FAQs

 HERE ARE SOME ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.                             

I AM FAIRLY NEW TO RESCUE BUT ALREADY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE AND DRAMA AND IT MAKES ME WANT TO QUIT.  IS THIS GOING TO GET BETTER?
With rescue work, you not only confront the hardships of sick, injured, abused and homeless animals but sometimes there are issues with people.  Don’t let it get to you or stop you from rescuing.  It can be something as simple as a Facebook post that turns into a huge problem.  People can turn vicious quickly.   It happened to me and it was malicious and cruel.  The rumors spread rapidly and just like the old “Telephone Game” the claims changed to include more and more horrific slander and outright lies from complete strangers.  Then someone took it upon themselves to circulate a petition full of disparaging lies trying to destroy this rescue.  None of what they said was true, therefore, after providing proof against every claim, this rescue was exonerated of any wrongdoing.  It finally stopped but no apology was ever forthcoming and I was later told they moved on to wreaking havoc with other rescuers. Because others believed these things or perhaps because they didn’t want to get involved with ‘drama’, the cost to this rescue was great.  It included one local organization who provides large donations of much needed pet food, a couple of potential volunteers, and a local kill shelter that refuses to allow ACM to pull animals who are on death row.  I’ll never understand how to them, killing these precious animals is somehow preferable to releasing them to this loving rescue simply because they “heard rumors”.   I was devastated when I read the online allegations and death threats made to me because of outright lies.  I didn’t understand why they would do it or why people would believe it when proof to the contrary was provided.  It was very difficult and took a great deal of time away from the animals to clear it up.  I backed off rescue for a while and wondered if the price was just too high for my own personal well-being.  But the animals ARE worth it.  Their lives and well-being are at stake and it’s incumbent upon rescuers like me AND YOU to help them regardless of what strangers do or say online.  There will be people in this field who will be hard to deal with and some people may be out to hurt others just because of their own personal issues but don’t let that stop you from saving lives.  All that matters is that you do right by the animals and make sure they’re safe.  Hold your head high, remain transparent, keep good records and rescue on!

WHY A HOME BASED RESCUE?
Local shelters serve a very important function by taking in and housing unwanted animals.  But there is another way to deal with them.  Many shelters KILL animals based upon space, illness, and undesirable behaviors.  We serve the function of pulling animals from these shelters who would otherwise euthanize them and provide them with a home and stable environment.  We are able to give the dog personal attention and get to know him/her.  We provide them with much needed medical attention which includes shots, heartworm tests, spay/neuters and anything else they may require.  While waiting to be adopted, the dog is living in a home where he/she can work on social skills and receive the love and affection they desperately want.

WHY DO I HAVE TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION?
We become very emotionally invested in these animals and want the best for them.  We are careful about where our dogs go.  The application affords us the opportunity to carefully screen applicants to ensure that it is a good match between the dog and the pet parent.

WHY ARE HOME VISITS NEEDED?
In addition to the application, we like to do home visits of the prospective families.  It helps us determine if this is a suitable arrangement for the dog and the family.  We check for safety and interactions.

WHY ARE THERE ADOPTION FEES?
Adoption fees help cover the costs of pulling the dogs from shelters, providing their medical care and daily food, toys and bedding.  But adoption fees don’t come close to covering bills for sick or injured dogs not to mention capital expenditures for building, kennels, vehicles and monthly expenses.  So fundraising and donations are also necessary.

DO RESCUE DOGS HAVE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS?
The typical rescue dog may come from a bad background.  They may have been in a puppy mill where they had little or no care, no freedom and no socializing.  Some dogs have been neglected and/or abused and may not trust people or a certain gender.  Whatever the case, these dogs have been saved and it's been determined that there is a high probability that they will be well adjusted pets.  Some of them may require more patience, understanding and work but it will be worth it.  We cannot guarantee temperament or health once they are placed in your home but we will give you all the information we have on them before they leave.  We do whatever is necessary to make them as healthy as possible before they are adopted.  Rescue dogs know they've been saved and are usually very grateful.  They are happy and loyal and will show much gratitude during their lives.  I've had many people say that rescues are the best dogs they've ever had.  I know from experience that this is true.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
First, please keep this rescue and the dogs in your prayers.  Beyond that we need foster homes.  We also need volunteers to handle the dogs at adoption events.  Volunteers can also help with bathing, vetting, running errands, doing home visits of potential pet parents, walking and playing with the dogs.  We are always in need of funds as well.  We want to do more fundraising events and are always open to ideas.  We welcome and appreciate donations of not only money but items needed for the dogs.  

WHY DO YOU CAPITALIZE THE WORD "ALL" IN THE NAME OF YOUR RESCUE?
I just want to put emphasis on the word so that it encompasses all of God's creatures; because ALL of His creatures really do matter.