What About Rescue?

Deciding to rescue a dog can be a good situation for all involved.  A family can acquire a loving, suitable pet, and the dog gets another chance to have a good home.  There are many reasons why a rescued Springer can be a good choice for a pet.  Some of these include:

  • There are quite a few rescues available out there, so you often have more choice about sex, color, and age than you might when getting a puppy.
  • The dogs are usually older (although there are some puppies out there!), so you can avoid all the hassle of raising a puppy.
  • Most (if not all) will have been seen by a vet where their health has been checked, and their preventative vet care brought up to date.  They will also already have been spayed or neutered, in most cases.
  • Many rescue dogs have been taught at least the basic obedience skills, and some may have even had advanced obedience training.
  • Rescue dogs' temperaments are checked carefully by rescue workers to assure that only those suitable for adoption are available.  The rescue group will also make an effort to match a specific dog's temperament to the family for which it's best suited.
  • Because most rescues are adults, what you see is what you get in terms of size, appearance, amount of coat, and (importantly) temperament and energy level.  These things can be somewhat variable in a puppy, even if you know the parents and their attributes.

There are many ways to acquire a rescue Springer.  One way is to check local animal shelters.  Purebred dogs (even Springers) show up in shelters and humane societies far more than most people think.  Another option is to contact local breeders.  A breeder may have a dog of his/her own breeding which was returned for some reason, which they may like to rehome.  Or they might have an older dog to place, which while not technically a "rescue dog" is still a dog in need of a good, loving home, and will likely make a fine pet.  

Contacting your local breed rescue group is the best way to find a Springer in need of a new home.  Breed rescue groups are groups of volunteers who work together in an organized way to rehome purebred dogs of a particular breed.  There are many English Springer Spaniel rescue groups throughout the country.  Most of them are affiliated in some way with English Springer Rescue America, which is a national organization dedicated to rescuing both bench-bred and field-bred Springers around the country.  ESRA can help you find a Springer through their available dogs or point you to a local rescue group in your area. 

Even if you are not able to adopt a Springer now, or are not interested in doing so, there are many ways you can help these needy dogs.  Rescue organizations are always in need of donations and volunteers.  You can donate money, dog supplies, or services such as grooming.  Foster homes are always needed, and fostering a dog is a wonderful way to help if you are able.  You could also help out by assisting with transporting dogs to foster homes or from foster homes to their new families.  Sometimes these dogs need to be transported hundreds or even thousands of miles to their new homes.  There are many ways to help, from very small to very large in terms of time and/or money, and even the smallest bit of assistance is appreciated.  For more information on how to help, or for information on adopting a Springer or finding local rescue groups in your area, the best place to start is with the English Springer Rescue America web site.  Please take a minute to visit, and think about ways you might be able to help these dogs find their forever homes.