06/15/2025
FACTS vs FALLACIES:
There are a few aspects of rescue that I believe are important to share, that many, who are not in the rescue world, truly don't know. This is not lamenting, rather educating in a way to enhance education and perhaps, just perhaps, change a small piece of the world.....
Fallacy: Rescues do not have to pay for veterinary services
Fact: Yes, we do, although some vets will give a rescue discount, we are still responsible for all medical bills while under our care
Fallacy: Rescues make money adopting out animals
Fact: The majority of the time the adoption donation (fee) does not cover the cost of care for the particular animal being adopted. For example, our rescue asks for the same donation (fee) regardless of if the pup cost 350 dollars to vet OR 3000 dollars. Additionally, rescues are 501c3s not-for-profit entities and survive only on the kind donations from community members and businesses.
Fallacy: All rescues get financial support from governmental agencies
Fact: Although some rescues receive grants, this is not consistent with all rescues. Oftentimes the grants are just enough to help replenish, just a bit of the coffers, from the expense of medical animals they have cared for.
Fallacy: Rescuers are paid individuals
Fact: The majority of rescuers are volunteers who also work full time, have a family and other responsibilities
There are also different structures that rescues have in place:
1. Some rescues have actual facilities where they house animals they have taken from a county animal control, or from private citizens. They do all the medical care needed in advance of allowing the public to meet the animal and have volunteers (in some rare instances, paid employees) who help manage the needed treatment/care.
2. Some rescues, like ours, are foster based. What that means is that the pup/puppy (in our instance) goes directly from the county animal control to a foster's home. Any medical care/treatment is done by the foster with us walking alongside them to assist and cover all expenses.
In either case, the rescue is responsible for any vet care needed, assures the animal receives necessary preventions and of course, food, shelter and lotsa love.
Please understand that oftentimes rescues are asked, by our county shelters, to help those animals that are in need (medically or behaviorally). We are also asked to help decompress the county shelters when they are full and they only have euthanasia as an option. Many of you may think, euthanize an adoptable animal.....WHAT????. Well, that's the reality. When there is no space and there's an average of 10-15 animals coming in DAILY as either strays or owner surrenders, they do NOT have a choice. That being said, they do everything possible to avoid having to euthanize a potentially adoptable animal. It is not their FIRST choice, it's their LAST.
North Carolina is the SECOND highest state in the COUNTRY for euthanizing (excluding those with behavioral or end of life issues).
As rescues, we are only Band-Aids to the much larger issue of what, we, as humans do to contribute to the overpopulation crisis such as:
1. Don't spay/neuter, thus contributing to animal overpopulation
2. Get puppies from backyard breeders and contributing to their bank account while the Mamas are viewed only as a tool to make money
3. Purchase puppies from retail shops where they are sourcing from known puppy mills (e.g. The Puppy Place) OR
4. Give up on our animals and relinquishing them to our local shelters.
Many of my rescue colleagues have posted about the emotional drain running or being part of a rescue has. How there are times you are so angry at humans it consumes you. And just when you thought you heard or saw it all, another case comes that is even worse than you can imagine......THIS is rescue and we've chosen to be part of this world and live with no regrets. We've seen the worst in humans but we've also seen the best in humans, the latter of which gives us the continued energy to keep going.
Soooo, if you're asking yourself how you can help, please consider fostering. IF you can't please consider donating to your local rescue(s) or shelters. IF you can't do either, do something that costs nothing......BE KIND. Be kind to those who are trying to help, encourage your friends to consider adopting a rescued animal and if they're adamant they want a specific breed, help them find a breed-specific rescue. IF that isn't what they desire, then PLEASE encourage them to do their research so they are purchasing from a REPUTABLE breeder. We've posted the distinctions between a reputable breeder and one that is not.
AKC registered does NOT automatically make for a reputable breeder.
Thank you for taking the time to read and we hope this helps clarify any misunderstandings or misperceptions.....
REMEMBER, THESE HOMELESS ANIMALS DID NOT ASK TO GET BROUGHT INTO THIS WORLD! WE'VE CAUSED THE PROBLEM, THUS WE ARE THE SOLUTION.
Thank you on behalf of every animal looking for their forever homes and from those who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge through no fault of their own.....
