Alternatives to Rescue

It is our intentions that is if is at all possible, to help the owner find and alternative to placing their Beagle into the Rescue Program. Below are ideas that may help provide options for owners who have a dog they are willing to place into Rescue.

1. Define if problem is behavioral, house soiling, barking, nipping, or if environmental, my dog runs away when I open the front door, my child gets growled at by the dog, my dog digs.

2. Enroll in classes through Humane Society, schools, Obedience classes, animal behavior consultant if problem is behavioral to learn method of correcting. This is not one time fix but needs to be worked on each day, week. Dogs are usually acting as dogs and humans need to understand what they are communicating to us. No dog "knows" to ask to go out but must be trained. Several books are available on training Beagles. I have read and recommend "Training Your Beagle" by Kristine Kraeuter.

3. If you have purchased your Beagle from a breeder, please contact the breeder as a reputable breeder wishes to know if the match is not working out and will take the Beagle back.

4. Contact organizations like ours for information on how to handle a problem. We will always help you to KEEP your Beagle if you sincerely wish to do so.

5. Separation anxiety is a common problem among the Beagle breed. Consider doggie daycare, pet sitter to come in a walk your dog, making arrangements to come home for lunch from work, asking a retired person to sit the dog during day if would not be a physical problem for them. In some cases, adding another Beagle to your family will help. It is unrealistic to expect your dog to entertain themselves tied up in the backyard all day. Beagles need company and are basically an indoor pet.

6. One reason Beagles enter the rescue program is after being found by someone. If you find a Beagle before contacting any rescue organization, be sure to do the following:

A. Have your vet scan for a microchip as soon as possible. Most vets will do this free for a lost animal.

B. Contact your local animal shelter as the first thing owners usually do is inform the shelter their animal is lost. Today's technology is wonderful as most counties in Oregon now offer after-hours resources should a license number on a tag be available.  This will provide you with  information on address and name of the owner but do not expect it to be current. Follow up on it and should the owner have moved, neighbors maybe helpful as to where etc.

C. Place a "found" ad in The Oregonian and local paper. Newspaper will run free "found ads". Even if the animal shelter picks up the Beagle, you will be able to direct callers to them if it sounds like an owner/animal match.

D. Keep the dog safe in your yard until animal control will be able to pick the dog up. At the shelter, the Beagle will be safe and fed, not out roaming the streets in danger of being hit by a car or worse.

E. Try to keep the dog away from your other pets and children as you do not have any resources to tell you how this animal reacts to either situation. The Beagle will be under enough stress being away from his pack (owner). Try not to add more tension. Giving him water and keeping him comfortable but contained is best for all concerned.

F. Ask neighbors, in an ever-widening circle from where you first encountered the Beagle, if they know the dog. It has been noted that dogs roam in circles when lost and cats will hide close by as in a garage. Anyone who has a Beagle living nearby will know because of the distinctive bay.

7. Our aim is to have you keep, love and enjoy your Beagle. Before you begin to look at available dogs, make certain everyone in the family wishes to have a dog and will take an active part in raising and caring for a Beagle. It is a formula for disaster to try to force another family member to accept a dog, no matter what the breed. It must be a unanimous decision to add a dog to the family unit. Decide who will train, feed, clean up after the dog and where it will sleep, eat and spend the day. Can you afford the inevitable veterinary bills which will occur with any new pet? Please put as much effort, thought and research into having a new pet as you would in asking a distant family member to come live with you for 10-15 years. Once you invite a Beagle into your home, make sure you understand the dog will expect it to be forever.

Pro's & Con's         Alternatives         Surrender         Adopt         Foster         Happy Tails         Volunteer