What is a ‘McRescue’? A McRescue is an individual or a group who call themselves a ‘rescue’ but they are not following ethical rescue protocols. Why the term ‘McRescue’? McDonald’s is the opposite of wholesome, nutritional foods. It’s fast food. It’s meant for convenience and is characterized by quantity, not quality. McRescues are the opposite of legitimate, ethical rescues. They are the fast food version of real rescues, they cut corners to save time. McRescues only rescue when it is convenient and easy and they strive for quantity at the sacrifice of quality. They have ‘products’ that people want so rely on impulse buyers. They are not transparent with their practices and protocols. McRescues are also known as ‘brokers’ or ‘shufflers.’ The negative impacts fall directly onto the dogs they claim to be helping. What kinds of protocols do legitimate  rescues follow? Rescues are not governed by anyone but themselves so protocols vary from rescue to rescue. Most reputable rescues follow similar standards of care and protocols making them distinguishable from McRescues. A reputable rescue has written policies that are agreed upon by a Board or directing group, not one person. You will be able to differentiate a rescue from a McRescue by asking about the policies below and receiving concrete answers. Protocols Legitimate rescues will always have a stance on the following protocols as they relate to everyday practices in any rescue. McRescues only continue to exist as their practices are rarely questioned but this is changing as the public learns what to look for. All rescues can easily practice these protocol guidelines, there is nothing stopping them but their values and work ethic. You, the public, need to make them accountable because without these protocols, dogs are ultimately paying the price. What happens if these protocols  are followed or not followed? Legitimate Rescue McRescue Taking the dog to the vet once the dog enters the rescues physical care -Every dog is examined by a vet/vet technician to assess the dog’s health. -The rescue has a good idea of the dog’s health and are able to tell potential adopters of any known problems. -Local vets are accountable to the rescue and good relationships develop. -The dog may be sick and they won’t know. -McRescues are unable to tell potential adopters of health problems and adopters may be surprised by health issues that would have been identified by a vet. -Non-qualified individuals or vet professionals in other countries are not accountable to the rescue or the adopter leaving much room for error. -McRescues may rely on veterinary opinions given before the dog entered their care and disregard the real possibility of infection, disease or parasites picked up en route to the rescue especially if many dogs are transported together. Quarantine Period (keeping animals away from public and other animals  in case of disease) -New dogs are kept away from other dogs and observed for signs of disease, viruses and parasites. -Dogs do not spread diseases, viruses or parasites to other dogs. -Dogs spread diseases, viruses or parasites to other dogs in their care and the public. (Diseases may be mild to severe. Imported dogs may bring in foreign or previously eradicated to our communities.) –Kennel cough is viewed as a standard occurrence. -Dogs are taken to adoption events and public places immediately after arriving. Assessment time for animals before being posted for adoption -All dogs being put up for adoption will have completed a set assessment time, normally between 2 weeks and a month. -This time allows for rescue to identify potential behavioural and health issues and address any concerns by seeking further vetting and/or training advice if required. -Fosters families get to know their dogs so that potential adopters have a good idea what the dog is like. -No dogs are put up for adoption before the standard assessment period has passed. -McRescues will post ‘upcoming’ dogs, before they enter care or are assessed, with no information about the dog. They will accept and even encourage applications for these dogs.  -Dog is adopted out based on looks and breed as there is little or no temperament information to go by as dogs need a settling in period for any observations to be of value. -Potential adopters may have their heart set on a dog only to learn well into the adoption process that the dog has behavioural and/or health issues and is not what they are capable of handling.  –People adopt a dog only to find out it has behavioural and/or health issues.     Adoption Process  -Rescues have a standard procedure that is followed for every adoption with no exceptions. This includes a thorough application, a home visit and meet and greet with dog and all members of the adoptive family before the rescue approves the home. -Rescues turn down potential adopters if they are not the right match for the dog. -All dogs have completed their quarantine, assessment period and vetting before being adopted or a set plan for vetting covered by the rescue. -McRescues do not follow the application, home visit and meet and greet procedure. They may skip steps, not adequately complete them or not even follow them at all.  -McRescues ask for applications for dogs not yet posted, meaning applicants are applying based on looks and breed rather than temperament and needs of dog. -McRescues adopt dogs to anyone who applies whether they are the appropriate home for the dog’s needs or not. -Dogs are adopted out without undergoing standard quarantine time, proper assessment periods and/or without completed vetting or a set plan for vetting. Foster Home Correspondence  -Rescues support their foster homes and are always available to communicate with them. -Rescues do not need to post specific dogs and ask for a foster because they have already approved appropriate foster homes and have foster homes lined up before bringing dogs onto their care. -McRescues offer little or no support to foster homes. They lose track of who is placed where; They place unaltered dogs with other unaltered dogs of the opposite sex (risking accidental breeding) and in some cases, abandon difficult dogs with foster homes permanently. -McRescues regularly plead for … Continue reading Ethical vs. Unethical Rescues