When Rescue Goes Wrong

Do you realize how much you can do with $10,000? How many vet bills, how much dog food, how far $10,000 can go benefitting other dogs who truly need help? I don't know what this woman's agenda is. Following this story has made me absolutely sick to my stomach. I just can't believe how far she will go to ensure a dog doesn't get back home. She seems to have a good amount of supporters, and I imagine that is where the money is coming from. I just pray they come to their senses and realize how insane the situation is. There are other rescues out there doing good that deserve support and financial assistance, but COSR is not one of them.

It isn't 10,000 she put up. It was probably only 10% of that. But still...she is having auctions to support her efforts. As a result of some comments made by another rescue in support of her I won't be supporting them :(
 
After reading about these two Houston area rescue stories, (coupled with Piper's story and others detailed here), I will NEVER - EVER consider getting a dog from a rescue. I know that there are many, MANY good rescue organizatios and rescue workers, but (to me) the potential downsides are far to great. IMO, the problem is that there are few (perhaps no) legal protections written to stop a rogue organization from doing a "snatch and grab" on your pet. As a result, the rightful owner is left with few options ( some illegal the rest costly).

I recognize that these horror stories do not START with the rescue organizations, but potential problems arising AT that point are undeniable. I could never rid myself of the possibility that on the other side of my joy of finding my companion COULD be a grieving family mourning the loss of a family member wrenched unfairly from their grasp.
 
After reading about these two Houston area rescue stories, (coupled with Piper's story and others detailed here), I will NEVER - EVER consider getting a dog from a rescue. I know that there are many, MANY good rescue organizatios and rescue workers, but (to me) the potential downsides are far to great. IMO, the problem is that there are few (perhaps no) legal protections written to stop a rogue organization from doing a "snatch and grab" on your pet. As a result, the rightful owner is left with few options ( some illegal the rest costly).

I recognize that these horror stories do not START with the rescue organizations, but potential problems arising AT that point are undeniable. I could never rid myself of the possibility that on the other side of my joy of finding my companion COULD be a grieving family mourning the loss of a family member wrenched unfairly from their grasp.


I am concerned as you are... However, many rescue dogs are given up by their owners who may not have the financial resources to care for them. Also, many rescue dogs have had their owner pass away. What about puppy mill survivors? What about the 61 shelties in California that were neglected by their breeder?

I am not sure I could ever turn my back on rescues... Like with everything in life there is good and bad. We need to decide to help where we can on those good rescue organizations!

Just my 2 cents...
 
I already had a rotten taste in my mouth after trying to deal with a cat rescue... stories like this aren't.

at the very least Piper needs to be held by a neutral third party until the judge makes the final ruling... seems to me he's already done so, I don't understand why the bond was even a possibility.
 
After reading about these two Houston area rescue stories, (coupled with Piper's story and others detailed here), I will NEVER - EVER consider getting a dog from a rescue. I know that there are many, MANY good rescue organizatios and rescue workers, but (to me) the potential downsides are far to great. IMO, the problem is that there are few (perhaps no) legal protections written to stop a rogue organization from doing a "snatch and grab" on your pet. As a result, the rightful owner is left with few options ( some illegal the rest costly).

I recognize that these horror stories do not START with the rescue organizations, but potential problems arising AT that point are undeniable. I could never rid myself of the possibility that on the other side of my joy of finding my companion COULD be a grieving family mourning the loss of a family member wrenched unfairly from their grasp.

You are entitled to your option, but I don't think that is what we need to take away from Piper's saga. Just because there are a few bad apples doesn't mean we need to stop supporting the GOOD rescues. There are many people on this forum who rescue, and while I can't speak for them, I imagine they are just as appalled at this situation as we are. They still need our support, and it's not fair to group them with rescues like COSR.
 
I fully understand that there are OUTSTANING rescues/rescue workers. I definately recognize the need for animals to be rescued. However, I could NOT, in good faith support an organization that COULD so easily wreak havoc in the lives of rightful owners. I don't say that they WILL do so, but they COULD. As such, unless the rescue could provide 100% assurance that no such skulldugery had taken place, I would not do business with them. God bless all rescuers trying to do good work, but without a more definitive method of telling good from bad, I'll avoid dealing with them.
 
At the very least you would expect that the court would want proof that this dog is still alive. It is micro chipped so the courts could and should demand it be brought to a vet of the court's choice for scanning. I am a member of rescue and I can tell you that I would be on the coordinators case if she tried to pull this. I would be worried about being sued by the rightful owners by being named as part of the organization. There is something fishy for sure. I believe something has happened to this dog. Until I see proof that it is alive and well, I am going to believe the worst. The only other scenario that I can wrap my head around is that this person believes that Piper came from an abusive situation. It doesn't sound like it and I'm not suggesting that this is the case. Keep in mind that some of the California 61 were sent by breeders to that 92 year old woman. She was a breeder and a judge if memory serves. Didn't protect those dogs at all. Let me remind you that I too was a breeder for more than 30 years so believe me when I say that I am not bashing anyone that breeds dogs.
Don't give up on rescues PLEASE. While there can always be a bad apple, I can assure you that we want, more than anything, for each dog that comes to us to be free to be placed in a loving and caring home. I continue to watch for any updates.
 
You are entitled to your option, but I don't think that is what we need to take away from Piper's saga. Just because there are a few bad apples doesn't mean we need to stop supporting the GOOD rescues...

I think if you read my comments more carefully, you will note that I said that, "I would never - ever GET a companion from a shelter". I will concede that there are indeed very good shelters out there. I will never (likely) GET a dog from them with the POTENTIAL problems due to what seems to be a tremendous lack of oversight. There MAY be some that I may choose to support financially.
 
I have to say if you really choose from your shelter as carefully as you choose from your breeder, things will come out OK.

I do know the histories of two of my Aussies -- owner turn in because she was aggressive towards visiting children and owner's kid's turn in because owner went into a care home.

Quay was a stray. I always thought someone might miss him. Melli, well, she's about as close to Piper's situation as possible. Whether the same or not is anybody's guess.

Why did I get a breeder pup? Because I wanted a little one started out well from the get go, genetic wise, early health care wise, handling and socialization wise.

Would I go to a shelter again? Yep. Would I go to a breeder again? Yep. Would I take more time to discover things about both first? Yep. That's just me, though.

However, I agreed wholeheartedly the press on all these situations is going to cost lives.
 
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