Michigan Weimaraner Rescue Inc.

Relinquishments

Relinquishment Contact:

Linda Swanson
Relinquishment Coordinator
Michigan Weimaraner Rescue, Inc 501c3
Email: lsweim@csinet.net
Telephone: 219-362-5207
Emergency or Daytime Shelter Contact: 574-876-5207

Click on this link Our Surrender Program to view an Adobe PDF file describing the process of how Michigan Weimaraner Rescue helps dogs find suitable homes.

Placement Ethics

The integrity and ethical actions of a responsible rescue group go beyond volunteers simply helping dogs find new homes; there are many variables that must be considered. Please click on http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/archives/ethics_in_rescue.htm to go to the National Animal Interest Alliance website to gain knowledge of the many facets of rescuing animals ethically.

When You Can't Keep Your Weimaraner

Not long ago, you were thrilled to have a Weimaraner puppy of your very own. You never dreamed that you might have to give him up some day. Your Weimaraner still depends on you to do what's best for him, just like he depended on you when he was a puppy. Now, more than ever, he needs you to take time to think things through and make the right choices for his future.

WEIMARANER RESCUE helps to find new homes for Weimaraners.

Rescuers are unpaid volunteers with full time jobs and families to care for, just like you. They usually do not have kennel facilities nor do they receive financial help from the government. The cost to care for rescued Weimaraners comes out of their own pockets and through the participation of their individual breed clubs. Rescue works with Weimaraners that are given up for adoption by their owners, with dogs that are given up to shelters, or are picked up as strays. Shelter dogs are in need of immediate attention, therefore, private releases (those dogs who are given up by their owners) are given secondary importance in the adoption chain. Why? Because they already have a home and an owner...you. Your Weimaraner is your responsibility. Most of the work in finding him a new, loving, permanent home is up to you.
If your dog came from a private breeder or individual, your first recourse should be in contacting that breeder or individual immediately. Although he or she may not choose to help you, he has a moral obligation to do so. Members of the Weimaraner Club of America agree to this service when they adhere to the Code of Ethics as set forward by our parent Club. An ethical, responsible breeder/fancier will want to help you and has a right to know what is about to happen to the dog that he or she brought into this world. Finding a new home will not be quick or easy. It takes patience and hard work. This web page is designed to help you decide what is best for your dog, how to prepare him for adoption and how to choose the correct new owner for him. Finding a new home involves several steps, but before you start here are a few things you should know:

About Animal Shelters
Shelters and Humane Societies were created to take care of the needs of stray and abused animals. They were not intended to be the dumping grounds for people whose pets are no longer convenient, but that is what they have become. Shelters today are so overcrowded that many dogs are destroyed on the same day that they arrive. By law, strays must be kept several days for their owners to reclaim them. Dogs turned in by their owners aren't protected by these laws. Only 1 in 10 animals that enter a shelter will come out alive. Shelters don't want to kill all these animals but they have no choice. For every child born on this day - there will be 15 puppies and 45 kittens born as well. There are just not enough homes for all of these animals. Being a purebred will not help a dog's chances of adoption-40% of the dogs in shelters are purebreds. Sending your Weimaraner to a shelter in the hopes that he will find a good home is wishful thinking...you could in reality be signing his death warrant.

Step One - Soul Searching: There's a big difference between being forced to give up your dog and wanting to "get rid of him". Search your heart for the real reason why he can no longer live with you. Your answer will probably fall into one of two categories:

"People Problems or Dog Problems"

PEOPLE PROBLEMS include moving, death of an owner, divorce, a new baby, allergies, etc. With some planning and forethought, People Problems don't always mean having to give up your dog. It is possible to find rental dwellings, which accept pets; kids and dogs can be raised together; and allergies can be controlled with medication, etc. If you are not sure if you have considered all .of the options, call us. We may be able to give you some ideas or send information that will help you keep your dog. Sometimes you can make temporary living arrangements for your pet that will buy you both a little time to find alternatives.

DOG PROBLEMS include aggression, house soiling, destructiveness, barking, fighting, bad manners or other undesirable behavior. If you got your dog as a puppy, you must accept the fact that you are at least partly responsible for the way your dog acts now. Any owner whose dog has a behavior problem always has these four options:

1.You can continue to live with your dog as he is.
2.You can hire a trainer or attend classes to alter his behavior.
3.You can give your problem to someone else.
4.You can have the dog euthanized.

Most behavior problems can be worked out if YOU are willing to make the effort. Don't make the mistake of trading this dog for another one that you think will be easier to work with. If you didn't train this one properly, you won't train the next one either. If you'd keep your dog if only he were better behaved - call us - we can help. We have a strong network of Weim fanciers, and all of us, at one time or another, have faced the same problems as you are having now. We can provide training advice, reading material, and refer you to qualified trainers of animal behaviorists to help you with your dog's problems.

Step Two - Temperament Evaluation: Your dog's adoption potential depends mostly on his temperament or "personality". Weimaraners are usually friendly, outgoing dogs with few, if any, temperament problems.
However, there are Weimaraners that, due to lack of early socialization or other factors may have temperament or personality disorders. You must be realistic about your own dog. Is he outgoing and friendly to almost everyone? Is he unpleasant or aggressive towards strangers? Does he adjust easily to new situations? Has he been exposed to a variety of situations during his lifetime? Has he been raised with children, other dogs, cats? Is he protective of you and your home or is he overly protective? The majority of people who will be looking at your dog as a prospective pet will never have owned a Weimaraner before and their mental picture of the breed will be from a magazine picture or a book illustration …. a large, friendly gray dog who approaches with his eyes shining and his tail wagging. When you love your dog, it is easy to think that everyone else will love him, too. But think, if you were meeting him for the first time, what kind of an impression would he make? Would you want to adopt him?

Step Three - Preparing your Dog for Adoption: Having decided that your dog must really have a new home and that his temperament is suitable for a new owner, take him to your veterinarian for a complete checkup and any necessary vaccinations. IF YOUR DOG HAS NOT BEEN NEUTERED OR SPAYED, DO IT NOW!! Some behavior problems occur because of physical problems and are easily treatable. For example: house soiling can be caused by worms, urinary infections or diabetes. There may be other physical causes as well. Your dog should also have a heartworm check, be heartworm negative, and be on heartworm preventative, as well as having a stool check for worms. ALL owner relinquishments are required to be heartworm checked neg or on preventative before coming into the rescue program. Groom and bathe your dog. Get rid of any fleas. Get rid of that old frayed or rusted collar and buy him same "new clothes". You want him to look his best in order to make a nice impression on prospective adopters.

What goes with your dog to his new home:

• His medical records, vaccination records and spay/neuter certificate.
  Name, address and phone number of your vet.
• Your dog's toys, bedding or special belongings.
• A supply of food and treats that he especially loves.
• An instruction sheet of special needs, feeding, etc.
• Any other relevant paper work on your dog.

What Weimaraner Rescue Does: Weimaraner Rescue helps to find new homes for abandoned, unwanted and stray Weimaraners. Dogs in Shelters get our first priority. Information and Education is given to Weimaraner owners considering giving up their dog for adoption. If this fails and the dog is given up, Weimaraner Rescue has the present owner sign a release form giving up ownership of the dog to Weimaraner Rescue. Rescue then does the job of screening prospective owners and placing the dog for adoption.

Many of the dogs turned over to rescue come from families with small children and no fences. The adults may work full time, and don't have the time to fulfill the needs of the active Weimaraner. There are no hard and fast rules about good dog owners. I have seen dogs that were placed in homes that were perfect profiles (for Weims), that didn't work out for one reason or another. Often, people describe Weimaraners as 'hyperactive'. Most Weims that get enough interaction and exercise will be calm and gentle. When people don't make the time to interact, the results can be literally disasterous; a bored, unattended Weim can shred a couch in no time. These dogs come in differing ages, from all types of situations. They are spayed or neutered, and are up to date on their veterinary care. A variable fee is charged to help offset these expenses. The dogs are evaluated, and are then placed in suitable indoor homes under contract. Perhaps you own a weimaraner you can no longer care for, and would like to contact rescue to find a new family for your dog.

Owner Placement Tips

By Gina Grissom
Your goal is to find a GOOD home for your Weimaraner; that means you want a safe, stable, loving “forever” home. A home with committed owners who will keep your dog for its entire life. Each dog is an individual so it is up to you, his/her owner, to find that “just right” home.
The following information has been accumulated through hard won experience and should give you a start in finding a GOOD HOME:

• The best possible home is with someone you know and trust. Is there a family member or friend who could provide a great home for your dog? If not, ask if they know someone, but do not feel obligated just because someone was referred by family or friends. Ultimately, your dog’s welfare comes first.

• Notify your breeder. Reputable breeders require that any puppy they sell be returned to them. Even if you did not get a contract, your breeder should be able to help you with referrals, as they regularly get calls from people looking for Weimaraners.

• Spread the word through any groups, clubs, business or hobby organizations that you belong to. Be sure to let your veterinarian know, and if allowed, post a notice in his/her office. If you have a local dog park, post a notice there. People who spend time with their dogs and provide regular vet care, are usually excellent homes. Finding a good home is a matter of timing, and the more people who know you are looking, the better your chance of finding that just right home.

• Advertise in newspapers. You will probably get far more calls that don’t meet your requirements, than actual good, solid homes. However, as long as you realize that up front, it is always possible that just the right home may answer your ad.

• Spay or neuter your Weimaraner before placement. Some people will represent themselves as a “family” and your dog could instead end up in the hands of an unscrupulous breeder and spend its life in a local puppy mill situation, producing litter after litter. That is no life for the pet that loves and trusts you. Your dog’s life and well-being is in your hands.

• Keep your Weimaraner healthy, clean and free of fleas & ticks. Provide current vet records to the prospective owner. It is your responsibility to give your Weimaraner a clean bill of health before going to a new home. Do not expect someone else to spend hundreds of dollars on vet bills, if your pet has not received routine veterinary care or is not living in a clean environment.

• Ask at least $100 (or the cost of spay/neuter) for your Weimaraner - The “selling” of adult dogs to get your money back is greatly discouraged, as your dog’s quality of life is the most important issue. However, charging a nominal fee will eliminate those unable to afford a vet if your dog becomes ill or injured. Plus, dog brokers regularly scour the newspapers looking for “free” or “cheap” dogs to sell to medical research laboratories and puppy mill breeders (YES, this does happen). Do not let your dog fall into cruel hands. Charging a fee will also facilitate a clear change of ownership, because if the dog were ever to bite or injure someone in the future, you do not want to remain liable as the legal owner.

• Screen the new home carefully. Ask for vet references. Visit the new home before you let them have your dog. You have no idea what situation you are putting your dog into, unless you go look. You need to have a clear idea of what home would be best for your dog. Do not fall for the fantasy of “he/she went to a ranch and lived happily ever after.” Most Weims that are allowed to roam loose will eventually chase and kill other animals (they were bred to have a high prey drive) and dogs that kill livestock are generally shot.

Study your Weim to determine what home is the best for him/her: The ideal home is with someone who has had Weims or a similar breed before, spends time with them, and has them as household companions. But even so, you must determine whether your dog should be: an only dog or have doggie company too – in a childless home or a bustling family – a home without cats or small animals, or is safe with other pets.

Please print out and use this page and the Adoption Questionnaire, it will help you to ask the right questions. Here are some things to keep in mind as you ask your questions:

Indoors/Outdoors – all pets should be permitted indoors every day, and sleep inside at night. Outside dogs are lonely and frustrated, they are more likely to be fence jumpers, diggers and destructive chewers. Make sure your dog is not relegated to being “moving lawn furniture.”
Fencing – inadequate fencing is the major reason dogs get lost and killed. Is there a 5-6’ fence all around? Is the footing dig-able or secure? If the fence is chain link is it climbable? Could strangers tease or agitate the dog through the fence? Many people think they have a 6’ fence –but forget that a gate or section is only 3-4.’ Remember, the home will be strange to your dog and he/she will not understand why they were left. Secure fencing can be a lifesaver.

Children in the Home – What are the ages? Children under 5 require a lot of time, many experienced breeders and rescue groups advise people with toddlers to wait to get a dog until their children are older. (Weims are very time intensive dogs.) How well behaved are the children? How do the adults treat the children? This is a good indicator of the overall environment.

Tolerance – Take your dog for a visit. While you chat and check out the fencing, watch the reaction to your dog. Are they upset when he pees on the roses? Is their landscaping immaculate? Ask how they would feel if the dog dug up some plants. When in the house, do they seem tense as he/she explores the home? You are looking for a family that is comfortable and accepting, showing joy at the idea your dog will join their family.

Other Pets in the Home – unless your dog is used to cats, birds or other small animals a home with these creatures is risky. Some things to remember: Weims were bred to hunt furred animals. Prey drive may not show up until they are adult dogs. Outdoor cats are more at risk than indoor ones as a cat running for the fence is sure to rev up the prey drive and eventually that cat will get a little older and one step slower and the dog will have it. 2 or more dogs make a pack, each additional dog increases the risk. Finally, the ultimate question to ask of anyone with other animals is “if at some time in the future the worst happens and my dog kills your (whatever) – can you live with it?” If the answer is “no” that person should not have a Weim.

Family Agreement – do all family members want the dog? Many times a husband/wife/partner/parent agree to let someone “have a dog” but once the dog becomes a reality they change their mind. In these situations the dog is always the one to go. If anyone is reluctant to have the dog, it is a risky placement.
Other Dogs in Household – the best arrangement is usually 1 male & 1 female. Unless both males are submissive, 2 males are a bad idea as both may fight or one may bully the other. To test any arrangement out, have the dogs meet at a neutral environment to avoid territory issues. Having all dogs neutered and spayed facilitates multiple dog households.

Ask about Previous Dogs – those with a history of “losing” dogs, allowing dogs to run loose, giving them away or selling them are not good bets for a permanent home. Circumstances must be taken into consideration, but listen carefully. The best home is one in which they have gone through few dogs, and those have lived to a ripe old age. Contact their Veterinarian, see if previous pets have received good, consistent health care.
• Finally, make sure the new owners will contact you if they can no longer keep your dog – so you have the choice of taking your dog back, assisting with it’s placement, or referring them to Rescue. Follow up with phone calls to see how things are going; unfortunately, some people prefer to just take an animal to the pound rather than return it.

These are just a few things that can assist you in providing a safe, stable and adequate life for your dog. And thank you for making a real effort to do a thorough job in placing your dog. Many Weims bond tightly to their owners and more than 2 homes can be detrimental. There is nothing sadder than a Weimaraner that has been in many homes and is now too unstable to be safely placed.

Placing your dog in the best home for him/her, and not just the first willing home, is the real key to your dog having a long and happy life.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Linda Swanson @ lsweim@csinet.net 219-362-5207.

PROSPECTIVE ADOPTOR QUESTIONAIRRE

(Click on the link above to open a .PDF document of the questionnaire for easy printing)

Date: ___________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
City: ____________________________________________ State: __________ Zip: __________
Telephone: (day) _________________(evening)__________________FAX_________________
1. How did you hear about my dog?
2. Why especially do you want a Weimaraner?
3. Do you have any preference concerning age or sex?
4. What other pets do you have now? Male/Female? Ages?
5. Are they spayed/neutered?
6. What pets have you had in the last five years? Where are they now?
7. How many children are in the household? Ages? Boy/Girl?
8. How many people are in your household? What hours are they at home?
9. What hours will the dog stay alone? Where will the dog stay when no one is home?
10. Where will the dog stay: During the day? During the night? When the family is out of town?
11. Describe the area where you live (city, suburban, rural):
12. If you rent, can you get written permission from your landlord to keep a large dog?
13. Do you have a fenced yard? Describe your fencing.
How high at the lowest point?
14. For the safety & security of your Weimaraner, will you promise to keep your gates locked?
15. Would you allow me to bring my dog and visit your home?
16. For what purpose(s) do want my dog? Hunting____Obedience____Show____Breeding____
Family Pet____ Personal Companion____ Security____ Other____
17. Under what circumstances would you find it necessary to get rid of your dog?
Moving____ Marriage____ New Baby____ Divorce____ Schedule Change____Illness____ Other Please explain
18. Do you promise to notify me if you cannot keep your Weimaraner?
19. What is the name and telephone number of your veterinarian?

Michigan Weimaraner Rescue Inc. Copyright 2007