OUR MISSION | WHAT WE DO
“The Dogs Club” rescue organization’s mission is primarily rooted in a deep commitment to animal welfare and compassion. Its primary goal is to rescue dogs from situations of abandonment, abuse, or neglect, providing them with a safe environment and a new chance at life. This includes delivering necessary medical care, such as vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and treatment for injuries or illnesses. Beyond immediate care, the mission involves socializing and training dogs to prepare them for adoption, ensuring they are well-adjusted and ready for their forever homes.
A significant part of the mission is public education, raising awareness about responsible pet ownership, the importance of spaying and neutering, and the benefits of adoption over buying pets. By fostering a culture of empathy and responsibility, the organization aims to reduce the number of dogs entering shelters and prevent neglect. Building a network of dedicated foster homes and volunteers is crucial, as they provide temporary care and support.
Adoption is central to our mission, with a focus on carefully matching dogs with suitable families to promote successful, long-term placements. This process involves rigorous screening to ensure compatibility and minimize the chances of returns. Additionally, the organization advocates for broader animal welfare policies and humane practices.
The emotional rewards are significant, as the organization witnesses the positive transformations in the lives of rescued dogs and the joy of their new families. Ultimately, the mission is about saving and enriching lives, creating a ripple effect of kindness and responsibility that extends beyond individual animals to benefit entire communities.
REASONS TO ADOPT
Saving Lives: Adopting a dog from a rescue organization or shelter directly saves a life by giving a homeless animal a chance at a new and better life.
Fostering Compassion: Adoption promotes empathy and kindness, teaching families the value of compassion and responsible pet ownership.
Reducing Overpopulation: By adopting, families help combat the overpopulation crisis in shelters and reduce the demand for puppy mills and irresponsible breeding practices.
Creating a Lifelong Bond: Adoption offers the opportunity to form a deep, meaningful connection with a pet who may have experienced hardship, fostering a special bond between the dog and its new family.
Lowering Costs: Adoption fees are typically lower than purchasing from breeders, and many rescue organizations include vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and initial medical care in the adoption fee.
Improving Mental Health: Dogs provide unconditional love and companionship, which can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, contributing to overall mental well-being for their owners.
Encouraging Active Lifestyles: Dogs need regular exercise, which encourages families to stay active through walking, playing, and outdoor activities, benefiting the health of both the dog and its owners.
Gaining a Trained Pet: Many adopted dogs come with basic training and socialization, saving families time and effort in teaching commands and good behavior.
Supporting Humane Efforts: Adoption supports and reinforces the mission of rescue organizations and shelters, contributing to their ongoing efforts to rescue and care for animals in need.
Adding Joy and Love: Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection, bringing joy, laughter, and unconditional love into the home, enriching the lives of all family members.
ADVICE FOR NOVICE OWNERS
1. Give Decompression Time: Allow your newly adopted dog some quiet time to adjust to their new environment. Set up a comfortable, quiet space where they can retreat and feel secure as they acclimate to their new home. RULE OF 3:
The 3x3x3 rule is a helpful guideline for easing a newly adopted dog into their new home. It suggests that the first three days should be focused on helping the dog adjust to their new environment as well as decompression from travelling, providing them with a quiet, secure space to acclimate. Over the next three weeks, the dog begins to feel more comfortable and may start to show their true personality as they settle into a routine. By the end of three months, most dogs have fully adjusted, feeling relaxed and integrated into their new family. Patience, consistency, and understanding are key to this gradual transition.
2. Establish a Routine: Dogs thrive on consistency. Create a regular schedule for feeding, walks, and bathroom breaks to help your new pet feel more secure and settle in faster.
3. Introduce Gradually: If you have other pets, introduce them slowly and carefully. Keep initial interactions short and supervised to prevent overwhelming your new dog and to help foster positive relationships.
4. Provide a Safe Space: Set up a designated area with a bed, water, and toys where your dog can retreat when they need a break. This helps them feel safe and secure in their new home.
5. Be Patient: Understand that your new dog may take time to adjust to their new environment and may exhibit behaviors such as hiding or barking. Patience and gentle encouragement are key during this adjustment period.
6. Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to encourage good behavior and help your dog learn the house rules.
7. Health Check: Schedule a veterinary visit soon after adoption to ensure your new dog is healthy and to discuss any vaccinations or medical needs. This also helps establish a relationship with your vet.
8. Socialization: Gradually expose your dog to various environments, people, and other dogs in a controlled manner to help them become well-adjusted and confident.
9. Training: Invest time in basic obedience training to help your dog learn commands and proper behavior. This builds a strong bond and sets clear expectations for your dog’s behavior.
10. Provide Enrichment: Offer mental and physical stimulation through toys, puzzles, and regular exercise to keep your dog engaged and happy. Enrichment activities help prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.
TRAVEL PROCESS AND FIRST STEPS AFTER ARRIVAL
In most cases (unless you’re rehoming dog from the UK from us), your new pet will be traveling from the Skopje, the capital city of North Macedonia. This journey takes a total of 48 hours, including numerous breaks for potty, meals and updates, with over 24 hours spent on the road. It’s important to recognize how potentially stressful and disorienting this journey can be for a dog, especially a young puppy, which many of ours are. Our shelter and team do a fantastic job preparing them, including acclimating them to travel and crate life. Sometimes, dogs receive travel sickness medication to prevent upset stomachs, though we firmly oppose sedating them.
Upon arrival, the dogs are usually excited and eager to be on solid ground. However, some may be a bit reserved, shy, or disoriented. This reaction is entirely normal, given the long trip and separation from their familiar environment and littermates.
It is recommended to avoid showing them your entire home in the beginning, as this may seem stressful and daunting. It also helps set boundaries for them not to follow you around and feel more secure in their designated area especially for when you leave the home. They’ll need a few days to adjust to their new surroundings and the transition to living with their forever family. It is also recommended to use a slip lead as well as an ordinary leash clasped on their harness to prevent them from escaping, especially when walking them outside during the first week.
In the first three days, monitor their toileting closely. Check if their stools are soft, runny, or firm, and ensure they are pooping regularly. Observe their interest in food and eating habits, and note their sleeping patterns. It’s natural for any dog to need time to acclimate, especially after such a lengthy journey. According to DEFRA regulations, your new dog must remain at your home for 48 hours before leaving the premises. This allows them to rest and decompress properly in their new environment.
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP AND SUPPORT US
There are many ways to support our rescue if adopting a pet isn’t an option for you. Here are 10 ways you can help:
Donate Funds: Monetary contributions can help us cover veterinary care, food, and other essential needs. Even small donations add up and make a big difference.
Provide Supplies: Donate pet food, toys, bedding, cleaning supplies, or other necessary items. Send us a message so we can tell you more!
Foster Pets: Offering a temporary home for a pet helps reduce overcrowding in shelters and gives animals a chance to adapt to home life. It’s a critical step in their journey to a permanent home.
Organize Fundraisers: Host events or campaigns to raise money for our shelter. This could be anything from bake sales to charity runs.
Promote Adoption: Spread the word about adoptable pets through social media, word of mouth, or by sharing our posts. The more people who see these animals, the better their chances of finding a forever home.
Offer Professional Services: If you have skills in areas like marketing, graphic design, or legal services, offer your expertise pro bono to help with operations and outreach.
Sponsor an Animal: We offer sponsorship programs where you can financially support a specific dog. This can help cover their medical expenses and care needs while they await adoption.
DID YOU KNOW?
Black dogs are often overlooked in shelters due to a phenomenon known as “black dog syndrome,” where potential adopters show a preference for dogs with lighter or more colorful coats. This bias is rooted in a mix of cultural stereotypes, such as the unfounded belief that black dogs are inherently more aggressive or bring bad luck, and practical issues, such as the fact that their dark fur often blends into the shadows of shelter environments, making them less visible and thus less likely to be noticed. This unfair prejudice not only exacerbates their chances of remaining in shelters longer but also perpetuates a cycle of neglect for these loyal and loving animals. Each dog, regardless of color, deserves an equal opportunity to be seen and adopted into a loving home. Recognizing and addressing this bias is essential in creating a fairer adoption process and ensuring that all dogs, regardless of their fur color, have the chance to find their forever homes.
