| SECOND-CHANCE POMS, INC. Houston Area Pomeranian Rescue Call 409-789-6489 or E-mail rescue@secondchancepoms.org Where do these Poms come from? *Owners give them up because they (or their children) are now allergic to dogs. *Owners die and the family has no use for the dog. *A dog is lost and the owner does not reclaim him. *Animal Control, SPCA, or the Humane Society calls for someone to take the dog. *A puppy mill is closed down. *They are not purchased from a pet shop, puppy mill, or auction in order to “save” them, nor is anyone paid for the dog. What kind of dogs are they? *Most are “pet quality” dogs ranging from 3 to 10 years old. *They usually have good temperaments; most are housebroken. *They often have bad teeth, no shots, kennel cough, mange, heartworm, etc. These health problems must be treated before placement. Where do the new owners come from? *Potential owners are often referred to Pom Rescue by a veterinarian. *Many referrals come from the American Pomeranian Club when people ask for Rescue in the Houston area, or information may come from Internet postings. *“Ads” are placed at the veterinarians’ office, pet supply stores, or in the newspaper. How do the Poms get from one home to another? *Most commonly, the dog goes through one or more forms of foster care: the pound, an animal rescue league, a foster home, and finally a new permanent home. *Each Pom is evaluated for suitability for adoption into a particular home, taking into consideration size, coat, health, age, activity level, ability to tolerate other pets, etc. *Each home is evaluated for suitability for adoption in general and for the particular Pom under consideration for it. *The dog may be picked up from foster care by the new owners or delivered to the new home. ***No Pomeranian is placed through Rescue without being spayed or neutered.*** What money is involved? * Costs include health treatments, spay/neuter, upkeep, telephone calls, and gasoline. * A donation is requested from the new owner to help with expenses for all the dogs. * Individuals and organizations may make donations to help with medical expenses. * The hope is that this will average out to cover all medical costs for all dogs. In practice, it does not do so, and it certainly does not cover food, telephone calls, and gasoline. |