CSRNE ADOPTION PROCESS

THE RIGHT DOG IN THE RIGHT HOME FOR THE ENDURING HAPPINESS OF BOTH . . .

Background: Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England, Inc. (CSRNE) is one of the oldest and largest cocker rescue groups in the country.  It is composed of volunteers throughout New England dedicated to rescuing and placing homeless cockers.  Since its inception in 1987, hundreds of abandoned or unwanted cockers found homes with caring, loving families. By networking with animal shelters, other rescue groups, and veterinarians, CSRNE has saved, improved, and extended the lives of one of America’s most popular breeds.

The Evaluation Process: To ensure the right pet-to-people match, both dogs and homes are carefully evaluated. Each dog is examined by a vet, spayed or neutered, tested for heartworm, and vaccinated. The dog’s temperament is also evaluated. If any unusual problems exist, CSRNE consults veterinary specialists and major animal hospitals. Because of these medical expenses, an adoption fee is required.

Evaluating a potential home through an application and a home visit is equally necessary to ensure that the adopter’s lifestyle and expectations are compatible with the dog’s personality. Then the dog and potential adopter meet to see if the chemistry is right. Cockers available for adoption are temporarily housed in foster homes or kennels, primarily in southern New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.

Post-adoption Support: CSRNE is available for support and advice after the adoption to assist with any questions during the transition period. Educating adopters about the breed is crucial to ensuring a happy, life-long relationship between dog and owner. CSRNE’s hope is for your home to be his last.  By understanding more about cockers and by going through a thorough adoption process, this hope can truly be realized.

NOTE: CSRNE does not ship dogs and therefore CSRNE’s cockers are placed only in carefully screened homes within the 6 New England states. Because the rescue cockers are second-hand dogs and have not had the benefit of having bonded with their new adoptive family since puppyhood and because we usually have no history on whether or not the rescue dogs were socialized around young children, CSRNE does not adopt to families with children under the age of 7 years. We realize that this policy may rule out some homes that would otherwise be wonderful but our first priority must be the safety of children.

All dogs in the adopter's household must be spayed or neutered.

All ADOPTERS must be 21 years or older.

CSRNE feels it is important to briefly explain our restraint policy. Cocker spaniels were originally bred as hunting dogs, and many of them retain a strong instinct to air or ground scent. Their nose-activated instincts will easily lead them astray - too often into the path of an oncoming car or a wild animal that could be rabid or into totally unfamiliar territory where they could be lost or stolen - perhaps forever. Because of this strong natural instinct, invisible fencing often does not contain the rescue cocker; therefore CSRNE cannot approve invisible fencing.

CSRNE therefore requires that all of its dogs be under restraint at all times when outside. We recognize that not all dog owners are convinced of the need for total restraint. We also realize that this regulation may rule out some homes that would otherwise be wonderful. But we must be firm in our search for a safe environment for the rescue cockers.

Our restraint agreement states: "I/we agree that any dog adopted from CSRNE will be fenced and leash-walked at all times for its own protection from other animals or an unkind passerby. The dog may be put on a tie-out or an outside run in adult only homes and must be supervised by a person who is in the yard with the dog. I understand that refusal to comply with this requirement after having adopted a dog from CSRNE will allow CSRNE to repossess the dog."

Please note CSRNE requires secure barrier fencing if you have children or other dogs. Exceptions to barrier fencing may be made for adult only homes. Please enclose a note with your adoption questionnaire describing your circumstances, life style and how you plan on safely exercising and managing the Rescue Cocker consistent with CSRNE’s Restraint Agreement if you cannot fence.

Summary of Adoption Procedures:

• Complete the adoption questionnaire and restraint agreement forms and send to CSRNE at the address given on the forms.
   

• Upon receipt of forms, a CSRNE volunteer will contact you, usually within 7-10 days after the forms have been received.
   

• A home visit will be scheduled, preferably when all family members can be present.
   

• The educational home visit is a time to:

1. Focus on the "transition period" and the behaviors that can occur when a second-hand dog is adjusting to a new home.
    

2. Learn more about the breed if you've never owned a cocker before.
    

3. Assess adopter's needs and expectations.
    

4. Discuss security for rescue cockers and the CSRNE restraint agreement.

• After your application is approved, you will be contacted by the Placement Coordinator who will schedule your visit to either the kennel or the foster home to visit the appropriate rescue cocker(s).  This part of the process could take some time depending on your particular requirements and the cockers available. Because we are a rescue organization, we cannot control the types of cockers available at any given time.
   

• Home sweet home. There is an adoption fee of $275.00 for cockers through age 7, to partially defray the costs of boarding and veterinary expenses (spaying/neutering, shots, and heartworm testing) incurred by our nonprofit organization. For cockers over the age of 7 years, there is a donation of $100 in order to partially defray the costs of boarding and veterinary expenses. Escalating kennel and veterinary costs have forced us to raise our adoption fee.
   

• CSRNE reserves the right to refuse an application if the home or environment is incompatible with the needs of a rescue cocker.

We realize that this process takes time, but we feel it is critical to thoroughly assess the needs of both dog and owner so that we can truly place the right dog in the right home for the enduring happiness of both.

Adoption applications should be mailed to CSRNE, Inc., PO Box 162, Greenfield, NH 03047 or scanned and emailed to info@csrne.org.