Boxer Rescues Need Help

[ladyluck_t]

I wanted to post this, to perhaps get some help or just cause some people to think.
I know that all boxer rescues are currently inundated with boxers, have very few foster homes, and hardly any potential adoptions. I know that here in NM, I have had to turn dogs away It still causes me to lose sleep about losing the one recently. I don't know what her fate eventually ended up being and I am not sure I want to know. I dont know if it is "that time of the year" or not, but it seems that we are currently overloaded with boxers and nowhere to put them.
So, if anyone has ever thought about it, but wasnt sure. Please call your local rescue. I know most of you are not in NM, so other than well wishes and vibes, there isnt much you can do for me. But you could perhaps help out one of the other rescue's cause I am SURE they are suffering too. So here is a quick synopsis of what fostering entails: (Note though that some things may vary based on the rescue you are using)
1. Most rescues have done some sort of temperment test on the dog so that they can place the dog in the right foster home.
2. Rescue's are very concerned about losing a foster home and will make sure you are happy with your foster, they will always be there to help you out.
3. The rescue may ask you take the foster to events, vet, or training. The cost of the gas is yours, but all approved care is paid for by the rescue
4. Most rescues have crates, bedding, leashes, and collars to loan out for foster homes.
5. Most of the foster homes I have talked with pay for the food for their foster dog. But some rescue's get donations that they pass out to the foster homes.
6. It is not hard to let a foster go to a good home. You are doing a great job and have "polished" this baby until he/she shined. As long as you remember that you are the foundation of this baby's life, you will be able to let him go. And dont worry, most of the time you wont have time to be sad, there is ALWAYS another boxer in need of polishing and care.
7. A foster home is the most important part of a rescued boxer's life. You can make such a difference

8. Not everything in rescue is fostering though, if fostering is not your cup of tea, perhaps you could offer to work events, answer phone calls, screen applicants, or just even offer to help out foster homes by offering to take the foster for a 1hr playday or walk (thereby giving the foster home some time to themselves)

Please, even if all you can offer is 1hr a week on phone calls. That is one hour I have to spend with either my skin or fur kids. Or perhaps take a long shower. Or maybe just a good cry.
Please consider helping out! Thanks

Carolyn

 

[friend4Koda]

Well we are looking to adopt/rescue a Boxer so please if you know of any that might suit our animal family please let us know. We are looking for a playmate for our 1 yr old. Akita "Koda." He is very hyper-active and so very very friendly. We lived in an apt. where Koda was inside all the time but had no room to run since he is 110lbs. We have recently bought a house and built a huge pen for him and at first he went nuts out there with actually being able to stretch out and run but now he looks so lonely out there by himself and I just can't stand it. He loves all animals and is just the sweetest boy but it's hard to find another dog that can deal with how playful he is...so any help on finding us a "friend4Koda" would be great...

 

[ladyluck_t]

I would say your best bet is to find your nearest boxer rescue. When I started looking for a rescue to volunteer, I just did a google search for Boxer Rescue and my city. I know Rockin P handles some SE areas, just not sure that Atlanta is in their area. Also, please consider volunteering if you have time. You dont have to foster, there are many things you can do to help. Every little bit helps!

 

[vasha]

Bumping this post in support!



vasha

 

[Gus's Teah]

Friend4Koda: I volunteer with Rockin P Rescue and from reviewing your other post I'd have to guess that we were the ones that turned you down because you said that the boxer would stay outside during the day. GA gets pretty cold in the winter and pretty darn hot in the summer, and boxers just cannot tolerate being outside all day long.

ladyluck: I second your orignal post! We have many dogs on our waiting list to come into rescue right now. It's very hard to hear about the ones we can't pull because we don't have room.
Teah

 

[sinbad'smom]

Fostering is great. I have only had 1 but am looking forward to doing it again. Alot of people are worried about getting attached so they dont foster, I am here to tell you that knowing you are helping these babies that so need it is worth it. I was worried about that myself and I was just fine when he left, so if that is what is stopping you I say go for it! Dora

 

[rog1006]

Hey all- Bumping this and also have a question for my fellow rescuers.

Many of us are struggling daily for funds and I know part of it is having a REALLY wonderful web site to showcase our dogs and help us get donations. Right now we have a site that is fairly constricting and I need some ideas as we don't have a web master person in our rescue. I was wondering what the rest of you guys do! Vasha, your site is FANTASTIC. You've done an incredible job with it. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Annette Gala]

boxer rescue/fostering

Thanks Lady_luckt after reading about and talking with local resuce I wanted to try and foster. BUT I had that nagging question........ what if I get too attached. Your right I have to look at giving them a fresh start, a good foundation. My husband and I will be discussing the issue of fostering. Thank you for sharing all this information.

 

[ladyluck_t]

Teah, I think we are all in the same boat. I have noticed over the last year of so, the surrenders go up around spring break till mid summer then the adoptions pick up, there is the same cycle around christmas too. It's like people say: "we could do something cool if it wasnt for the dog, let's dump the dog" :( very sad.

Christine, You might try calling your local community college or even a vo-tech school and see if they have some students that would be interested in helping. Perhaps get the teachers to help you out. great practical experience for young learners.

Annette, Loosing the first foster is always the hardest, but you know, in my heart of hearts, I knew that every foster dog I worked with was not a "perfect" fit in my home. And when I see the joy on the new families eyes, it just fills me with warm fuzzies :D Fostering is kinda bittersweet, but they always remember you! And always seem to have a special kiss saved just for you! And it is so worth it then!

And let's not forget, there are many things that need doing in a rescue that dont include fostering! So if you are unable to foster, fear not, there are things that you can do. As noted above many rescues need help with webhosting and webpage building....There are loads of things!

 

[ladyluck_t]

Now that spring break is past, and it seems people are starting to realize how much a hinderance their dog is becoming. So when they start planning summer trips, the first thing in their to-do list is "Get rid of dog"

Every year between spring break and mid summer, and again right around the holidays; my best guess is that people start realizing how much trouble having a dog is and they start surrendering them, letting them run away, or just plain dumping them somewhere.

In addition, around those times adoptive homes decide to "wait" until their planned vacation is over before adopting a dog. Which is fine, at least they understand the restrictions of owning an animal.

So basically, these two "peak" times of the year, rescues get inundated with boxers and have very few potential adopters. Again, if you have time or space, volunteer with the rescue. I know with our rescue, our members are very supportive of each other and spend time "outside" of rescue together. It never hurts to have people who understand our wonderful breed as friends Call your local rescue, send them emails......we are overloaded and sometimes things slip through the cracks (especially non-priority things, i.e. things that are not life-death), keep pestering them. We need the help!