Your Questions About Dog’s Life Rescue

what is the difference between adopting a dog or rescuing one?

well i compared buying a dog from a store and adopting a dog and i saw that adopting one would be better. I’ve heard that you can rescue a dog too. i got mixed up, are they both the same meaning? if they aren’t, then which is better?

Do shelters have a “Do Not Adopt” list that they share with other shelters?

I’m a life-long dog lover and long-time dog owner who recently adopted a dog from a pet rescue shelter, following the passing of my last dog at an old age, and I now want to become involved with dog rescue myself as a ‘foster parent.’ I have great respect for rescue shelters and the people who are involved with them, whom I have found to be extremely loving, dedicated individuals who sincerely want to help animals in need, as do I. But yesterday I got in an argument with a woman who runs a shelter who was involved with my adoption of my last dog, and today I got a very ugly, accusing email letter from her telling me, among other things, that she has had my name put on “The DNA (do not adopt) list.”

I’m very upset about this, as I very seriously want to help the cause of animal rescue by becoming a dog fosterer. In addition, I might well be adopting another dog in the near future.

What is both ironic and sad is that we can provide a rescued dog with a great deal of love, attention, and care because we are home during the day, my husband jogs 5 miles a day with our dog(s), we even enlist the help of a dog trainer (positive reinforcement method). Our dogs are our children, and they are happy in our home–our friends and neighbors and veterinarian will attest to that. This woman is not doing ‘rescued dogs’ any favors by putting us on a “Do Not Adopt” list.

So is it true that shelters have a “Do Not Adopt List” which they share with other shelters? If so, what can I do about it to clear my name?
Hi Alisha,

Thanks for asking. It is an extremely long story, too long to get into. Otherwise I would tell you.

How could me and my dog become a K-9 search and rescue team?

This is a job that seems extremely fun and something I could do for the rest of my life. My golden retriever has a nose like I have never seen. I just don’t know what training me and him would need and/or certifications.