What is an alternative(s) to taking a dog to animal shelter?

Question

My next door neighbor's house guest got a 6 month old puppy while he was visiting for the summer. When it was time to leave, he asked his parents if he could bring it home, and they said no (he didn't ask them for permission until he already got the pup). He lives in another state, and took the bus home so he could not take it with him and it would cost too much in gas for us to deliver the dog ourselves.

My neighbors don't want it, and didn't ask for it. They only let the guy keep it at their house because they assumed he got it approved by his parents before getting it. They tried to get rid of it for the last week, but it got parvo, so they was going to take it to the animal shelter, and just let them deal with it. Because it wasn't their pup to begin with, and they don't have the money to pay its VET bill.

I ended up taking it to the VET, and spending $60 for medicines and vaccinations. Now i'm trying to find it a home. I have not been asking for any money despite the $60 VET bill I paid. I've been offering it as FREE TO GOOD HOME. I've tried two different local classified sources in my area as well as posted a flyer on the bullient board at the post office.

it's been a week and a half, and no one has asked about the pup. Now I really hate to take it to the pound where it will probably end up being put to sleep if not claimed in x amount of days, but I cannot keep it. I was nice enough to pay the vet bill on an abandoned animal, and still offer it free to a good home so it would stay alive longer hoping someone would claim it. But in 2 days, it has to go somewhere... even if that somewhere is animal shelter where it will prob end up being put to sleep.

So I ask, is there any alternatives for abandoned dogs besides the animal shelter/control? Like a animal foster care program, etc..

Answer 1

Find a no-kill shelter. They're a MUCH better alternative than your normal run-of-the-mill shelters that destroy healthy dogs just because they're running out of space. Most of them also have fostering.



I also would never EVER advise to advertise a puppy "free to good home" under any circumstances. One - people will assume there's something wrong with it even after telling them the whole story. and two, it makes it very very easy for someone who may come across as a financially stable person with good intentions to come along and deceive the hell out of you for a free puppy. They MAY have good intentions, but a free dog? They'll take it without caring about needing vet costs, training costs, etc.



I would highly advise looking for a no-kill shelter and asking them if they have a fostering program. I know several foster owners of dogs, and a local no-kill shelter has a fostering program that's VERY well structured. A no-kill shelter is honestly probably your best bet right now, and a lot easier on the dog as they will be gentle on transition.



Edit: Might I suggest then, that you do NOT try to find the dog a home in your area then. If they cannot afford to pay for a dog and need to get one for free, they will NOT have the money to care for it properly. It doesn't matter if the breed is "popular" or not. By giving the dog to a poor family, you're setting the poor puppy up to fail. Vets cost thousands of dollars sometimes in ONE vet visit. There's emergencies where the dog will need at least ONCE in its lifetime that costs extra consultation fees alone. This dog needs to have a home that ISN'T so poor that can't afford a dog by any other means but having it given to them. If you need to help the no-kill shelter by finding it a home, look for families who can not only afford thousands of dollars in vet bills at a moment's notice...but would be able to purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder...then you will know the puppy is going to a place where the family can afford to take care of it long term. If a person can't even afford to purchase a puppy or dog in the first place, they can't afford a dog in the long-term. Harsh, but true. But yes, stick to a no-kill shelter. They will screen potential new owners for financial stability as well as putting the dog in the best place he/she can be.



And just for the record, I would much rather pay for a dog, personally...than be given one for free. ;) A lot more of my own personal worries would be soothed (just as long as the person selling isn't trying to make money from it) and also to ease the mind of the seller that I CAN afford to look after the dog. No matter what breed it is, if I fall in love with the dog, I'll pay for what it is worth.



Edited to add as well: I'm seeing a little bit of Jack Russell Terrier in the dog...and that's a fine breed. Maybe a tiny but of Corgi as well, but I can't tell. There's definitely Jack Russell there though.

Answer 2

It depends on where you live. If you can guess what breed he looks close to (I know it's likely a mix, that's ok) then usually there are rescues devoted to that breed. I would start there. There are also rescues that specifically take in puppies. There are shelters that have weekend programs - you drop your dog off on the weekend (the busiest adoption days) - hopefully it gets adopted, if not you take it home and foster it during the week again. But, these all depend on where you live and what is offered. You will have to call around to see what's out there - only some of it will be online. I would also keep posting those ads, use Craigslist (make sure you have awesome pictures). Good luck.

Answer 3

FREE TO A GOOD HOME is key for bait dogs and research dogs. You only offer a dog free to a good home if you know the people. Free to a good home is most likely worse than taking to the shelter.



Put the dog on Craig's list for $100 and you will find it a good home. Also you can do a search for animal rescue groups in your area. You didn't tell us where you live so I can't give details. But no mater Free to a good home is never a good idea.

Answer 4

You should never give a dog away. There are people that look for free dogs that then sell them to brokers for laboratories. Either sell the dog or take it to a no kill shelter, which most shelters are. If you take it to a county or city pound, then the dog will have a limited amount of time to be adopted or euthanized.

Answer 5

if you have a facebook or twitter account or any other social network type of thing, post a picture of the puppy online and dont forget to mention the pup is FREE . i see people do it ALL the time and they always get responses.make sure the people you give it to are good people and are responsible with the dog... you can also put the pup online, like on some websites like craigslist or something. Maybe give it to someone for their bday? like a family member? a nephew or niece or aunt or any other family members? And you didnt discuss this in ur question but... why dont u keep the dog? I mean if nobody is interested and you dont want it to get killed....? Im sure you have a good reason why but i did not see one listed sooo...yeah. hope this helped(:

Answer 6

see if there is a city close to you that does craigslist google craigslist cities look for your state and se if there is a city close to you follow the directions to posting an add you may lose your vet bill but if you don want the pup put to sleep that may be wat you have to do hope the puppy finds a good home good luck