Ponch on his adoption day
It’s no secret that we are huge rescue fans. Having been through the process with Shyla we wanted to share some tips on how to go about adopting a Boston Terrier.
Know the Rescues
Currently there are two main rescues that serve Massachusetts that deal with Boston Terriers and Boston Terrier mixes. The first which is dedicated to all smooshy faced dogs is SNORT Rescue. SNORT not only has Boston Terriers but they also have Frenchies, Pugs and English Bulldogs. The other main rescue that serves Massachusetts is Northeast Boston Terrier Rescue. NEBTR primarily deals with Boston Terriers and Boston Terrier mixes.
The next rescue organization that oftentimes has Boston Terriers is Friends of Homeless Animals. FOHARI is a general rescue that rescues all different breeds of dogs. While FOARI doesn’t specialize in Boston Terriers they do have them on occasion.
The third rescue organization that deals with Boston Terriers is Paw Paw Boston Terrier Rescue of Korea. Paw Paw does amazing work rescuing dogs from Korea. The catch with Paw Paw is that they fly their dogs directly from Korea so you’d have to be willing to travel to one of the airports they fly into. The closest airport that Paw Paw flies into is New York City.
Know the approximate age of the dog you want:
Age is everything. You’ll want to know if you’re looking for a puppy, a middle aged dog or a senior dog. Rescues often have a variety of ages when it comes to dogs. While I understand that most people want puppies adopting an older dog is also really great. They’re usually housebroken already and can be left alone in the house without destroying anything. You’ll want to ask yourself do I have time for a puppy? What is my schedule like? Who will take care of my dog when I’m not there?
Sign up to Foster
One of the best ways to know if you're ready to adopt and get to know the dog you would love to bring home is to foster. Not only does this help increase the chance that the dogs you foster will find their forever home because they get a break from the shelter and experience a loving home environment, but also it gives you a chance to practice being a pawrent and seeing what really works for you. If you foster a dog you really want to adopt, then you also get put at the top of the list for that dog.
Stalk the Websites
Really, that’s what I did. If you don’t see a dog you like right away then keep looking. Boston Terriers are a highly desirable breed and go fast. Every day I’d go on to the SNORT site and look at Shyla’s pictures wondering if she was ever going to be put up for adoption. Then one day she wasn’t there anymore and I had a mild panic attack. Turns out she was just moved to the adoptable page where I could quickly put in an application to adopt her.
Don’t get Discouraged
Finding the perfect dog for your home is not a quick and easy process. It often involves lots of patience because sometimes the right dog isn’t ready to be adopted or sometimes it’s not the right fit for your house. Keep looking and keep applying for when you see the right dog. You may get turned down but it doesn’t mean there’s anything specifically wrong with you it could just mean that the rescue felt someone else was a better match. There is no perfect person or perfect dog, you will always need to get to know and understand your unique dog (which takes time), give yourself and your dog consistent training, and understanding that this is a lifelong commitment.
Take on a Special Needs Dog
I know this isn’t for everyone and that’s okay but if you have the time and inclination take on a special needs dog. Whether it be a bonded pair of seniors in diapers or a dog that needs a wheelchair. Special needs dogs are often overlooked because of they don’t fit into the typical vision most people have of dogs.