Many people do not know that is possible to adopt any specific type of dog from a rescue, somewhere. Even at the pound, 25% of all dogs are purebreds, so this is a very good place to start. Many rescue groups will accept all types of dogs, but even more are breed specific, meaning they will only accept purebreds of one specific type. So, the next question is, "How can I find a rescue for (fill in the blank) breed?"

Start in the white pages of your local phone book. Look under "dog, canine, adopt, pet, rescue," and of course, the breed name. Even if you do not find the breed rescue you want here, chances are that one of the people you do find will know someone who can help you. One sure thing about rescue folk; eventually, everybody knows everybody else. If you didn't find exactly what you wanted, call one the organizations that you have found and ask. For instance- let's say you are looking for Australian Shepherds, but all you have found are Australian Cattle dogs and German Shepherds. You will be amazed at how helpful these volunteers are, and chances are they will give you numbers of people they know doing Australian Shepherd rescue.

An excellent source of rescue information can be found on the internet. If you know how to use a search engine (one of my favorites is www.dogpile.com), just type in: dog+rescue+"Australian Shepherd" or any other breed name and you will find rescues everywhere. You may wish to add your location to narrow the search criteria. An url I have found useful for finding breed rescues is:

http://www.canine-connections.com/rescue/»

These private, non-profit groups all also wonderful sources of information about the breed you are seeking as well as dogs in general. Ask, and your questions shall be answered.

(S. Porter is a dog lover who lives in Southern California.)

Here is a short list of breed rescues to get you started:

Friends of Afghan Hounds - 909-592-7917
Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California - 562-634-8113
Boxer Rescue - 213-532-6541
Southland Collie Rescue - 626-305-0246
Save the Dal(matian)s - 310-784-5718
German Shepherd Rescue - 818-558-7560
Friends for Pets (Weimaraner, Golden Retriever,
Labrador Retriever & Dalmatian rescue) - 818-767-5919
Greyhound Pets of America - 565-694-3519
So. Cal. Labrador Retriever Rescue - 888-554-ALAB
Orange County Pomeranian Rescue - 714-441-0961
Little Angels Pug Rescue - 626-795-3944
Yorkshire Terrier Rescue - 760-789-965