 Rescue is about the dogs! Mandatory Reading!
The Screening Process. After you have filled in the application, we will arrange a phone call to discuss your application. You will be contacted by a volunteer assigned to gather more information about your application. We then call a prior vet to ensure you've been responsible pet owners in the past. Finally, we try to make a home visit if you are in an accessible area. This is usually done by a rescue member who may bring a Springer to come visit your home. It's not an inspection, but just more gathering of information to help you and us. Sometime we uncover potential issues that you might not be aware of, and that helps us be prepared to help you figure it out. How long does this process take? It depends on the volume of rescue work at the time and your accessiblity. Sometimes it's only a couple of weeks; sometimes it is a month or more waiting for just the right one. Please remember that we are all volunteers and most of us have regular full-time jobs and families! We appreciate your patience! How does the match-making work? Once you are approved to adopt, you will get notification from me (Kathy). :) You should let me know who has caught your eye and we'll see if it might be a match. If so, I will put you in touch with the foster home to talk some more. Do not get attached to one dog on the website. There very well may be other interested adopters at the same time. It is NOT first-come-first-served-- rather, we are looking for the best fit for the dog! I do my best to update the Carolina website several times a week when there are updates to make. Be careful not to make assumptions about getting the dog that you want--he or she might not be a good match. Right to decline an applicant. It should be understood that applications for adopting a Springer through English Springer Rescue America, Inc. (ESRA) are subject to acceptance based on a review process that may require collecting information from an application, phone interview, vet and/or personal reference check, and possibly a home visit. Decisions on placing dogs in adoptive homes is an 'art,' not a 'science' -- there might be times when applications will be denied for various reason(s). This is left to the discretion of the ESRA representative after reviewing the above information. ESRA reserves the right to make all decisions regarding placement or final disposition of any rescued dog in its care into a foster or adoptive home. There is absolutely no guarantee made or implied that any person, or persons, requesting to adopt a Springer Spaniel being fostered through ESRA, or posted on ESRA's website, will be granted an adoption. Where are the dogs located? They are in foster homes all over North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama! Transportation. Many folks adopt their Springers "sight unseen," after speaking in depth with the foster parents and exchanging pictures and information. If you limit yourself to a dog that you can drive to "see," you may miss out. Realistically, what you see in a short visit is not what you would see if you live with the dog yourself. Every dog is a product of their home environment! Because we are a volunteer organization, we expect that you will take the primary responsibility for bringing your new adoptee to your home. If you are looking at dogs out of your area, please consider this issue and talk to your coordinator. Long-distance adoptions over state lines are a lot more work for our group due to our commitment to the dogs, involvement in the careful matching process, and post-adoption support. For the most part, we are eager to see our dogs placed in an easily accessible home. We expect that you can participate in transporting your new adoptee to your home (within reason, of course), but we do sometimes put together chains of volunteers to assist in getting a dog nearer to you. Since we do this by car, you should keep in mind the distance and time involved for the people and the dog, but it does expand the area of available dogs for you so that you are NOT limited to dogs only within a couple hours of your home. How much does it cost? For dogs in ESRA's foster care program, there is an adoption fee of $250 for a healthy, spayed/neutered dog, who is up-to-date on shots. ESRA does not make a profit -- all fees go to caring for the Springers that we rescue and getting them ready and altered for adoption. Our funds ONLY go towards healthcare--all grooming, food, toys/supplies, and love are donated by our volunteer foster homes. Our foster homes evaluate the dog's temperment and personality, and work hard on house manners, obedience training, and socialization
Finding the Right Dog. Availability of new dogs changes almost daily and you should check the web frequently. I also have a Carolina rescue page that summarizes the available dogs in the Carolinas. I keep this VERY up-to-date. Here's the link: Available Springers Once approved, watch the site and let me know if any catch your eye. I cannot personally "find" a dog for each adopter. I keep the active approved applications handy at all times. My goal is to save the Springers and find them the best home. I will let you know if I get a new Springer coming in that really seems suitable for your household! Please work with me and stay in close contact. If you haven't heard from me, don't hesitate to send an email! What does Pending Adoption mean? It means that I have already lined up an adopter for the dog. It will change to "Adopted" only when the dog has settled successfully into the new home. What to Expect. In this adoption process please be honest with us and with yourself about what you can deal with. Listen closely to the foster parents, they know the dog in their care! Please do NOT fall in love with a cute picture. Check the description carefully. Please be realistic about your expectations of your new adoptee. Even the most reliably house-trained dog is going to have accidents in your home until they learn the routine. He or she has just been wrenched from a secure place. A rescue dog can take up to 6 months to totally settle in to a new home. There may be "words"  with other resident pets. Are you patient enough to make this work? We are looking for TRUE dog lovers and rescuers, who want a Springer for the right reasons and not just for looks. Be open-minded. You are adopting and giving a dog a new life. You can't order the perfect dog from us. There is no such thing!
Many people don't inquire about a dog that is listed because the picture did not catch their eye. They miss out on great dogs. We often post the first picture we can get our hands on. You have to consider them a "diamond in the ruff." Read the write-up! Classic example, my own adoptive boy, Stu. Would you have adopted this dog on the right? Well, if you didn't see the potential you would have missed out on a terrific dog! Scroll down to see more pictures of Stu Patterson... after settling in! What if it doesn't work out? First of all, don't give up easily! There is a wealth of experience in our national network of Springer rescuers. We are available for advice, tips, and support. If your adoptee is not fitting in well, please contact your nearest Springer rescue person, either myself or the foster home. We always will take our Springer back. There will be another home that comes along that is right for the dog that doesn't fit with you. And there will be another Springer that will fit perfectly in your home.
Bringing your new dog home! Rather than rewrite something that is already very well-written, I'd like to refer you to this link from Chesapeake Bay Retriever rescue: http://www.cbrrescue.org/articles/bringhome.htm The overall principles are great! Most of all, please realize that your rescue dog needs to settle in and learn your routine. Be patient with him or her! Even a housetrained dog will have a few accidents until you learn each others signals and routines. Refrain your excitement and do NOT take your new dog to Petsmart or out on adventures for the first few weeks-- it can be overwhelming for the dog! Give him time to get used to your household first and feel secure with you. There is no need to start obedience classes right away. You can work on a few basics at home and start training after a month or so of settling in. Don't hesitate to talk to the foster parent of your adoptee with any questions about your new dog! Or ask your coordinator! |
