How to Rescue a Shih Tzu in Florida

By Julia Fuller

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Dog crate
Dog kennel (optional)
Fenced yard (preferable)
Grooming supplies

Step 1:
Create your own "Rescue a Shih Tzu" poster and print copies to distribute or pin up on bulletin boards at veterinarian offices in the area, pet stores and animal shelters, and send copies to shih tzu breeders. Breeders occasionally have dogs returned--pups born that do not meet breed standards or a retired dog that needs a new home. Look in the Additional Resources section for a link to the Florida shih tzu breeder directory.
Step 2:
Volunteer at a Florida shih tzu rescue to provide a foster home to a shih tzu in need of rescue. You can also fill out applications with the Florida shih tzu rescues to adopt one of their dogs in need of a forever home. Rescues sometimes have adoption days at local pet stores. They bring their available dogs out to meet potential families. Ask about their schedules.
Step 3:
Visit Florida shelters at least once a week to find a shih tzu to rescue. Try to identify the Florida shelters that euthanize or sell pets to research that are not adopted within their allowable period. There is a link to a comprehensive list of Florida animal shelters in the Resources section. When you follow the link, the no-kill shelters say, "No Kill Shelter." You can assume that the ones that do not say "No Kill" do, but contact them for more information on their policies and adoption and rescue criteria.
Step 4:
Place a pet-wanted ad in your local Florida free weekly "Observer" indicating that you want to rescue a shih tzu. Place your pet-wanted ad free on Petfinder Classifieds, your area Craigslist and Free Pet Classifieds.
Step 5:
Remember that volunteers come and go frequently from animal shelters and rescues. Veterinarians and breeders are busy, and your name can get lost in the pile. Call every other week, visit in person when you can, check websites frequently for updates and send email reminders.

Tips & Warnings

Most dogs feel safe in their own crates and enjoy having a quiet place to go.
Your rescue dog may have developed some bad behaviors and require some retraining.

Resources

Photo/Video Credit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ktylerconk/1337599797/,http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnandvanessa/602914063/

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