Silver Dragon Pets

I started doing rescue work in 1992 when I first volunteered at a shelter. After eight years off-and-on volunteering, I couldn't stand the way things were at the shelter. I hated to see so many animals; babies, adults, seniors, special needs, and certain breeds, euthenized for space.

I decided to start my own rescue, and in 2000 I took in my very first official rescue dog. I work out of my home and I believe that almost every animal has a match out there somewhere, it's just a matter of finding it. In the eight years I've been running my own rescue I've worked with dogs, cats, birds, mice, rats, fish, turtles, ferrets, chinchillas, rabbits and more. I've pulled from shelters, taken in abused/neglected animals, and taken in special needs animals that nobody else wanted, but mostly I work with owner surrenders. I've developed a reputation for taking in "special needs" pets as many other no-kills will not.

While I enjoy remaining a very small grass-roots rescue, working from my own home, I do make use of other foster homes whenever possible (the more space, the more animals can be helped).

Another limiting factor on how many animals can be helped is funding. Every expense is out of pocket. I get very few donations, and adoption fees only cover basic medical care. All of the animals are groomed, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, microchipped, de-wormed, and have a full veterinary examination. I include all veterinary invoices to the new home upon adoption so they can see exactly what the adoption fee covers and how it breaks down.

I screen adopters very carefully. I require an application, written veterinary reference, and a home check. In the end, it's the pet that ultimately decides. If a pet doesn't seem to click with a family, even if their application is sparkling, I'll move on to the next application. It's not to say the family wouldn't be an excellent adoptive home, but that particular pet may not be the right fit.

In addition, I do charge an adoption fee, and I have an adoption contract. This contract outlines what care is expected, and requires any animal I adopt out to come back to me should the selected family be unable or unwilling to keep the pet. I have a lifetime dedication to every animal that comes through my doors.

All cats and dogs adopted from Silver Dragon Pets come with pet health insurance for the first 30-days, veterinary records and invoices, a collar complete with three tags (ID, rabies and microchip), a copy of the adoption contract, an adoption kit, any goodies they were surrendered with or acquired while in my care, and of course lifetime support should anything come up.

Information provided by the owner