Re: [pyrnet] Rescue/breeder "poll"

["Linda Weisser" <lmweisser@attbi.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "darrell goolsbee" <dgoolsbee@ev1.net>

I think this is fine, too, as long as the breeder pays for all medical
expenses and, preferably, makes a donation, too. Rescue should not have
to expend precious resources on the dog.>>

I totally agree with Darrell here.  This discussion has been very
interesting.  I have some thoughts about what has been said.

We can start with this quote from the GPCA Code of Ethics:
From Sales:
"3. Any member selling or placing a Great Pyrenees is expected to assist any
buyer in finding a suitable new home for their dog at any time that the
buyer wishes to relinquish it.  If the buyer is unable or unwilling to find
such a home, the member shall assume physical and/or financial
responsibility for that animal.  The same responsibility shall be assumed
for any animal sold or placed which comes into the possession of any rescue
network or shelter at any point in the dog's life.  This applies to all
co-breeders of the dog."

First we note that this does not define taking the dog back physically as
the *only* option.  It does obligate the breeder to responsibility for any
dog unwanted by its owner.  It also obliges the breeder to take
responsibility for any dog that shows up (unknown to her) in any rescue.
And, also importantly, this applies to all co-breeders of the dog.  So, if a
breeder sells a pup to someone on a co-ownership and that co-owner breeds
the dog and a pup ends up unwanted, the co-owner is also responsible even if
she has never even *seen* that dog.

It is also important to note this from the Stud Dog section:
"11. The owner of the stud dog has an obligation to all pups sired by his
males (s). Therefore, if the owner of the bitch (breeder of the litter)
refuses to take responsibility for the puppies produced as set forth in
"Sales" the owner of the stud dog shall assume that responsibility."

So the owner of the stud dog is also responsible.  And very well should
be...  Pyr rescue groups have every right to expect this from any GPCA
member.

Beyond what Darrell says, all of this says to me that not only does the
breeder pay the medical costs but the breeder also pays for food and
whatever grooming or care is needed.  Not a "donation" -- an obligation.

Rescue is hard enough.  No GPCA member or ethical breeder should make it any
harder.

My contract has a contact/return clause but it also has a cash "penalty" for
turning any dog into a shelter ever or in to any rescue group (including Pyr
rescue) without my express permission.  However, enforcement of all of this
means going to court.  And while it is very easy to say "I'd sue them", it
is, in practice a great deal more difficult.  First, of course, most
contracts are not legally enforceable because dogs are chattal like a couch
and have no extrinsic or emotional value.  Second, if you take someone to
court chances are very good that you will have to do that where they live.
If where they live is 2,000 miles from you, things get very sticky.  All my
contracts stipulate the venue for suits by either party to be the county in
which I reside.

In terms of what to do about a dog so far away, I think that the first
priority is the best thing for the dog.  This may NOT be shipping it 2,000
miles across the country.  I would hope that with a dog of mine, the owner
would contact me as stipulated and I would contact the organized Pyr rescue
closest to the owner and ask if they had the room or the energy to take the
dog, with me paying ALL the bills and making a rescue contribution.  Even if
it takes a while to find the dog a home, this may well be the best thing for
the dog.  What would I do if a dog just showed up with rescue that was not
Pyr specific?  I think that that may be difficult.  I think that before I
jumped to ship the dog, I would talk on the phone at length with the people
to evaluate their approach to rescue and placement.  I might try to get Pyr
rescue involved.  I guess that what I am saying is that I would *not* leap
immediately to a choice which might not be best for the dog.

All that being said.  I have left one dog (many years ago) with NorCal
rescue who found him the best of homes and I had another shipped back to me
from Montreal.  It really does depend upon so many things and one size
probably does not fit all.

Linda