I agree with Erin here, education and resources are key. I LOVE EBT's, however they do require a special consideration when adopting or fostering. I absolutely love having follow ups, I might even consider doing follow ups months down the line. What about pre adoption education and bonding type sessions between adopter and dog? I know this may raise the cost of adoption, but could potentially help reduce return rate.
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Rebecca Flowers
Founder
BlueFeather Horse Sanctuary
NV
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2024 06:52 AM
From: Erin Dams
Subject: Breed Spefic aggression and high return rates due to it
I'm sorry you're having a hard time finding fosters and adopters. I think education might be key here; if a dog is getting labeled aggressive, there's typically something triggering them and they typically are going to give warning signs before the "aggressive" action takes place. So if folks are better prepared to recognize those signs, they might be better prepared to avoid a dangerous situation where a strong dog could lash out.
A couple thoughts that I hope might be useful:
- We really love the Fear Free Pets program and use a lot of their resources - both for staff/volunteers/fosters in the shelter and adopters at home.
- Do you do follow-up calls after adoption? We have 3 day, 3 week, and 3 month followups with our adopters, and often have chances to "catch" issues before they turn into returns because of that!
- Could you partner with a local dog trainer to offer options to your adopters? We are pretty lucky to have a bequest fund for training specifically and we have many dogs we send home with training already planned. If an adopter calls about training issues post-adoption, we can also still add them to that program!
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Erin Dams
Community Relations Coordinator
Roanoke Valley SPCA
Roanoke VA
Original Message:
Sent: 08-31-2024 11:26 AM
From: Denise Goodman
Subject: Breed Spefic aggression and high return rates due to it
I voluenteur for a breed specific rescue.....Bull Terriers. The rescue is located in a community of approximately 25% seniors and 15% vacation homes. These dogs are 35 to 60 pounds of all muscle and are pulled from shelters within a 200 mile radius. They have an over 80% euthanasian rate in shelters due to their actual and impplied aggression (they are in the Pit Bull family) This rescue is understaffed and over populated. The population of dogs continues to grows due to their low adoption rate and 50% return rate. Finding fosters is hard due to their aggression. What can be done to chaange the statistics for this rescue and the Bull Terriers it services.?
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
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Denise Goodman
voluenteur
CaPaws Rescue and Riversidectyanimalshelter TP
CA
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