Rat Terrier ResQ, Inc. is a national all-volunteer Rat Terrier rescue group committed to saving Rat Terriers in need. These dogs are special loving creatures and, at times, end up with people who don’t understand them. These Rat Terriers may end up in shelters after having been abandoned, neglected or abused. We work to get them safe, loved, and healthy - and then find them the loving homes they deserve. Rat Terrier ResQ takes in the unwanted Rat Terriers in our nation’s shelters. We watch these dogs as they develop and learn, and as they become loved members of our foster families.
One of our goals in rescuing Rat Terriers is to find them permanent, loving homes that will suit the dog. We don’t just look for any home — we want the right home for each dog. Once you apply, you’ll hear from at least three people: an Applications Coordinator, a Home Visit Coordinator, and the foster parent of the dog in which you’re interested. We ask for your patience and understanding through the applications process. *Please note that we are looking for responsible applicants that have altered (spayed/neutered) pets and we ask that applicants who are planning on moving within the next few months wait to apply once they’re settled in their new environment. From the foster parent, you will be able to learn as much about your dog as we know - both good and bad. We do not want to place any dogs with families hastily - we want to be sure it’s the best match possible. We encourage you to write to the dog’s foster family as much as you like, so that we really get a feel for what the dog’s new life will be like with you and that you really get a feel for the dog’s temperament and personality. You will get a phone call from your Applications Coordinator, who will have already talked to your vet and your personal references, and at some point in the process, your Home Visit Coordinator will work with you to set up a home visit, by appointment, with a volunteer. Sometimes the Home Visitor will be a ResQ volunteer, other times it will be a volunteer from a local rescue, lending us a hand in our process. The purpose of the visit, just like the rest of our application process, is to ensure that yours is the best possible home for this rescued dog. You can also ask the Home Visitor plenty of questions about rescue and pet adoption - rescuers love to talk about rescue! After we’ve completed these steps, you’ll hear from us about whether or not you have been approved to adopt a Rat Terrier ResQ dog. Once you are approved, we will send you an adoption contract (with all your dog’s veterinary information) to read, sign, and mail back. With this contract you will send your adoption fee, and because you’ve been so patient through the whole process, we even accept Paypal and faxed contracts! After your contract has been received, we will begin planning your dog’s transport home. We ask the new families to participate in this transport - we do expect you to take an active role in getting your new dog home! But what if the dog I want is in another state? I want THAT dog, over there! If your dog lives in another state, there are three main options. Shipping by air. The new family would handle the flight arrangements and the expense of the flight, including a crate, veterinary health certificate, and the airfare itself. Volunteer, cross-country drivers. This is the Streetcar Named Desire approach, depending on the kindness of strangers. Each driver takes on about 100 miles, then carefully hands the dog off to the next person. Again, we ask the new families to participate in this transport - we do expect you to take an active role in getting your new dog home! But ground transports are no longer than 400 miles. If the dog you have chosen to adopt is further than this, plan to have the dog flown to you or to drive the remainder of the distance. Foster/Adoptive Home split-drive. There are many times when the new family and the foster home will share the driving 50/50. We love this dog as much as you will, and while we are all volunteers, filling our gas tanks with our own money, we still love to meet the new families in person! There is a very big chance that your dog’s foster family is willing to meet up with you, splitting the drive.
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