Save a greek stray...Con??

It could very well be a con.

But seeing as there are thousands of dogs looking for homes in this country i don't know why you would bring one in from out of the country.
 
There are rescue organisations operating overseas (FI there was a post on here linked to rescue of Galgol Espagnol, the Spanish greyhounds)....and I think Thelwell Girl walks/looks after a dog rescued from abroad...for me, there are dogs here which need saving, that should take priority, and they won't have to have the added stress of being shipped/flown hundreds of miles and have to adapt to a totally different climate and a totally alien place.
(yes, I know it happens with imported show dogs but they are not street dogs and are used to being travelled long distances) just my opinion though.

There was a dog dealt with by a local rescue this very week, who had been abandoned with a severe case of mange, she had no hair at all and her skin was cracked and bleeding. This happened on a British street in 2010 with all the education and information in the world, in a nation of animal lovers, that to me says, we need to put our own house in order first.

**rant over** :p
 
Pets Passport or Quarantine?

I laughed at the free shipping.
I sent a kitten to Portugal last year. Her airfare was about £60. The bill at the airport was around £150 add to this the £68 for rabies jab and passport and £28 for approved travel carrier.

It looks like a scam to me. Don't we have enough dogs without homes here already?
 
No idea if its a scam, but most foreign rescues homing abroad ask for a adoption fee in order to keep running so i don't see how they can afford to do it all for free (like this oneibizan hound rescue).
Personally i don't think it matters where people choose to get a rescue dog from as its another dog in an a home, plus most these rescues that export them only do so because they have little chance of getting homes in there own country. Ireland does the same with its greyhounds, many go to UK and Europe to find pet homes.
 
See, that's a good example of a site!!!

Don't mean to sound like a heart hearted cow (and I adore podencos) but there's the rub - we have to ship our greyhounds and other breeds over to the mainland UK while backyard breeders and puppy farmers continue to trade in misery with no penalty or recourse.

Plus I am not sure if I regard different areas of the British Isles as 'foreign' or overseas - I can get to London in about 40 minutes!

We shouldn't have to, there should be people willing to home them here rather than shelling out stupid money for a designer x-breed from a shed out back, that's going to end up in an early grave.

Is it a very simplistic view, that the more we home the dogs we have here and stop funding the misery-traders, the more spaces will open up for dogs in need from other places?

I have seen dogs in that state right here in the UK in 2010 but lots of people don't seem to want to know or care :( cruelty and neglect is not the preserve of foreigners.

**sorry for the ramble!!!**
 
Not a con! Just picked up 2 dogs from the airport. I adopted one for free, along with another lady who lives near me. Had to pay for gas to get myself to the airport and a small fee when I picked up the dogs at the airport. Both arrived happy to see us and very healthy. Just were tired. I paid no shipping. My top concern was helping these dogs who didnt have homes, regardless of where they came from. I find adoption fees to be ridiculous where I live. Rather would put that money towards getting my new dog things that she has never had than spend $300 for a mixed breed dog. Also, both dogs came vaccinated, chipped, and spayed. I was updated on pictures of the dogs I was picking up and videos before they were shipped to me. Had a very good experience and the people were extremely friendly and helpful on training tips and even worked on some training with the dogs before I got them. It doesnt matter to me where I get the dog, as long as it would be well suited for me.
 
Chrissy4221 said:
Not a con! Just picked up 2 dogs from the airport. I adopted one for free, along with another lady who lives near me. Had to pay for gas to get myself to the airport and a small fee when I picked up the dogs at the airport. Both arrived happy to see us and very healthy. Just were tired. I paid no shipping. My top concern was helping these dogs who didnt have homes, regardless of where they came from. I find adoption fees to be ridiculous where I live. Rather would put that money towards getting my new dog things that she has never had than spend $300 for a mixed breed dog. Also, both dogs came vaccinated, chipped, and spayed. I was updated on pictures of the dogs I was picking up and videos before they were shipped to me. Had a very good experience and the people were extremely friendly and helpful on training tips and even worked on some training with the dogs before I got them. It doesnt matter to me where I get the dog, as long as it would be well suited for me.
Click to expand...

Do they do home checks and get references?
Do they offer to take the dog back if things don't work out?
Are the dogs all vet checked, treated for worms and fleas and fully vaccinated?
Are they neutered?

As for rehoming fees with rescue centres over here and am sure a lot in America too, all dogs are neutered, wormed, treated for fleas etc before they are rehomed. I don't see £150 or $300 being a steep price to pay for all that especially considering spaying for example is rarely under £150 here :)
 
Both dogs came fully vaccinated and vet checked, dewormed, microchipped, had been given heartworm preventative, and flea and tick preventative, and as soon as I knew which dog I wanted, they had her fixed before I got her. Spay scar and a shaved tummy when I got her. They were also bathed the day before they left on the plane. Also, since I live in the US, they had their passports which has proof of vaccinations and any and all forms that had been sent with the dogs making them ready for travel. There was an application that I had filled out that was 5 pages long, and after I filled it out and sent it back, I was interviewed further into my life as why I wanted a dog, do I have experience with them? What is my living arrangements in depth, etc, etc... It was a very thorough process, and if I had not had all the knowledge about dogs that I have I may not been accepted. I am studying to be an animal trainer. As there was no home check, I gave a very detailed description of everything they would need to know about me, and they do know where I live. Hope this better helps people to understand the rescue a little bit more. This is just my experiece that I had with the rescue. Everyone may have their opinion about it and thats fine. It was no con, as I did recieve the exact same dog that I picked out and she arrived very much healthy. I just wanted people to know that I searched through many dogs to find the one I wanted and they provided a very detailed description of each dog I was interested in and did not pressure me towards any certain one. I took my time with the decision.(A month+) After I gave all my information, if a dog wasnt suited to my lifestyle, they were honest about it and kindly suggested more suitable dogs. Evetually after recieving videos of certain dogs and pictures, I found one that I knew I wanted to come join my family. The rescue was very helpful the whole time and had patience while I decided.
 
Also, just wanted to add that I paid a fee of $35 from the airport before I could get the dogs and that was all I paid for them. No extra charges. I would much rather adopt a dog than get one just from a random person on a classified ad for example. I understand that it costs a lot to fix a dog and vaccinate, etc, it was just easier for me to not pay a high adoption fee. I am not a very rich person. And this is one of the reasons why I was drawn to this place, as I dont have a lot of money to pay upfront for just an adoption fee, yet I wanted soo bad to save a life.
 
From the knowledge I have of the rescue, the dogs lack house skills. For example, they are not housetrained, have never been in a house or on grass for that matter. Never have seen snow. So everything is new to them. I feel fortunate to be able to take a dog like that and teach them everything good about life. It made me feel good when my dog came inside for the first time and was able to cuddle up on my bed by me. Never in her life had she been able to do that before. And since she was most likely scared during the flight, after I was able to reassure her that I was a nice person, she automatically trusted me in a way that I can not explain. I only have had her for 2 days, but she shows more trust in me than my family's dog, whom I have been with for 19 years. Its just truly something that I cannot explain, but it makes me feel even better that I rescued her. :D I would have loved to adopt a dog closer to me that wouldnt have to go through shipping, but prices were too much for me personally. I will keep this dog fully vetted, but it was just the upfront price that threw me off, because I really would first off get the dog new items, which would be a further cost.
 
I have nothing but admiration for people who take on rescues, but I am not entirely sure that rehoming greek rescues abroad is the best solution to the problem. Greece has a horrific welfare problem with stray dogs and cats. Families routinely get puppies and then leave them out in the street either for the summer or for good if they encounter any sort of training problems. Almost no one neuters/spays and the results are literally thousands of strays starving to death or getting run over by cars.

Thousands of the dogs were rounded up and PTS for the Olympics but the numbers are growing yet. In my opinion a better use of limited charitable funds would be to spay/neuter strays and re-release them as well as offering free spaying/neutering for pets and education for owners. It sounds harsh and every dog deserves a loving home, but as the homes are nowhere near available the priority should be not to create new dogs.
 
Chrissy4221 said:
Both dogs came fully vaccinated and vet checked, dewormed, microchipped, had been given heartworm preventative, and flea and tick preventative, and as soon as I knew which dog I wanted, they had her fixed before I got her. Spay scar and a shaved tummy when I got her. They were also bathed the day before they left on the plane. Also, since I live in the US, they had their passports which has proof of vaccinations and any and all forms that had been sent with the dogs making them ready for travel. There was an application that I had filled out that was 5 pages long, and after I filled it out and sent it back, I was interviewed further into my life as why I wanted a dog, do I have experience with them? What is my living arrangements in depth, etc, etc... It was a very thorough process, and if I had not had all the knowledge about dogs that I have I may not been accepted. I am studying to be an animal trainer. As there was no home check, I gave a very detailed description of everything they would need to know about me, and they do know where I live. Hope this better helps people to understand the rescue a little bit more. This is just my experiece that I had with the rescue. Everyone may have their opinion about it and thats fine. It was no con, as I did recieve the exact same dog that I picked out and she arrived very much healthy. I just wanted people to know that I searched through many dogs to find the one I wanted and they provided a very detailed description of each dog I was interested in and did not pressure me towards any certain one. I took my time with the decision.(A month+) After I gave all my information, if a dog wasnt suited to my lifestyle, they were honest about it and kindly suggested more suitable dogs. Evetually after recieving videos of certain dogs and pictures, I found one that I knew I wanted to come join my family. The rescue was very helpful the whole time and had patience while I decided.
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But in reality you could tell them anything about your experience and they just take your word for it?
I assume they don't take dogs back if things don't work out so where do the dogs end up if this happens? Most likely taking up room in local rescue that could go to helping a local dog.
Also where the heck are they getting the money to do all this?
I'm also in total agreement with CC on everything she's said on here :)
 
Agree with Booboo's and Crimbo Limbo both made very good points.....I also think for the expense these dogs must cost to ship here surely the money would be better spent on small vet clinics over there for neutering and treatment for these animals and creating rescue centers over there and educating people more, not shipping a select few here, there and everywhere.
We charge £150 donation for a fully assessed, vaccinated, chipped, neutered, de flead and de wormed, insured, new collar and lead and a descent amount of whatever dog food they are on at the time and with full life time back up and ongoing advice, (home check and diesel/petrol) does not even come into it, infact the neutering is about all it covers. I honestly don't think that is alot of money by any stretch of the imagination. I can say if people complain about the donation (does not happen alot) we would then question how that person who manage a vet bill when it cropped up? even if insured there is still an excess.
Not that I am saying everyone should get a rescue but to complain about the minute fee that comes with one to then get a knocked down price foreign rescue dog:confused:....that's it really just a bit baffled. Unless I am missing something an din America they dont neuter and the likes of and charge a fortune in donations:confused:
 
Just checked the American equivalent to the RSPCA and it's $200 at most for a dog. That includes lifetime support plus a vet certificate for up to $250 in case the dog needs the vet for any reason for up to 14 days from adoption. Plus of course the neutering etc.

http://www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/adoption-center/adoption-steps.aspx

The humane society of Broward county (just picking a random dog rescue in America btw) $100 for a dog.

http://www.humanebroward.com/php/adoptionprocess.php

The humane society of Pinellas $75 per dog

http://www.humanesocietyofpinellas.org/adopt.htm

I could probably spend all day finding and putting on links for dog rescues that are far from expensive and offer a lot for what you are actually paying :)
 
I know my friend went to greece as the big rescues here would not home to her as she is a police officer with erratic shifts.- Eejits she is very good with her dogs.
 
Honestly I feel that I don't need to be bashed for saving a dog. It does not matter to me where she came from! I was searching adoptable dogs and I stumbled along the site. For all of those people being rude about how they should spay/neuter I do agree, but maybe you need to learn the facts, that the lady I adopted from has spent her own money and fixed nearly 300 pets/strays all on her own. I ADMIRE what she does and if you are upset about it, maybe you ned to go and email her. Email adress on the site. Yes, there are plenty of rescues out there but I do NOT regret for one second finding this rescue and teaching this dog that there are kind caring people on this earth regardless of where they are!!! They are trying to spay/neuter and this lady has held spay/neuter clinics where they capture and release. I see nothing wrong with having someone care enough about animals to want to save them and give them that last bit of hope that someone took away from them.
 
Regardless of if dogs are dopted out, most of the animals that are stray in geece will eventually get poisoned or killed in some way. This rescue is trying to help a few dogs at a time. Otherwise they yes could be spay/neutering but will those animals get killed anyways because they are stray? I also see that happening.
 
Nobody is bashing you, people tend to be quite forthright in this section of the forum, that's all, welcome to the forum, hope you stick around :)

ETA if anyone is that way inclined, there are 20 dogs in pounds in the Republic of Ireland (Offaly/Laois council pounds I believe) who's time runs out on Friday, including a litter of purebred lab pups and their father and a ten week old lurcher :(
 
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Funding has been cut for the rescue because of the financial crisis in Greece. Dogs may have nowhere to go now. Glad I adopted from there! I at least gave happiness to 2 dogs that now may not have a chance.
 
Just wanted to say its not a con. That's all :) Don't mean people are being rude, but I understand the growing problem in Greece. For some time I have been aware of the tons of animal cruelty that happens there and the lack of education for the people about pets. I can afford to have animals, but for me personally a $300 fee would be hard for me to pay. I could get a dog for cheap on the classified ad page for pets on craigslist but I wanted the oppotunity to adopt. I have been denied in the past by rescues because I do not have a lot of money and me and my boyfriend wanted a dog, but since we didn't live together we couldn't combine our income money to adopt. They didn't allow that. Just wanted to give people my opinion about the rescue. I understand people most likely will not take it to consideration, just thought my opinion would maybe help someone else to adopt.
 
Echo Cayla - no one is knocking you specifically for taking on a rescue - it is just that rescues here are also so over whelmed and I get loads of info about US dogs in rescue too. You may well think the fees are high but certainly the uk rescues will neuter, spay, vaccinate and offer back up. I still stay in touch with a small stafford rescue whom I got my second boy from and I know how badly they are over whelmed. In theory I paid out £150 for a dog that came straight from one home to mine. In practise he had been assessed, they helped with the meet and greet and settling in and this charity has some rescue staffies they have been l caring for, for well over a year...
 
Chrissy I don't think anyone is being rude to you, or bashing you for your decision. You did a great thing is adopting a dog and giving him a loving home for life.

Saying that is entirely compatible with saying that oversees adoption schemes do not seem like a very sensible solution to me for the Greek problem. One of the reasons I hate going home is the poor animals in the street. I have rehomed 3 dogs that have followed me to my car to friends that would have them, but it's not even a drop in the ocean.

DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT IF EASILY UPSET. VERY SAD STORY
Last time I was home we saw a kitten run over by a car right next to us. The kitten was clearly beyond veterinary help (otherwise I would have taken it to a vet asap) but still alive and gasping for breath between choking on blood. This may upset some people but I put the kitten to sleep rather than leave to linger by the side of the road.

The point of this is that the situation in Greece is horrific and a disgrace to the entire country. It's also likely to get a lot worse now with the financial problems, so I suppose I would prefer a better allocation of scarse resources than paying to ship very few animals abroad.
 
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