6A the university daily kansan
news
wednesday,october 1,2003
DOG: Internet plays important part in national pet rescue services
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
"We call him our 'Insta-dog,'" Tracy said, laughing. "We were spoiled because we got a dog that was already trained."
Nash adjusted quickly to life with the family. The McMillans said taking Nash for walks had helped them meet people in their new neighborhood and in the Lawrence community.
"We feel part of the Boxer rescue family as a result of our experience." Greg said.
Nash's exact history is unknown. Gregsaid he suspected Nash had been a stud dog for a breeder, meaning his only purpose was to impregnate female Boxers.
The Lawrence Humane Society often relies on rescue groups to find homes for dogs. When a
dog arrives at the shelter, Midge Grinstead, director of the shelter, calls rescue groups for help depending on the dog's breed. She refers 200 to 300 dogs a year that way.
Phillips said although she enjoyed saving Boxers,it was more important that all the dogs found homes.
"I wish we didn't have to exist." Phillips said. "Unfortunately, breed rescue groups exist because of the throwaway nature of our society."
The Internet has played an important part in the success of rescue groups. Web sites like petfinder.com help to establish a nation-wide network for groups and potential adopters.
"The Web is our main contact line," said Carol Powell, MO/KAN Kansas City area coordinator. "It lets us monitor the four states in our area."
Sue Mohr, Lawrence coordinator for Internet Miniature Pinscher Service, was surfing the Internet for articles about Miniature Pinchers in June 1999 when she came across the rescue site. She has been involved ever since.
KitLeffler/Kansan
Because the three rescue groups do not have a main facility like an animal shelter, they rely on foster parents to train and house the dogs. It is the foster parent's job to make that animal into a pet. Each rescue group said college students could be foster parents because it does not require a long-term commitment. Students could also volunteer to transport dogs.
Nash, Tracy and Greg McMillan's new dog, played with a dental bone Sept. 23. The McMillan's chose Nash because he was mature and got along well with cats.
Rescue groups frequently get dogs from puppy mills where they are bred to sell. These animals are often abused and ill. According to Phillips, Missouri and Kansas are ranked first and second for the number of puppy mills. Brokers buy puppies by the lot, usually $250 for a litter of five. By the time that litter reaches the East Coast of the United States, the broker could make $1,400 per dog.
"These people don't see the animals as pets," she said. "They are just a commodity to them."
Dogs rescued from puppy mills can be timid and are hardly ever housebroken. Even common sounds like the telephone and television are unfamiliar.
Mary Margaret Simpson, a MO/KAN volunteer, is fostering Quemby, a former breeder dog. The breeder did not allow enough time between litters of puppies for Quemby's body to return to normal. Based on the condition of Quemby's nipples, Phillips estimated the dog could have had as many as eight litters in five years.
Internet Miniature Pinscher Service of Lawrence sees its share of puppy milk victims, too. Mohr has a dog in foster care that came from a mill. The dog had a skin infection, causing her to bite and scratch herself until there were open, bleeding sores and hair loss.
MO/KAN Boxer Rescue,
Internet Miniature Pincher Services and Keeshond Lovers United are all located in Douglas County.
Keeshond Lovers United was formed in 1996 by Kris Fancher and two rescuers in the Kansas City metro area. The membership now includes more than 200 adopters, owners and volunteers. The group covers Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma and part of Arkansas.
In 2002, it placed 23 dogs in homes. So far this year, it has found homes for 20 dogs. There is currently one foster home operating in Lawrence.
The Internet Miniature Pinscher Service, Inc. was formed in July 1998. Mohr got involved after a KU professor who was a long-time friend, died of pancreatic cancer.
Mohr estimated she had placed between 50 to 100 Miniature Pinchers in homes since she began. Mohr oversees Pinscher adoption throughout the Midwest.
"The most rewarding thing is successfully placing a dog in its forever home," she said.
Fran Davidson started a forerunner of MO/KAN Boxer Rescue 25 years ago in Kansas City, Mo. In 1999, she handed over the reins to Liz Phillips and Joyce Peckham of Merriden.
The two decided they didn't want to quit their jobs to start a kennel so they formed MO/KAN. Today they work with the Kansas City-area coordinators to combine efforts.
In 1999, the group found homes for 20 to 25 dogs. This year alone, they have had 50 dogs placed in permanent or foster homes. The coordinators said MO/KAN was unique because unlike the Humane Society, they weren't government-run. They could make their own rules.
Adopters must sign a contract, naming MO/KAN rescue as part owner of the dog. If the adopter ever failed in his or her duties to provide for the dog, Phillips has the power to seize the animal.
"These dogs are already rescued," Peckham said. "What they need is a home."
— Edited by Katie Nelson
Sue Joy, Lawrence resident and Internet Miniature Pincher Service representative, played with her dogs at her home. The Internet Miniature Pincher Service was formed in 1998 in order to find safe homes for dogs.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
"There is so much people can do if they can't foster," said Trish Noon, Kansas City area coordinator for MO/KAN Boxer Rescue. She gave the following ideas:
Hold fundraisers for rescue groups
Volunteer to walk dogs and pet cats at the Lawrence Humane Society, 843-6835.
Donate supplies to the Lawrence Humane Society.
Ideas are on
www.community.lawrence.com
humanesociety.
Take your pet to a veterinarian to be spaved or neutered.
Contact rescue groups to see if you have the potential to be a foster parent. Good foster homes are always needed Rescue groups usually foot the bills, pay for medical bills and pay some food costs.
Volunteer to transport dogs for rescue groups.
Adopt a senior pet. They are often already house trained.
What can college students do before buying a pet?
Consider how much time you have to spend with a pet.
Think ahead. Shelters fill up in May and December. Many rental agencies do not accept pets. Moving to a place that doesn't accept pets is the No. 1 reason people give when putting pets up for adoption.
- Don't buy a dog just because it is cute. All dogs were bred to do different things. Consider your needs, space, financial status and lifestyle.
Additional Resources:
Internet Miniature Pinscher
Service: www.minpinrescue.org
Midwest Boxer Rescues:
www.midwestboxerrescues.com
Keechond Lovers United:
www.keeshondlovers.com
Petfinder: www.petfinder.com
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