Standards governing the conduct of dog rescue have been set by a number of rescue groups and organisations over the years.

Dogs that are available through rescue are usually pound dogs with no records of the dogs parentage. Breeding from such dogs may produce offspring that have painful hereditary problems such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart conditions etc.

By desexing these dogs it stops them being purchased by backyard breeders, who cannot breed them for profit.

It is therefore recommended that you do not adopt a dog from individuals or groups that claim to be animal 'rescuers who do not desex their dogs.

- Petrescue.com.au policy states; No Undesexed Animals to be advertised on their site.

- Dogzonline Dog Rescue Forums states that all dogs in "foster care or in a rescue groups/individuals care must be advertised as desexed".

- All animals from RSPCA Shelters and adoptions centers are desexed prior to adoption.

...so if you want to;

- reduce euthanasia rates,

- reduce backyard breeding, and

- help animal rescuers.

PLEASE DESEX YOUR DOGS!

If you would like to rescue animals, please desex them before rehoming. Obviously desexing costs money. Donations and fundraising events may not usually cover all expenses. You may need to find a vet that will give discounts for rescue animals. Almost all rescuers will also charge an adoption fee which may not necessarily reflective of the expenses relating to your particular dog. Some dogs may have extensive medical problems. Sadly some do not live through the entire treatment (sometimes the case with heartworm infection, parvo virus etc.), but nonetheless their veterinary bills still have to be paid. Also, some dogs in rescue have to be boarded for costly periods of time, due to the lack of availability/ appropriate adoptive families.

More on desexing...

Good for You, Your Pet, and the Community

Prevent A Litter - It's Good for You

- Spayed and neutered pets are better, more affectionate, companions.
Spaying a female dog eliminates its heat cycle, which can last twenty-one days, twice a year, in dogs. Females in heat often cry incessantly, show nervous behaviour, and attract unwanted male animals.
- Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite. Unaltered animals often exhibit more behaviour and temperament problems than those that have been spayed or neutered.

Prevent a Litter - It's Good for Your Pet

- Spayed and neutered dogs live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying female dogs eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer.
- Neutering male dogs reduces the incidence of prostate cancer.
- Neutered animals are less likely to roam and fight.

Prevent A Litter - It's Good for the Community

- Communities spend millions of dollars to control and eliminate unwanted animals.
- Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
- Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.