CCR Rescue and Referral Policies & Procedures
CCR Identification
All dogs must be properly identified as CCR’s to the best of our knowledge. If a dog is found without proper papers or known breeding, a curly owner, preferably a Club member, will be asked to make a site visit to evaluate the dog. In such cases where no curly owner lives within a reasonable distance for travelling to the dog’s location, photos or videotapes will be requested, and the current caretaker of the dog will be given CCR photos and/or will be asked to view the CCR’s on the Club website for comparison. In such long distance cases, if the CCRCA Rescue and Referral Chairperson, the Division Director or designee, and at least one additional Club member agree that the dog is a purebred CCR, CCRCA R&R will take steps to assist the dog as needed.
General Procedures
All calls, letters, and email correspondence received by the CCRCA R&R Chairperson requesting help for a rescue or referral dog will be investigated. The CCRCA R&R Chairperson will coordinate the investigation immediately by first telephoning or emailing the individual, group, or shelter making the request. Following this contact, if necessary, rescue volunteers, preferably Club members, living geographically closest to the dog will be contacted first, to make a site visit to identify the dog. Once the dog is identified as a CCR, the CCRCA R&R Chairperson and the on-sight volunteer involved will confer and determine the dog’s immediate needs. The dog’s breeder, if known, other Club members in the area, foster home volunteers, and the Division Director or designee will be notified as soon as possible to support the efforts of the CCRCA R&R Chairperson and on-sight rescue volunteer in assisting with the immediate needs of the dog. In the case of a long-distance positive identification with no on-sight volunteer present, the CCRCA R&R Chairperson, the Division Director or designee, and at least one R&R volunteer will determine the dog’s immediate needs and act accordingly. In such a case the dog may require transportation by air to the closest foster home.
Rescue CCR Procedures
All CCRCA Rescue CCR’s are defined as dogs in immediate danger, dogs in shelters, displaced, abandoned or stray dogs, dogs in temporary foster homes, personal emergency situations, any dogs that cannot stay in their present homes, any dogs that are victims of inhumane treatment, and as such will receive immediate attention. As these dogs are often in perilous situations and may have limited time left, the CCRCA R&R Chairperson will arrange for the CCR to be adopted from the shelter or removed from any other site, inform the breeder, if known, and Division Director or designee as soon as possible. Any shelter fees will be paid or reimbursed from the CCRCA R&R fund. A foster home will be arranged immediately, and the dog will be evaluated to determine what type of permanent home is most suitable given the dog’s temperament, health, habits, training, special requirements, etc. The appropriate rescue forms will be forwarded to the foster home for inclusion with the dog’s eventual transfer to a new home. The foster provider will have the dog’s general medical needs attended to with reimbursement for the usual inoculations and tests reimbursed from the CCRCA R&R funds. Prospective adopting families will consult with the foster home, the CCRCA R&R Chairperson, and any local rescue volunteers who have direct knowledge of the dog. At least one visit with the Rescue CCR is recommended for prospective adoptive families, if possible. All Rescue CCR’s will be spayed or neutered prior to adoption, if possible. All adopting homes will be required to spay or neuter intact Rescue CCR’s with full reimbursement from the CCRCA R&R fund.
Referral CCR Procedures
All CCRCA Referral CCR’s are defined as unwanted dogs living with owners in non-emergency settings, dogs returned to their breeders, and all other free of any charge dog referrals. They are dealt with only when there are no current conflicts with CCRCA Rescue CCR’s in need of immediate attention. All Referral CCR’s will be spayed or neutered prior to re-homing if possible. The owner who asks for help in placing a dog is strongly encouraged to contact the dog’s breeder if this has not already been done. Whenever possible the owner, breeder, and R&R Chairperson work together to find the best home for the dog. The owner provides extensive information about the dog’s habits, health, training, temperament, and special requirements. Any homes that have expressed an interest in adopting a CCR and that appear compatible with the dog’s needs are referred to the owner. It is the responsibility of the owner to make any decisions regarding placing the dog with an adopting family. The adopting family is informed that the CCRCA does not recommend the Referral CCR, but merely facilitates the contact between the owner and adopting family. A signed disclaimer is required from the adopting family. Donations to CCRCA Rescue and Referral are requested to help support this CCRCA referral service.
Euthanasia Policy
The goal of CCRCA R&R is to resolve all rescue and referral cases with placement of these CCR’s in permanent, loving homes whenever possible. We recognize that euthanasia is sometimes necessary in response to a painful illness or injury, mental imbalance or excessive fear, exhibiting danger to humans or other animals, or other serious problems that make a CCR unplaceable. When a veterinarian or animal behaviorist recommends that a CCR be humanely euthanized, the R&R on-sight volunteer, the CCRCA R&R Chairperson, the Division Director or designee, and at least one additional R&R volunteer confer and determine whether or not to following this course of action. This situation is considered an extreme emergency and a decision will be made immediately if possible, or not more than 24 hours from the time of evaluation, so as not to prolong any CCR’s suffering. If humane euthanasia is not determined to be in the best interest of the CCR, then an alternate action plan including a timeline for review of progress will be developed and implemented within 48 hours from the time of evaluation.
Adoption Follow-up Procedures
Each adoption will be monitored regularly according to the CCRCA R&R’s ADOPTION FOLLOW-UP (Form G) to be sure all is going well with the CCR and to provide support for any training, housebreaking, or other questions that should arise in the new home. Through a CCRCA R&R volunteer, CCRCA R&R establishes a long-term connection and provides a human resource for the adopting family to call upon over the life of their curly. Our goal is to ensure that the adoption is continuing well, to demonstrate that CCRCA R&R takes its job seriously, and to reassure the adopting family that we have a support system available to them if they need us.
Foster Homes
All foster home providers will submit a signed CCRCA FOSTERING AGREEMENT AND RELEASE FORM to the CCRCA R&R Chairperson. In an emergency situation, a dog can be boarded at a commercial kennel until a foster home can be arranged and CCRCA R&R will pay up to $15.00 a day for no longer than two weeks for this arrangement. At the end of two weeks, reevaluation of the placement by the R&R Chairperson, the Division Director or designee, and at least one rescue volunteer will determine if extenuating circumstances require an extension of the kennel placement. In extreme circumstances, CCRCA R&R will pay at least half of the expenses to relocate an adoptable dog to a suitable permanent home with the approval of the CCRCA R&R Chairperson, the Division Director or designee, and at least one additional R&R volunteer. It is recommended that people handling rescue dogs should isolate all rescue animals until they are proven brucellosis negative.
Behavior Training/Medical Care Action Plan
In such cases where a CCRCA Rescue or Referral CCR requires rehabilitation or unusual medical care prior to placement, the CCR will be evaluated. Based on the advice of a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and/or an experienced CCRCA R&R volunteer, the cost and time commitment required for special training and/or medical services will be estimated. Both additional funding and a specialized foster home will be sought to meet the specific needs in such cases. Medical conditions will include but not be limited to a medical condition that is not terminal, a medical condition where the prognosis for recovery is considered positive, a medical condition that is not congenital (such as HD). Behavioral conditions will include but not be limited to fear, aggression, or destructive behaviors that are determined to have good potential for successful modification with specialized training. Once rehabilitated, the CCR will be placed or referred very carefully with full disclosure of the CCR’s pre-existing condition to all prospective adopting homes. Single dog homes, homes with obedience training experience, and homes with adults only will be required on a case by case basis as deemed necessary to meet the needs of the CCR.
National Breed Club Collaboration Policy
Cooperation among curly rescue/referral groups and individuals is good for everyone. More CCR’s are successfully re-homed when we work together. Clear expectations and guidelines are essential for the development of effective working relationships. To this end the following policies are required by the CCRCA:
- All reports of rescue or referral CCR’s received by the CCRCA R&R Chairperson and, subsequently identified as CCR’s, but not already attended to by regional clubs, groups, or individuals outside the CCRCA, will be designated either CCRCA Rescue or Referral CCR’s per the CCRCA R&R criteria. When any regional club, group, or individual engaged in CCR rescue or referral is unable to place or maintain a rescue or referral ccr in their care, they are welcome to submit or cause to submit an OWNER SURRENDER/ REFERRAL AND RELEASE document to the CCRCA R&R Chairperson.
- Any CCRCA member who agrees to assist in any way with a designated CCRCA Rescue or Referral CCR takes action on behalf of the CCRCA only, regardless of any other club, group, or individual CCR rescue affiliations.
- All monies received as donations and adoption fees for designated CCRCA Rescue or Referral CCR’s are the property of the CCRCA and are to be sent to the CCRCA R&R Chairperson for documentation and then deposited in the CCRCA R&R fund by the CCRCA Treasurer.
- The CCRCA R&R Chairperson will be informed in writing of all CCR rescues and referrals attended to outside the CCRCA by any regional clubs, groups, or individuals.
- Upon receiving notice of a CCR rescue or referral attended to by a regional club, group or individual, the CCRCA R&R Chairperson will offer assistance by providing information regarding potential adopting homes and potential volunteer human resources in the area. Conversely, regional clubs, groups, and individuals will reciprocate by providing information regarding potential adopting homes and potential human resources to the CCRCA R&R Chairperson when CCRCA Rescue and Referral CCR’s are reported in their area.
- CCRCA Rescue & Referral funding and financial assistance are designated for supporting the care and placement of CCRCA Rescue and Referral CCR’s only. Any and all regional clubs, groups, and individuals that engage in rescuing or referring CCR’s outside the CCRCA are not eligible for CCRCA R&R financial support or funding.
CCRCA Rescue and Referral Reports
All reports of possible rescue and referral cases that are made to the CCRCA R&R Chairperson will be documented and submitted to the editors for reporting to the CCRCA membership in the next regularly scheduled issue of the CURLY COMMENTATOR. These CCRCA R&R reports will include all investigations found not to be CCR’s, all reports of rescue and referral CCR’s being attended to by regional clubs, groups, or individuals outside the CCRCA, and all CCRCA R&R Rescue CCR’s and all CCRCA R&R Referral CCR’s. CCRCA R&R Fund-raisers and services, and written feedback from adopting homes will also be included in CCRCA R&R reports submitted regularly to the CURLY COMMENTATOR.