Information on Adopting a Rescue Vizsla 
in Northern CA.

VIZSLA RESCUE & ADOPTION
Vizsla Club of Northern California, Inc.
Rita Martinez
P O Box 1443
Oakley CA 94561
925-813-1715
vizslarescue@comcast.net

The Vizsla Club of Northern California, Inc. supports the concept of rescuing Vizslas from unfortunate situations and placing them in loving homes where there is mutual benefit to the new owner and the Vizsla 

WHY DOES A VIZSLA NEED TO BE "RESCUED"? 

People are sometimes surprised that a wonderful dog like a Vizsla would ever be given up by its owners.  And yet, many are given up each year--some for valid reasons and others by irresponsible owners who should never have been allowed to purchase a Vizsla puppy in the first place.  Our Rescue Vizslas come from various sources: 

1. Broken Homes or loss of income: Sometimes when people divorce or lose their jobs, they must move to smaller places which don't allow dogs. 

2. Change of Lifestyle: Sometimes Vizslas are given up because the owner has become so enmeshed in an all-consuming career that they don't have the time and energy to devote to their Vizsla--and Vizslas need lots of love, exercise, and owner time. 

3. Puppy Mill Purchases: A reputable breeder will interview prospective owners to be sure they can provide a Vizsla puppy with an environment conducive to a healthy, happy dog. They will emphasize the Vizsla's need to be a part of the family, to have early positive training in obedience, and to have daily exercise. The puppy mill breeder, on the other hand, will sell Vizsla puppies to anyone who will pay his/her price. Several of our Rescues came from one breeder in No. California who told the owners that these dogs could be kept in the back yard while they worked long hours. Wrong--the Vizslas tore up the yards, barked and disturbed the neighbors, and exhibited extreme separation anxiety. 

4. Lack of Training: People who purchase a young puppy and never give it any positive obedience training find that when it reaches doggy adolescence (around 7 to 12 months), it's jumping on the kids, won't come when called, pulls on the leash, etc. 

5. Hospitalization or death of the owner 

6. Owner's move to a foreign country which requires dogs to be in quarantine for a long period of time. 

7. Stray dogs which are picked up and placed in shelters. 

8. Family member has an allergy to dogs 

9. Vizsla was purchased primarily for hunting, and was gun shy or hard to train. 

HOW CAN I ADOPT A RESCUED VIZSLA? 

To become eligible for a Rescue Vizsla you will need to fill out an application form. When we learn of a Vizsla needing a home, we check through the applications of people on the waiting list and try to match the Vizsla to the home most suitable for him/her. When we feel we have a good match, we phone the applicant to arrange a meeting between the applicant and the Vizsla. The Rescue Vizsla may still be at its owner's home in which case you can meet it there. Or it might be in foster care in which case you would go to the foster care home to meet the dog. If the dog meets with your approval, you sign an Adoption Agreement and give a donation to the VCNC Rescue Fund of $150 or more. 

This donation is applied to expenses generated in re-homing Vizslas. Some of our Rescue Vizslas, particularly those which have been neglected or abused, drain the Rescue Funds because of necessary expenses for surgery, inoculations, and long-term foster care during rehabilitation. 

On the other hand, a Vizsla adopted out of the home of responsible owners may cost the Rescue Fund only minor expenses--long distance telephone calls, copying, printing, and mailing expenses. 

We ask that your donation be based on your financial situation, so that ALL homeless Vizslas can be helped through Breed Rescue. Generous donations will help us to carry on our rescue work and will be gratefully accepted. Donations of $150 or more entitle you to a year's free subscription to the Vizsla-Letter, the newsletter of the Vizsla Club of Northern California