RESCUE POLICY

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

The purpose of Columbia Bouvier des Flandres Club Rescue is to ensure that Bouviers in need of help find good, permanent homes.

ORGANIZATION:

1. The Board has responsibility for the Bouvier Rescue Policy. a. Costs of rescuing and placing dogs are to come from the Club’s dedicated Rescue Fund.

2. The Rescue Committee will consist of a Rescue Chairperson appointed by the Board.

a. The Rescue Chairperson shall have the authority to make final decisions concerning Bouvier rescue, including but not limited to:

i. Acceptance of rescue cases.

ii. Coordination with other rescue organizations or shelters.

b. The Rescue Chairperson shall report on the status of rescues and related activities to the Board on a regular basis, including any significant issues or accomplishments. When a new rescue dog has been identified, the Chairperson will notify the Board as soon as feasible.

c. Additional committee members are appointed from the Club membership by the Rescue Chairperson, who will notify the Board of assignments and changes. Area definitions are not set but are defined as needed by the Rescue Chairperson.

d. The Rescue Chairperson will serve as the Regional Representative for the American Bouvier Rescue League.

e. The Rescue Chairperson or someone designated by the Chairperson will submit reports for each issue of the Club newsletter.

f. The Rescue Chairperson or someone designated by the Chairperson will submit an annual summary for the Board at the club Annual Meeting eachyear detailing the previous year’s activities. The annual summary will be published in the Club newsletter.

g. The Rescue Chairperson shall maintain a list of potential adopters.

DEFINITIONS:

1. ADOPTER: The person accepting responsibility for (adopting) a Rescue dog.

2. CLUB/CBDFC: The Columbia Bouvier des Flandres Club.

3. FOSTER: The person who agrees to temporarily care for a Rescue dog while a permanent home is being sought.

4. MENTOR: Member of the Club that is available to Adopters before and after the adoption to answer questions and give advice.

5. PLACEMENT: Locating homes for dogs that the Rescue Committee has assumed responsibility for.

6. PUREBRED BOUVIER: Whether or not a dog is a purebred Bouvier is based on the best judgment of the rescue workers

designated by the Rescue Chairperson. If the rescue dogs breed cannot be confirmed, the Rescue Chairperson will coordinate with the Board for assistance. Remember that purebred Bouviers may have natural ears and tails. Potential rescues may need to be groomed before it can be determined whether they are purebred Bouviers or not.

7. RESCUE: Removing a dog from danger. Removing or preventing a dog from being confined in a shelter, pound, or humane society, etc.

8. RESCUE PARTNER: Any Rescue Organization, acceptable to the Rescue Chairperson, who is capable and willing to assist with a Bouvier rescue when there are no Club foster persons available to care for a rescue dog. Rescue partners assume ownership, liability, and financial responsibility for care and rehoming the rescue dog. When a rescue dog is placed with a rescue partner, the Rescue Chairperson acts in a support role for the Rescue Partner, assisting the Rescue Partner when and if needed. Club members interested in helping find a permanent home for the rescue dog should offer their assistance to the Rescue Chair who will then coordinate with the Rescue Partner. Any request by a Rescue Partner for financial assistance related to the rescue dog will require Board approval.

9. SURRENDER: Accepting a dog from its existing home because circumstances have changed, and the owners can no longer keep the dog.

RESCUE POLICY AND PROCEDURES:

Only purebred Bouvier des Flandres are to be taken into rescue. It is not the policy of the Club to pay for dogs that are held in shelters or by other rescue organizations in order for them to be turned over to the Club for placement. Any exceptions to this policy require a vote of the Board of Directors.

When someone learns of a Bouvier in need of rescue the Rescue Chairperson will be contacted.

If the Rescue Chairperson cannot be reached, another Rescue Committee member will be notified. When the Rescue Committee learns of a dog that is need of rescue or must be surrendered by its owner the following procedures are put in motion. The Rescue Chairperson will be responsible for assessing and coordinating the rescue in consultation with the Rescue Committee.

INTAKE FOR RESCUE DOG:

Once a dog has been declared a Bouvier and the person or organization holding it has agreed to release the dog to our care:

1. The Dog Record form is started and as much information about the dog as possible is gathered on the Dog Intake Information form.

2. If a breeder is known, then the breeder is contacted and asked to take the dog. To ensure contact has been made, a certified letter will be sent to the last known address of each breeder. The breeder should take financial and physical responsibility for placement of the Bouvier, but in the event they do not, the Club or a Club rescue partner will place the Bouvier. If the breeder does not accept the dog, the ABdFC will be notified.

3. In emergencies, if the breeder is not known, the rescue dog may be placed with a foster or Rescue Partner. In these cases, the Rescue Chairperson will continue to determine identification of the breeder and if found, will provide notification of the dog’s status to the breeder.

INTAKE FOR SURRENDERED DOG:

1. The Dog Record form and Dog Intake Information form are started. As much information about the dog as possible is gathered on the Owner Provided Information form. This information is confirmed on the Dog Intake Information form.

2. A Surrender Contract is executed by the current owner and the Rescue Chairperson.

3. If the rescue dog is placed in a foster home, the following applies:

a. The foster should reach out to the club members before scheduling a “professional” groom. Observations are recorded in the Dog Record Form.

VETERINARY CARE/GROOMING:

1. At the first opportunity, a rescued dog is to be evaluated by a veterinarian for general health. If records of its current inoculation status are not available dogs are to be vaccinated against rabies, DHLP, and Bordetella, with Leptospirosis where appropriate. Dogs are to be dewormed.

2. Any dogs that are not already permanently identified with microchips will be microchipped as soon as possible either by a club member or the veterinarian who evaluates the dog. The first contact listed in the chip registry will be a member of the Club until the dog is placed. Once the dog is placed in its final home the member of the Club is to remain as the secondary contact on the registry.

3. Any veterinary care beyond of basic care outlined above or any care costing more than $500 requires prior approval of the Board.

4. If other additional veterinary care is required to place the Bouvier, the Rescue Chairperson will request approval from the Board.

5. All dogs are to be spayed/neutered before placement. The cost of spay/neuter is not included in the basic veterinary care listed above. If the cost of spay/neuter is more than $500 then it must be approved by the Board. In the event a dog cannot, for medical reasons, be spayed or neutered before placement a spay/neuter contract will be part of the Adoption Agreement.

6. Dogs are to be bathed and clipped as soon as possible. Club members who volunteer are the preferred groomers but in the event no member is available to groom the dog for free the club or the partner rescue organization will pay no more than the standard rate for grooming unless otherwise requested in advance.

7. The decision to euthanize an unhealthy or vicious dog is to be made by the Rescue Chairperson and two members of the Board who have evaluated the dog in person, or on the advice of a veterinarian and with the consent of the Rescue Chairperson.

FOSTER HOMES:

The Club will only foster with Club members. When this is not possible the Rescue Chairperson may work with a Rescue Partner to insure safe housing and re-homing for the dog.

When a dog is fostered with a Club member the following procedures will apply.

1. A Foster must sign a Foster Contract and Release form when custody of a dog is temporarily transferred to the foster's care.

2. A foster home must be willing to keep and care for the rescued Bouvier for an undetermined length of time, Cost of food will be reimbursed with receipts provided to the Rescue Chairperson and Board.

3. Reimbursement for veterinary fees will be paid to the Foster as needed, however, fees over $500.00 must be approved by the Rescue Chairperson and the Board of Directors. Receipts must be provided to the Chairperson and Board.

OTHER RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS:

The Rescue Chairperson will work with other rescue organizations that approach us for help with a Bouvier in their custody.

1. We will assist in identifying dogs as either purebred Bouviers or not.

2. We may offer grooming help if someone is available.

3. In no case will money be promised to another organization without a vote by the Board.

When CBdFC accepts a rescue dog from another Rescue Organization, CBdFC Rescue Policy and Procedures will be followed.

PLACEMENT OF DOGS:

1. Available dogs will be publicized in coordination with the Rescue Chairperson.

2. Potential Adopters must fill out the Adoption Application and are given a copy of the Adoption Agreement.

3. Once the Adoption Application is filled out the Rescue Chairperson will appoint someone to conduct a home visit, in-person or electronically, and fill out the Adopter Home Evaluation form.

4. Once approved the potential Adopters will be placed on the Adopters list. It must be made clear to Adopters that dogs are placed with families based on best fit and not first come/first served.

5. All potential adopters will be given the opportunity to visit with the dog in the foster home, or a mutually agreed upon location prior to adoption.

6. An adopter must fill out the Adoption Agreement which is signed by both the Adopter and the Rescue Chairman.

7. Adoption fees should attempt to cover the Club’s costs for caring for and preparing the dog for adoption including costs for veterinary care and the spay/neuter. Adoption fees should not exceed one half of the price of a Bouvier des Flandres puppy at the time of the adoption. (As of May 2025, the adoption fee would not be more than $1500. This number will be revisited as needed.) Adoption fees for older and medically compromised dogs are to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

8. Adopters are to be given all information we have about the dog except the name of a surrendering owner. In the event a surrendering owner would like to be kept up to date with the dog’s progress their name will be given to the adopter. The adopter will then have the option to contact the surrendering owner. The adopter’s information will not be given to the surrendering owner. AKC paperwork will be given to the adopters only after the dog is spayed or neutered.

9. Adopters will be given a packet of information about Bouviers and the names of two Mentors. Adopters will be given a subscription to the Club newsletter and be provided with a one-year free Club membership.

10. The Rescue Chairperson will follow up with the Adopter at one week and one month to ensure that the dog and family are getting on well.