Rescue Program

Please contact only about rescue - not a breeder referral

     Unfortunately, there are occasionally adult Griffons in need of a new home.  It is our experience that rescue dogs are often the most grateful and loving of companions, and blossom when placed into a new, stable, loving, PERMANENT home.  Although we receive several referrals from shelters, most of these dogs turn out to not be Griffons at all.  

     These dogs most often come from homes where the owners’ lifestyle has changed…be it a new baby, a move, a job entailing travel, a divorce, a death in the family, an amazingly sudden onset of an allergy to dogs by some member of the family, or a sudden realization that this is, indeed a large breed that needs exercise, attention, love, training, grooming, and A JOB.  Occasionally (fortunately, not very often – as this is a rare breed) there are dogs taken into our rescue who come from homes where they were abandoned and/or abused.  Some might come from local animal shelters where they’ve been lost, or from a puppy mill who has not found it hard to find a market for this particular breed. (Grrrrrr…..).  Others might come from a pet owner who had an “accident” when they didn’t realize that unspayed Freulein was still in season, even after there were no signs.  Sometimes, our Rescue Team will be called upon to “rescue” a pet owner who decided to let Scruffy “have JUST one litter,” to make a little money, teach the kids about the facts of life, or to satisfy some mythical paternal need to reproduce.  Unfortunately for the dogs, the owners find that it is difficult to find good homes for these dogs; that no one really wants a poorly bred pet of questionable quality and no clearances, and raising a litter of puppies was a WHOLE lot more work, time, and money than they bargained for.

     Adopting a Rescue Griffon is an excellent idea for people looking for a new family member that is past the “cute little infant” stage of life.  Active families with a large, well fenced yard, and whose children (if any) are old enough and mature enough to handle and care for a large dog, are the most successful homes. Most Griffons are good with children, however - not all children are good with dogs.  We have dogs of all ages, sex, and physical condition come through our Rescue Program.  These dogs often require extra patience, consistent training, and a firm but gentle and loving hand.  Dogs that have been removed from what they perceive to be their family unit can indeed experience feelings of loss, mourning, and sadness.  Fortunately, dogs are also amazingly resilient and adapt quickly to new conditions.  The vast majority bond to their new family members readily and are the most loving and grateful of companions.

     Even if a rescue dog does not come with registration papers, you can lobby the AKC for an “ILP Number” on your spayed/neutered dog, which would allow you to compete with the dog, and achieve titles on him/her in obedience, agility, hunting, and junior showmanship!  A Rescue Griffon needs and deserves at least as much care, attention, and love as a carefully bred and carefully chosen puppy you buy from a breeder.  You should approach the adoption and expectations for the need for training a Rescue dog in the same way you would if you were adopting a puppy – regardless of the age of the dog you adopt.  You will need to practice the same obedience training, socialization, housebreaking, grooming, health care, and feeding.  An extra measure of empathy is helpful for helping a dog who is going through a stressful situation feel comfortable in his new surroundings.

How Can I Adopt a Rescue Griff?

     Our sole interest is the what is in the long term best interest OF THE DOG, and placing each dog in the best possible permanent loving home.

     If you are interested in adopting a Rescue Griff, please contact our Rescue Team Coordinator.  You can contact Homer at (540) 856-8584 (Eastern Time Zone). Phone calls will be returned collect as soon as possible.  You will be asked to complete an application, asking you some very detailed questions (just as a responsible breeder would), about your family and housing situation; whether or not you have a FENCED yard, why you want a Griffon, who will be home with the dog during the day, where the dog will be kept when you’re at work, on vacation, if you’re physically and financially able to care for the dog for the rest of its life, etc.  You may be asked to meet with a local Griffon Rescue Team member for an interview.  Just as when buying from a responsible breeder, you will be required to sign a written contract in which you agree to provide a safe, loving home for the dog, and if – for any reason in the future – you find that you can no longer care for it, that you will return the dog to the AWPGA Rescue Program.  You can expect to be asked for a financial donation be made to the AWPGA Rescue Program, to help defray the great costs incurred in this effort.

How to Help?

Financial Assistance

     Run solely by a very small group of busy volunteers using only donations, financial help is critical to the AWPGA Rescue Program’s success. Dogs who are brought into our Rescue Program are provided with veterinary care, medical expenses, spay/neutering, board, grooming, and foster homes.  Most donations do not begin to cover the actual costs incurred.  We GRATEFULLY accept donations in any amount from anyone wanting to contribute to helping us re-home these dogs in need.  Please send your donations to:

AWPGA Rescue Fund

% Jon Pease, Treasurer (email for mailing address)

Foster Families

     Even if you are not in a position to permanently adopt a Griffon, perhaps you could provide a temporary foster home?  Our Rescue Team needs people all over the country who are willing to provide a loving temporary home for these Griffs for the short time until a new permanent home can be found.

Supplies and Services

     Crates, collars, dishes, ex-pens, baby gates, veterinary services, transportation, evaluations and animal shelter visits?  ANYTHING you can do or provide to help us in our efforts is greatly appreciated.

Join Our Yahoo! Group Team

     Sign up to be part of the AWPGA Rescue Team's on-line Yahoo! Group.  This is an on-line community that allows us to talk to each other about current situations, needs, etc.  Click on the link for more information.

Public Education

     Most of all, please help us by telling anyone you know who is considering breeding dogs without the knowledge, experience, and commitment to the breed that is necessary to produce sound, birdie, typey dogs that meet all parts of the standard, to PLEASE reconsider.  And PLEASE spay or neuter your pets!

© AWPGA 2000-07.  All rights reserved.  All content on this website is protected under US Copyright Law and rights belong to its owner.  No content, including photos, graphics, text, or other content or intellectual property may be reproduced without prior written permission of it's owner.