Rescues

Because our rescue dogs live in our home with our personal dogs, it is impossible to separate the expenses incurred by each dog; therefore, we are not a 501(c)3 (not for profit). As such, we are required by the State of Missouri to charge a 5.975% sales tax on all rescues adopted.

First, we evaluate the dog for their medical history and physical/emotional/mental health. Every dog must be spayed or neutered and be microchipped. They are heartworm testing and treated, if necessary. They are vaccinated, dewormed, and started on heartworm/flea/tick prevention. Any other medical care is of course provided when necessary. Our local vet is able to conduct most of the treatment, but we also use the University of Missouri and several specialists around the state when called for.

As soon as the dog comes into our home, we begin training. First, the dog is expected to live in the house quietly and obediently. This includes: rest quietly in a crate, walk on a leash, no jumping, sit politely for petting, and live peaceably with the other dogs. Some dogs come to us without any house training whatsoever, so this can be a difficult time.

After the dog is well on its way to being a good house pet, we start basic obedience training. We teach sit, down, short stays, and a recall, then start having fun. We tend to jump from sport to sport, introducing the dog to the basics of each.

If possible, Teri may take the dog to a 4-H show or two. Tora can occasionally take the dog to her house for a week or two for some varied training.

After the dog has completed all of its medical treatments and we feel it can successfully integrate into a new home, the dog is available for adoption. The dog is not "completely trained." Dog training is a continuous process that takes place over the entire life of the dog. Your house rules are likely different than ours and it may take some time for you to teach them to the dog. Our goal is to take a "throw-away" and turn it into a dog that you can turn into your family companion or athletic partner.

As per our contract, we expect our new dog owners to provide a loving forever home. We expect owners to provide a quality food (please ask us for recommendations and consult with your veterinarian), shelter, veterinary care, training, and lots of love. Before getting your dog, you should make an appointment for a well-dog check with your veterinarian (our contract requires this initial visit to be within two working days of pickup). For all dogs, we HIGHLY recommend that you sign up and complete at least one round of training classes. Regardless of your personal ability to train dogs, structured, weekly classes offer much opportunity for support and socialization.

If you are, at any time or for any reason, unable to keep or properly care for the dog, we require that the puppy be returned to us. The dog is not to be sold, given away, traded, turned over to rescue/pound, euthanized, or otherwise disposed of without our knowledge. Although we do our very best to avoid situations where the new owners must give up their dog, we understand that lives and lifestyles change beyond our control and will make arrangements to get the dog.

We ask that you please contact us with any concerns, comments, or questions about the dog. We want to provide you with a well-started dog and help you train that dog to be your treasured companion.

We reserve the right to refuse sale to any potential adoption for any reason.

"River" went to her new home in Pullman, MI on August 11th where she will be a family companion.

This is "River" as we call her. On June third, she was pulled by a concerned citizen from the Meramec river near Onondaga Cave. She was turned over to State Park Maintenance and the Park Ranger was made aware of the situation. Calls were made to camping facilities in the vicinity and no one was camping with a dog that matched her description. At the end of the day when no one had come looking for her Tora brought her home. She wasn't wearing a collar and didn't appear to have worn one recently. She was covered in ticks, full of sand, and had blood shot eyes. We bathed her to get the sand out of her coat and some of the ticks off. We had her scanned for a microchip and but alas she didn't have one. We put Advantix II on her to get rid of the ticks. She weighed 38 pounds. She is thought by the vets to be about a year old.

As you can see she appears to be a smooth coated blue merle BC. She is a very sweet girl who fits right in here. She is good in a crate. She walks on a leash. She rides very well in a car. She is housebroke. She loves people and likes to cuddle. She is great with all our animals. Shows a great interest in the livestock through the fence. She does fine with the cats. She has a great recall and is to be continent to stay with you and not take off. We had her loose in our front yard for these photos and she never offered to leave us. All in all she is an easy going dog. She now weighs 40 pounds. We had her spayed, microchipped, and she received her vaccinations. Her heartworm test was negative and she has been started on preventative. River had some bladder issues when she came to us. Those have been dealt with but she does require a prescription/veterinary diet to ensure she has no further problems. She will have to be on this for life. She Her adoption fee is $250 (plus MO sales tax $14.94 = $264.94).

	Have worked with our veterinarian to design a written program of veterinary care.
	Are required to keep extensive records for each rescue.
	Are required to microchip each rescue so it can be identified in such a manner that it can be traced back to us.
	Must spay or neuter all rescues before offering them for adoption.
	Are inspected yearly.