Welcome Home.

Thank you for adopting a companion animal in need. Your willingness to open your heart and home to a rescued animal helps us in our shared goal to help "Save a Life Today" of pets in need. 

You have given the most wonderful gift to your new pet by providing a safe and loving home; be that temporary or permanent. We hope that you find it a rewarding experience and your new companion brings lots of happiness and love to your life.

​Before you bring your new dog home, there are a number of ways that you can prepare
for the new addition to your family. First, get the dog an ID tag with your information
on it (name, phone number, address).

Dogs in transition, like a newly adopted dog, are at high risk for flight and getting lost. But there are things you can do to help prevent that from happening.

During the Trip Home:
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• Do not stop for potty breaks.
• Keep the dog crated or tethered in the car.
• When you arrive, pull into the garage and close the door before removing your new dog from the car. If you don't have a garage, make sure your dog is fully secured on a leash and collar before opening the car doors. 

At Home:​
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• Check your fence for gaps before your dog arrives. Patiently walk your dog around the yard and then your home, on leash, so they can learn boundaries.
• Never leave your dog unattended in the yard.
• On walks, make sure the leash is secure to a martingale collar or harness.
• Avoid outings and trips away from home for the first two weeks.
• Establish an eating and exercise schedule right away.
• Crate training is important and will help your new dog settle in. 

You should immediately check that your new dog's collar is not too loose. Many dogs in
new situations pull out of their collars and run. If your dog pulls out of their collar, they
will be loose in a strange area. To be extra safe, you might want to purchase a martingale collar; a no-slip collar available at pet supply stores (The Rescue Crew will often send your new dog home with one) or a harness to use, in addition to a regular collar, until they have demonstrated that they can handle all of the sights, sounds and experiences of the new environment, such as other dogs, city noise, and traffic.

​Keep your new dog on a lead except in a fenced yard or other confined area. Always use a leash or lead near traffic, since your dog can be distracted or fearful for just a second and run into the street.

A Dog's Place in Your Family.

What does your dog expect from you? Most dogs need and want a leader. Dogs are
social animals and like being part of a group, but every group must have a leader to prevent chaos. For your dog to feel relaxed, he needs to know that someone is in charge. If you don’t take on the role of leader, your dog may feel that he has to fill the position. But your dog may not be the best leader – he may not make the best decisions for your family!

As your dog’s leader, then, you are responsible for managing the following aspects of
your dog’s life:

• Safety
• Social Skills
• Manners
• Medical Care
• Keeping Order

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You should make sure that your dog is contained – that they don't run loose and they're on lead when necessary. You provide your dog with I.D. on their collar and a registered microchip. You make sure that your home environment is safe for for them

All pets adopted from The Rescue Crew are microchipped.

You must manage your dogs' behavior at all times. If your dog has behavior issues
such as aggressive tendencies toward other dogs or irritability around small children,
work with them and manage this behavior so that they don't get into trouble. Well- socialized dogs are able to go many places; they are comfortable in most situations.

Follow this Rule:  Never allow a dog to be put in a situation to fail.

Training is among your leadership duties. You must teach your dog basic cues and basic manners. Well-mannered dogs are much more welcome by other humans than badly mannered dogs.

You are responsible for managing your dog’s health. Your pet cannot tell you if they are due for vaccines or if they need to have blood work done because they are  getting older.
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​All pets adopted by The Rescue Crew are deemed healthy, unless otherwise communicated, and up-to-date on all core vaccinations. 

In your home, it is your job to keep your dog from being destructive. If they are getting into the trash when you’re not home, move the trash can or put a lid on it. If they are chewing the children’s toys and shoes, teach the kids to pick things up and put them away, and give the dog somthing more appropriate to chew that is theres.

​As a kind leader, you will gently teach your dog the things they need to know to be comfortable in our human world. Don't expect them to somehow magically now how to live in a human family. While we often treat our pets as family, it's important to realize that it is just a dog after all. Your dog will enjoy becoming a valued family member, but at the end of the day they will still be a dog, and will look to you for guidance. 

View & Download our Dog Resource Guide

​Ideally, you should check your yard for safety before your new dog comes home. If you haven't done this prior to the dog's arrival, supervise the time that your pet spends outside. Even a child's toy can be trouble if it is chewed up and swallowed.

What does my new dog need?

To be happy and healthy, your dog will need the following:

• Constant access to a bowl of fresh, clean drinking water
• A nutritionally balanced diet
• A safe place to eliminate outside, and
• Daily exercise

While your new dog may have had training and previously lived in a foster home and done well, they could still benefit from some training or a refresher course. Investigate the dog trainers in your area, or ask The Rescue Crew, and pick out one who you're most comfortable with. Your dog needs you to be the leader (albeit a gentle one), so you will also benefit from the training classes. If you don't function as the leader, your dog will start making decisions on their own, some of which may be inappropriate or dangerous.

Your dog also needs daily, loving interaction with you and a social life. Socialize your dog by bringing them on car rides, letting them be around children and other dogs, taking them to the groomer, shopping with them at pet food stores (most of them let you bring your dog in), and walking them in public places.

Strive for structure and consistency in your dog's daily routine to give them a healthy feeling of stability as a member of the family. The relationship between your family and your new furry family member can be great if you are patient and positive.

You should also select a veterinarian with whom you are comfortable, since you'll need to bring your dog in for regular checkups. Finally, find out what the local dog laws are (such as leash laws) and what the licensing requirements are for dogs in your area.

Do I need to dog-proof my house?

If you haven’t already, you should dog-proof your home in much the same way that you would child-proof your home for a toddler. Look at your home from a dog's eye level. What can he reach? If you don't want him drinking out of the toilet, tell everyone in the household to make sure they put the cover down. If anyone in the house smokes, put ashtrays out of reach, since cigarette butts, if eaten, can lead to nicotine poisoning. Will his wagging tail inadvertently wreak havoc on your prized possessions? Dog tails have been known to sweep the contents off the top of a coffee table. If you like to keep lit candles around, make sure they are above the dog's reach. Is there anything he can trip on or become tangled in such as electrical cords?

How can I prevent my new dog from chewing up my stuff?

If your new dog has her own toys, she may not be as interested in chewing up human things (though leather shoes are hard to resist). Buy durable rubber or nylon toys that satisfy the dog's urge to chew. Toys that you can stuff treats into should keep her occupied for a good long while. If she starts chewing one of your personal items, immediately get her interested in a dog toy instead.

What should I know about making my yard safe?

Do a walkabout of your yard. Is your yard completely fenced in? Are there any spaces or gaps that your new dog or puppy can squeeze through? Is there anything that he can climb on that would allow him to escape over the fence (e.g. a wood pile, a fountain, latticework)? Some dogs know how to flip open gate latches, so latches should be clipped or locked if your dog can reach them. What sort of plants do you have in your yard? Snail bait and some plants (such as oleander, azaleas and rhododendrons) are poisonous to dogs. Antifreeze is another hazard for dogs – it is toxic and can be fatal. Dogs are attracted to its sweet taste, so don't allow your dog to drink from standing water near where cars have been parked.

Do you have an uncovered pool in your yard?

Dogs have been known to drown in backyard pools when they jumped or fell in and couldn't get out. You should also make sure your trashcans have tight lids to avoid "dumpster diving" by your dog. Besides the smelly mess that an overturned trash can creates, some of the items in your trash (like chicken bones) may be dangerous for your dog to ingest.

Ideally, you should check your yard for safety before your new dog comes home. If you haven't done this prior to the dog's arrival, supervise the time that your pet spends outside. Even a child's toy can be trouble if it is chewed up and swallowed.

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