Pet rescue shirt available in the Etsy shop.

August is National Dog Month! Let's celebrate by talking about breed-specific rescues.

Before our Miniature Pinscher Shelby came into our lives, we didn't know much about these organizations. She was saved from a hoarding situation by a Min Pin rescue group (IMPS) that took in 30-plus dogs from that home after a fire broke out. They were amazing to work with and opened our eyes to these types of organizations. We've since fallen in love with the Min Pin breed and will likely revisit a breed rescue in the future.

What is a breed specific rescue?

An estimated 20-30% of dogs received into shelters are purebred dogs that are often transferred to breed-specific groups for placement. These groups are specialists in their breed and will have more information on personalities, temperaments and quirks of the breed. They will help you make sure the breed is a good fit for you.

Breed rescues are mostly volunteer-driven, housing their available dogs in foster homes with families. This gives caregivers a good insight into each dog's behavior in various situations. How they behave with other pets and children, for instance, so they can find the perfect home for each dog. This is great for you as an adopter - you get to know what the dog is like before you bring them home. If you know you want a more mellow fellow, the rescue will find the dog that's right for you. Or if, like us, you have a child-free home and can help a dog who needs a bit more socialization, they can match you to the perfect pet.

There are some misconceptions that the dogs available from breed rescues are rejects from breeders or in some way substandard. This is not the case! These dogs are like any other who find themselves homeless. Maybe their human died or had a life-changing situation where they needed to surrender the dog. Or maybe the dogs were in a hoarding situation or a puppy mill that was shut down.

If you have a preference for a particular breed of dog, these rescues are a great alternative to purchasing from breeders or pet shops, as you'll be helping a dog who needs a home while not contributing to pet overpopulation. It's a win-win.

What can I expect if I adopt from a breed rescue?

Breed rescues are dedicated to their breed and want to find the best homes for their dogs. They will work with you to make the perfect match. In our case, we knew we did not want a puppy, we preferred female dogs, and because we were experienced pet parents with no children in the house, we knew we could take on a bit more of a challenge. They were great at finding us our sweet and sassy girl.

Interview and home inspection
Someone from the rescue will likely come to your home to interview you and see where the dog will be living, especially if the breed or the particular dog has special needs. In our case, a very secure fence was a must, as Min Pins are known escape artists.
They may ask about your pet-parenting style, how you plan to discipline and handle misbehavior, and what you plan to do with the dog when you're at work or traveling. Don't be put off by this procedure. Any good rescue will do their due diligence to ensure their dogs are placed in appropriate, loving homes and not used for abusive purposes or resold for profit. It's a good thing - embrace it.

Meet and greet
You should be given an opportunity to meet the dog or dogs being considered a match for you. Sometimes they will bring the dog to you, or you may work out a meeting with the foster caregiver at another location. This is a great time to have them meet any other pets in the home.

Adoption fee
You will need to pay an adoption fee, which is sometimes higher with a breed-specific rescue. Again, don't let this discourage you. This money reimburses the rescue for vet care expenses, food, and housing while the dog is in their care, and allows them to continue their mission and save more dogs.

Where do I find breed specific rescues?

The American Kennel Club has a list of breed-specific rescues here:

https://www.akc.org/akc-rescue-network/

For Minnesota-based dog breed rescues, check out this list at Sidewalk Dog.

https://www.sidewalkdog.com/minneapolis-dog-rescues/

If you're looking to add a furry friend of a particular breed to your family, breed-specific rescues are an excellent choice.

You can show your support for pet rescue with some fun new items in the shop - check them out here!