Michigan Pets: What is a Rescue? - Michigan Pets

After several calls & emails lately from misguided souls, I thought it might be helpful to let folks know what exactly a rescue IS... and along with that, what they are NOT. Here goes:

Most rescues are not run in a set facility. They are typically run by volunteers, in peoples' own personal homes, or thru a serious of foster homes (which again, are personal, private homes). This means they dont always have set visiting hours, and some dont allow visitors at all, but instead prefer to meet somewhere neutral, or bring the animal to you so they can observe it in the new surroundings.

Most rescues run entirely on donations gathered from their adoption fees, and some are assisted with funds raised thru selling pet-related items. I dont know a single rescue of any kind that makes a profit, and only a few that are lucky enough to break even on their expenses.

Almost all rescues take a loss when figuring their adoption fees. I know some can sound expensive at first, but when you figure in food, vet care, accessories (pet beds, bowls, leashes for dog/cat rescues - enclosures & heating sources for reptiles - cages, bedding, perches & ledges for birds & small furries) You really are getting your money's worth. And you'll know that money went to help other pets just as special as yours.

on that note - Rescues DO charge an adoption fee. I have been a bit surprised by the amount of people who think "rescue" means "free pets" over the past few years. A good ethical rescue will put alot of time & money into their animals, and only get a portion of that back thru adoption fees. What you pay for that animal, will help cover medical needs & daily expenses for the next rescued animal. What you spend on an adoption fee truly does "pay it forward" to help other pets in need.

Another note of what rescues are not:
Rescues are NOT pet stores, and do not simply sell animals because somebody has the money. Any good rescue will ask a series of questions about the adopter, how they'll house the pet, about the family, about the household in general, and anything specific to the species being adopted (caging, temps, diet, etc for exotics, and so forth).
This is nothing personal against you, the adopter. But rather just a way to be sure of matching the right pet with the right home. Its also a good way to catch misinformation that people may have about an animal, and help guide them in the right direction. I, for example, often get people who dont realize chinchillas need cool temps year round. It doesnt mean I wont adopt to that family, but I make sure they realize this needs to be addressed before a chinchilla can go home with them. Most of the time, people are grateful for the information, and still end up being a great home for one of my animals.

Lastly, as stated in my first comment - most rescues are run from someone's home. Their own personal home, with their family. As such, most are not a place where a person can just stop by unannounced. Just as you may have family events, birthday parties, night classes, doctor appointments, etc - the folks running the rescue have their own personal lives as well. Always call or email first, ask to make an appointment to meet with them, or if you can see the available animals. Then go from there. You'll both be much happier with the outcome, rather than just showing up out of the blue.



Others are welcome to add their own points of course. I hope this didnt come across as negative or being too blunt. That wasnt my intent at all. Instead, I think alot of people simply dont realize what a rescue is, or what they do, and have made incorrect assumptions that can cause some issues between themselves and the rescue they want to visit and/or adopt from. The purpose of my post is to help educate folks, so they can make better choices, and work with a rescue to find the right pet for their family.
~Barb~