Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California
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Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California
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Policies --working copy-- red is suggested text BASSET HOUND RESCUE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC. STATEMENT OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES II. PROCEDURES FOR TAKING IN BASSET HOUNDS
Appendix Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California, Inc. (BHRSC) is composed entirely of volunteers, all of whom offer whatever free time they have to help save the lives of Basset Hounds in need of help. The organization is not intended to be the sole Basset related activity of its members. Rather, like all organizations, BHRSC functions as a collective effort on those particular matters that have been formally endorsed by a majority of the Board members. Activities, events, sponsorships, and expenditures that are in the best interests of the breed or of individual Basset Hounds, but that have not been approved by a formal vote of the Board, may be undertaken by individual members acting in their individual capacities but not as representatives of BHRSC. This manual is a guideline for BHRSC volunteers who are involved in the process and support of rescuing Basset Hounds. There are three phases in the process:
Supporting this process are the local animal shelters, veterinarians, fund raising events, and the financial policies and procedures of BHRSC. As a volunteer, you may be involved to some extent in any or all of these activities. We hope this manual will answer your questions and help make your volunteer activity rewarding. As with any volunteer organization, it is the cumulative effect of many volunteer hours that make it work. Thank you for your contribution to BHRSC. BHRSC gets Basset Hounds from many sources. The main ones are shelters, owner surrenders, and strays found by individuals. Each Basset coming into the BHRSC system will be assigned an adoption counselor. The adoption counselor will serve as a caseworker for the Basset, and will expedite the placement of the Basset in an adoptive home subject to the guidelines in this manual. Is it a Basset? First, you must determine whether or not the dog is a Basset Hound, as some "purebred" -backyard- Bassets have somewhat of a Beagle appearance. However, if in your judgment the typical pet owner who calls BHRSC to adopt would consider this dog a Basset Hound, then we should take the dog into rescue. (A general guideline is that the dog’s ears must touch his/her nose.) Shelter Information: You will need the following information: regulations, policies, hours, and location of the shelter or humane society; and where you will take the Basset, once it has been picked up. Call the shelter to determine hours they are open and directions; go to the shelter, verify that there is a Basset in need of rescue. Upon arrival at the shelter, introduce yourself to the staff/volunteers, as appropriate; many shelter volunteers can be very helpful. When should I pick up the Basset? Determine whether this Basset Hound is available today. If not, place a hold on the Basset. Placing a hold involves filling out paperwork, and may or may not involve the payment of fees at this time. When filling out the paperwork, use the name Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California, if possible (or your own name with Basset Hound Rescue in parenthesis), in case another volunteer ultimately picks up the Basset on the release date. It is not our policy to try to take out every shelter dog; rather, we serve as a last resort. Therefore, if the shelter takes a list of names (holds), BHRSC should be the last hold, allowing the Basset to be adopted if someone else is interested. Make certain that you have all the necessary information pertaining to release time, time to follow up, procedures, etc. If you are unable to return at that date/time, another volunteer will pick up the Basset. What do I need to do? If possible, take a collar, nametag, and leash with you. If you have sufficient advance warning, you can get these items from BHRSC. Otherwise, a BHRSC volunteer will deliver a collar with tag to the Basset as soon as possible. Check your car so that the Basset Hound will have a safe, comfortable ride; many shelter Bassets are dirty, so protect your vehicle if you are concerned. Bring cash or a checkbook to pay the shelter fees; BHRSC will reimburse you upon presentation of a receipt. When paying fees, some shelters offer a discount to rescue organizations; be sure to ask. Keep all receipts and label them with the name of the Basset. (We must have receipts in order to reimburse you.) If the Basset has been neutered or spayed by the shelter, verify that you have a spay neuter certificate; verify that you have any available vaccination records, as well. As a rule, the Basset's first stop will be a BHRSC veterinarian. Arrangements for drop off at a BHRSC veterinarian will be made for you. Get the name, address, and phone number from BHRSC. If you are taking the Basset to your home, always make sure that your dogs have current vaccinations. If the Basset Hound has no name, you have the honor of choosing a name. Report that name to the BHRSC veterinarian and to your BHRSC contact person. (Although the new owner may ultimately change the name, we use this name for tracking.) If someone reports a found dog to you, get a full description of the dog and a photo, if possible. We can post this photo on our web site. Also, we sometimes have calls from people who have lost their Bassets, and we may be able to facilitate a reunion. Found Bassets should be taken to the shelter closest to where found, since that's where the owner will look; a hold should be placed at that time. The finder should be encouraged to post flyers in the area, and an ad in the paper. (Such ads are usually free; BHRSC may pay for the ad, if there is a cost). If the shelter does not take holds and there is a risk that the Basset could be euthanized in shelter, then BHRSC will take in the Basset and try to find a foster home. If the Basset seems a danger to other dogs in a foster home (e.g., contagious), we will consider boarding the Basset at a vet. If the finder simply does not want the Basset to go to a shelter, he/she is responsible for making other arrangements for the Basset. Unless the Basset is in need of immediate veterinary care due to illness or accident, BHRSC will, as a matter of policy, avoid spending money on found dogs until at least two weeks have passed, at which time the dog may be taken into rescue, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated. Should cost be incurred and the owner found, BHRSC will request reimbursement from the owner. Why does this happen? A Basset owner who, for a variety of reasons, wants to have his/her Basset Hound placed in another home may contact us. Because of the shortage of foster homes, we prefer to leave the Bassets with owners while a new, permanent home is found. Is it urgent to pick up the Basset? If the Basset Hound is in danger of being euthanized or placed in a shelter, is in unsafe/unhealthy conditions, or is likely to be bred if left, the Basset should be removed from the home. BHRSC will make arrangements to have the Basset Hound picked up and taken to a foster home or a BHRSC vet, as appropriate. Focus on the Basset. If you go to a home to pick up a Basset Hound being surrendered by its owner, and are witness to less than desirable conditions, remember that your only interest is the Basset Hound. You should be pleasant and cooperative so that the Basset Hound can be safely removed. Keep it formal. When taking in surrendered Bassets, always request that the owner complete a BHRSC Owner Surrender form (see Appendix). If he/she is unwilling or unable to complete this form, make an effort to verbally gather as much information as possible from the owner about the Basset Hound’s habits, behaviors, diet, health problems, etc. This information will make the Basset Hound’s transition simpler. In lieu of an owner surrender form, make sure that you get something in writing containing the following information, at a minimum: "I am the owner of ___________ (Basset Hound's name); I surrender him/her to Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California and will place no further claim on him/her. I understand that this Basset will be spayed or neutered." Include a signature and the date. Collect Information. Request paperwork related to the Basset Hound, including veterinary records, proof of sterilization, AKC registration, etc. Leash, collar, bowl, bed, and toys are also useful and a comfort to the Basset Hound. Keep it confidential. It is recommended that you not give out your home address or allow a Basset to be dropped off at your home; rather, pick up the Basset Hound or meet the surrendering owner at a veterinarian’s office or other appropriate place. Give out only the BHRSC post office box and rescue telephone numbers, if requested. We will not release the name of the adoptive family; however, we may, upon request, provide the surrendering owner's phone number to the new family who may, at their discretion, get in touch. The first stop after rescue is usually the BHRSC veterinarian. BHRSC has financial arrangements with one Los Angeles veterinarian and one Orange County veterinarian (see Appendix). Fees If necessary, and with prior approval by a majority vote of the BHRSC Board in case of medical emergency, you may take a Basset Hound to your own veterinarian, pay the bill, and submit your receipts to BHRSC for reimbursement; this must be approved by the Board in advance of incurring any veterinary fees unless it is a true veterinary emergency (the Basset is in danger of dying if there is a delay). BHRSC routinely pays for spaying/neutering and vaccinations, and for treatment of illness or injury. If special care is required, other than for an emergency situation, then treatment options should be determined by a veterinarian and then approved by a majority vote of the BHRSC Board. Because finances do not allow for additional services, such as dental work, grooming, etc., expenditures will not be reimbursed by BHRSC except where a specific veterinary need has been set forth and the Board has authorized payment for such services in advance and by majority vote. Special circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For example, if a situation exists such that the Basset is so dirty and unkempt that it may interfere with the placement of the Basset, appropriate care and grooming may be approved. However, authorization must be granted prior to any action being taken. After the veterinarian has released the Basset Hound, he/she needs a place to stay until a permanent home can be found. The preferred home is a foster home, a household that offers temporary refuge to a rescued Basset Hound. Foster Homes A foster home is a temporary stopping place for a Basset Hound given up by an owner, found in shelter, or otherwise accepted by BHRSC. Foster homes are among the most valuable assets of BHRSC. If the Basset Hound you rescue is known to be in good health, you may be requested to take the Basset directly to a foster home. (For more information on fostering, see the Appendix.) Who can be a foster family? Since foster families often adopt their foster dogs, households interested in fostering should complete a Foster Application, which is similar to an adoption application (see Appendix). Criteria for a household to be accepted as a foster family are the same as for an adoptive family. The household may have other dogs. If so, they should always have current vaccinations to protect them from contagious diseases that the newly introduced Basset Hound may be incubating. If the foster family's dogs become ill as a result of having the foster in the house, BHRSC may reimburse the foster family's medical expenses, if requested. Expenses: Foster families generally provide food, shelter, and TLC to fosters; BHRSC provides veterinary care. BHRSC will reimburse for direct expenses upon submittal of a receipt. Many foster families provide food, toys, etc. as a donation to BHRSC. Questions as to whether an expense will be reimbursed must be submitted to the BHRSC Board before any money is spent or reimbursed (unless it is an emergency medical procedure necessary to save a life or treat severe pain.) Keeping in touch. The BHRSC adoption counselor for the Basset will telephone the foster family at least every two weeks to determine the status of the foster situation. The duration of the foster situation may be weeks to months, depending on the Basset Hound, and the foster family's willingness to continue fostering. The foster family will observe and report on the personality and characteristics of the Basset Hound, how he/she gets along with other dogs, cats, children (if known); this will help BHRSC in making a good placement. If the Basset Hound is not well suited to the foster home, BHRSC will immediately remove the Basset Hound from that foster home. What if the foster family wants to adopt the Basset? If the foster family has decided to adopt the foster, BHRSC will collect the standard application and donation, and will notify BHRSC so that records can be updated. Taking the Basset Home. If you have picked up a Basset Hound and are taking him/her home to foster, be aware that this Basset Hound has been through recent trauma; it is not uncommon for stress, apprehension, and unfamiliar surroundings to result in problem behaviors that stop when he/she settles in. The foster family will very quickly determine whether or not the Basset Hound is housetrained, although one accident is common with previously housetrained Hounds. After the Rescue - Information Needed by BHRSC. In order to find the rescued Basset Hound a permanent home, it is helpful to have the Basset's photograph to post on our Web site. If possible, the foster family or driver should send a computer file or snapshot to our webmaster with the Basset Hound's name and relevant information. We also need the following information: name, sex, age, color, description of appearance, personality, general health, if known, whether the Basset is housetrained. Interactions with adults, children, and other pets are also important. Applications to adopt Basset Hounds from BHRSC are accepted via our web site and by U.S. mail. Applications are then reviewed by the Board; some applicants are determined inappropriate homes, others seem ideal, and many are somewhat in between. The BHRSC Board will make all placement decisions. An ideal home for a Basset Hound is with a family (of one or more) who will spend time each day interacting with the Basset Hound; the preferred home allows the Basset Hound time inside to be with the family. Preference will be given to families who allow their dogs to sleep indoors. On occasion, Basset Hounds that have always lived outdoors may be placed with families that keep their dogs outside in a safe environment. It is BHRSC policy to decline to place Basset Hounds in homes with children under five years of age. After careful review and discussion, the BHRSC Board established this policy after three Bassets Hounds were taken into rescue because of conflicts with young children. This policy may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Bassets will not be placed in households unless all adult family members want a Basset Hound. What does the adopting family need to know? In interviewing a prospective family, the Board member should determine whether the family has previously owned a Basset Hound. If not, the potential adopter should be made aware of some common Basset Hound traits that often result in Basset Hounds coming into rescue. Traits include the large size of Basset Hounds, drool, Hound scent, stubborn personality, need for attention, sensitivity to heat, shedding, barking when left alone; and health concerns such as ears susceptible to infection, formation of cysts, glaucoma, and disk disease. Homes with stairs and homes with unfenced pools should be carefully considered. How do we screen the adopting family? After the applicant has been approved by application and phone interview, a home visit is arranged. The home visitor should ask the following: would I allow my Basset Hound to live here? We are not looking at housekeeping skills; rather, we want to know about the family’s lifestyle, and whether there is room for a Basset Hound in their lives. Does the applicant have time to spend with the Basset? Do all the family members want a Basset Hound? Is the housing arrangement Basset friendly? Is there a fenced yard? Is anyone allergic to dogs? The home visitor cannot promise placement of Basset Hounds; rather, information learned from the home visit should be provided to the BHRSC Board, who will make a decision. (see Appendix for Home Visit Form) Getting the Basset and the Family Together After the applicant has been screened, it is simply a matter of finding a match based on what the family requested (male/female, age, etc.). This may happen immediately or it may take awhile; younger Bassets and females usually necessitate a longer wait. When a Basset Hound becomes available, the Board member responsible for his/her placement will review the eligible applications, oldest application first, for a good match. Bassets that have been with us the longest should be considered first in making a match. If the Basset Hound is in a foster home, screened applicants will be referred to the foster family. The foster family has the right to refuse placement if uncomfortable with the family referred. In that case, the foster family should inform the potential adopters that the Basset Hound may already be spoken for. The foster family should then contact the referring BHRSC Board member and explain why the potential adopter was unsuitable. Whether or not the potential adopter is given another referral is at the discretion of the BHRSC Board. If the Basset Hound is being boarded, a BHRSC representative will meet the prospective family at the boarding facility. At the time of the adoption, the BHRSC representative should make certain that the adoptive family understands that we always take back our Basset Hounds, no matter when. If the Basset Hound is returned within one month, we will return the donation. Checks and other paperwork should be sent to BHRSC at P.O. Box 32734, Long Beach, CA 90832-2734 (or our current address). If the Basset Hound's vaccination records are not available at the time of adoption, they will be mailed to the adoptive family. Any AKC papers received with the rescued Basset should be marked "VOID" and sent to AKC so they can keep records of which breeders have Bassets ending up in rescue. The BHRSC representative should promptly provide the adoptive family's name, address, phone, date, and name of adopted Basset Hound to a BHRSC Board member. The family will then be removed from the waiting list and added to the mailing list, and the Basset Hound removed from the available list and from the web page. There are estimated to be approximately 60 shelters (including city/county shelters, private shelters, and humane societies) in the area covered by BHRSC. BHRSC will respond to all notifications of Basset Hounds in shelters, regardless of age or physical condition. From time to time, BHRSC will send letters to all area shelters advising them of our e-mail address, telephone number, and availability to pick up Basset Hounds. Many volunteers check local shelters regularly for Basset Hounds. Connecting with your local shelter assures that BHRSC will be notified of Basset Hound arrivals. BHRSC raises funds throughout the year to pay for veterinary bills, printed public relations materials (including a regular newsletter), and stamps; and to purchase items for resale. We have three main sources of fund raising: cash donations, fund raising events, and sales/auctions. All fund raising undertaken in the name of BHRSC must be approved in advance by a majority vote of the Board. At the time a Basset Hound is adopted, a standard donation fee of $200 is required to help offset the cost of neutering, vaccinations, and other vet bills. This donation may be waived with permission of a majority vote of the Board of Directors in special circumstances (e.g., the adoptive family is assuming the cost of veterinary bills). We solicit donations at all public events by placing a jar with a "Donations" sign on public display. From time to time, the Board may decide to include a plea for donations in a regular newsletter or to offer an incentive for donations given at a public event. In addition to raising community awareness and offering social activities for Basset Hound owners through our events, BHRSC holds at least two annual events with the main purpose of fund raising. These events are Spring Games, held in the spring of each year; and the HOWLelujah Chorus, which is part of the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade, held each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. At both of these events, we charge an entry fee that is established by the Board of Directors; events may have other affiliated fund raising efforts such as sales, raffles, outside vendor contributions. BHRSC may also choose to attend other events where the primary purpose is community awareness; at these events (e.g., animal shelter open houses), fund raising may be a secondary purpose. Board members of BHRSC may decide to purchase items of interest to Basset Hound owners. (Purchase of items for resale must be approved by a majority of the Board.) These items will generally be purchased wholesale and sold for profit at public events, or via our Web page. From time to time, we may also create our own unique items, such as T-shirts, drool towels, videotapes of our events, etc. to sell. In addition, we will solicit donations of items from individuals and from corporations. These items will be used to raise funds through direct sales, sale of raffle tickets, or silent auction. Pursuing Additional Sources of Funds Grants: In future, we may pursue cash donations from corporations that support animal-related causes. Paypal: This is another form of fundraising on the Internet. An individual can set up an account with Paypal and deposit a specified amount with them. When the individual wishes to make purchases or contributions from the account, that can be done to any individual or group with an email address. To set up an account, an individual should visit http://www.paypal.com/. BHRSC will consider other sources of fundraising activities in an effort to help defray the rising costs associated with rescuing Bassets. Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California obtains money through fund raising events, adoption fees, and private donations. The money raised is used for shelter fees, necessary veterinary expenses, and boarding fees; publications and related costs; and purchase of items for resale. All Basset Hounds placed through BHRSC are spayed or neutered and have current vaccinations before placement. Additionally, a veterinarian may treat any health problems from disease or accident (including cysts/tumors, dental problems, eye problems, etc.). All treatments not listed above shall be submitted to the Board for a formal vote by a majority of the Board. BHRSC Veterinarians: BHRSC has veterinarians in Orange County and Los Angeles County with whom we have made financial arrangements. The BHRSC Board must authorize drop-off at a veterinarian in order for the expenses to be covered by BHRSC. Because BHRSC covers such a large area, we may from time to time make arrangements for BHRSC to reimburse volunteers for veterinary expenses at other veterinarians, but only where the request and vote have occurred before any fees are incurred, in case of medical emergency to save the life of the Basset or manage extreme pain. If approval has been given, receipts should be sent to BHRSC for reimbursement (which will normally occur within two weeks). The veterinarian should be made aware that the patient is a rescue Basset, and a courtesy discount requested. (The BHRSC treasurer may be contacted, if more information is required.) 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