Cotton

Houston Animal Rescue Team, HART is very concerned about the health of our rescues. The dogs are bathed and groomed and taken to a vet so they can be properly examined. Each animal is vaccinated, age appropriately. Adult dogs are given a DHLPP booster, as well as a rabies shot, and bordatella (kennel cough) vaccines and StrongID. Puppies are given at least two DHLPP vaccines, and three if age appropriate, as well as kennel cough vaccine and rabies shot if over 12 weeks of age. All animals are also dewormed and placed on flea and heartworm prevention. All dogs over 6 months are tested for heartworm to be sure they are negative. If the dog has not been spayed or neutered, will be scheduled as soon as appropriate. HART also routinely has dentals done on all rescues, as required. All dogs are also microchipped. Any medical conditions found by our vet are treated according to their directive. The most common health issues we see with rescues are respiratory, skin and ear infections and heartworm and dental disease. We ensure any foster home has properly vaccinated their pets, including bordatella to prevent the spread of any infectious diseases. We ask foster homes to keep the rescue separated from their pets for a period of two weeks to be sure that they are not infected by an illness that may take a few weeks to surface. The rescue is kept in a separate room with its own water and food dish. Those that wish to adopt a dog through Houston Animal Rescue Team, HART must understand that we have guidelines that need to be met by the adopter. To qualify for adoption an applicant must pass an application review, home visit and phone interview One of HART’s goal is to educate the public on the overpopulation crisis and take a firm stand on the spay/neuter issue by requiring all dogs and cats in the household be spayed or neutered before we can approve an applicant to adopt one of our dogs. We realize that some people are unaware of the seriousness of homeless and unwanted pets and may have an unaltered animal. We also understand that some owners feel they are responsible, won't breed their pet, but prefer to keep their dog in a "whole" state for either personal reasons or "just not being aware" of the consequences of overpopulation. We determine “why” they have an unaltered animal, and if it is within our allowance guidelines, we will carefully discuss the situation, and if we find there are verifiable and justifiable reasons, we will approve the home for adoption (providing the rest of the application is approved.) If the applicant claims they are currently and actively showing their dog, we will ask for proof by showing us current entries in AKC sanctioned shows.