How Does STRANNY Place a Rescued Scottie?

STRANNY tries to make the best match between a rescued Scottie and an adopting home.  Lots of people are "dog people" and would in general provide a dog a good "forever home."  Our belief, however, is that Scotties in general are more demanding members of a family, having traits that can leave even experienced dog owners flummoxed.  This, coupled with the emotional (tempermental) and physical (medical) issues (let's lump it all together and call it "baggage") a specific dog may present, means that we take the time to investigate the dog (at our main facility or in foster care) as well a prospective home to preclude incompatibilities that could break hearts (canine as well as human) as well.

Can I Adopt a Rescued Scottie?

If you are looking for a dog who will adapt to his circumstances with little complaint and in less time, the simple answer is "No."  Rescued dogs generally have some level of distrust and neophobia; Scotties particularly are skeptical of change unto hostility.  If this would be your first dog (let alone your first rescue), STRANNY will not look favorably on a placement.  

Scotties are opinionated, willful and stubborn.  You're not going to change that.  You must adapt ("be the more evolved creature," we say) in ways that channel those traits.  In return, you will be rewarded with a friendship that knows no limits, that defines loyalty and will very probably change your life.

Sounds appealing--What's Next?

Download and return (by U.S. mail) the STRANNY application form.  (The form is in the Adobe Potable Document Format, or PDF, for which there are viewers for every computer platform.  If this format is not immediately recognized by your computer, please visit Adobe's website for a compatible solution!)  If you provide an e-mail address, you will be notified that it has been received.  Then wait.  

Depending on the raw information contained on your application and the dogs currently in our care, a possible match may leap out at us.  If one does, we will telephone you to arrange a home (yours) visit by one of our volunteers.  Many times these volunteers will bring a Scottie with them--one of their own, so the conversation is less abstract.  We ask that as many family members as can be present for this visit, are, especially when there are children in the home.  The relationship between a child and a Scottie can be one of the most beautiful and enduring relationships imagineable.  It can also be your (and our) worst nightmare.  We aim squarely for the former.

Home Visit?  Sounds Scary!

Not at all.  Martha Stewart left STRANNY years ago (kidding).  In addition to taking the measure of the applicants' temperment, our home-visiting volunteers are looking for particulars that will inform the decision not so much if a dog could go to that home (many folks, good people no question, get ruled out on the basis of their application form!) but which dog would fit best there.  

What Are You Looking For?

Specifics.  If there are kids, how do they treat a dog?  (Hence the frequent "live fire" exercise in which the visiting volunteer brings along his Scottie.)  If there are other dogs (or pets) in the home, how do they react to a new animal presence?  Are other dogs in the home licensed and up-to-date on vaccinations?  When was the last time a particular animal in the house was to the vet for a "well visit" or annual checkup?  

What Are the Deal-Breakers?

Asking what a former soldier, sailor, airman or Marine has to do with a Scottish Terrier when asked, "Who's your vet?," will lead to a short home visit.

Scotties are born hunters.  To prevent them from running off to engage the vermin buffet, we require that all adopted Scotties be under the owner's control, on a leash, or in a securely fenced area or on a secure cable tie out.  They may have short legs, but they can chase down a rabbit or squirrel with little difficulty and they'll not break off the chase no matter how much you yell or whistle--or cry.

Some Scotties love water, but even those who do, swim like the Space Shuttle flies: Like a cinder block. Got a pool or a deep pond?  Better have a fence!

I'm Ready!

Not so fast!  While you will be, especially in the dog's eyes, the undisputed owner, STRANNY will always be part of your family. 

If for any reason you must ever surrender or abandon your adopted Scottie, he must be returned to us.  While we respect your effort with respect to the dog, we consider ourselves the experts with dog placement.  Just because you think your cousin's brother-in-law would make a good Scottie owner doesn't mean we'd agree, and we win.  We call this the Lifetime TakeBack Guarantee, and it's a binding condition of your adoption, no exceptions.  If your dog ends up a stray and we find it (by hook or crook), you will immediately surrender the dog to us and repay us the costs of getting him free or released.

Has this ever happened to a STRANNY-placed dog?  No.  And if we do our job right, it never will, because it is our worst fear.  

What Will This Cost?

Our customary adoption fee is $250.  This covers the cost of spaying or neutering, as well as defrays the costs of running this enterprise (which may include fees paid to shelters to get Scotties out into STRANNY's hands in the first place!).  In our sole discretion, we may waive or reduce our adoption fee.

Is STRANNY's Adoption Fee Tax-Deductible?

Probably not, but if you have an agressive tax preparer, accountant or lawyer, we will say this: They don't let you keep a dog in Federal prison, so please reread the section on our Lifetime TakeBack Guarantee.

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