Frequently Asked Questions  

I found a stray but cannot keep it or have to give up my own pet.  Can Rose’s Rescue take him or her?

While we occasionally might be able to take in a stray that someone finds or an owner’s own pet, we usually do not have available space.  However, if you would be willing to keep the dog (or cat) until a home can be found, we can list him or her for you on our Petfinder website.  For strays, we suggest running an ad in the meantime in the lost and found section of your local newspaper (this is usually a free service) and even on Craig’s List to try to locate the pet’s owner.   See our "Pets You Can't Keep" page for more information.

Where is Rose’s Rescue?  Can I come and visit to see the dogs?

Because our rescues are in foster homes, it’s not feasible for people to “drop by” to see the dogs.  We also have a screening process that all adopters must go through before meeting any of our adoptables.  Therefore, those interested must first fill out an adoption application before meeting the pets they are interested in at their foster homes.  You may check our home page to see if there are any upcoming adoption events where we might have some of our available pets making an appearance for the general public to meet.

Where do you get your dogs?

Most of the dogs we rescue come from local pounds.  We occasionally take in those who have been surrendered to us by their owners who can no longer care for them, though we don’t often have the space to be able to do this on a regular basis.  Wherever they come from, all of our dogs are assessed prior to coming to our rescue to insure that they have a good temperament and have the potential for becoming someone’s lifelong companion and an integral part of most any family.

What is involved with fostering?

Rose’s Rescue could not exist without the homes provided by our foster families.  We take care of any supplies (including food) and vet care plus offer all the support you might need in training and integrating a new foster pet into your household.  For more information about fostering as well as other types of volunteer opportunities with Rose’s Rescue, click here.

Your adoption application contains some very detailed information.  Isn’t the fact that I love a dog and want to give it a good home enough?

First of all, the information gathered from the adoption application helps us to determine whether or not the dog or cat you are interested in will be a good fit for your household and general lifestyle.  Oftentimes people fall in love with a dog’s appearance but do not take into consideration that particular dog’s personality traits and habits.  For instance, some dogs are fine with an owner who works longer hours while others need someone to be home a greater part of the day.  Other dogs are very energetic and require much more exercise and stimulation and would not be good for a less active person.  Some dog tend to be “runners” and would be best with a fenced yard.  We know our dogs and it’s our job to find them a home where both pet and owner will be truly happy for the life of the pet. 

Secondly, many of the dogs we rescue have not been well-cared for in their previous homes.  Some have even been infected with heartworm and must undergo extensive and costly treatment to bring them back to good health before we can put them up for adoption.  It is our responsibility to them to insure to the best of our ability that they will only go to a new home where they will receive better care (including annual veterinary visits) than in the past.  Not every pet is lucky enough to get another chance, and we want to make sure that our rescues receive a better life the second time around.

Why do you charge an adoption fee?  What does that money go to?

The largest part of our budget goes to veterinary care - mostly spaying and neutering and also heartworm preventative care.  In addition, some dogs require surgery; those with heartworm require treatment for that disease.  The adoption fees do not nearly cover even these expenses, and we would not be able to continue without the extra support that we receive through the generous donations of friends and supporters of our rescue.

Why is heartworm preventative so important?

Heartworm is a deadly disease that is becoming more and more prevalent with each passing season.  A simple mosquito bite can infect a dog that is not on a preventative treatment.  Infected dogs can be treated, but treatment is costly to the owner, and challenging to go through for everyone involved.  While undergoing treatment for heatworm infestation, the dog must be kept quiet and not be allowed to run around, jump, or participate in any kind of active play.  During this time, heatworms that have been killed by the treatment but not yet broken down can break free into the bloodstream and cause a blockage (similar to a blood clot) if the heart rate becomes elevated.  This can be fatal to the dog.  Treatment usually involves painful injections to the deep muscles of the dog's hip, followed by an oral medication about a month later.  Total treatment time can vary with each case, depending on how advanced the infestation is, but usually lasts about two months.  Dogs can then resume normal activity levels at that time.  Click here to learn even more about heartworm.

Why is spaying and neutering so important?

Spaying and neutering your pet is important for several reasons – it can help control the pet overpopulation, prevent some diseases in both dogs and cats, and also make your pet less likely to run away.  

For more information, including some low-cost ways to get your pet fixed, see our page on spaying and neutering.