering, vaccinations, HW testing and any necessary medical treatment.  If a foster system was in place, as well as volunteer transport, many more could have been saved, although we did a bang up job on saving soooooo many. They still do :) Our 3 girls from the other thread (Amber, Sonya and Camille) will be going there :) 

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (a health registry for registered German Shepherds)
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate

Hi All, I'm Jules and I run New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue, Inc. in SC. Marjorie and I have been friends for many years, so when she called I was very interested in what she is trying to do here. She has asked that I come here and post some things, from a rescues point of view that may be helpful.....or I hope they are :)

Rescues often times have room for a GSD in a shelter but do not have the funding to finance the dog until he/she is adopted, or transport, or the pure time to get that transport together. I am not sure how many people on here are in rescue, but here a some ideas that may help rescues to be more successful in saving more of our beloved breed. 

1. Have vetting sponsorship for the GSD in need of rescue, often times this is all that stands between a rescue taking a dog or not. 
2. Have people who are willing to sponsor the GSDs care after arriving at the rescue.....this includes, but is not limited to.....food, medications for sick dogs, flea/tick treatments, HW treatments if they are positive, HW preventative if they are negative, etc.....you all know what it takes to care for your dogs, it's much the same for dogs once they come into rescue. Maybe they could sponsor a dog in the name of a loved one or a special dog in their life.....these sponsorships could be for a month, 3 months, 6 months and so on. We all know that it is not known when a dog being pulled out of a shelter will be adopted, so it's hard to say how long they will be in the rescue. Our average time for a dog with HWs is 2/3 months before we even think about putting them up to even meet people....One without hw's or any illness is about 1 month (this is a minimum for us), we need time to get to know the dog so that we know what kind of family is best for the individual dogs, so that they do not end up unwanted ever again. It takes time to get them healthy again (Marjorie will tell you that we take some of the hardest cases though) and we do not rush to get any dog out until they are completely ready, but even healthy dogs cost money to keep in a rescue, and we know that when we, as rescues, pull a dog, there is no way to know how long that dog will be in the rescue before that perfect home comes along. 

I hope this helps Marjorie.......there is more, but as you know, I have been up for days caring for the 5 horribly sick GSDs we just pulled, and my brain is just tired. I will try to get back on tomorrow, with hopefuly, a clearer head, LOL. I love what you all are trying to do here......GOD BLESS YOU, all the rescues out there need you!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much!!

Jules

---> but if locals in each state can get "certified" to be able to get dogs released from Shelters, we could go far.

Steph, how does one do that?

Marjorie,
In CA there is a form to fill out, letting them know who is verified to "pull" dogs, around here I do it ALL...You normally, have to be an approved rescue. Check with each states or counties regulations, check where most of the dogs are coming out of, like the ones I forward to you, since I can't do anything from this distance. They need an approved rescue to pull and hold dogs. Usually a simple form, ask the shelter for the reservation form to pull for a rescue. There is a National GSD Rescue, maybe they may be interested, the only problem is, when you get too big, there are too many hurdles/politics, like asking the rescues permission to get a dog, That is why I stay small, I can do what I want. If a dog is in need I 'JUST DO IT FOR THE DOG'!!!!  I don't answer to anyone...
Steph

Count me in to help foster!

I almost always have room in the kennel here, but alas, the dogs needing rescue always seem to be in Florida or somewhere else really far away from Ontario!

I'm struggling finacially, but will help with money when able.