Ruger Is Safe!
Ruger
Ruger was listed as a stray 3-year-old male German Shorthaired Pointer in the email from the Animal Shelter's Adoption Coordinator to California GSP Rescue. The Animal Shelter was remote, Ruger's stray hold was up, and the Adoption Coordinator was emailing for help.
California GSP Rescue works with several Animal Shelters to save German Shorthaired Pointers from being euthanized. It could be weeks, months, or even years between visits. Ruger was picked up as a stray and taken to an Animal Shelter that California GSP Rescue hadn't been to in nearly two years. Miraculously, the few GSP’s that had shown up since the last visit had been adopted if not claimed. Ruger's owner hadn't shown up, and there hadn't been any interest in adopting him.
The Animal Shelter listed Ruger as 3-years-old. Not quite as desirable as the younger dogs at the Animal Shelter available for adoption, but still, he was a good-looking purebred GSP. One would think he would get more attention. Still, adoptions have been trending down at many local Animal Shelters over the past several months. The reason could be the number of potential adopters visiting the shelters has been trending down. Whatever the reason, Animal Shelters are not long-term solutions for the number of stray dogs that have conversely increased in numbers over the same period. Like the one Ruger was housed, some Animal Shelters look to rescues to help. The alternative is euthanizing to create kennel space.
When California GSP Rescue received the email from the Adoption Coordinator, a few formalities needed to be completed before pulling Ruger. There are requirements for rescues to pull dogs from Animal Shelters, and some of the conditions take more time than others, but for dogs like Ruger, it is worth it. California GSP Rescue didn't waste any time completing the application process and making plans to get Ruger.
As soon as the Adoption Coordinator notified California GSP Rescue, everything was good; plans were already made to go get him. The following day, less than 48 hours after being informed of Ruger and asking for help, a California GSP Rescue was on the way to pick up Ruger. Ruger was safe.
GSP’s from shelters, like Ruger, are evaluated before being made available for adoption. Some individuals might be hesitant to adopt a dog, fearing behavioral issues. The evaluation process allows for observing any worries that might concern adopters and California GSP Rescue to find a suitable adopter to manage the GSP.
The first observations of Ruger were all good. A little timid and uncertain, but that isn't unusual for dogs having spent a week in a high-stress environment like an Animal Shelter. California GSP Rescue will continue to evaluate and care for Ruger while we begin to look for his forever home.
If you are interested in adopting, please submit an application . If you are interested in helping support our efforts, please consider donating, or, better yet, become a Rescue Hero. As an all-volunteer organization, your donation will go towards caring for the dogs while they await a forever home.
