Harley Is Safe!
Harley
Harley is a one-year-old female German Shorthaired Pointer that was not found as a stray but relinquished to a local animal shelter by her owner. Unable to manage the exercise and training she needed, the owner felt relinquishing Harley to the shelter was the best solution to solve all of his problems. For the past several months, many shelters have been at capacity. New dogs, purebred or not, are held the required number of days and are at risk of being euthanized.
Harley's owner lived in an apartment. They also worked and would sometimes leave Harley alone crated in the apartment for up to twelve hours. He mentioned to the Animal Control Officer that he found it annoying that he would have to clean up the crate after she had urinated while crated.
The past few years have been challenging. We went from the shelters being emptied to full again. We appear to be on the second wave of Covid Dogs. The people that weren't able to get dogs when the shelters were emptied are now fulfilling their wishes. However, few of these individuals have done their homework. The German Shorthaired Pointers, anywhere from eight to eighteen months, and other dogs are being surrendered to shelters and rescues at an alarming rate.
Fortunately, California GSP Rescue was alerted early about Harley. The contact at the shelter was a GSP lover and was concerned Harley would go to someone else uneducated about the breed only to be returned.
Harley's owner was uneducated about the breed. Had they just Googled German Shorthaired Pointer and read, not just looking at the photos, they would have found that GSP’s are high energy, AND in need of mental stimulation. A little more reading and they would have figured out that they aren't a breed one can leave in an apartment crated for twelve hours a day. Had they Googled "dog breed that can be crated for 12 hours", they would have found that there isn't a dog breed that should be crated for 12 hours a day, and, while they might hold their bladders for 12 hours at night when they are sleeping, it isn't going to be physically possible during the day.
Once notified, California GSP Rescue didn't waste any time getting Harley out of the shelter. Knowing most shelters are full, and any dog is at risk of being euthanized, plans were made with the Adoption Officer at the Animal Shelter for a Volunteer from California GSP Rescue to visit the shelter. Early the next day, when the shelter opened, a California GSP Rescue Volunteer was at the shelter to get Harley. Harley was safe.
California GSP Rescue is dedicated to not only rescuing German Shorthaired Pointers from the Animal Shelters, but also helping educate people wishing to get a GSP. While GSP’s are a wonderful breed with many exceptional qualities, they aren't a breed for everyone. There is time dedicated to helping educate anyone interested in adopting. While each GSP’s needs are different, it is important for potential adopters to understand the amount of time they'll need to invest in exercising and training a GSP.
The best breed for Harley's previous owner to consider would have been... a goldfish.
If you are interested in learning if Harley might be a good candidate for your consideration to adopt, please submit an adoption application. If you would like to help support our efforts please consider making a donation, or becoming a Rescue Hero.
