Spay/ Neuter Policy

Those that wish to adopt a dog through Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue must understand that we, CCDR, must have guidelines that are met by the adopter. To qualify for adoption an applicant must pass an application review and also meet the criteria that all dogs and cats in the household are spayed or neutered. This requirement does not apply to smaller domestic pets.

Statistically 50% of all animals that are turned into shelters are euthanized with some being given or sold to research labs. This statistic includes purebred dogs and cats as well as mix breed dogs and cats.  This does not count the number of animals that are euthanized upon arrival to the shelter because of injury, aggression or illness. Shelters cannot handle the influx of animals they see daily so rescue does their best to help pull their breed, but where one purebred is pulled, 20 mixed breeds never find a home. The only way to stop the number of animals euthanized is to educate the public with the need to spay and neuter their dogs and cats and to stop irresponsible breeding. 

CCDR’s goal is to educate the public in 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.) We wish for those considering putting in an application but who currently have an unaltered dog, CCDR will contact the applicant's vet to verify that the unaltered dog has a legitimate medical reason for not being altered. 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. Matches do not count.

The only exceptions that would allow us to adopt to a home with an unaltered animal are as follows:

• The dog is being actively shown for their championship (we must ask for proof, such as a catalog with the entry or recent show dates)
  
• The dog has gained its championship and is being bred – CCDR will respect the owner's right to breed a dog only if the dog has obtained it's AKC championship and the person is a responsible breeder who breeds to “better the breed” and who does not over-breed. CCDR does not condone a dog being bred because the owner feels "they are a good quality" or "they want to have a puppy from them." The dog must have a legitimate AKC championship to show for their efforts. 
  
• The dog has health issues where neutering is not recommended because anesthesia may cause complications. – A note from the Veterinarian must be shown as documentation and the vet will be contacted to verify this..
  
• The dog is too young to be neutered. (pups can be safely neutered at 6 months old. A female spayed before her first season will reduce her chances of mammary cancer almost 100%) 
  

We hear many people say they don’t spay or neuter their pet for many reasons. Spaying and neutering does not make an animal gain weight or lazy. Once the neutering happens, the hormones subside and the animal is calmer and more relaxed, but by maintaining the same amount of exercise and by monitoring the food you should not see a weight gain. Males become more tolerant and will not be aggressive nor have the desire to roam. Spaying and neutering greatly reduces the risk of cancer in the female, (mammary and uterine) as well as pyometra, a serious infection of the uterus, and in the male greatly reduces the chance of testicular cancer. The younger the dog is neutered the lower the risk of these diseases.

Please understand that our goal is to adopt our dogs to homes that understand how important it is to be responsible by helping us break the cycle of unwanted pets. Therefore we must abide by our policy and only adopt to those homes that understand the importance of neutering all dogs and cats in the household and to be a responsible pet owner who understands and will help correct and educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats that will never be bred so it will stop the accidental breeding of animals that contributes to the over population of dogs and cats in our society.

If there is any doubt to the overpopulation issue, a visit to your shelter is all you need to do. Ask them how many dogs and cats come in daily and how many dogs and cats are euthanized weekly. Many are purebred and aren't just mixed breeds. It will open your eyes to the unwanted pet problem.