This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the country and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have decided to make this a daily series because there are so many wonderful rescues out there who need human help and weekly just doesn't seem to be enough. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. They are amazing organizations and worthy of Kossack attention and care. This rescue is near where I live and does a lot of good for the animals and the community.
I am here, alive and all around you
I have no voice
In your trees, your air, your fields, your oceans, your world
I have no voice
I am a mother, a father, a protector, a soul
I have no voice
I can walk, crawl, sing, fear
I have no voice
You must be my voice
Homeward Bound Dog Rescue
The website is here
You can donate here
Adoption info is here
Benefit info is here
About Us
Homeward Bound is a not for profit volunteer organization. We are not a shelter and we do not have a facility - all the dogs in our program live in foster homes. We take our dogs into our homes and care for them as if they were our own until they go to their forever homes. The time we spend with them helps us to learn more about them, which allows us to be able to provide applicants with an accurate assessment and the dog’s individual strengths and needs.
Please also take a few minutes to read the adoption information and to fill out the entire application – especially your vet information for all your animals. This will make the adoption process much quicker and easier for both you and us. And please remember to call your vet to release information to us too.
Please understand that our mission is to promote lifelong happiness for our dogs and their adoptive families so please be patient but feel free to email us if you have not heard from us in a few days. (Contact us here)
We are all volunteers and a very special and dedicated volunteer will be assigned to your application. We can not, however, process incomplete applications so please take a few minutes to give us proper information – especially your vet(s) names and phone numbers for all your animals. This will make the adoption process much quicker and easier for both you and us.
We rescue dogs that have been turned over to shelters, surrendered to us through our surrender program and rescued from puppy mills. Homeward Bound dogs live in a foster home until they are ready to move into your home. They eat, sleep and live with us and that way we have a better understanding of who they are. This foster arrangement allows the dogs to learn to live in a home, which gives us the opportunity to match families up with our dogs so a home really is forever! All of our dogs are up to date on shots and have seen a vet. We make every effort to have our dogs and puppies spayed/neutered prior to placement. In the rare event that this is not possible, the adopter will be responsible to have this procedure done before the dog reaches seven months of age. All Homeward Bound Dogs must be spayed/neutered and receive regular veterinary care for the life of the dog, and we also require that the animals that you currently have in your home have also been spayed/neutered with a history of regular veterinary care.
Everyone is very welcome to come to our clinics, and this is where we will be best able to show you all of our dogs. If you find a dog you must meet, first you should check out our Adoption Information page, then fill out an application. We should contact you within 5-7 days, but if you don't hear from us, feel free to contact us (Contact Us) to check in.
We are currently NOT processing applications for those outside of the Capital District area. If you are not within 40 miles of the Albany airport please respect our desire to work within the area we have defined, as our time and resources are limited and every dog adoption requires a home visit be performed by a HBDR volunteer. This a distance we decided upon and if you disagree with our definition for out-of-the-area, please feel free to look for a dog in your community.
Wish List
Homeward Bound is a Non-Profit Organization and we accept monetary donations. We can also use the following items: Blankets, Towels, Kennels, Carriers, Bleach, Natures Miracle, Stamps, Paper and Office Supplies, Gas Cards. If you would like to make a donation please contact us at 518.424.1738 or email. With your help, we can rescue and find new homes for even more dogs in the future.
Featured Dog(s)
Cesar
Cesar, that's my name and being cool is my game. They think I'm Dachshund, Jack Russell, maybe even MinPin mix and I'm definitely a very smart little guy with lots of personality. I'm about 15lbs, and about 4 years old or so. I am house trained and my foster Mom loves that I give her a sign when I need to go out. If you're looking for a great lap warmer like me, put your application in.
The American Pit Bull Terrier was the most popular family dog in the beginning of the 20th century. What happened? How did this breed become so maligned and misunderstood?
Pit Bulls are not an aggressive breed of dog.
*According to the American Temperament Testing Association, APBTs have an 85.3% passing rate, compared to a passing rate of 81.9% for all breeds on average.
*In the test a dog is placed in a series of confrontational situations. The first sign of aggression or panic is a failure of the test.
*Click here to view an article on the new Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that there is no genetic evidence that one breed of dog is more dangerous than another.
In addition to being an animal welfare issue, dogfighting is a child welfare issue. The adults involved in dog fighting often bring their children to watch. Children are further desensitized to violence in an already violent society.
Cruelty investigators report that dog fighting attracts individuals involved in gambling, drug dealing, illegal weapons, and gangs. The correlation of animal Cruelty/Abuse with Serial Killers can clearly be seen by clicking here
Pit Bulls Used to be Considered American Heroes
During World War I , the Pit Bull was often used to represent America. In the photo to the left, the Pit Bull (representing the American military) is protecting kittens (representing the American people) from the German Mastiff (representing the German armed forces).
It is not accurate to assess a dog based on appearance, pedigree or history.
Every individual animal needs to be evaluated on its own merits. There is no reason to assume that because a dog has been injured and scarred that he/she is unadoptable, or should be termed a "fighter" or "bait dog".
Some animal shelters condemn any dog that has a pit bull look as "unadoptable" without any evaluation. This death sentence is unfair and unsound.
Owner education and careful animal selection is the key to successful adoptions . All animal shelters must be careful to protect the American Pit Bull Terriers from owners who are incapable and unwilling to provide responsible ownership.
See more here
Questions and Answers
What is Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of New York?
Homeward Bound is a not for profit volunteer organization. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and share one common passion - we love dogs, all kinds of dogs. We were formed because we saw many young, happy, healthy puppies and young dogs being euthanized in shelters because there was no foster space or other rescue groups with room to take them until their forever home could be found. Our focus is finding those family dogs who just need a little more time and exposure, and helping them find their way home.
Where are you located?
We do not have a facility. Our volunteers live all over the Capital District of New York State. All of the dogs in our program reside in a foster home with a Homeward Bound volunteer. We take our dogs into our homes and care for them as if they were our own until they go to their forever homes. This serves several purposes: Many of our dogs have been in shelters and time spent in a loving home will help them begin to feel safe, comfortable and allow their true personalities to emerge. Also, the time we spend with them helps us to learn more about them, which allows us to be able to provide applicants with an accurate assessment and the dogs individual strengths and needs.
Why do you charge an adoption fee, and what is it?
$195 for dogs over two years old
$295 for dogs/puppies (under two years)
The adoption fee is not a purchase or sale price and is not refundable.
There are multiple costs involved in running a dog rescue. Many of our dogs come from shelters which charge us a fee for each dog surrendered to us to cover the costs they incurred while the dog was in their care and/or for transporting the dog to us. In many cases, this fee exceeds 50% of our adoption fee. Then there are the additional costs incurred after the dog reaches Homeward Bound, such as additional veterinary care, training, transportation and shelter fees. In some cases, these costs will exceed the adoption fee received for a particular dog. We do not raise the adoption fee in these cases. Also, there are the costs of advertising the clinics, transportation, maintaining the website, post office box and hotline telephone costs and insurance. All of these costs are paid by the collection of adoption fees with shortfall met through donations, grants and gifts from our volunteers. For more information CLICK HERE
Homeward Bound dogs are adopted out "fully vetted". What does that mean?
All of our dogs are spayed or neutered. This includes most of our puppies also provided that they are at least 8 weeks of age. They are generally vaccinated for distemper/parvo, rabies and if from a shelter, bordatella. They are also tested for heartworm and in some cases, lymes disease and erlichia. We will provide you with copies of the medical records for your new dog. You will be expected to continue providing them with appropriate medical care. We also recommend that adopters in upstate New York get their dogs Lyme vaccinated and use a flea/tick repellant on their dog.
Do you ever take dogs back?
Yes, we will always take a Homeward Bound dog back into the program. In fact, our adoption contract states that you are obligated to return the dog to us if you decide, for any reason, that you cannot keep the dog. As we have a thorough adoption approval process, we have never had to enforce the provision which is also in our contracts which allows Homeward Bound to reclaim a dog if the owner fails to comply with the terms of the contract, however if Homeward Bound had reason to believe that one of its dogs was not being properly cared for, this provision would be invoked.
Do you place dogs with renters?
Yes, provided you have landlord approval to have a dog live in the rental property. We will contact your landlord to confirm his or her approval prior to finalizing the application process.
Will you place a dog with an inexperienced dog owner?
Yes, however we will discuss with you the huge responsibility of owning a dog and how you can educate yourself in order to give your dog the care and direction that he/she needs. We may require a first time owner to take part in obedience classes to assure that the owner obtains that first level of instruction. You will see questions on our application form about your level of dog experience and we ask that you answer those questions honestly so we can better provide the support you will need as a first time dog owner.
Will you accept a dog into your program who is surrendered to you directly by the owner?
We will accept owner surrenders under the following conditions:
1. The dog has been spayed/neutered and is up to date on all vaccinations.
2. The dog passes our temperament evaluation and
3. The dog is type of dog which we normally accept into our program.
4. We have a foster space available to accept the dog.
5. There are no other re-homing possibilities for the dog.
We also request the owner pays a $100.00 surrender fee to help offest any additional costs with bringing a new dog into the group.