How does our program work?
In terms of rescue operations, MuttLove obtains dogs, vets them, and then adopts them out to families for an adoption fee. This is a fairly standard approach to rescue however, there are several aspects and approaches that set MuttLove apart from other rescues.
Where do we obtain dogs?
We try to vary our sources of dogs. We take strays, we pull dogs from City of El Paso Animal Services, and we do also rehome dogs in specific circumstances. Each scenario offers its own advantages and needs and we feel that a balance between the three ensures a maximized saving potential as well as maximizes our efficiency as a rescue.
How do we choose our dogs?
We tend to be drawn towards the dogs that are most in need of saving -- unattractive dogs that stand little chance of being adopted through City of El Paso Animal Services or being picked up by other rescues, older dogs that may have a more difficult time finding a home, dogs with behavioral issues in need of training, and sick or injured dogs in need of medical treatment. We feel that if we restrict ourselves to only "cute" and healthy dogs, we are simply relocating dogs as opposed to actually saving them. Of course, we do also have to take in the adorables because (a) we're human and we fall for adorable dogs and (b) we need some dogs that will adopt out quickly and easily to help support the sick or injured dogs. But given the choice between a healthy, "ready-to-adopt" dog and one that will take some money and work, we nearly always pick the latter.
What makes MuttLove different?
While other rescues have some facets in common with us, in combination, our features make us unlike any other rescue in the city.
1) We fully vaccinate our dogs. This includes up to three rounds of DHPP for puppies (many rescues only give one) and the bordetella, or kennel cough, vaccine (one of the only rescues that does this).
2) We heartworm test and administer heartworm prevention medication to each one of our dogs (at this time, we are the only rescue in El Paso that does this).
3) We treat for notable pre-existing injury or illness. While other rescues will treat for some illness or injuries that occur in their care, we go out of our way to bring dogs into our rescue who are already in need of treatment. Many of these dogs would otherwise be abandoned or euthanized due to an inability or disinterest in caring for them.
4) We provide limited behavioral training. We are staffed with directors who are experienced in dog behaviors. This enables us to take on dogs that have behavioral kinks and to work with them until they are suitable for adoption. We also provide limited training support for families who adopt dogs from us until they and the dogs are comfortable and in-sync. Please note: We are not currently able to intake dogs with a history of aggression due to the liabilities in adopting them out.
5) We are 100% foster-based. All of our dogs in foster care live in a home with a family. By doing this, we can properly socialize them before going out to a home and also work out some of the more notable behavioral kinks. By keeping them in a low-density home, we diminish the spread of communicable disease that might otherwise be seen in shelters until the vaccines have the chance to fully work their way into their immune systems.
6) We do home checks for each dog that is adopted and ensure that the family has a stable and secure income. We also check to be sure all of the existing pets in the home get along with the newest member. Oftentimes, we do turn down a family when we feel that their home is not a match for our dog.
7) We take long-term responsibility for our dogs. We remain in touch with most of our adopters so that we can verify that the dogs are still healthy and thriving. If behavioral issues arise, we are able to assist in dealing with them. We also contractually obligate families to return the dogs to us should any unexpected life emergencies happen that would necessitate a re-homing of the dog. Because of this, once a dog has been accepted into the MuttLove family, they will hopefully never find themselves homeless, taken to the pound, or sold to an inappropriate family.
1) We fully vaccinate our dogs. This includes up to three rounds of DHPP for puppies (many rescues only give one) and the bordetella, or kennel cough, vaccine (one of the only rescues that does this).
2) We heartworm test and administer heartworm prevention medication to each one of our dogs (at this time, we are the only rescue in El Paso that does this).
3) We treat for notable pre-existing injury or illness. While other rescues will treat for some illness or injuries that occur in their care, we go out of our way to bring dogs into our rescue who are already in need of treatment. Many of these dogs would otherwise be abandoned or euthanized due to an inability or disinterest in caring for them.
4) We provide limited behavioral training. We are staffed with directors who are experienced in dog behaviors. This enables us to take on dogs that have behavioral kinks and to work with them until they are suitable for adoption. We also provide limited training support for families who adopt dogs from us until they and the dogs are comfortable and in-sync. Please note: We are not currently able to intake dogs with a history of aggression due to the liabilities in adopting them out.
5) We are 100% foster-based. All of our dogs in foster care live in a home with a family. By doing this, we can properly socialize them before going out to a home and also work out some of the more notable behavioral kinks. By keeping them in a low-density home, we diminish the spread of communicable disease that might otherwise be seen in shelters until the vaccines have the chance to fully work their way into their immune systems.
6) We do home checks for each dog that is adopted and ensure that the family has a stable and secure income. We also check to be sure all of the existing pets in the home get along with the newest member. Oftentimes, we do turn down a family when we feel that their home is not a match for our dog.
7) We take long-term responsibility for our dogs. We remain in touch with most of our adopters so that we can verify that the dogs are still healthy and thriving. If behavioral issues arise, we are able to assist in dealing with them. We also contractually obligate families to return the dogs to us should any unexpected life emergencies happen that would necessitate a re-homing of the dog. Because of this, once a dog has been accepted into the MuttLove family, they will hopefully never find themselves homeless, taken to the pound, or sold to an inappropriate family.