I am trying to figure out what our options are in bringing a dog out of an animal control that won't adopt out a rottie except to a rescue. I volunteer for one so I went to temperment test him this morning. That went extremely well, so we now await the decision of the board. The most likely scenario is that he will be approved, but there may be a delay, either short or long, to get him on his way to a foster home.

I know dogs leave there with all their vaccinations, but he is still coming from a pound. The kennel we use will not take him unless he has been out of the pound for 14 days, then they will keep him for free for a reasonable amount of time until he can be transported. I don't want to bring a dog here and have to worry what may be coming with him. The vet said if it has been 2 weeks since he was vaccinated we are good to bring him in without danger of transmitting anything to our dogs. Even if those 2 weeks has been spent in the pound.

I would not be putting the dogs together, but to be able to use the same yard, etc would be a huge plus, especially if he ended up staying any amount of time before he could go to a real foster.

can I get some other thoughts on this on top of what the vet has said. What if? too, he only gets the vaccinations when they find a rescue, so maybe he would not have them until right before he leaves. Then what precautions need to be taken in order to keep our dogs safe? I'm SURE we will know all his info ahead, but I don't know it now, and am trying to get my ducks in a row so I know what my options are before we get the go ahead, which I hope we get. if we don't, I can't even adopt the dog myself and find him a home.

Be sure YOUR dogs are vaccinated within a reasonable time frame, a few years is likely ok.

Have the rescue dog take a bath right before he comes home and wipe off his feet. Take him to a Petco for a bath if you have to. Wash his collar well, wipe it dry and put it back on him.

Have the rescue potty in the front yard for a few days on leash, I might not have nose to nose contact for a week or so, and would not let them share water. Pick up his stool religiously for 10 days.
This is all assuming this is a big shelter with occasional bouts of parvo/kennel cough. If it's a small shelter with few pups or no pups I'd be less worried.
Remember fleas. Some shelter dogs have tons of fleas.

Edited by Betty Landercasp (05/26/2012 10:20 PM)
Edit reason: fleas

Thanks Betty. that is all great info. I'm not a big vaccinator for my dogs. One was vaccinated so many times throughout her life (unfortunately) that she is fine. Tanka had parvo/distemper titers done in Dec. I wish I had a separate yard for a rescue to potty in, but I don't. UNless I sneak into the neighbor's yard! Kidding! I would definitely pick up stool, although urine is what it is. I really hope the rescue can be ready for him right away and he can just come in and spend a few days and then on his way to foster care.

I've brought in loads of shelter dogs over the years - never had an issue with infections etc. Apart from a car full of fleas.....yuck.

The friends we have who own the boarding kennel we use have 15 personal dogs. They love rescue dogs. They brought two in once that brought an infection in with them, although they appeared healthy at first. All 15 dogs got sick, and the elderly ones spent time staying at the vet's office. $3000 later she says they learned their lesson about bringing in a dog withought a quaranteen period. I would really not want to just take the chance instead of taking some precautions. An ounce of prevention and a pound of cure thing, you know. :-)