18th Annual Weim Rescue Weimathon
Worldwide Weim-a-thon was created to raise money for Weimaraner Rescue Organizations all over the world.
You can participate from anywhere in the world.
It’s Easy To Participate…
Choose 1 Day (April 12th) or 30 Days (April 12th – May 12th) to:
Walk, Run, or Sponsor a Pledge to a Weim-a-thon Participant
Then complete a Weimathon Form:
WEIMATHON PLEDGE FORM – PDF VERSION UPDATED
WEIMATHON PLEDGE FORM – DOC VERSION UPDATED
11th ANNUAL WORLDWIDE WEIM-A-THON
April 12th – May 12th
All funds raised should be sent to the Weimaraner Rescue of your choice.
(See the “Weim Rescue” section on http://www.TheWeimaraner.com)
Funds raised will be used to save abandoned Weimaraners.
Every little step counts & could save Weimaraners all over the world.
Please read and contact us if you have any questions.
April 12th – May 12th you can help raise funds to help save the lives of abandoned Weimaraners in your area. The Weimaraner breed requires lots of love and attention. They are famous for appearances on Sesame Street, Commercials, & William Wegman photos. Humans usually buy one for their beauty without doing research on the breed. Owners sometimes relinquish their dogs to rescue groups because they don’t realize the amount of dedication and time they require. Rescue groups also get the dogs from shelters.
The Worldwide Weim-A-Thon was created to help Weimaraner Rescue Groups all over the world raise funds to help in their missions to save abandoned Weimaraners. These funds will help pay for boarding, food, & veterinarian expenses such as shots, microchipping, spay/neutering, & healthcare for Weimaraners in need of advanced medical attention.
We hope that each person will participate in the Weim-a-thon in any way they can by Walking, Running, or Sponsoring a Pledge to a participant. To achieve our mission it would be great to have each participant find 5 sponsors and/or raise $100 per participant. The more contributions you help raise, the more successful we’ll be at achieving the mission. We encourage you to volunteer or organize an event in your community.
Check with your nearest Weimaraner Rescue to see if they have special plans for the kick-off day. www.TheWeimaraner.com
If your community does not have a local Weimaraner Rescue Group you can pick the Weimaraner Rescue of your choice to help. You can find people to walk/run/sponsor a pledge to by visiting our GROUPS.
Directions/Rules
- Contact the Weimaraner Rescue nearest to you. (See website for Weim Rescue locations) www.TheWeimaraner.com or Weimaraner Rescue Groups
- Each sponsor making a pledge should write their own name, pledge per mile, and maximum pledge.
- Circle each mile that you accomplished on your “Mile Tag”.
- Please turn in your Pledge Sheet, Liability Waiver, “Mile Tag”, & Funds raised to the Weimaraner Rescue you choose by May 30th www.TheWeimaraner.com
- Participants are encouraged to wear hats & sunscreen if sunny, bring rain gear if rainy, and water for everyone.
LIABILITY WAIVER
________________________________________________________________________________________________
First Name Last Name
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Full Address/City/Province/Zip/Country
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Weimaraner Rescue Choice
I_______________________________________________ am participating in this program at my own risk and I will not hold anyone including Weim-A-Thon creators, Weimaraner Club/Rescue or any of its members liable for any loss, injury, illness, damage, or other hardship that may arise in connection with such program. I further agree, in the event that an animal or animals are left in my care in connection with such program, to assume full responsibility and liability for any and all injury caused by such animal or animals to others.
Thank you very much for your participation and we hope that you have a great time!!
Questions? weimathon@gmail.com
(A special Thank you to Sandie Friedland for the creation and copyright of the Weimathon logos.)
ANNUAL WORLDWIDE WEIM-A-THON
WEIM-A-THON IS A FUN AND FIT ACTIVITY FOR PETS & THEIR FAMILIES.
Dear Potential Sponsor, I am participating in the 9th Annual WORLDWIDE WEIM-A-THON April 12th – May 12th. All proceeds will help fund Weimaraner Rescue. You can sponsor me for an amount per mile and can name a maximum amount that you are willing to contribute.
Please make checks payable to:___________________________________________ Thank you!
| Name of Sponsor |
Pledge per mile (Example: $1.00) |
Maximum Pledge |
Amount Collected from Sponsor |
Business Matching Pledge Amount |
|
| 1 | |||||
PLEASE PRINT FROM ONE OF THE PRINTABLE COPIES AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG POST.
April 12th – May 12th you can help raise funds to help save the lives of abandoned Weims in your area. The Weimaraner breed requires lots of love and attention. They are famous for appearances on Sesame Street, Commercials, & William Wegman photos. Humans usually buy one for their beauty without doing research on the breed. Owners sometimes relinquish their dogs to rescue groups because they don’t realize the amount of dedication and time they require. Rescue groups also get the dogs from shelters.
The Worldwide Weim-A-Thon was created to help Weimaraner Rescue Groups all over the world raise funds to help in their missions to save abandoned Weimaraners. These funds will help pay for boarding, food, & veterinarian expenses such as shots, microchipping, spay/neutering, & healthcare for Weimaraners in need of advanced medical attention.
We hope that each person will participate in the Weim-a-thon in any way they can by Walking, Running, or Sponsoring a Pledge to a participant. To achieve our mission it would be great to have each participant find 5 sponsors and/or raise $100 per participant. The more contributions you help raise, the more successful we’ll be in achieving the mission. We encourage you to volunteer or organize an event in your community.
Here is a video about Weimathon
National Weimaraner Day April 12th & Helping Weimaraners
April 12th is National Weimaraner Day. Please spend the day with your Weimaraner (s) and try to help your favorite Weimaraner Rescue Group. There are so many ways that you can help the Weimaraner Breed.
We have listed some ideas below. Some of these ideas take a couple of minutes and some are more in depth. Please help in any area that you can. Thank you
1. Dimes For Weims DimesForWeims TheWeimaranercom – Click for printable flyers
2. Garage Sales For Weimaraner Rescues
3. Weimathon
Here is a video about Weimathon
Website = www.TheWeimaraner.com
Forms = https://theweimaraner.wordpress.com/forms/
4. You can also help by contacting your favorite Weimaraner Rescue Group to see what they need.
Most rescue groups need supplies, fosters, volunteers, help coordinating fundraisers, dog walkers, poop scoopers, donations, & more.
5. You can buy things from the Weimaraner Rescue Groups Shops on their Website.
6. Donate directly to your favorite Weimaraner Rescue Groups – CLICK HERE TO FOR DIRECT DONATION LINKS
Thank you so much
7. Create a quilt and donate it to your favorite weimaraner rescue to auction.
DimesForWeims – CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE SHEET FOR YOUR JAR
www.TheWeimaraner.com – Facebook – Twitter
Weimaraner Quilt – Facebook
Congrats to DC Weimaraner Rescue
The DC Weimaraner Rescue raised over $4000 for the rescue so far! Folks came from NC, SC, TN, PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA and DC! You guys ROCK! Dogs ranged from 14 years to 10 weeks!
We are so excited that their rescue did so well. It is not too late to help your local or favorite Weimaraner Rescue. CLICK HERE to help.
Parker The 16 year Old Weimaraner
Parker is a 16 year old Weimaraner. He was born August 11th 1997~ He is defeating the odds everyday with his super senior issues including degenerative myelopathy & congestive heart failure yet is still on his journey to hopefully turning 17.
Please read all about him on his facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Parker-The-16-Year-Old-Weimaraner/235912369897831
Momma, what is Circovirus?
Circovirus in Dogs FAQ
October 3, 2013 
Canine circovirus infections have been documented in dogs with vomiting and diarrhea. The distribution of the virus in the U.S. is not yet known, but dogs infected with circovirus have been reported in California and circovirus may be associated with recent illness and death of dogs in Ohio.
Q: What are circoviruses?
A: Circoviruses are small viruses that have been known to infect pigs and birds. They are also known to survive well in the environment once shed from affected animals. Porcine circoviruses are very common throughout the world. Porcine circovirus 2 can cause postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in 2-4 month old piglets, resulting in weight loss, poor growth and high death rates. Although porcine circoviruses were first identified more than 30 years ago, there is still much unknown about the viruses. Circovirus can also infect birds, causing beak and feather disease in psittacine birds (such as parrots, parakeets, budgies and cockatiels), infectious anemia in chickens, and deadly infections in pigeons, canaries and finches.
Q: What is canine circovirus/dog circovirus?
A: The circovirus identified in dogs shares more similarity to porcine circovirus than to the avian circovirus, but it is not the same as porcine circovirus. This canine circovirus was first reported in June 2012 as part of a genetic screening of canine samples for new viruses (Kapoor et al 2012). Circovirus was detected in 2.9% of canine sera collected for routine serological testing. In April 2013, a similar virus was detected in a California dog that presented to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine for worsening vomiting (containing blood) and diarrhea. PCR tests on dogs with and without clinical disease indicate a prevalence rate of between 2.9-11.3%. The data suggest that this new virus, either alone or as a co-infection with other pathogens (disease-causing organisms, such as bacteria and viruses), might contribute to dog illness and deaths. However, the authors also reported that circovirus was identified in the stool of 14 out of 204 healthy dogs, suggesting that infection with circovirus does not always result in illness.
There is still much to learn about this newly identified virus, including its role in disease.
Q: Are the dogs in Ohio infected with circovirus?
A: No. Circovirus was suggested as a possible cause of illness and death of dogs in several parts of Ohio in late August/early September 2013, but it is no longer being considered as the primary cause of the illnesses. Circovirus was detected in the stool of one ill dog in Ohio, which is the first time the virus has been identified in Ohio, but this does not mean that circovirus has been confirmed as the cause of any of the recent illnesses. The Ohio Department of Agriculture continues to investigate the illnesses, and this will take time.
Q: Are the dogs in Michigan infected with circovirus?
A: As of October 3, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has been investigating illnesses similar to those observed in Ohio. The investigation will take time, and at this time they are not confirming that circovirus is involved.
Q: How are dogs being infected with circovirus?
A: The route of infection is still unknown, but the basic principles of viral spreading suggest that direct contact with an infected dog or its vomit or diarrhea would present a higher risk of infection. However, many viruses can be spread from animal to animal through the use of shared bedding and equipment or through human contact with an infected animal prior to handling of an uninfected animal. In pigs, circovirus is spread through the manure and through contact with respiratory secretions.
Although some of the dogs showing clinical disease were recently boarded or at doggie daycare facilities, this should not be taken as an indication that this virus is only spread at boarding kennels or that boarding your dog or taking it to daycare will result in infection. Any parent who has taken their child to daycare knows that a high concentration of children in an area can increase the spread of colds and other illnesses; the same thing can happen when dogs are gathered in an area.
Q: Are there other diseases that are similar to circovirus infection?
A: There are many potential causes of vomiting and diarrhea, so the presence of these signs does not mean your dog is infected with circovirus. For example, vomiting and diarrhea can also result from infection with canine parvovirus, canine enteric coronavirus, Salmonella bacteria, canine distemper virus, Campylobacter bacteria, Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin A gene bacteria, and Cryptosporidium and Giardia species (both of which are single-celled parasites). Even a simple “dietary indiscretion,” such as getting into the garbage or overeating rich foods or treats, can result in vomiting and diarrhea. Not all of these problems are life-threatening, and many cases of diarrhea and vomiting resolve with simple treatment.
If your dog is showing signs of illness, contact your veterinarian to get the correct diagnosis (including any necessary laboratory testing). Even if it turns out to be something minor, you can have peace of mind knowing that your dog’s health is not threatened.
Q: What should pet owners do?
A: If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, contact your veterinarian. Dogs with diarrhea and vomiting could have a range of diseases, some of which can be life-threatening unless diagnosed and treated early. Prompt treatment of vomiting and diarrhea, regardless of the cause, gives your dog a better chance of a quick recovery and can also cost you less in the long run – delaying veterinary care can mean that your veterinarian has to treat a dog that’s much more sick than he/she would have been if seen earlier, and that costs more. In the small number of cases so far, prompt veterinary treatment was critical to a good outcome for that dog.
Although we still have a lot to learn about this circovirus, there’s no cause for panic. We know that dogs infected with circovirus don’t always become ill, but we don’t know how much of the virus they may shed in their stool or how much risk these dogs present as sources of infection for other dogs. Theoretically, it’s possible, and that’s one of many reasons why it’s so important that you pick up after your own dog and avoid contact with stool from other dogs when possible.
Simple, common sense measures are in order, including the avoidance of contact with ill animals (and if your dog is ill, avoid contact with other dogs until your dog has fully recovered) and cleaning up after your pet passes stool. A healthy pet is more likely to have a fully functional immune system to fight infections, so keeping your pet healthy with good preventive care is also important.
Q: Is there a vaccine for circovirus?
A: Not at this time. This is a very recent development, and it takes years to develop vaccines and get approval for use in pets.
Q: What should kennels and doggy daycare facilities do?
A: Follow good hygiene and sanitation measures, as you should always do: don’t allow ill dogs to mix with others; clean and disinfect areas where ill animals have been, and regularly clean and disinfect all dog areas; and monitor dogs for signs of illness, and immediately report any signs of illness to the dog’s owner.
Q: If my dog has circovirus, can I become infected?
A: There is no evidence to date that this virus can be transmitted to you from your dog.
The AVMA would like to thank the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians for their assistance in creating this resource.
Weimaraner Quiz
The Weimaraner Quiz was created to help you in your decision to see if a Weimaraner is right for your family. If you take the quiz and a Weim is perfect for your family you will then have another choice: Do we find our Weimaraner using a Weimaraner Breeder or Weimaraner Rescue?
Weimaraner Quiz “The Weim Quiz”
Senior Weims Slumber Party
Slumber party!!!! I’ve been such a good girl at my new foster home that my foster Mom let me have a boy/girl slumber party! This picture is of Holly (left), Gilbert (in yellow slippers) and me (Beauty).
We had a great time and, given that one of us is 14 years old (Holly), one is recovering from major surgery Gilbert) and one (me) is dealing with terminal cancer, we actually slept! Nothing like those “slumber” parties that human kids have.
The doctor says I don’t have a lot of time left on this earth, but I’m enjoying the heck out of the days I have left. Carpe Diem and all.
If you’d like to read my whole story, see more pictures and check out my Amazon wish list, click here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.383898955072705.1073741828.238962312899704&type=3
Anybody up for popcorn and a movie marathon?
Love to you all, Beauty
Senior Moments Weimaraners, Inc. is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization helping senior Weimaraners to have safe, full, love-filled lives. We take in homeless Weims age 10 and up and give them love and vet care while they wait for their forever families to adopt them.
We are foster-home based, we do not have a facility. We are only able to help these older Weims when we have foster homes available. If you have room in your heart and home to help a senior Weim, please contact us today!
Our service area is currently limited to Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois and will expand as we develop our network of foster homes.
We are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and we are qualified to accept tax-deductible contributions, bequests, devices, transfers and gifts. Please consult your tax preparer regarding how this applies to you.
http://senior-moments-weimaraners.com/who-we-are/weims-looking-for-love/
Gilbert Grape and The 12lb Tumor
We hope that you enjoy this great story about Gilbert Grape.
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2013/09/twelve-pound-tumor-removed-from-rescued-weimaraner/
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.575773065793985.1073741842.143358555702107&type=3
A Weimaraner rescued from a kill shelter has been given a chance at a normal life after having a cumbersome, watermelon-sized tumor removed from his chest/abdominal area.
A few days ago, a dog was brought into the Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue in New Mexico after being left at a kill shelter. They had seen bad cases before, but staff members could not believe their eyes when they saw the downtrodden dog, encumbered with such a massive tumor.
“We feel sympathy for him while at the same time we struggle with the fact he was so neglected. How could he have survived all of this time? All we can hope for any animal who is being given a second chance is that it’s not too late; this dog is no exception,” their Facebook page read.
The six-year-old was named Gilbert Grape, and the nonprofit organization took him to the emergency room. He was given pain medicine and antibiotics, and put on an IV catheter. Blood and urine were tested, and an ultrasound performed. He also needed a blood transfusion. He was made comfortable, and vets were consulted about the tumor.
“We consulted 4 veterinarians and a board-certified surgeon. The consensus is that the tumor very well could be benign, as it is pedunculated, meaning it is a stalk of tissue growing independent of other tissue. Yes, it could be malignant as well, there is always that chance. His blood work is relatively normal (with the exception of elevated white cells from the infectious, necrotic tumor) and he is otherwise seemingly healthy, even though we are aware there could be malignancy not showing up on blood work.”
Tickled Pink didn’t want to wait, and prolong Gilbert’s suffering. Their choices were to go ahead with surgery, or humanely euthanize him. It was a difficult decision, one they felt was unfair for them to make after only knowing him a few hours – who were they to decide?
“After all of our consults and a few hours of iv treatment, the Weimaraner stood up and walked towards our volunteers looking us in the eyes. We felt that he was telling us he’s not ready to go; he’s fighting to live and we want to help join him in his fight.”
Gilbert is looking much happier, and doing one of his favorite things, that he hasn’t been able to do in more than a year – lie on his belly!
Surgery it was. They began a fundraiser with a goal of $6,800 for medical expenses. People touched by Gilbert’s story rallied and nearly $12,000 was donated.
He made it through the surgery and has spent the last few days recovering. But it will take more than just rest; Gilbert is believed to have been living with the tumor for over a year, and has a hard time walking without it. His center of gravity was affected by it, and his weight distribution is unbalanced. He requires some physical therapy, but will likely learn how to walk normally.
Gilbert Grape-less is currently in a loving foster home, and some have already expressed interest in adopting him. The gratitude and sparkle in his eyes has overwhelmed Tickled Pink staff and supporters with happiness.
UPDATE: Gilbert is healing well and looking happy with his new bed and toys, thanks to the generosity of strangers who sent them to him!
Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue
12231 Academy Road NE #301-214
Albuquerque, NM 87111
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TickledPinkWeimaranerRescue?ref=br_tf
Website: http://www.weimaranerrescue.org/
http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?query_id=8C83AC3E-33A6-11E3-932A-0463AE387E6D
Rehoming Your Weimaraner
POTENTIAL FORMS TO HELP YOU
ADOPTION APPLICATION FOR REHOMING YOUR WEIMARANER – WORD
ADOPTION APPLICATION FOR REHOMING YOUR WEIMARANER – PDF
REHOMING HOME INSPECTION LIABILITY FORMS – WEIMARANER – PDF
REHOMING HOME INSPECTION LIABILITY FORMS – WEIMARANER – WORD
WHEN YOU CAN’T KEEP YOUR WEIM
ADAPTED FROM CHOW CHOW RESCUE, WITH THANKS TO THE AUTHORS: KAREN DeBOER, BARBARA MALONE, AND LISA HRICO AND THE CHOW CHOW CLUB, INC. WELFARE COMMITTEE
Not long ago, you were thrilled to have a Weimaraner puppy of your very own. You never dreamed that you might have to give him up someday. Your Weim still depends on you to do what is best for him, just like he depended on you when he was a puppy. Now, more than ever, he needs you to take time to think things through and make the right choices for his future. WEIMARANER RESCUE helps to find new homes for Weims. Rescuers are unpaid volunteers with full time jobs and families to care for, just like you. They usually do not have kennel facilities nor do they receive financial help from the government. The cost to care for rescued Weims comes out of their own pockets and through the participation of their individual breed clubs. Rescue works with Weims that are given up for adoption by their owners, with dogs that are given up to shelters, or with dogs that are picked up as strays. Shelter dogs are in need of immediate attention, therefore, private releases (those dogs who are given up by their owners) are given secondary importance in the adoption chain. Why? They already have a home and an owner.you. Your Weimaraner is your responsibility. Most of the work in finding him a new, loving, permanent home is up to you. If your dog came from a private breeder or individual, your first recourse should be in contacting that breeder or individual immediately. Although he or she may not choose to help you, he has a moral obligation to do so. Members of the Weimaraner Club of America agree to this service when they adhere to the Code of Ethics as set forward by our parent Club. An ethical, responsible breeder/fancier will want to help you and has a right to know what is about to happen to the dog that he or she brought into this world. Finding a new home will not be quick or easy. It takes patience and hard work. This booklet is designed to help you decide what is best for your dog, how to prepare him for adoption and how to choose the correct new owner for him. Finding a new home involves several steps, but before you start here are a few things you should know:
ABOUT ANIMAL SHELTERS
Shelters and Humane Societies were created to take care of the needs of stray and abused animals. They were not intended to be the dumping grounds for people whose pets are no longer convenient, but that is what they have become. Shelters today are so overcrowded that many dogs are destroyed on the same day that they arrive. Stray animals must be kept several days for their owners to reclaim them, by law. However, not protected by this law is the dog turned in by its owner. Only 1 in 10 animals that enter a shelter will come out alive. Shelters do not want to kill all these animals but they have no choice. For every child born on this day – there will be 15 puppies and 45 kittens born as well. There are just not enough homes for all of these animals. Being a purebred will not help a dog’s chances of adoption – 40% of the dogs in shelters are purebreds. Sending your Weimaraner to a shelter in the hopes that he will find a good home is wishful thinking … you could in reality be signing his death warrant.
STEP ONE: SOUL SEARCHING
There’s a big difference between being forced to give up your dog and wanting to “get rid of it.” Search your heart for the real reason why your dog can no longer live with you. Your answer will probably fall into one of two categories:
PEOPLE PROBLEMS or DOG PROBLEMS
People Problems include moving, death of an owner, divorce, a new baby, allergies, etc… With some planning and forethought, People Problems don’t always mean having to give up your dog. It is possible to find rental dwellings that accept pets, kids and dogs can be raised together, allergies can be controlled with medication, etc. If you are not sure if you have considered all of the options, call us. We may be able to give you some ideas or send information that will help you keep your dog. Sometimes you can make temporary living arrangements for your pet that will buy you both a little time to find alternatives. Dog Problems include aggression, house soiling, destructiveness, barking, fighting, bad manners or other undesirable behavior. If you got your dog as a puppy, you must accept the fact that you are at least partly responsible for the way your dog acts now. An owner, whose dog has a behavior problem, always has four options: 1) continue to live with the dog as he is, 2) hire a trainer or attend classes to alter his behavior, 3) give your problem to someone else, 4) have the dog euthanized. Most behavior problems can be worked out if YOU, the owner, are willing to make the effort. Don’t make the mistake of trading this dog for another one that you think will be easier to work with. If you didn’t train this one properly, you won’t train the next one either. If you are willing to keep your dog if only he was better behaved, call us – we can help. We have a strong network of Club Members, and all of us, at one time or another, have faced the same problems as you are having now. We can provide training advice, reading material and refer you to qualified trainers or animal behaviorists to help you with your dog’s problems.
STEP TWO: TEMPERMENT EVALUATION
Your dog’s adoption potential depends mostly on his temperament or “personality.” Weimaraners are usually friendly, outgoing dogs with few, if any temperament problems. However, there are Weims that due to lack of early socialization or other factors my have temperament or personality disorders. You must be realistic about your own dog. Is he outgoing and friendly to almost everyone? Is he unpleasant or aggressive towards strangers? Does he adjust easily to new situations? Has he been exposed to a variety of situations during his lifetime? Has he been raised with children, other dogs, cats? Is he protective of you and your home or is he overly protective? The majority of people who will be looking at your dog, as a prospective pet, will never have owned a Weimaraner before. Their mental picture of the breed will be from a magazine picture or a book illustration — a large, friendly gray dog that approaches with his eyes shining and his tail wagging. When you love your dog, it is easy to think that everyone else will love him, too. But think, if you were meeting him for the first time, what kind of an impression would he make? Would you want to adopt him?
STEP THREE: PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR ADOPTION
Having decided that your dog must really have a new home, and that his temperament is suitable for a new owner, you should take him to your veterinarian for a complete checkup and any necessary vaccinations. Some behavior problems occur because of physical problems and are easily treatable. For example: worms, urinary infections, or diabetes may be the cause of soiling in the house. There may be other physical causes as well. Bring all vaccinations up to date — not just rabies. Your dog should also have a heartworm check, be heartworm negative and be on heartworm preventative as well as having a stool check for worms.
IF YOUR DOG HAS NOT BEEN NEUTERED OR SPAYED DO IT NOW!
Placing your Weimaraner without being neutered could put his life and well being in serious jeopardy. No reputable breeder would be caught dead adding your dog to his or her breeding program. The only kind of breeder who’ll be interested in your dog will be a puppymill. Wholesale dog brokers seek out free or cheap un-neutered purebreds for resale to puppymills or research laboratories. Watch out also for private owners looking for a “mate” for their own dog. Is this what you want for your Weimaraner? Spaying or neutering guarantees that your dog will not end up in a puppymill or in the hands of a backyard breeder. By doing this your dog will be adopted by a family which wants him as a best friend and member of the family. Give your dog a chance at a brighter future — make your spay/neuter appointment today! Groom and bathe your dog. Get rid of any fleas. If you can not do this yourself, take him to a grooming parlor. Get rid of that old, frayed, or rusted collar and buy him some “new clothes.” You want him to look his best in order to make a nice impression on prospective adopters.
STEP FOUR: WRITING AN AD
There’s a trick to writing a good ad that will generate interest in your dog while not misrepresenting him and which will also do some preliminary screening for you. At the very least, the ad needs to give a concise description of your dog, his needs, requirements for a home, and of course your telephone number. The description should include his breed, sex, the fact that he is neutered (you did do that, didn’t you?) and an indication of his age. Hint: if your dog is under a year and a half old, state his age in months so that he will be perceived as the young dog that he is. If he is over three, state his age as “adult”. Many people believe that an older dog won’t adjust to a new home. This is far from true. There are definite advantages to an older dog: “what you see is what you get”, they are over the chewing stage, they are already housebroken, etc. I always point out to prospective adopters who bring up the age issue, that. most working dogs, i.e. Seeing Eye, handicap helpers, hearing aid dogs, seldom, if ever, begin their career until they are over three years of age. Emphasize your dog’s good points. Is he well mannered? Acts friendly? Loves kids? Try to state these in a positive way, i.e. “Kids over 10” sounds better than “No children under 10”. Pre-qualify homes by stating any definite needs, i.e. fenced yard, no cats, etc. This lets people know that you are going to be selective, want to do what’s right for your dog and prepares callers for the fact that you will be asking a lot more questions of them. NEVER include the phrase “FREE TO GOOD HOME” in your ad even if it is true. If possible, do not put in any reference to price at all. While “free,” will generate a lot of calls, most of them will not offer the kind of home that you are looking for. Save yourself the trouble of sorting out the wheat from the chaff right from the beginning. Not specifying a price will give you a lot of latitude. You can easily discourage an unsuitable prospect by stating the you want $700 for the dog, and then just as easily give the dog free to that perfect family, should you so desire. Set a reasonable adoption fee in your mind. “Reasonable”‘ is the key word here. Don’t expect a new owner to give you the total “investment” you have in your dog. By the same token, someone who is not willing to pay a small amount my not be able to afford the dog’s future upkeep and care. A reasonable range may be between $100-$200.
Your ad should look something like this: WEIMARANER:
WEIMARANER: Young adult male, neutered, friendly, likes children, no cats. Needs fenced yard. Vet references required. Contact Barbara Days: (800) 555-5555, Eve: (609) 555-5555
Call your local newspapers and place your ad. It can take up to 6-8 weeks to find a suitable home for your dog, so plan on advertising for several weeks. If you can’t afford that, nearly every community has “shopper” publications offering low cost or free classified advertising. Make flyers with a good photo of your dog and post them on community & grocery bulletin boards, at vet’s offices, pet supply stores, grooming shops, etc. Get the word out amongst your friends, relatives and coworkers. Be patient, persistent and creative.
STEP FIVE – SCREENING CALLERS
Talking to prospective adopters can be frustrating and time consuming. To help you along we have included a copy of the adoption application that our rescue group uses. Make copies and fill in the information as you are speaking to the caller. It’s easy to get people talking about dogs and you can use this information to help you choose the right family. To save time, you can also mail this application to prospective adopters for them to fill out and return to you. Be sure to provide a self-addressed envelope. If the caller has no pets at the present time, find out about past pets … What happened to them . did they run away, get hit by a car, were they given away, or were they given up to a shelter? Avoid anyone who gives any of the above answers if possible. They are a good indication of how your dog will end up. If they do have a pet at present, find out what kind, sex, etc. This is sometimes an indicator that the interested party will want to use your pet for breeding purposes … but of course, this won’t happen because you have already altered your pet, right? Are there children in the family, how old, how many … None? Young married couples sometimes want a pet as a child replacement and end up dumping the dog as soon as the first baby arrives. Qualify these people carefully. Does the prospective adopter own their own home or are they renters? Do they have landlord approval for a pet? Fenced yard, somewhere to exercise the dog, type of area in which they live … rural, suburban, urban? Can you make a house check? Has the adopter ever owned a Weimaraner before (Rescue gives preference to former Weimaraner owners because they know the breed and are willing to take in a second, third or sometimes even fourth Weim into their lives). Many people have no idea what constitutes a Weimaraner and even less of an idea about their personality and traits. Are they looking for a hunting dog? Even though Weimaraners are part of the Sporting Breed Group, not all Weims are created equal in the field. If you tell the adopter that your dog hunts well, don’t mean that he points “tweetie birds” in your back yard or chases the neighbors cat up a tree. If a hunter wants a hunting dog and gets a Weim with no ability, you can bet your bottom dollar that your sweetie-pie will be back to you, or worse, in a shelter right after the next hunting season opens. Have these folks ever owned any kind of a dog before? If not, are you willing to help them over the rough spots and can they call you when a problem arises?
References:
Get the phone number of their vet and two personal references. When calling to check references, explain that John and Mary Doe are interested in adopting your dog and that you love your dog and want to make sure that John and Mary will give it a good home. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Were former pets given annual checkups, vaccinations, heartworm preventative? How did their former pets die? How long have they known John and Mary? Do John and Mary have a fenced yard? If they were placing a pet, would they feel comfortable placing it with the Does? You may get different answers than what you expect, so plan on investigating the prospect further … or crossing them off your list!
STEP SIX THE PERSONAL INTERVIEW
Most of your callers won’t make it past the telephone interview. Once you’ve chosen a family that you feel is a good candidate, you can set up an appointment with them to see the dog. Actually, two appointments are in order – one at your home and then, one at THEIRS. Going to their home lets you see whether their situation is as they told you it was and whether your dog will do well there. It also gives you the opportunity to call off the adoption and take the dog back home with you if things aren’t as represented. If they already have another dog, make arrangements to meet in a “neutral” territory, such as a park or playground. Most dogs are territorial and resent a strange dog coming into their home. If the family has children, have them bring the children to your home, where you are in control of the situation. Some allowances should be made for kid’s natural enthusiasm, however if the children are unruly and undisciplined and are not kept in hand by their parents, you are asking for trouble. Watch how the people and the children interact with your dog, keeping a watchful eye at all times and keeping your dog under control, even by lead if necessary. Do you like these people? Do you have a “good” feeling about them? Are you comfortable having them as guests in your home? If not, don’t give them the dog. Trust your instincts! Wait for another family. If you are not sure about someone, call your rescue representative, we’ll try to help you make a decision based on our experiences.
THE LAST STEP – SAYING GOODBYE
Congratulations! You’ve found the perfect home for your Weimaraner. We know it wasn’t easy. After all of the soul searching, preparations, advertising, and interviews, your dog is ready to go to his new family. Set aside some private time for you and your dog. We know that you may cry, too. Do it now, in private so that you are clearheaded when it is time for him to leave. He may be confused about being left with strangers and you don’t want your emotions to upset him further.
What goes with your dog to his new home:
- His medical records, vaccination records, and spay/neuter certificate
- Name, address, and phone number of your vet
- Your name, address, and phone number (new address if you are moving)
- Your dog’s toys, bedding, or special belongings
- A week’s supply of food, a gallon of water, and treats that he especially loves
- An instruction sheet of special needs, feeding, etc.
- A collar and lead with ID tag (if he has one)
- Reading material or sources on Weimaraners (Including the book by Carole Lea Benjamin “Second Hand Dogs-How to make yours a First Rate Pet”)
- Copy of the Release Form (attached)
- Copy of the Adoption Agreement and Liability Waiver (attached)
- The Telephone Number of Weimaraner Rescue (215 504-0230)
- Any other relevant paperwork on your dog
There are a few things that the new owners should be aware of. Even the best behaved and well-mannered dog is going to have a period of adjustment at his new home. He may even have an accident or two in the house. This period usually lasts for a few weeks until the dog becomes accustomed to his new owners and mourns the loss of his old family. During this time it is important for the new owners to adhere to the dogs old schedule and to try not to force the dog into anything unpleasant, such as a bath or a change of food, etc. Have them wait until he settles in a bit and has time to bond with them. Advise them not to let the dog off lead in an unsecured area until it has been trained to come when called 100% of the time, or you may find your Weimaraner in the Lost & Found section of the newspaper. Make sure that the adoptive family knows they can return your dog if things to do not work out as expected all around. Inform them that you will keep in touch and call in a few days to follow up and see how the dog is doing. Make sure they have Weimaraner Rescue’s telephone number, as we will always be here to provide help and advice.
WHAT RESCUE DOES
Rescue helps to find new homes for abandoned, unwanted and stray Weimaraners. Information and education is given to Weimaraner owners considering giving up their dog for adoption. If this fails and the dog is given up, Weimaraner Rescue has the present owner sign a release form giving up ownership of the dog to Weimaraner Rescue. Rescue then does the job of screening prospective owners and placing the dog for adoption. A mandatory spay/neuter clause is included with our Adoption Agreement. If you have done everything you could to find a suitable home for your pet and everything has failed, Weimaraner Rescue will help. But, bear in mind that we have our limitations. If you need to give your dog up to Weimaraner Rescue, we ask that you bring the dog to a foster home where he will stay until he’s ready to go on to his adoptive home.
Weimaraner 