Keep in mind, " Let the Buyer Beware" is the law of the Internet.
You have to be smart about where your money is going. This is very important !!! Be sure your money goes to helping the animals! You should ALWAYS check out any rescue before donating a penny. There are a lot of predators using social media like FaceBook, taking advantage of the hearts of people new to the rescue world.
You'll see " SAVE THIS BABY, SHE HAS 1 HOUR TO LIVE " or " SHE IS PREGNANT + "DIES AT 3:15 TUESDAY". They are tugging at your heart and not giving you time to check them out. I see a lot of well intentioned money going to a "scammer's now . Million$ !! They are making a fortune at the expense of the animals. Too many people take the easy way and hit the "chip-in" button, put in a credit card # and chose to believe their money went to helping animals. There is little to no law enforcement chasing these thieves. That is the real truth. The IRS or the FBI can not keep up with the internet explosion.
There are so many wonderful rescues, and millions of people involved in helping these homeless animals. Their image should not be tainted by the greedy few who take advantage of those who do not know better. The sad fact is our shelters kill approximately 7 million animals a year. We can not save them all. Understand that is a fact and be smart about where your money goes. If they are not doing home visits, if the animals are not vetted, including Spay/Neuter, they are not helping. That is NOT real rescue.That is adding to the problem.
There are organizations that do track non profits such as "Morningstar " or " Charity Navigator ". There are many good rescues who are not 501c-3's though, and they are not rated. They still need help but you should always call the local shelter and check first.
There are so many wonderful rescues, and millions of people involved in helping these homeless animals. Their image should not be tainted by the greedy few who take advantage of those who do not know better. The sad fact is our shelters kill approximately 7 million animals a year. We can not save them all. Understand that is a fact and be smart about where your money goes. If they are not doing home visits, if the animals are not vetted, including Spay/Neuter, they are not helping. That is NOT real rescue.That is adding to the problem.
There are organizations that do track non profits such as "Morningstar " or " Charity Navigator ". There are many good rescues who are not 501c-3's though, and they are not rated. They still need help but you should always call the local shelter and check first.
My friend Tammy Cameron, an officer in our non profit 501c3, " Project Pets- Spay, Neuter, Love", wrote a great reply on my Facebook wall defining what is a "real Rescue" . I am pasting it here along with my comments.
I hope you will offer some of your own.
Tammy:
" When I researched your question I came across many different opinions on what you should look for. Here are some of the ones I like to see. A reputable rescue has a contract, screens every potential adopter with a MANDATORY home visit before a pet is placed there, incl. foster/temporary basis and requires references.
A reputable rescue follows through on contacts and references and investigates each thing completely.
A reputable rescue has references from shelters in their area and works with those shelters.
A reputable rescue checks on the care of the previous or current pets with the vet, to ensure future pets will have proper medical attention.
A reputable rescue spays/neuters all pets before placement.
A reputable rescue makes sure animals are up to date on all vaccines, and microchips where appropriate to ensure all pets are healthy, up to date on all shots, worm prevention, and received necessary vet care before placement .
A reputable rescue always takes its adopted animals back if the placement isn't successful.
A reputable rescue keeps animals in foster care, or in situations where the animal was at a shelter, works with shelter staff for a short period of time before placing them, to screen for health or behavior problems.
A reputable rescue helps educate new adopters, and may require adopters to participate in training courses to assist in a good adoption.
A reputable rescue always returns calls or emails in a timely fashion.
A reputable rescue works carefully to match up the right forever home with the right pet, based on the pet's needs/personality/etc.
A reputable rescue will help adopters make decisions about which animal is a good fit for their home, and will offer advice and assistance on meeting the correct animal for the adopter.
A reputable rescue may ask that all family members and resident pets meet the new animal before an adoption is finalized. ( Where breed appropriate, several meetings may be required) .
A reputable rescue will never ask an adopter to take an animal "sight unseen" or take an animal arriving in on a transport right to a new home.
A reputable rescue makes an effort to work in harmony with the shelters, humane societies and animal control facilities.
A reputable rescue will have a cordial and informed relationship with other rescues.
A reputable rescue is not for profit, and works on adoptions, not with sales and fees.
A reputable rescue takes responsibility for the animals adopted through them for the span of each animal’s life, not "just” for the span of foster care or transport.
A reputable rescue carefully screens incoming animals for temperament and health, and has met and interacted with animals being offered for adoption.
A reputable rescue does not offer animals to be used for breeding, and should not promote animals with unstable or unknown temperaments.
A reputable rescue never places an animal as a surprise to the intended adopter.
A reputable rescue never places an animal as a gift to the intended adopter. The rescue will always involve the recipient in the decision to adopt as well as the application, home visit, and selection of the pet.
A reputable rescue places the welfare and happiness of the animal first, and screens the homes to ensure that the placement is a sound one for that animal.
A reputable rescue will never “hurry up” a process, or waive requirements simply for the convenience of the adopter.
A reputable rescue requires an application form and adoption contract.
A reputable rescue requires a legal release form for owner-surrenders.
A reputable rescue is recommended as a "good breed rescue group" by at least two established non-profit shelters in its own area.
A reputable rescue operates as an official public charity OR as a not-for-profit organization.
A REAL Rescue organization knows how many animals it can afford to care for properly. They know when to say "NO MORE " .
Willie Wonka: .
The bottom line is you have to be smart and willing to do some research before sending in the $5,!0, $100 to anyone.You should ALWAYS check.
There are so many wonderful rescues and millions of people involved is helping these homeless animals. Their image should not be tainted by the greedy few humans who take advantage of those who do not know better. The sad fact is our shelters kill approximately 7 million animals a year.
We can not save them all until we replace this broken shelter system.
Take the time to know where your money goes. If they are not doing home visits, if the animals are not vetted, including Spay/Neuter, that is NOT real rescue. That is adding to the problem. There are several organisations that do track non profits such as "Morningstar" and " Charity Navigator " which rates how well they spend the money donated to them.
There are many good rescues who are not 501c-3's though, and they are not rated. Call their local shelter and check with them. You can also call another rescue in that city and ask . I have found that is best.
The bottom line is you have to be smart and willing to do some research before sending in the $5,!0, $100 to anyone.You should ALWAYS check.
There are so many wonderful rescues and millions of people involved is helping these homeless animals. Their image should not be tainted by the greedy few humans who take advantage of those who do not know better. The sad fact is our shelters kill approximately 7 million animals a year.
We can not save them all until we replace this broken shelter system.
Take the time to know where your money goes. If they are not doing home visits, if the animals are not vetted, including Spay/Neuter, that is NOT real rescue. That is adding to the problem. There are several organisations that do track non profits such as "Morningstar" and " Charity Navigator " which rates how well they spend the money donated to them.
There are many good rescues who are not 501c-3's though, and they are not rated. Call their local shelter and check with them. You can also call another rescue in that city and ask . I have found that is best.
Willie, have you worked with any reputable animal rescues in my area--Greensboro, N.C. If so, can you provide links to their sites on your site?
ReplyDeleteI'll be happy to assemble a list of reputable rescues I do deal with in NC. There are many good "breed specific" rescues in your area. (Lab Rescue, Greyhound, Ect.) If it is urgent, please send me an email.
ReplyDelete