The Trinity and our Hopes
About Rescue
What Rescue Is
Rescue is about providing assistance to dogs that are in danger of being euthanized in shelters or veterinary clinics. Rescue is not about providing assistance because those who have purchased dogs no longer wish to honour their commitments to be responsible for the dog for its life. If the dog is registered, the first contact in such situations should be the dog's breeder. If the breeder is unable to assist, then the owner should first make sure the dog is:
- sterilized (there are far too many unwanted pets in the world already),
- up-to-date on vaccinations,
- clean (this means groomed and free of fleas),
- of sound temperament, and
- free of behavioural problems.
If the dog is all of the above, be honest with yourself as to why you no longer want a dog. Most people work full time and most people do not have enough time in their lives to do the things they'd like. Dogs do not wear wristwatches. They do not count time as humans do.
If you cannot keep the dog because of financial difficulties or other real
reasons, not just that you no longer want to be tied down to the responsibility
required when one shares ones life with a dog, then you should contact area
veterinary clinics, groomers, dog trainers, and boarding kennels to inquire
about advertising the dog. To get an idea of the questions one should ask a
perspective home read the application form (PDF) 
.
Once a potential home is identified, the current owner should make arrangements
to visit the home and meet the family. When placing the dog, an agreement should
be signed whereby should the new owners not be able to keep the dog, the dog is
returned to the original family. Statistically, 60% of dogs that are given away,
end up being given away again within 6 months.
If, after several months of trying, you have not been successful in finding a new home for your dog, then you may consider contacting rescue. Be prepared, however, for rescue to tell you that it will several weeks or months before space is available for your dog, rescue's first commitment is to dogs in danger of being euthanized, not to make your life easier. Rescue is an unpaid, volunteer activity. All dogs that enter foster care require food. All dogs that enter foster care require attention and time. Most require veterinary care and training. Food, veterinary care, and training, as well as toys, bedding, crates, leashes, collars and treats, all cost money. The adoption donations received when dogs are placed do not cover these costs.
When surrendering a dog to a rescue group, be prepared to surrender the dog with either a financial donation (to board a dog costs $15-25 per day, if rescue has no room and is left with only the option to board your dog, be prepared to provide cash or a money order to cover at least 3 months of boarding), or all of its equipment and food, or both. Do not think that "giving" your unwanted, unruly dog to rescue is viewed as gift. Most people involved in rescue have their own dogs, families, and work full-time besides caring for your unwanted dog. Most people involved in rescue do not go on holidays, own second homes where they spend relaxing weekends, or drive fancy cars. Instead, their money often is spent on other peoples' unwanted pets.
Length of Time In Foster Care
How long the dog requires to be in foster care depends on the dog's needs. All of our dogs are in foster care for at least three weeks prior to making a decision about the type of home required. Most of our dogs stay in foster care for 6-8 weeks prior to placement. Many of our dogs are in foster care for a longer period of time as we have a tria-adoption contract that allows our local adopters to foster the dog with the potential to adopt the dog. We see this as win-win situation for the family and for the dog. Adopting a dog is a long-term commitment. Adopting a rescued Giant involves dedication of time, love and energy. We want to ensure that our adopters understand this commitment before signing our adoption agreement.We also will place our special-needs dogs on a long-term foster or perma-foster agreement. This means that Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue is there to help should the adopters during the lifetime of the dog.
Fostering Inquiries
We welcome inquiries about fostering one of our dogs. Fostering is a critical part of our program. We can never have too many foster homes as we try to match the dog's needs to the foster home. While in foster care, we take care of the veterinary expenses, provide a crate, bedding, toys, leash, collars, dishes, food and treats. We also provide information on training and grooming. All that we ask of each foster home is to provide a safe, caring environment for the dog and adhere to the fostering guidelines with respect to leash walking and crate training. To inquire about fostering, please e-mail us for a foster application.Rescue's Commitment
We are committed to each of THDR's dogs for the rest of its natural life. We will take a dog back at any time, for any reason. We do not want our dogs being dumped at a shelter. We are committed to helping the adopters overcome any obedience problems. We want to stay in touch.We are also committed to reducing pet overpopulation and educating the general public on responsible pet ownership. All dogs over 4 months of age are altered prior to placement. It is for this reason that we do not place puppies.
Commitment Required
We require our adoptive homes make a commitment to care for the dog for the remainder of its life. To adequately care for a rescued dog, we do require that the adoptive home provide a securely-fenced exercise area. We do not encourage rescued dogs to be allowed off leash except in a securely-fenced area. We do not place dogs in situations that are similar to those from which they came. We do not place outside dogs. We have yet to meet a lawn ornament that doesn't prefer life on the inside. Dogs are not space intensive, they are time intensive. They need to be with people who can spend time with them and provide a stimulating environment.Because most of our rescued Giants arrive from less-than-ideal situations, we also require previous breed experience, an ongoing commitment to training and socialization, and homes with children over the age of 10 years. A preference is given to potential homes in the Ottawa, Ontario region.
In addition, adopters are required to register the dog according to municipal by-laws, maintain its vaccinations, provide annual heartworm prevention, and to touch base with a Trinity Of Hope Dog Rescue representative on a regular basis. We encourage adopters to consider pet insurance for the first 2 years following placement of a rescued dog in the home.
Application Process
Adoption applicants are carefully screened. This process begins with anadoption application (PDF)
. This is followed by a telephone interview, personal and vet reference checks and finally a home study. Only after
completing all these steps is a decision reached about placing a dog in
a potential home. It is at this point that the potential adopter
meets the dog. We reserve the right not to approve an adoption if our criteria
are not met.
Because we handle a small number of dogs each year, we can wait to find the perfect home for each and every one ofthe dogs we place. All dogs are microchipped and the microchip remains in our name. An adoption contract is used and adopters are asked to make a donation to offset the vet costs associated with the dog.
In addition, all adopters must enroll the adopted dog in a basic obedience course, so that we may monitor post-adoption progress. We believe in providing post-adoption followup support and want to be informed of any problems the adopter is having integrating the dog into the new home.
Trial Placement Policy
We often place dogs on a three-week trial basis. This is the "foster with the potential to adopt" arrangement. This allows the family, and us, to see if a particular dog will work for that family. This is done in cases where there is another dog in the household or if the family is thinking about getting a dog but hasn't ever had a dog. Dogs require a lot of time and attention. Until a dog is in the home, it is only an academic discussion as to how much time is needed. Many people are looking for the dog of their childhood. That dog doesn't exist because the parents put the time and work into the dog. Training is not accomplished in 8 weeks. It is an ongoing process.Adoption Inquiries
We welcome inquiries about adopting one of our available dogs or to apply for a dog that might become available in the future. We prefer that you complete an application form
and send it back via fax. If you prefer
to have the application sent by snail mail, there is a non-refundable $10
handling fee when you return the application.We do require 2 personal references, a vet reference and willingness to allow a THDR volunteer to visit your home.
Many people think rescued dogs are free. They are not. If onecannot afford to make a donation to help fund the next rescue dog, one cannot afford the real costs associated with rescuing or owning a dog.
Please do not ask us about adopting one of our rescued adult Giants if you do not meet the following criteria:
- A securely-fenced exercise area (preferably a backyard of sufficient size) or a willingness to install fencing;
- Children over the age of 10 yrs of age.
- Dog is to live indoors as a family companion.
- Experience training an adult dog.
- Willingness to continue the socialization activities we've started.
- Your exisitng pets must be neutered or spayed and current on vaccinations.
- Willingness to work with us during the integration period.
If you think we are too picky, remember we are the dogs' advocates...not yours. If you can say yes to the above criteria, and would like to begin the adoption process, please e-mail us.
