Shortly after the story of Lisa AtterbyB次元官网网址檚 efforts to rescue cocker spaniels was featured in the B次元官网网址, she had to turn down a prospective buyer. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 that Atterby didnB次元官网网址檛 have animals in need of homes. The problem for Atterby was that the dog was being bought to give away as a Christmas present.
B次元官网网址淒ogs are a commitment for 12 to 15 years,B次元官网网址� Atterby said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not anything that should ever be given on an impulse. If your mother-in-law wants a dog then she should be the one to apply.B次元官网网址�
At Petcetera in Tillicum Centre, where an animal rescue adoption service has been available since July, the rate of adoptions have doubled in the last two weeks as Christmas nears.
B次元官网网址淭here arenB次元官网网址檛 really too many requirements that we set,B次元官网网址� said manager at large Rachel Davis. B次元官网网址淏ut if we donB次元官网网址檛 feel comfortable adopting out, we will say no.B次元官网网址�
For a flat $400 fee, Petcetera re-homes abandoned, confiscated or stray dogs from Las Vegas, which come to Saanich via a company called Foreclosed Upon Pets Inc.
But itB次元官网网址檚 not always so straightforward for some animal lovers hoping to make a difference in a dogB次元官网网址檚 life. Which is why itB次元官网网址檚 important to look into who youB次元官网网址檙e buying from when considering the trendy notion of rescuing a pet.
B次元官网网址淭here are definitely people out there who are just interested in making some finances off of animals, letB次元官网网址檚 be honest,B次元官网网址� said Saanich pound officer Derek Rees, noting that are complications caused because there is no limit on the number of dogs that can legally be imported into Canada.
In the summer, Rees encountered a woman who had imported 15 dogs from Mexico to be sold in Saanich.
B次元官网网址�(She) believed she was doing the right thing at the time,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 bumped into her when she had a total of 20 dogs in her van.B次元官网网址�
Penny Stone, branch manager of the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, agrees that some independent dog importers are not capable of caring for the animals they import, despite their intentions.
B次元官网网址淭here are some really good reputable breed rescues out there, but there are also the people who arenB次元官网网址檛 quite prepared,B次元官网网址� she said.
While not a huge issue, Stone said, several times per year, the branch receives rescued dogs that have been surrendered by their ill-prepared importers. She suggests prospective owners do some research, including contact the SPCA, to learn more about an individual or organization rescuing animals.
nnorth@saanichnews.com
Healthy dogs, up for adoption at Saanich veterinary service
Pound officer Derek Reese regularly receives complaints from dog owners in Saanich. Many are concerned that required medical certification to bring dogs into Canada is given too freely and that sick dogs may infect local animals with communicable diseases.
B次元官网网址淭hey really donB次元官网网址檛 present any health risk to local dogs,B次元官网网址� said veterinarian Malcolm Macartney, owner of McKenzie Veterinary Services.
Macartney, who works alongside Mexican vets in spay and neuter clinics, does not see any issue with the certification process.
B次元官网网址淢ost people vaccinate their pets and vaccines do work.B次元官网网址�
Macartney has four small street dogs he rescued from Mexico on Nov. 21 available for adoption through McKenzie Veterinary Services. The fee to adopt the dogs is $250 and more information, including photos of the animals, is available at www.mckvets.com.
