Families are created at Westie Rescue of Missouri
Please visit our Facebook page for available dogs at: www.facebook.com/westierescueofmissouri
We also have a private page you can join at: www.facebook.com/groups/748451946619100
Westie Rescue of Missouri, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization which provides rescue, fostering, medical, and adoption services for abused, abandoned, neglected, and/or homeless West Highland White Terriers mainly in the Missouri area.
Our Westies are fostered in private homes during rehabilitation or until adoption. All dogs are required to be spayed/neutered before placement. A donation is requested to assist us to cover program expenses at the time of adoption. It is 100% tax deductible, given in a range that the adopters may work within. If you are in a position to give more, we thank you in advance. WRM spends an average of $40,000+ a year in vet care - many pets requiring extensive care that goes well above $800. The donation, while some may feel is 'steep', assist in keeping the WRM doors open as it goes toward the vetting of ALL our rescues. Remember, while the cost of a Westie may be comparable to a puppy you can purchase from a breeder, you still have to vet and care for your Westie. This includes the spay and neuter of the puppy you purchase, which proves that you do not wish, as a responsible pet owner, not to be contributing to the ever growing crisis of thousands of unwanted companion animals that die daily in shelters across our land due to the lack of homes. Sadly, puppies and kittens are included in that scenario. Please - spay and neuter your pets!
Our rescue dogs may be Perky but they are also Quirky... they are in rescue for a reason. While our Westies may not be 'perfect', we are looking for the 'perfect' home to make up for that. We assess the pets the best we can to see how they react with other dogs, people (some don't like certain genders or small children) and the typical home setting. Most of our rescues come from commercial breeding facilities. This means, for the most part, these dogs have lived their lives pretty much in a cage that is big enough for them to stand up and turn around - it's all the law requires that the breeders supply - now, go look at your darling pet and IMAGINE their lives limited to such a small living space. This is why one should NEVER purchase a pet from a pet store - Puppy Mills supply Pet Stores! Sometimes we do acquire a Westie from a family who, for whatever reason, are unable to care for their Westie.
The remarkable thing is - Westies are resilient!
Once a pet comes into rescue, he'll be assessed and vetted. When he is given the clear to head to his new home, we contact the chosen adopter to set up a day and time for the adoption. Because of the vast areas these dogs are fostered, a 'meet and greet' with their dogs is usually impossible. However, we stand behind our dogs and for any reason the adoption does not work out - we take him back. This RARELY happens!
We do ask for the families to drive or fly in to pick up their pets. Again, WRM is run by unpaid volunteers who all have full time jobs and family responsibilities. All expenses in the transport are covered by the volunteer. Sometimes WRM can set up a relay type of transport, where the pet is handed off to different drivers until the transport meets up with the new home. This can be very stressful on the pet and the fewer hands on the dog, the easier it is for your new adopted pet to relax and settle in - so the more you can help in the ground transport of your pet - the better!
Our Westies will come with a copy of its medical papers. These should be given to your personal vet so they can better assist him once in their care. We do follow up on the placement from time to time, just to make sure that all is well and if there are any questions or concerns.
A contract is signed between the adopter and WRM - it is legally binding and states that the dog is to be returned to rescue if it doesn't work out. Your adopted rescue, is NOT to be given to anyone else (even within the family) without written permission from this rescue. WRM is fortunate enough to have been founded by an attorney and judge for the State of Missouri that continues to oversee the legal aspect of our rescue - this helps to ensure that both family and pet are given the legal security in knowing we are there for them. We attempt to disclose everything we possibly can about the pet you are hoping to adopt; the good, the bad, the ugly. We ask the same from our adopting families. All adopted pets are to be kept up with their vet care and are never left outside unattended, off leash or kept as an outside dog. These dogs are to be raised inside with their new families. At anytime it is reported that the proper care is not given to your adopted rescue, WRM is within its legal rights to request that the adopted pet is returned to our organization.
We suggest that you browse our site for more information on our organization. With more knowledge of the breed, it helps you to know what to expect in a rescue dog. Many come into rescue so frightened (puppy mills are horrid places!), but within a few months of living a real Westie's life - you will begin to watch your Westie blossom before your very eyes! Its amazing and a moment our homes cherish and relish in. The pets soon come to know that YOUR hands would NEVER harm them and THEIR bowls are ALWAYS filled. If you have another Westie in your home already, your Westie will teach the new Westie what life is all about and what they can and can't get away with. Gotta love this breed. They are sooooooooooo smart!
If you have further questions after browsing our site - please feel free to contact our organization at westierescueofmissouri@rescueteam.com . As volunteers, we will TRY to reply to inquiries within a 48 hour period. If you do NOT hear from someone, please write again. Be sure to like us on Facebook - links are above! You may message our group via our page for a quicker response. Remember to be kind and patient - we are all volunteers and doing our very best.
Thank you,
Westie Rescue of Missouri