The
following describes the various stages that a
typical rescue case goes through and how it is currently handled. Normally a rescue situation is initiated by someone, who may or
may not be a BCCC Club member, who has come across a Beardie (or very
often a “Neardie”) in a shelter or who has seen an advertisement for
one in a newspaper. Sometimes
the person takes immediate action and takes possession of the dog
himself. Most often they
call or e-mail someone else to advise them of the situation. In either
case they should notify the National Rescue Coordinator as early as
possible so that all future action is well coordinated. Please do not post a message to the Beardie E-Mail Lists before
making contact with the National Coordinator. This will save having 2 or 3 or even more different people
working at cross-purposes. Coordination
and quick action are of the utmost importance.
The
first step is to determine whether the dog is a Beardie or not. The mandate of BCCC Rescue is to find permanent homes for
abandoned or unwanted Bearded Collies. Unfortunately, with our limited resources, we are not able to
rescue all the other shaggy-looking Neardies that often turn up in
shelters. Initially, the
National Rescue Coordinator calls
a Rescue Contact closest to the rescue location and ask them to go and
see the dog to identify it. It
takes someone who is very familiar with the breed traits to make a
positive ID. Whether the Beardie was found as a stray or brought in by
its owner it is important to look for a tattoo or microchip that could
tell us who the breeder is. A
call to the breeder usually ends our involvement when they take over
responsibility for the dog they bred.
If
there is no tattoo or the breeder or owner cannot be traced the next
step is to get the dog out of the shelter and to evaluate its condition
and health status. This is
where our foster homes come in. The
local BCCC Rescue Contact is sometimes also able to foster the dog for a
short time until a permanent home is found. If not, BCCC Rescue also has some names of people who have offered to
foster needy Beardies. Some dogs are in good health and condition while others have
been injured or abused. Coats
may be terribly matted. It
is best to have the dog evaluated by a Veterinarian. Depending on the situation, the dog may just need a good grooming
or it may require major medical intervention. It is also BCCC Rescue policy to spay or castrate rescue dogs
prior to placing them in their new homes. Because of all this it may be necessary to foster a dog for a few
weeks. There is a waiting list of applicants for Rescue
Beardies from across the country. Once
a dog becomes available the National Rescue Coordinator reviews the waiting list and call, or
the local BCCC Rescue Contact gets in touch with the most suitable
applicants in the area. If
a local home is not found for the dog we may have to arrange to transfer
it to another area where a home is available. The BCCC Rescue Fund covers expenses incurred to release a dog
from a shelter, for veterinary examination and treatment, and grooming
etc.
BCCC
Rescue is financially sound thanks to several very generous donations
and to the fact that it has been relatively quiet lately. A special thank-you to the Beardies of the World Calendar people
for their recent contribution to our Rescue Fund. Donations are still gratefully accepted, of course, since a
serious case requiring substantial funds could come up at any time.
The
BCCC thanks you
for your strong support of Beardie Rescue!
BCCC National Rescue Coordinators: |