COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE OF EAST TEXAS - HOUSTON

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If we had a waiting list of adopters, Cocker Spaniel Rescue would be able to accept any and all cocker spaniels. However, with around 100 dogs waiting for homes, we have to make some hard choices. The few applicants we do get want a young, healthy dog with no behavior problems. Dogs that don't meet these basic requirements wind up staying in the program, taking our limited foster spaces and causing us to pass on otherwise adoptable cockerkids sitting on an animal shelter's death row.

A Cocker Spaniel takes a special owner - one who is tolerant, understanding and loves the companionship of a dog. A Cocker Spaniel needs someone who is willing to deal with the quirks of the Cocker personality and give the attention the dog craves. Not everyone is cut out to own a Cocker Spaniel.

Do you have a Cocker Spaniel you want to re-home? Consider the following:

• You made a commitment when you purchased/adopted the dog. This dog is dependent on you to make good decisions for his/her future.
• Try to keep the dog by making adjustments in your lifestyle or living arrangements. We may be able to help you change the dog's behavior.
• Rescue groups are not a retirement home for senior dogs. Elderly dogs are rarely placed because people would rather adopt young dogs.
• Try to re-home the dog with a relative or friend. Be sure the person has the financial resources (~$1,200 a year) to care for a cocker spaniel and will keep the dog inside.
• Be warned that if you take your dog to a shelter it is likely to be put down (killed) unless it is deemed highly adoptable - young, healthy, and heartworm free.
• Dropping a dog at shelter is traumatic for the dog. Shelters are crowded, noisy and intimidating. Dogs sometimes lose a chance at adoption because fear makes them snap at shelter workers and prospective adopters.

We wish we could accept every dog referred to us, but we have limited resources. CSR is an all volunteer organization and does not operate a facility. Our cocker kids live in our homes, so the number of dogs we can take is dependent on the number of foster families. Be patient. It may take several days for someone to respond to your request. Our main focus is to save adoptable dogs, sitting in shelters, that are in imminent danger of being euthanized. Owner Turn-Ins have to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

To increase the chance CSR will help you re-home a dog:

• Be honest about any behavior issues (separation anxiety, destructiveness, not being housebroken, biting, food aggression, escape artist, submissive peeing, etc).
• Provide proof the dog is up-to-date on immunizations (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza, bordatella and rabies).
• Have males neutered and females spayed.
• Document any known health issues; have problems such as cherry eye, cataracts or glaucoma treated. If the dog has heartworms, have it treated.
• Keep the dog on monthly heartworm preventative.
• Have the dog freshly groomed in a cocker cut. Matted, dirty dogs or shaved down dogs are not well received by potential adopters.
• Be prepared to foster the dog until it is adopted. This includes responding to information requests about the dog and bringing it to at least one adoption a month.
• You must sign an Owner Relinquishment form. Once the dog is accepted into the program potential adopters must meet CSR's criterion and pay the $200 adoption fee to CSR.
• Adoptions typically take anywhere from one week to nine months, depending on the age, behavior problems and health issues of the dog. Dogs over three years of age are slower to adopt. There are no guarantees how long it will take.
• If you can't foster the dog, a contribution to defray boarding expenses is requested*. Unfortunately we never have enough foster spots and must board some dogs. It costs about $250 a month to board each dog.
• If the dog's immunizations are not up-to-date or due within three months, a $75 contribution is requested*.
• If the dog is not spayed or neutered, a $100 contribution is requested*.
• If the dog is heartworm positive, a $100 contribution is requested*.

* Donations are requested, not mandatory.

If you still feel turning your Cocker Spaniel into CSR is the best solution, please e-mail cockerinfo@swbell.net the following information along with a picture:

• Your name and phone number, day and evening
• Your address
• Why do you need to re-home the dog? (please be specific)
• Dog's name
• Sex
• Color
• Age/birthdate
• Is dog spayed or neutered?
• Is dog up-to-date on immunizations?
• Date of immunization
  • DHLPP
  • Bordatella
  • Rabies
• Name and phone number of veterinarian(s)
• Health issues (eye, ear, skin, orthopedic, neurologic, etc)
• Behavior issues
• Can you foster the dog until adopted?

Here are your options if we cannot accept your dog into our program:

• Search for a no-kill shelter.
• Contact other all-breed rescue groups.
• Re-home the dog yourself.
• If the dog is adoptable (young, healthy, no heartworms, no behavior issues) take the dog to an organization with a good adoption program (Houston Humane, CAPS, etc) - maybe it won't be put down.
• If all else fails, take the dog to your vet and with you at its side watch your dog die as the vet euthanizes it.

To accept your dog we require a Relinquishment form. Click this link for the pdf version. The signed, completed form must accompany the dog when it joins our program.

Top Ten Reasons for Dumping a Dog

1. We are moving.
2. We bought a new house.
3. My lifestyle has changed.
4. I travel too much.
5. The dog doesn't like my new baby.
6. My partner doesn't like dogs.
7. Death in the family.
8. My parent/grandparent is going in a nursing home.
9. Illness in the family.
10. Can't afford to care for it any longer.