Sample Rescue Policy

Written by Lisa Frankland (lisaf@pcisys.net), Rescue Director of the USKBTC and Janet Joers (jjoers@impulse.net), Rescue Director of the Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation

You are encouraged to copy this text and use it to develop your club's rescue policy. This policy was developed through many years rescue work. It is designed for clubs.

It is currently being used by several breed clubs. (This is not the Rescue Policy of the Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation. The policy of the Foudnation will be made public as soon as it is approved by the Board.)

Purpose:
To help ensure the continued welfare of all Kerry Blue Terriers by rehabilitating and placing Kerries and Kerry mixes from shelters and similar situations, assisting breeders and owners in finding new homes for their Kerries, and providing assistance to Kerry owners in finding temporary foster care.

Definitions of Terms

Rescue Dogs:
Kerries requiring rescue from shelters or from similar, potentially life-threatening situations, including stray dogs, dogs abandoned at a vet or boarding kennel, dogs whose owner has died, or any dog that is in imminent danger of losing its life. [name of KBTC] Rescue Funds cover all expenses involved in rescuing these dogs.

Individual Rescue Dogs:
Kerries recovered by individuals, normally by [name of KBTC] members, who wish to foster the dogs and place them on their own. [name of KBTC] Rescue Funds may be used to reimburse individual rescuers for some or all of the expenses involved in the rescue, provided that the individuals follow all [name of KBTC] procedures for placing these dogs.

Individual Placement:
The placement of Kerries in need of new homes who reside with their owners or were returned to their breeders. These dogs should not be referred to as "rescue dogs," since they do not require "rescue"-the use of this term in these cases lessens its impact and is an insult to whoever is placing the dog. The owner or breeder assumes the responsibility of caring for and placing the dog. While the [name of KBTC] may offer assistance in finding homes, there are no Rescue Funds designated for these dogs under normal circumstances. However, in cases where the owner or breeder either has to or threatens to get rid of the dog immediately, a Rescue Committee member will obtain the dog, and the Kerry will then be treated as a rescue dog.

Rescue Committee
[name of KBTC] members who have volunteered or who are asked to assist with any aspect of rescue. Efforts are coordinated and controlled by one or two Rescue Coordinators appointed by the officers and directors of the [name of KBTC] .

Standard Rescue Procedures

Rescue Dogs

Shelter Kerries.
Because the [name of KBTC] has no claim to these dogs prior to their release, absolutely no mention of the location or existence of one is to be made to anyone not directly involved in the rescue, particularly to someone inquiring about obtaining a rescue Kerry, until the dog has left the shelter. A Rescue Coordinator may direct breeders to make discreet inquiries to past puppy buyers concerning the current status of their Kerries if they believe they can locate the dog's owner.

As soon as a Rescue Coordinator is notified, arrangements will be made for a Rescue Committee member or other knowledgeable person to visit the shelter and confirm whether or not the dog is actually a Kerry. If the dog is a Kerry, an information packet (see attached) will be left with shelter personnel in the event that the dog is claimed by its owner or adopted by another party. A Rescue Coordinator will obtain all the information necessary to claim the dog, including when it will be available for adoption and what the shelter's policy is in the event that more than one party wishes to adopt the dog. Provisions will then be made for grooming, veterinary care (including spaying or neutering, if needed), and foster care.

If the dog has not been claimed by its owner, at least two Rescue Committee members will be at the shelter as soon as it opens on the first day the dog is made available for adoption. (Two members can provide moral support and help handle a difficult dog.) If another party is there for the dog, a Rescue Committee member will talk to the party about their interest in the dog, offer the [name of KBTC] 's assistance (including an offer to let the party adopt the dog through [name of KBTC] Rescue, at a tremendous savings to them) and try to obtain their name and address. Every effort will be made to keep it friendly and nonconfrontational for the sake of the Kerry's best interests. Unless a Rescue Committee member has a very good reason to suspect that the party is not there for legitimate reasons (such as a dog collector, backyard breeder, or broker), the party will be permitted to adopt the dog with our blessings. Regardless of whether [name of KBTC] Rescue claims the dog or not, a thank-you note will be sent to the shelter staff member who contacted [name of KBTC] Rescue about the animal.

If [name of KBTC] Rescue adopts the dog, the dog will be taken to a veterinarian right away. The dog's general health and age will be assessed, and the dog will receive all required shots, worming, a heart worm test, and any necessary treatment and medications. The dog will be bathed, dipped, and groomed as soon as possible. If the dog's health permits, it will be spayed or neutered, as required. In cases where valid reasons are presented for leaving a rescue Kerry intact, the Rescue Coordinator(s) will make the final decision with the approval of one officer or director of the [name of KBTC] . Tattooing or microchipping the dog for permanent identification purposes is also recommended. The dog will be assessed for both conformation (to help identify the breeder or owner) and temperament before being placed. Every effort will be made to identify and locate the breeder and/or owner. If the breeder or owner can be positively identified, he/she will be asked to pay for the cost of the rescue. If the breeder is a member of the [name of KBTC] , it is assumed that he/she will accept possession of the dog until a suitable home can be found.

Stray Kerries.
If [name of KBTC] Rescue is contacted about a suspected Kerry that is running loose, at least one person familiar with Kerries will be dispatched to the area as quickly as possible to try to capture the animal. If somebody has already confined the dog, arrangements will be made to pick up the dog at the earliest time that is convenient for the person who has the dog. In either case, profuse thanks and a follow up thank-you note are in order. Every effort will be made to locate the animal's owner, including checking local newspapers, placing an ad, checking with nearby shelters and veterinarians, and notifying breeders. The dog will be checked by a veterinarian and groomed right away as for a shelter Kerry; however, spaying/neutering and placement will be delayed for 30 days in order to give the owner a reasonable period of time to claim the dog.

Kerries Abandoned at Veterinarians' or Boarding Kennels.
A Rescue Coordinator will try to contact the owners of the dog to find out why the dog was abandoned, to ask that they contribute to the costs incurred during the dog's stay, and to request that they turn over registration papers and health records to [name of KBTC] Rescue. The dog's breeder, if known, will also be contacted. It is recommended that [name of KBTC] Rescue obtains the owner's (or his agent's) signature on a release form. If this is not possible, the dog should be held for 30 days from the date it was originally abandoned or turned over before it is placed. Once the dog has been obtained by [name of KBTC] Rescue, treatment is similar to that of a shelter Kerry. As always, profuse thanks are in order to whoever contacted [name of KBTC] Rescue.

Kerries Whose Owners Are Dead or Disabled.
A Rescue Coordinator will obtain registration papers and health records, if available, from the owner or next of kin and contact the breeder. All other procedures are similar to those for shelter Kerries.

Individual Rescue Dogs

The [name of KBTC] Rescue will offer assistance to the rescuer in the form of (1) financial reimbursement for the rescue if all [name of KBTC] Rescue procedures concerning screening and placement are followed, (2) a list of prospective homes-both screened and unscreened (with the understanding that the person placing the dog will do the screening), (3) a write-up in Kerry Klips (if necessary), (4) fill out the Adoption Questionnaire for screening, and (5) an adoption contract. The [name of KBTC] Rescue will ask the rescuer to fill out a rescue report form. Basically, if the rescuer is cooperative, he/she acts as a member of the [name of KBTC] Rescue Committee, but wishes to retain some control over the dog's fate by doing the fostering and making the ultimate placement decision. Correct procedure depends on the circumstances of rescue.

Individual Placement

Owner Dogs.
If an owner contacts [name of KBTC] Rescue for assistance in placing a dog, a Rescue Coordinator will find out the name of the dog's breeder and make sure the breeder is aware of the situation. [name of KBTC] Rescue will also provide the owner with a list of prospective homes-both screened and unscreened, and a write-up in Kerry Klips (if necessary). It is the owner's responsibility to care for and place the dog.

If an owner contacts [name of KBTC] Rescue and "wants to get rid of the dog right away," every effort will be made to talk to the owner and find out exactly what the problem is. Reasonable assistance will be offered to solve problems with training or grooming. If the owner insists that he/she is unable to keep the dog even long enough to locate a new home, or threatens to leave the dog at a shelter or have it destroyed, arrangements will be made to obtain the dog immediately, along with its registration papers and health records. The breeder will be notified as soon as possible and the dog will be treated as a rescue dog.

Breeder Dogs.
If a breeder contacts [name of KBTC] Rescue for assistance in placing a dog that has been returned by the owner, a Rescue Coordinator will provide the breeder with a list of prospective homes-both screened and unscreened, and a write-up in Kerry Klips (if necessary). (Kerry Klips is the club's newsletter.) It is the breeder's responsibility to care for and place the dog. However, if the breeder requests assistance, [name of KBTC] Rescue will alert the Club officers and decisions will be made by them on a case-by-case basis.

Pet Store Puppies

Under no circumstances will [name of KBTC] Rescue "rescue" puppies from a pet store by immediately purchasing them! (Although this sounds cold-hearted, buying the puppies would only motivate the store to try to obtain more.) A Rescue Committee member will leave information packets at the pet store, one for each puppy, which include instructions on ear setting and grooming requirements, along with other information relevant to a new puppy owner, and phone numbers of people who can assist, to be given to people who buy the puppies. The Rescue Committee member will try to see the puppies' registration papers, and note the name of the breeder. (If the breeder is a member of the USKBTC or any regional Kerry Club, selling puppies to a pet store is grounds for immediate expulsion.) The breeder will be contacted immediately. Periodic calls or visits to the pet store will be made to check on the puppies' status. All contacts with the store will be friendly, polite, and nonconfrontational; however, no offer or agreement will be made to groom, trim, set ears, or do anything else that would make the puppies more appealing and therefore easier to sell. If the puppy or puppies remain unsold after several weeks and are marked down, a Rescue Coordinator may consider purchasing them with Rescue Funds once it is fairly clear that the pet store is selling them at a loss just to get rid of them.

Advertised Dogs

[name of KBTC] Rescue will occasionally scan ads in area newspapers, community bulletin boards, and other public places, as well as ads appearing in magazines such as Dog World that include phone numbers with Southern California area codes, to determine if the advertiser of a Kerry is a [name of KBTC] or USKBTC member. Although many responsible breeders advertise litters, it's the backyard breeders we are trying to target. If the person is not known to be a Club member or responsible breeder, a [name of KBTC] Rescue Committee member will make a friendly call to the number in the advertisement and identify himself/herself as a member of the local Kerry Club, and offer the breeder free information packets for each puppy when they go to their new home. [name of KBTC] Rescue will find out as much as possible about the litter, including the date of birth, the number in litter, and the names of the parents and whether they have been shown-all in a friendly and nonaccusing manner. If the breeder is agreeable, [name of KBTC] Rescue will send the information packets for each puppy, as well as additional material for the breeder, and offer to help with any questions or problems the breeder might have. If the breeder is unreceptive to the call, there is nothing [name of KBTC] Rescue can do. However, if the same breeder advertises again, another [name of KBTC] Rescue Committee member will make a new, independent call. The breeder's name and phone number will be kept on file and the breeders of the litter's sire and dam, and the owner of the sire (if different from the breeder) will be notified.

Screening and Placement Procedures

In order to ensure that all dogs handled by [name of KBTC] Rescue end up in loving, responsible, permanent homes, and to protect the [name of KBTC] from any liability in the event a dog with health or temperament problems is placed, a formal screening and adoption process must be followed.

Placement Questionnaire (Sample: .htl or .pdf)

All parties expressing interest in adopting a Kerry through [name of KBTC] Rescue need to complete a placement questionnaire. References will be checked by a Rescue Coordinator before the party will be considered. A Rescue Coordinator can fill out the questionnaire over the phone, or it can be sent to the interested party with an information packet (if they have never owned Kerries).

Any person fostering a rescue Kerry will do their best to assess the dog's temperament and personality and determine what kind of a situation that particular dog would do best in. Possible placements can then be contacted. While some preference can be given to people who have been on the placement waiting list longer than others, or to people who expressed extreme interest in a particular dog, the dog's best interests must always come first. The Rescue Coordinator will make the final decision on who gets a rescue dog. In cases of individual rescue and individual placement, the owner, breeder, or individual rescuer will make the final decision. A "cool down" period of a least one week between the time that the potential placement is first contacted about the Kerry or has met the dog and the time that they are allowed to take it home, is recommended.

Adoption Contracts

Adoption contracts for all rescue dogs must be filled out and signed before the new owners can take possession of the dog. A [name of KBTC] Rescue Committee member will review the contract with the dog's adopters, emphasizing that the dog must be returned to [name of KBTC] Rescue in the event they no longer wish to keep it. Any known health or behavior problems that the dog might have will be listed on the contract. A donation to the [name of KBTC] Rescue Fund ($100 is the suggested minimum) is normally required, although a Rescue Coordinator may allow an exception in certain cases. The donation should cover all or part of the costs of the rescue, as well as the Kerry Rescue Kit, which will be given to all adopters. The kit will include (1) one week's supply of the dog's regular food, (2) a leash and collar, and (3) a copy of Second Hand Dog by Carol Lea Benjamin. Adopters will also receive all current and past health records and registration papers, if available.

Associate Membership in [name of KBTC]

As a goodwill gesture and to help ensure that new owners receive any support they might need, a complimentary, one year subscription to Kerry Klips will be given to anybody who adopts a rescue dog. Certain individual placements may also receive subscriptions subject to approval by a Rescue Coordinator.

Euthanasia Policy

While certainly a loathsome option, euthanasia may be required in certain cases where, due to health or temperament problems, a dog is unadoptable. Generally, the only cases where euthanasia will be considered are when the dog has a history of biting, exhibits aggressive behavior indicating that it will bite, or has health problems that make it unadoptable or that profoundly affect its quality of life. Advanced age alone is not a justifiable reason to euthanize a dog. If a dog is considered a candidate for euthanasia, the option will be discussed between the foster family, a Rescue Coordinator, and at least one officer or director of the [name of KBTC] . When possible, at least one outside person, such as a veterinarian or dog trainer, who can contribute some insight into the problem will be consulted. A consensus between the foster family, Rescue Coordinator, and one officer or director of the [name of KBTC] must be reached before the dog can be euthanized. If a consensus cannot be reached, the issue will be brought up for a vote among the officers and directors of the [name of KBTC].

[name of KBTC] Rescue Committee Responsibilities

It is understood that the Rescue Committee and Coordinator(s) will fully cooperate with the USKBTC and other Kerry Clubs in sharing lists of potential adopters and offering any other assistance when requested to facilitate the rescue and placement of Kerries anywhere in the country. It is also understood that when a conflict occurs between other Clubs' rescue policies and the [name of KBTC] Rescue Policy, members of the [name of KBTC] Rescue Committee will adhere to the [name of KBTC] Rescue Policy.

The [name of KBTC] Rescue Committee Coordinator(s) shall maintain at least one foster family at all times willing to accept a rescue dog of either sex, or two foster families willing to accept a dog of opposite sex. Normally, the foster family will be a member of the [name of KBTC] or the USKBTC.

In addition to adhering to all portions of this Rescue Policy and assuming all responsibilities stated in the policy, the Rescue Coordinator(s) shall be responsible for keeping an up-to-date file on rescue cases, the current whereabouts of placed rescue dogs, a list of screened potential homes, and a list of undesirable and/or irresponsible owners, breeders, and other parties who have contributed to rescue problems in the past and would not make good homes. The Rescue Coordinator(s) shall also be responsible for follow-up calls to all adopters to ensure that the placement is working and to troubleshoot any problems that may develop. Calls placed at one or two weeks, one or two months, and six months after adoption are recommended.

Any [name of KBTC] member volunteering to serve on the Rescue Committee will receive a copy of this policy. All [name of KBTC] members will be reminded regularly to refer any rescue cases or inquiries from potential homes directly to the Rescue Coordinator(s).