New York Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rescue

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ADOPTION PROCESS...

Our main goal is to find permanent loving and responsible homes for the Chesapeakes we foster. NY CBR Rescue is very active and fortunate to have the experience and room to foster a number of Chesapeakes on a year-round basis at our headquarters near Watkins Glen, New York. This means that we usually have 8-12 Chesapeakes needing homes at any given time.

ADOPTION APPLICATION
The NY CBR Rescue has the same kind of adoption process as the national Chessie rescue groups. This process has proven to be quite successful and yet, is different from adopting a dog from a local shelter. With our adoption process, you first need to request an adoption application, fill it out, and then return it to our headquarters. (You can print or copy/print the 2-page application directly from this website.)

New York  rescued dogs are evaluated by volunteers with a great deal of Chessie experience. Our main goal is to match up the RIGHT home with the RIGHT dog. Your completed application will help us narrow down dog candidates that are good possibilities for you to adopt. Each household is different so, for example, cats, young children, or other dogs are factors to take into consideration. So, we request that you fill out an application. The questions you answer will help us recommend the ideal dog(s) for your lifestyle.

HOME VISIT
As part of the adoption process, we also require a "home visit". This step is also commonly required in other pure breed rescue groups. The home visit means that a volunteer will come over and talk with you at your convenience, meet other family members, and see first-hand what a dog's future home might be like. Since we are affiliated with national CBR rescue groups, we can also arrange for a volunteer to meet you for a home visit in areas outside of New York State including southern Canada.

In our experience, the home visit simply helps to prevent problems. For example, an older more laid-back Chessie would probably do better with laid-back owners with busy schedules. Or, an active person who hunts ducks would be happy with a high energy Chesapeake who loves swimming.

FENCING
We also want SAFE homes for our dogs, which means that either a fenced yard or a kennel is a requirement (no invisible fencing). Chesapeakes are active, intelligent dogs that should not be tied up, chained for hours OR just left to roam and get hit by a car. These rescued dogs already have had enough of a tough start in life, so a safe place for them to live is important. The other point to bear in mind is that you are bringing a strange dog into a new environment and it will take time for a dog to realize that your home is also his. This is another reason why fencing is important. Occasionally, exceptions to this requirement are made (New York City dweller, for example) but we would need to learn more details about your specific circumstances and past experience with dogs.

OBEDIENCE CLASSES
Many of our dogs come to us because their first owner just didn't start training them when they were young. Because this breed develops a strong bond with its owners, we require a commitment by new owners to take their new dog to obedience classes for six months. Experience has shown us that obedience classes REALLY help a rescued Chessie bond like glue to new owners, giving you the tools to work with your dog properly at home. Obedience classes help to socialize your dog and to make his transition into a new life easier.

MEETING CHESAPEAKES
After your application and home visit are approved, we will review some Chessie candidates with you to narrow down possibilities. Then you will set a time to meet a dog(s) at our headquarters. Ideally, you should plan on spending 2 to 4 hours getting to know the dog - more if possible. There is no rush. We want you to be sure AND excited about adopting your Chesapeake.

ADOPTION
If you adopt a Chessie through us, you will sign an adoption agreement and pay an adoption fee. The adoption fee is currently $350 for dogs age 6 and under, and $250 for dogs age 7 and older. All dogs are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on all shots, and heartworm negative. (NY CBR Rescue, Inc. is a registered 501-3c non-profit organization.)

SUPPORT
Once you adopt a Chesapeake from NY CBR Rescue, we provide a great deal of follow-up support. Volunteers in our group include breeders and people who've won titles in tracking, obedience, hunt tests, agility, and conformation. Experience has taught us that it may take 4 to 6 months for your new Chessie to settle into a new life so we ENCOURAGE new Chessie owners to ask for our help. We can recommend good obedience trainers, offer behavioral advice, and arrange for nearby volunteers to help you through any problems. We also hold workshops, seminars, and other events throughout the year so you are always welcome to join us.

We care about your progress and will help you at ANY time. Let a rescued Chessie retrieve your heart!

- - - More questions? Contact the webmaster who has adopted 3 rescued Chesapeakes: Rochester area (585) 657-5367.

Chessie Fun Weekend: Join us each year for brown dog fun in August or September near Watkins Glen! Bring a dog or just your interest in the breed. Check this website's Calendar for updates on this annual event.
Life is far more interesting with a Chessie by your side!