How to Rescue a Bichon
The Bichon is a small dog that makes an excellent companion. These little white balls of fluff have loving and loyal personalities. Bichons are great family dogs. They are happy, sweet and easygoing. Bichons are popular pets--so, sadly, many need to be rescued. Adopting a Bichon in need will bring many rewards to your family.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Educate yourself about Bichons. Before rescuing or adopting one, find out whether a Bichon is the right breed for your family. Get a good book about Bichons from your local library. Ask a friend if you can borrow her Bichon for a day. Better yet, consider fostering a Bichon for a shelter or rescue group. You may discover that this is just the right dog for your family.
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Contact pet-care professionals. Veterinarians, groomers and kennel operators often find out from their clients about dogs that need homes. Let it be known that you are looking for a Bichon to rescue. Tell what age range you're interested in and what health problems you're willing to take on.
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Search Petfinder.com, Pets911 and AdoptaPet.com for the right Bichon. These websites maintain pages for shelters and rescue groups throughout the country. If you find a Bichon that interests you, be sure to read the instructions. If the shelter or rescue group requires you to complete an online application, do so before you contact the group with requests for appointments. Be prepared to provide references from neighbors and a veterinarian. There will be at least one interview and possibly a home visit.
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Visit your local animal shelter. About 25 percent of the dogs in animal shelters are purebred. If you adopt a dog from an animal shelter, you are saving a life. Busy animal shelters will not provide the information about a dog that a rescue group can. For example, most shelters will not know whether the dog is house-trained or good with children or other pets. Trust your judgment when evaluating the dog, but remember that the shelter environment is overwhelming to the animals. The adopted dog may not reveal his true personality until a few weeks after he arrives at his new home.
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Consult a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders take back their dogs. Breeders retire dogs and adopt them as pets. Good breeders also rescue dogs in need of homes. A breeder may know of a Bichon in need that would make a good match for your family.
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Tips & Warnings
Take time when adopting a dog. A dog can live up to 18 years, so rescuing one is a commitment.
Take your new dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible for a complete checkup.
Be very wary of craigslist ads. Some ads are scams that ask for money to ship dogs from overseas. Never wire money to anyone in response to an Internet ad.
Take someone with you when visiting dogs. Do not go to someone's home by yourself. Always let people know where you are going.
