But sometimes in life, things happen that interrupts and changes the course of peoples lives and sometimes this means having to part ways with their pets. Sometimes it's a change in jobs or homes, or a person's death. These dogs have had their lives interrupted by unexpected circumstances. They need someone to take them in and lovingly give them a new home and a new life.
Adoption dogs are almost always neutered or spayed, as a condition of adoption. This is a good thing, if you are not planning on breeding. If you want to breed, don't adopt.
Adoption dogs always have their shots up to date, have been wormed, and have had an exam by a qualified veterinarian. If there are any health problems, now or anticipated, the agency will tell you.
Adoption Agencies will try their best to match the right dog, with the right owner. That is very important for the owner and dog too, for a successful adoption.
Adoption agencies (mostly) are made up of volunteers who do the job out of love for these dogs. They have their best interests at heart.
Most agencies have ways and means to get the dog to you, or at least help, if you are in another state for instance. There are even people standing by, ready to help in getting the dog to a new home. They do everything they can to adopt out all adoptable animals.
Adopted dogs are usually very grateful, loving and devoted once you have taken one in.
Below is a picture of my new friend, and friend to Gordon Setters everywhere, Jan Ryckman and her newly adopted Gordon Setter, "Freddie" Is that little guy handsome, or what?! And Jan looks pretty happy to have Freddie join her family.
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| Freddie with his new house mate, Molly. |
This is not the first Gordon Setter that Jan has adopted and she has vowed to be there when another one needs her. Thanks Jan. (:
There are quite a few Gordon Setter Adoption Agencies around the country, but not one in every state. I am including links below for a few of them, if you are interested. The Gordon Setter Club of America's website is really cool. You can actually see a picture of the dogs up for adoption and a detailed description.
If you ❤Love Gordon Setters, and have a big back yard that is fenced and empty, like to bird hunt, or not, have kids, or not, and have energy for playing fetch, I encourage you to adopt one of these magnificent creatures known for their beauty, brains, and bird sense.
Gordon Setter Club of America
NODROG Michigan Rescue
High Plains Gordon Setter Club Rescue
Columbia River Gordon Setter Club
Click HERE for an extensive list at GSCA
that includes the South and East.
What a great idea to post about the benefits (and caveats) of adopting your dog vs buying one. 5 of our 8 are adopted, and though some of them have their quirks, all of them have a job that suits their abilites and gives them the quality of life a gun dog needs.
ReplyDeleteSadly, a lot of our UK adoption groups won't re-home a dog to a working home because they feel it encourages "blood sports" - even dogs that aren't suited to a pet home because of inbred working behaviours.
Keepers here will act as go-betweens, to help place working dogs into working homes for other keeps or hunters if they retire or can't keep a dog for any reason. Or just can get on with a particular dog. We've just been asked to find a home for LLewelyn setter, which I'd never heard of. We're still helping the owners try and place him. Setters are definitely a special breed!
Thank you Jennifer for your thoughtful comment. I guess there are negative aspects sometimes when adopting, but I think mostly, the experiences can be rewarding. The setter you have is a special one indeed. My husband used to have a LLewlyn setter many years ago. They are very loved in the US. I hope you'll find a home where he/she can hunt and do what he/she was born to do. That's the best kind of home.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen, for writing such a nice article about adopting an adult Gordon, and including Jan & Freddie's story! I am very proud of our parent club for all the support they give to any Gordon that needs it! Gordons are know for being very loyal to their owners. Gordon "people" are just as loyal to the breed!
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, Thanks for stopping by! It was my pleasure to do the post on adoption. I love Gordon Setters and can't bare the thought of a single one out there without a home, or even worse, without love. So thanks for all you guys do to place every single one. Your devotion is admirable.
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