Border Collie Rescue Help

How you can Help

"..Border Collies are in need of Rescue.."

More and more Border Collies are in need of Rescue each year and there are more dogs available for placement than there are loving homes to place them in.

Providing a permanent Home

If you were thinking of getting a Border Collie, why not consider a grown Rescue dog? Many make loving and loyal companions; some are excellent working dogs; others can be suitable candidates for sports and competition, such as Obedience, Agility, Flyball, or Frisbee; as long as you understand and can meet their needs for attention and exercise. Your local Border Collie Rescue representative can match you up with a dog. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire to determine if a Border Collie is right for you.

Providing a Foster Home

If a dog can't be left in its original home until a new, permanent home is found, a temporary home is needed until it can be placed. It is one of the most pressing needs in Rescue, and can be a rewarding experience for the person or family fulfilling the need. Our questionnaire will help to determine if you can adequately provide foster care and the type of care you are willing to provide.

Becoming a Rescue Person

If you know the breed but are not already involved with Border Collie Rescue, now may be the time to get involved. Volunteers are needed to rescue and place dogs of course, but you can also help in a number of other ways. From answering the phone and writing letters, to passing out informational pamphlets at events.

First, contact NABCRN and find out if there are others doing Border Collie Rescue in your area. You may wish to join forces with them.

Then, decide what services you can provide. You may have the room, time and energy for your own dog, but not for others. In that case, you would not wish to provide even temporary housing for a Rescue dog. Even if you have the space, you may feel you cannot adequately provide housing for dogs other than your own. In that case, consider acting purely as a referral service.

Referral Volunteers will either refer calls to other Rescue people in their area or farther afield (NABCRN has a list). Or they match up dogs and people over the phone by referring someone wishing to place a dog to someone who wants one (or vice versa).

You may keep a list of foster homes that can house dogs temporarily, or you may be able to perform that service yourself. Decide if you are going to investigate foster homes to determine if they are adequate (NABCRN has a questionnaire you may use), or take the word of the person volunteering this service.

If you are unable to house dogs yourself or find foster homes for them, another alternative is to convince local shelters to hold dogs as long as necessary while you look for homes.

If you are not sure what services you can provide, contact NABCRN and we will help you decide. No one way is THE way. Finding homes for Border Collies that need them is of the utmost importance and any effort in that direction is commendable.

Raising Your Flag

A good relationship with local shelters and veterinarians' offices is essential. Contact them and let them know that you are a local Border Collie Rescue person. Ask them to contact you if a Border Collie comes into their shelter. You must convince them that you are conscientious in your effort to find homes. It may be in their interest, as well, to have you be the one making this effort rather than having to do it themselves. Point this out to them. Be sure they understand that you do Border Collie Rescue. NABCRN has notices you can post in shelters and vets' offices which describe the breed or call for homes, and give your phone number. You may also want to attend local dog events, or contact local trainers, dog clubs, etc., and pass out information. NABCRN can provide you with pamphlets to distribute.

Making Sure Placed Dogs stay Placed

Asking questions of potential owners and of people giving up their dogs for adoption is essential to a good match. Many Rescue people require that potential owners fill out a questionnaire. NABCRN can provide you with such a questionnaire if you decide to use one. If you consider this extreme, keep in mind that a dog placed properly will not bounce around from pillar to post. If you prefer to just interview the potential owner, you may want to have the questionnaire available to help you ask appropriate questions. Dogs should not be placed in homes without at least some background check being conducted, even if it is only to find out what sort of dog the person is looking for.

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