INTRODUCTION

The Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association was organized in 2002 as a joint venture between two breed clubs. Members of both Bull Run Australian Cattle Dog Club and the North Atlantic Australian Cattle Dog Club had been rescuing cattle dogs for years. It was decided that rescue activities could be more efficient if there was a stand-alone rescue organization not encumbered by breed club activities.  Our purpose is to save our beloved cattle dogs from abuse, neglect and abandonment.  Although both clubs jointly founded ACDRA, independence for the new organization was built in to the startup agreement and, after a period of time, ACDRA will stand on its own as an independent entity, working on its own merit and its own set of policies and procedures.  The goal is to work in a three-way partnership to create a stronger networking community for the salvation of the many needy cattle dogs.

We are proud that we have the support of two breed clubs and that other groups call on us for advice. A measure of the success of our program is the outstanding success of the matches we make - dog to new home.  We remain committed to each dog that comes through the program for the rest of its life, offering the adopting family training advice and support on an ongoing, long-term basis.  Our contract states that if a family can no longer keep the dog at any time in its life we will take the dog back into foster care. 

We have had less than a handful of re-homed dogs returned to us over a period of several years.  It is gratifying to hear from an adopting family, long after placement, and to know that the dog is doing well and the family remains grateful. We try to remain in contact with our adoptive families, encouraging them to join one, or both, of the breed clubs and to participate in cattle dog activities.  We offer ongoing support, resources and friends.

Foster care is a difficult job, and it is not an inexpensive endeavor.  We need foster homes badly, but we do not have the resources to pay every expense a dog incurs while in foster care.  Theoretically, the adoption fees cover the vetting expenses of a rescue dog.  We are also fortunate to attract additional donations from the cattle dog community and others.  Foster care providers understand that this work is a labor of love and foster families willingly take in an extra dog to care for as if they were adding that dog to their family until a permanent home can be found. This could take a few weeks. But it could also take several months.  If you cannot do this, you should not foster.  When a dog comes into the ACDRA foster care and rescue program, the organization has committed itself to that dog for its entire life. Please be sure you can commit to a dog for the time it takes to place him into a permanent home before you take in a rescue dog.

The ACDRA foster program continues on in the tradition of adhering to the highest standards.  This allows us to maintain the quality of our rescue dogs and ensures good and lasting placements.  We save as many unwanted cattle dogs as possible from high kill shelters and other dangerous situations.   We welcome your interest and support.

• What is ACD Rescue? 

• How can I help?

• What does being a foster home entail?

• The volunteers who foster always seem to have a rescue dog waiting for adoption.  What if I only want to foster one or two dogs a year?

• What geographic area does Rescue cover ?

• How does a dog come into the system and get to a foster home?

• How long does a dog stay in a foster home on average?

• What is my responsibility as a foster home?

• How do I find a new home for a rescue dog?

• What do I do when a potential home contacts me?

• How do I check an adopter's references?

• After the adoption questionnaire has been returned and references checked, then what?

• How do I know what dogs are in the Rescue system?

• What if someone calls me and says they have a cattle dog but they can't keep it and they want Rescue to take it?

• Don't you get attached to the dogs you foster and want to keep them?

• The ACDRA Rescue Guidelines

  •   The Protocol

  •   Expenses and Reimbursement

  •   Adoption Application Procedure

What is ACD Rescue?      

Nearly all breed clubs have rescue committees who put forth great effort to save their own breed from euthanasia in shelters and dog pounds. The ACDRA is comprised, in part, of those members of the Bull Run Australian Cattle Dog Club and the North Atlantic Australian Cattle Dog Club.   Depending on how many active foster homes we have at any given time, the ACDRA saves, rehabilitates and re-homes 40 - 50 dogs per year. 

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How can I help?

There are several ways you can help. If a cattle dog is received at a shelter near you, you may be asked to go to a shelter and identify him positively as a cattle dog.  You can help transport a dog from a shelter to a foster home after the transfer has been approved by the Foster Home Coordinator. You can foster the dog and work with the team to re-home it.

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What does being a foster home entail?

The ACDRA has a prescribed set of guidelines and policies for those who foster. For the first six months that you assist in rescue, you will have a mentor. This person will be someone who is familiar with rescue and the procedures and guidelines and can support you as you learn the ropes.  This team is managed by the Foster Home Coordinator.

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The volunteers who foster always seem to have a rescue dog waiting for adoption.  What if I only want to foster one or two dogs a year?

That would be just great!  If we had ten additional foster homes that fostered only two dogs a year we could save an additional TWENTY cattle dogs from death.

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What geographic area does Rescue cover ?

Although the ACDRA has members from Maine to North Carolina, we primarily reach dogs that are in shelters within reasonable proximity to one of our foster homes. Occasionally, we are able to move a dog longer distances when volunteers are available to transport. Thanks to many willing and dedicated people, we often have state-to-state transports.

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How does a dog come into the system and get to a foster home?

We work to have volunteers in each state within our geographic area.  A volunteer in each state acts as shelter liaison and monitors ACDs in shelters statewide.   The decision to pull a dog from a shelter and move it into foster care is predicated on several factors.  Some of these are:  the time a shelter allows the dog before euthanasia, the status of the dog’s health due to break down from a prolonged shelter stay, the overall temperament of the dog (which affects adoptability).  We ask the shelter to e-mail a photo to the appropriate ACDRA shelter contact. Positive identification is crucial. When a potential adopter comes to us they expect to get a dog that looks reasonably like a cattle dog. If there is a question as to the dog’s breed, the Foster Home Coordinator is contacted and the Board determines if the dog looks enough like a cattle dog to be adopted as a cattle dog.  Sometimes a rescue team member is able to visit the shelter to evaluate the dog in person.  ACD mixes have occasionally been accepted into rescue but it is a situation that does not work well.  Mixes take much longer to adopt thus tying up precious space in foster homes.

After the dog has been identified, if a foster home is available and has agreed to take the dog, arrangements are made to move it.  A foster dog must fit into a family comfortably - some foster homes can only accept females, others can only accept males, others find puppies are less threatening to their own dogs.  As soon as possible after the rescue dog gets to the foster home it must be heartworm tested, get its shots (if the shelter has not already done that) and be neutered.  (See Vetting and Reimbursement in the Guidelines section.)

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How long does a dog stay in a foster home on average?

A rescue dog can stay in a foster home for as little as two weeks or as long as three months or longer.  It depends on the dog and the potential adopters who have come to us.  We prefer the rescue dog to remain in a foster home at least two weeks so he can be properly evaluated - is he good with children? Cats? Does he have a soft temperment? Is he afraid of men? Is he somewhat dog aggressive? Does it appear he was abused? Does it appear he had some obedience training?  The more we know about a dog the better match we can make with his new forever family.  And during the evaluation period housebreaking training can begin.  Some of the rescued dogs are housebroken, some are not.  The dog needs to learn basic manners as well -- sitting for a treat, how to walk on a leash.  The more training he has the better chance for adoption.

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What is my responsibility as a foster home?

You are taking a dog into your home temporarily as if you were adding a new dog to your family.  It needs to be examined by a veterinarian, evaluated, socialized and begin training.  You participate, with the other Team members, in the process of finding the right permanent home.

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How do I find a new home for a rescue dog?

The internet has been invaluable to those of us who rescue. The ACDRA has a website and it is updated regularly.  If a potential home sees an ACD on the website that they like, they will contact you directly.  Sometimes another foster home has a rescue that is not suitable for a particular family and since the team is kept apprised of all the dogs in the system that foster home might refer the adopter to you if you seem to have a dog that would make a better match.

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What do I do when a potential home contacts me?

The first thing you are looking for in a potential adopter is the level of commitment to the dog. Every potential adopter must fill out the ACDRA Adoption Questionnaire, which is sent to them (via e-mail, fax or regular mail) with a copy of the ACDRA Notes on Adopting a Cattle Dog.  If the adopter has not owned a cattle dog in the past we encourage them to go to www.cattledog.com and www.australiancattledog.com. They should read the history of the breed and the FAQ to educate themselves. We work very hard to make sure rescue dogs do not go to inappropriate homes.  Rescue dogs are dumped in shelters many times because they were in homes uneducated, for the most part, about the breed. These owners could or would not deal with their energy level and were not committed to the time and training an ACD requires.  It is up to us, as a committed rescue team, to find the rescue dog a "forever" home.

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How do I check an adopter's references?

When the questionnaire is filled out and returned references are checked. You will work closely with your mentor through this process the first few times. Ask questions of the vet reference like "Is this person a good dog owner? Do they bring the dog in when it is injured or do they wait until complications develop?"  Ask other references if the person is responsible, have they had other dogs, do they know what happened to the other dogs.

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After the adoption questionnaire has been returned and references checked, then what?

If the dog you have does not seem suitable for this particular family the questionnaire will be circulated throughout the team as another dog in foster care might be suitable. 

If all the pieces seem to fit the adopter can then visit you to meet the rescue dog. They should bring their spouse, children and other dog(s).   We encourage foster homes to make home visits with potential adopters if at all possible.   If you cannot do this sometimes it is possible for another team member to assist you. Never be afraid to ask the team for help.  A home visit is just not possible in all cases.  But if you are satisfied it is a good match the adopter can sign the contract, pay you the appropriate rescue fee and take the dog home.  Follow up calls need to be made a week or two later and again a month after that.  (See guidelines Adoption Contract section)

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How do I know what dogs are in the Rescue system?

All foster homes usually work closely with applications that are on file. All dogs are listed on the web site for the ACDRA and can be viewed there.

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What if someone calls me and says they have a cattle dog but they can't keep it and they want Rescue to take it?

First try and determine how committed the owner is to the dog. In some cases these individuals know nothing about the breed and nothing about training. Refer them to the ACD-L, the information on the cattledog.com website and see if they are open to letting us support them in training the dog so it can become a good family member.  Failing that, you can tell them that our first priority is to dogs on death row in shelters and, unfortunately, we rarely, if ever, have foster homes available for owner give-ups because there are so many dogs waiting to be saved from shelters.  You can tell the owner that we offer website listings in the section which clearly indicates that the ACDRA has not evaluated the dog.  Ninety percent of owner give-up dogs listed on the website get adopted but it takes time.

To be listed on the website an owner must first provide proof of the dog's sterilization, current vaccinations and negative heartworm test.  This information goes to the Owner Give Up Coordinator via snail mail, fax or e-mail.  Vet receipts will do.  The owner must send a photo of the dog and a one paragraph write up about it - is it good with kids, cats, other dogs, age of the dog, etc and contact information -- their phone and/or e-mail address.  

Ask if they would care to send a monetary donation to the Rescue fund to offset our costs for this service. And ask them to be patient.

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Don't you get attached to the dogs you foster and want to keep them?

Yes, of course.  If you decide to keep a dog you have been fostering you must complete a contract and reimburse the ACDRA for the expenses incurred if you have already received reimbursement.

If we become attached to the foster dog there are several things we try to remember:

(1) At some point we all reach our limits of how many dogs of our own we can care for. For some of us this is two, for others more.  If we keep "just one more" the lack of space and time will prevent another dog in need from having a second chance. When a foster home is lost cattle dogs die in shelters.

(2) Even though we think nobody can love a dog or care for it the way we do, this is just not true. There are wonderful, loving homes waiting for our rescue dogs - people who will love a dog just as much as we have.

(3) For those of us who foster, the long-term satisfaction of knowing we have saved a life far outweighs the momentary sadness when he leaves.  After all, we have given him a second chance at life and he is on his way to a "forever" home this time.

(4) If you want to keep a foster dog, you need to do is reimburse the ACDRA monies that were spent on the dog for veterinary care or other expenses, such as “pull fees” from the shelter.

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The ACDRA Rescue Guidelines

1) A dog must enter the program with the approval of the Foster Home Coordinator.  The ACDRA will not be responsible for and has no obligation to handle a dog that someone takes from a shelter on their own without prior approval.

2) We rescue ACDs only in areas where we have active foster homes and transport volunteers.  For the most part the area we cover is the East Coast from New England to North Carolina.  We do not rescue from or re-home dogs to other parts of the country i.e., the Midwest or West.  We do however, have contact information that can be forwarded to people from these areas as we do network across the country for resources.

3) A rescued dog must reasonably resemble a cattle dog.  Docked tails are acceptable.

4) The rescue dog should have no major medical problems. When there is an exception, it is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Rescue Team and the Board decides how best to proceed.

5) Aggressive dogs, confirmed biters and totally deaf dogs CANNOT be accepted into the rescue program.  If, during evaluation, it is discovered the dog is aggressive, bites or has bitten it is considered unadoptable and will be euthanized.

6) ACDs on death row in shelters and in other life threatening situations ALWAYS have priority over owner-give ups.  Dogs that are not in the ACDRA system can be listed on the website for private adoption.  Proof of spay-neuter and up to date vaccinations must be sent to the Owner Give Up Coordinator.  See page 4 --  “What if someone calls me and says they have a cattle dog but they can’t keep it and wants Rescue to take it?” 

7) Routine maintenance costs, such as dog food or any grooming costs, are the responsibility of the foster home.

8) Those who foster must be covered by the ACDRA insurance policy.  Individuals who have paid their dues and are ACDRA members in good standing are eligible to foster. Before you are accepted as a foster home basic information must be provided to the Foster Home Coordinator for insurance purposes.

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THE PROTOCOL  

The dog must be vetted as soon after arriving in the foster home as possible.  The veterinarian's paperwork constitutes a medical record for the dog and must be kept so a copy can accompany the dog to its new home. It is also a good idea to keep your own medical log noting dates the dog received heartworm prevention, bath, flea treatments, etc.  Occasionally the shelter will have given a combo shot, wormed or even spayed/neutered the dog and that paperwork becomes part of the dog's medical file as well

Some shelters provide medical attention and neutering prior to releasing a dog.  Some shelters charge a “pull fee”.  When we decide to take a dog from a shelter their staff should be asked what procedures they can provide for us prior to picking up the dog.  As a rule shelters can spay and neuter an animal for far less than we can using private veterinarians.  When the shelters can get shots and sterilization done before we pick up the dog it keeps our costs down and our funds can be used for the next dog.

(a) Heartworm Test - THIS IS THE FIRST THING THAT MUST BE DONE AND MUST BE NEGATIVE BEFORE YOU HAVE THE DOG SPAYED OR NEUTERED. If the dog tests positive, the Foster Home Coordinator must be contacted PRIOR to a commitment from the ACDRA to foster this dog, if it is still in a shelter. If the dog is already in foster care and tests positive, no further vetting should be done until the Foster Home Coordinator and/or Board of Directors has been notified and approval is given. 

(b) Vaccines and fecal sample:

7-way booster shot, which includes corona

bordatella (kennel cough)

rabies 

(c) spay/neuter 

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EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENT

 The cost of heartworm test, shots and neutering should not go over $150-200. If your vet will not give you a sufficient discount or if you cannot find a cheaper vet in your area, the Foster Home Coordinator or other team members may be able to suggest less expensive vets within a reasonable driving distance.  It is not always possible in urban areas to find veterinarians willing to give substantial discounts to rescue dogs. Therefore, ACDRA's adoption donation starts at $200.  This may be flexible depending on age of the dog, veterinary expenses incurred, and dogs with special needs which are evaluated on a case by case basis.  Expenses such as professional grooming or boarding are not reimbursable.

If a dog gets sick (except for life threatening emergencies) vet bills will only be reimbursed if approved IN ADVANCE by the Rescue Coordinator and Foster Home Coordinator and /or the Board of Directors. 

Receipts must be sent to the ACDRA Treasurer for reimbursement with a completed reimbursement form and a stamped self addressed envelope   The Foster Home Coordinator or the Treasurer can send you Reimbursement forms for you to fill out.  We suggest you keep a copy of the completed form and the receipt. 

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Adoption Contract Procedure

 Adoption contracts must be filled out completely and accurately.  The adopter must give you a check or money order made payable to the ACDRA.

1) The original signed contract should be sent to the Foster Home Coordinator.

2) The adoption fee should be sent to the ACDRA Treasurer clearly marked with the name of the rescue dog.

This paperwork should be completed within 14 days of adoption.

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