Westie Rescue MidAtlantic Region - Program Overview
In past 33 years of helping homeless Westies get the care they need and the RIGHT home selected for life, we are always asked a few questions from potential adopters.
- Where do these dogs come from?
- How often do you get dogs?
- How many Westies do you have looking for new homes?
- How long will my wait be to get a Westie?
- Are many sick and need care?
- Can I come by and pick out my Westie?
- Why do I have to fill out that long application form?
- How much is your adoption fee?
- and on and on, 2-5 calls per day, plus multiple daily emails.
The Westie Rescue program.
Westie Rescue helps and places some 50-125 Westies per year here on the east coast. Across the USA, the volunteers who help Westies in their own area, State, or county, see another 200-600 Westies. During the years of Covid-19 lock downs, humans were stuck at home so those who "didn't have time for their dog" found themselves at home 95% of the time, so they found the time to care for their dogs.
During these lockdowns, the volume of dogs looking for new homes fell 60%, while those looking for dogs rose 300%. A typical supply and demand imbalance. Shelters all over the USA report hordes of people seeking dogs, especially little guys and gals like Westies.
How many Westies do you have at any time period looking for new homes? We have gotten in as many as 24 in one month and as few as ZERO in three months over the years. Normally there are 5-15 Westies seeking homes all over the USA at any given time. Check in with your local Westie Rescue volunteers to see if there is someone waiting for you by clinking this link:https://westierescue.com/rescue-groups.html.
Where do Westies come from who need a new home? In past few years, 70% of the dogs given up came from seniors who lost their ability to be independent or died. The other 30% came from owners moving, home breakups, financial hardship, and a few from parents who have toddlers. Terriers and toddlers often have conflicts as the adults are overwhelmed by the daily activities of these two conflicted parties. One was the "best buddy" that sees itself being replaced by the brat. The toddler sees movement and moves towards it. Not a good mix.
90% of the dogs surrendered to Westie Rescue are happy, friendly, and healthy dogs who just need a quick vet visit for a health evaluation, shots updating, a blood test to make sure there is nothing going on under the fur, spaying/neutering if undone, and then they are ready for the right home selection process. These Westies only stay with us for 3 - 5 days while all of this is going on, then they are ready to be placed into a new home ASAP. Other Westies who need special medical care due to poor previous Vet care or behavior modification (see lack of socialization and zero training from previous owners) stay with us for much longer periods while they get the care, attention, and training (de-stressing) necessary to start a new life.
How do you place dogs looking for homes? As dogs are ready for a new home, Westie Rescue sends out a Westie Rescue News Update email to those applications showing a potential match. The info on the Westie seeking a new home includes a picture, their background, medical, social, behavioral training needs, what the Westie in question "tells us" what would be the best home for a smooth transition into a new and wonderful life. Adopters respond to those WR Updates and a down select is completed and a visit is scheduled. If all parties think it is a good match, the Westie in question goes for a trial stay to ensure all are happy with the arrangements. If all goes well, an official adoption contract is signed, a donation is made to help the next group of Westies coming in, and follow up communications is established to ensure everyone is happy and enjoying a new family member!
Why do I have to fill out an application? Two reasons, one is to make people think about what is required to be able to care for a dog and the second is to see if you meet our program requirements, as not every home is right for a terrier. The new homes are selected from our online application process which is designed to cue up homes that have the time and resources to give a Westie a second chance at a great new life. One where they will be a family member that is loved and well cared for - for life. Many applications will never receive a Westie from our program as there are always more people looking than dogs available. Link: Adoption Application.
How old are the Westies looking for new homes? Good question. Over the years we have gotten in Westies ranging from 5 weeks to 15 years. The majority of Westies in 2023 for example were 5 years or older.
How much is your adoption fee? Each Westie Rescue program sets their own policies. Westie Rescue MidAtlantic Region, for example, does not have an adoption fee. Upon final adoption, we ask for a donation to our program to help the NEXT Westie coming in to offset their medical bills, as the Westie you are adopting has already had their vet bill paid. The donation range that most donate is between $350 - $650. That amount covers approximately 60% of the average cost to treat a Westie to be ready for their new homes. The difference comes from people like you who donate funds so we can continue to operate.
What is the normal process for the Westies that come into Westie Rescue?
Westie Adoption Process for Dogs
- Step One: Rescued Westie is off to the Vet hospital for medical health checkups, shots updated, teeth cleaning, neutering, any medical conditions identified and treatment started, and the start of normal food and daily schedule.
- Step 2: Temperament review
- Step 3: Review APPROVED Applications on file that match the Westie available. Review available Westie with applicants. Set up interviews and home visits with Westies available.
- Step 4: Adoption trial stay (one week)
- Step 5: If it is a match, adopters make a donation to Westie Rescue to help offset the expenses of the next Westie that is coming who may need extensive medical care. (Suggested donation range: $350-$650).
This process allows every Westie to move from loss of home to new home in a matter of days instead of weeks. The process lowers the stress to the dog and the volunteers who make up our program. After 30 years of running this program and having over 1,380+ Westies placed, I can say it works, as we have a 99% success rate of finding the RIGHT new home for every Westie that comes in on the first try.
What Vet services do Westies receive?
Each Westie that comes into our program receives the following health check-up and treatments:
- Wellness check up
- Full blood test screening + urine and stool.
- SNAP = heartworm and 3 tick borne diseases
- Shots up dated (as required)
- Rabies
- Distemper
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Checked for fleas, ticks, and internal parasites (hook, round, & whip worms)
- Bathed, groomed and nails trimmed (if needed)
- Neutered/Spayed (if needed)
- Any medical conditions identified and any required treatment started (continued by new owners with our assistance and oversight)
These health check points demonstrate why our program is very different from most rescue groups and why our medical costs run quite high on each and every Westie that comes into our program. Many Westies have not received regular medical attention during the course of their lives and frequently have highly treatable conditions that, unfortunately, were never attended to when they come into our program. Some Westies need a playmate, some just want a warm smile, a GOOD daily schedule with food, exercise, and love. Some Westies come in without any muscle tone, zero regular heath care or even a kind pet on the head. Westies with special needs like medical treatments (baths, meds, and vet re-visits) will need a human who can give them care, attention and a few cheese snacks to get those nasty pills down. Other Westies, just need a few shots, a health check, blood tests, and they are ready for the next chapter of their lives.
All of this assistance comes at a large cost. A cost that is supported by hundreds of people like you who care about Westies and want to make sure they are given a second chance at a new life. In 2023 our Vet costs were over $105,000.
How can I help Westie Rescue's program of helping homeless Westies?
Donate money to pay off Vet bills!
Westie Rescue's goal is to find the right home for each and every Westie that comes into our program.
The images from adoption homes speaks volumes about how love and attention makes everything better.................
Westie Rescue MidAtlantic
PO Box 342
Dunn Loring, VA 22027
Westie Rescue USA
PO Box 282
Dunn Loring, VA 22027
www.WestieRescue.com