We are a small family rescue in Oakland, CA, a member of The Rescue Alliance of Hairless & Other Breeds, Inc., a national 501[c]3 non-profit animal rescue organization: www.RescueAlliance.org. Mrs. Wren has been a vet-tech and dog/cat groomer for several years, been involved with animal rescue work for 4 decades, and has been specializing in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Yorkshire Terriers since 1995.
* Private Rescues are different from public facilities:
* We consist of a network of unpaid, completely dedicated individuals and foster families who volunteer their own time and money to care for companion animals in their own homes, treating them as cherished members of their own families until just the right permanent new adoptive home can be found among the applications received.
* We have no building [and no cages!], no staff, no public viewing hours, and no predictable source of reliable or consistent revenue. We greatly appreciate all donations and offers of assistance!.
* Funding is accomplished entirely through personal finances, private donations, and adoption fees, which just barely cover the average cost of getting a dog ready for a new family.
* Our average annual Rescue expenses are about $40,000, most of which is never recovered.
* You are invited to offer support at whatever level is comfortable by clicking the Donate Button at the top of this page!
* Average out-of-pocket costs to get a dog restored to health and placed in the right new home run around $400--lots more if there are special medical needs beyond spay/neuter and dental to be met.
We carefully screen each adoption applicant with a veterinary reference and personal references from people who know and have observed the applicant as a pet owner, we do telephone interviews and finally a home visit with a Yorkie or two--often a specific dog we may have in mind for that particular person--to observe the chemistry between dog and human. Applicants sometimes do not pass the home visit portion of the process if a particular dog doesn't "take" to them. Placement of our dogs happens only when the correct mutual match for the dog is found. This often takes 4 to 6 weeks of living together to determine.
* If you are interested in a dog, please first carefully read the profile on the dog and then email rdondero@nhsofamerica.org or WrenYorkieRescue.com for an application form.
* We do not have a facility. All dogs live in foster homes. Arrangements to meet a dog occur AFTER an application is received and approved.
* We do not ship our dogs for any reason.
* Adoption fees for all dogs/puppies can vary by individual, but is usually $400.
Successful placements happen when the chemistry between dog and human is just right. We therefore try to get to know YOU as well as we know our dogs, to ensure a mutually happy and lifelong permanent match. We can help you determine the personality type, gender, size, age, and activity level of the companion dog that will have the best chance of becoming a permanent and mutually loved and respected member of your family group. The questions on the Adoption Application help provide those pieces of information.
Please understand that because of the home visit part of our rescue protocol, which involves two or more visits, we only place dogs within an hour or two driving distance of downtown Oakland.
STEP 1: an emailed request for an application to rdondero@nhsofamerica.org or to WrenYorkieRescue@aol.com. Your responses to the questions give us a beginning picture of your particular situation and expectations.
STEP 2: We then chat with you by phone to hear your pet stories, learn more about your "ideal" canine companion, and to answer any questions or concerns you might have about adopting a Yorkie.
STEP 3: We have further chats with your vet and the people you've indicated have known you as a pet owner, and then we
STEP 4: set up a mutually agreeable time to visit your home with a Yorkie, to see where your new dog would be spending his or her time, and to meet all the people and other animals that would be "regulars" in your new companion's life. We use the opportunity of the first site visit to walk what would be your normal dog-walking route, point out any features in the house, yard or neighborhood with potential for becoming an 'issue' with a particular dog we think might otherwise be "The One" for you, and allow you get to know and trust us.
Please understand that because of the home visit part of our adoption protocol which sometimes involves multiple visits to your home--we only place dogs within an hour or two driving distance of downtown Oakland. All factors being equal, preference is given to local applicants, but exceptions are of course be made when it seems in the dog's best interest.
We are passionate about what we do and take considerable pride in the care and treatment given to dogs entrusted to us. A great deal of time, travel, personal funds and enormous effort is taken to restore broken bodies and spirits, and to find the best new home for each individual rescued animal. Dogs in our Rescue stay either in our own home, or with one of our foster families, depending on the individual dog's needs and preferences. Each "furry little 4-legged family member" receives the safety, emotional security, love and attention each deserves while growing in health and waiting for the best-fit new guardian to be located. When all factors seem equal, we let the dog ultimately choose his/her new family from among the pool of applicants.
Wren Rescue dogs are treated like members of the family, with furniture and people-bed privileges, and free access via a doggie-door to the brick-paved patio and large upper lawn areas. New members of the Wren Pack are taught how and when to use the doggie door; and if they've come into the Rescue system from an abusive or neglected situation, they are given the opportunity to replace unpleasant memories with new ones of safety, warmth, plentiful tasty and healthy food and treats, and lots of the love and affection a companion animal so richly deserves.
"Delilah" [born 12/4/03] is our "Social Director". A portly 10# purebred Yorkie and former Rescue herself, Delilah is an amazing little peacemaking ambassador who teaches each new one how to socialize and get along with the other dogs, and how to run, play, wrestle, snuggle and generally have a good time together.
8-yr-old "Brittany", a 10# Yorkie/Silkie mix and also a former Rescue, was the "Activities Director" for several years, teaching the new ones how to patiently stalk the bushes and rockpile for hours in search of small game. Brittany, however, decided in December 2007 to adopt one of our foster families as her own. While most reluctant to let her go [and to lose a gret Foster family!], Brittany's choice was made. Fortunately, she is relatively close-by and comes back for visits now and then to see how the Rescue is going.
New dogs are thoroughly evaluated by Dr. Thomas Foor at Dr. Foor Paws Pet Hospital in El Cerrito, (510) 524-4551, where they are given necessary medical care and treatment, and referred to specialty vets as their health conditions may require.
Each new dog is professionally groomed, spayed or neutered, brought up-to-date with rabies and required vaccinations, heartworm tested, given a dental if needed, put on flea and heartworm prevention and microchipped prior to being adopted.
Unlike the larger national Rescues who need to move dogs into permanent homes quickly to make room for more, dogs brought into Wren Yorkie Rescue are kept as long as it takes to learn enough about each one's personality, habits and preferences to make the best permanent match with a new home. Locating the perfect match can take at minimum 1 month, or several years! We always listen carefully to each applicant's stories and offer educational information, suggestions, or referrals as appropriate to help you and your new furry family member find and keep each other.
Please research the breed before you buy or adopt, you'll be glad you did! Good websites are: www.YTCA.org and www.AKC.org.
Do you know that Yorkies typically live to be 15 years old or older? Some have had a beloved Yorkie live to be 20 or more! Don’t miss out on a wonderful opportunity to enjoy one of these dogs just because of a number. If you are considered a senior, please consider a dog that will be compatible with your age, home and lifestyle. Young dogs want to run and play energetic interactive games inside a fenced yard and go for long and/or fast walks. Dogs are matched with age appropriate homes. Why not think about bonding and falling in love with an older dog?
DONATIONS are always gratefully accepted to help offset the many costs of restoring dogs to optimal health, taking them around to meet and interview potential new guardians, and getting them settled into their new homes.
Please mail to the address below. Thanks!
