Spots of Seattle Dalmatian Rescue

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We do not currently have any Dalmatians available for adoption. Please contact us if you have a "spot" in your home for a rescued Dalmatian!!!

Who We Are

Spots of Seattle is a private rescue for homeless Dalmatians. Our foster Dalmatians consist of rescues from local Washington shelters. We offer referrals and assistance in matching up owners looking to re-home their Dalmatians with interested parties, who are able to provide a good home. In extreme circumstances, we may be able to foster an owner surrender. However, preferential foster space is primarily reserved for shelter Dalmatians, who are the most in need. Please check out our site at www.spotsofseattle.com

Policies and Procedures

How we screen your new pet All foster dogs and puppies are screened for temperament and other health problems upon arrival. All dogs and puppies are fostered in a home environment and treated as loved family members, until the day of their adoption. During this foster period, they receive a general health exam, their first or age appropriate vaccines, worming, Advantage flea treatment, microchipping, are spayed/neutered and receive any other medical treatment necessary.

Adoption Procedure

STEP ONE Send an email to introduce yourself and request an adoption questionnaire. STEP TWO Complete and return the adoption questionnaire--the questionnaire will help us know you better. Please be sure to fill in all questions as completely as possible. It is better to take your time than to rush! It is important to answer every question. A complete application helps us to know if the requested dog will be a good match for your family. Since all of our dogs are in foster care, we have gotten to know their personalities and can be very helpful to you in selecting the right rescue dog and to help narrow down who might be the best fit for your home. STEP THREE After the questionnaire has been reviewed, we will contact you regarding setting up a "homecheck" and meeting. We will bring the dog/puppy to your home to meet the entire family, both human, canine, feline, etc to make sure that it is a good match for everyone and so that you can see how the dog does in your environment.

Adopting a Dog

Please email us with any questions or interest in any of the Dalmatians on our Pet List. Our Pet List is updated daily--dogs are noted if there is an adoption pending or if they have been adopted within 24 hours--PLEASE do not email and ask if the dog is available...if it is posted, it is available! The quickest way to get a response is to send an introductory email and to request an adoption questionnaire. All dogs are spayed or neutered prior to adoption and are current on their vaccinations and have been microchipped. All adoptions require a home check, adoption contract, and adoption fee. Our typical adoption fee is $125.00, although we have a reduced adoption fee for our rescues over the age of seven years. This fee includes the above mentioned complete medical care, as well as the things to get you started in your life with your new dog: a bag of quality dogfood, collar and leash, a favorite toy (!)and a rescue ID tag.

Adoption Requirements

As Dalmatians were bred to be a high energy breed, a fenced yard is mandatory for Spots of Seattle Dalmatian Rescue adoptions. Electric fencing is NOT considered an exception to a fenced yard. Adopters and inquiries must be over the age of eighteen ONLY please. We adopt to Washington and Oregon only. Participation in and completion of an accredited obedience class is REQUIRED for adoption of Dalmatians under the age of eighteen months and highly recommended in all other instances. We are affiliated with other rescuers in the Northwest, so if we do not have a Dalmatian that meets your needs, please contact us and we can put you in contact with another rescuer.

Thanks for your interest in a rescued Dalmatian!!

Important health, personality and behavior information about Dalmatians Dalmatians are beautiful, loyal, loving and intelligent dogs, but they are not perfect for everyone. Here are a few things that we would like you to keep in mind before applying to adopt one of these great dogs. Full grown Dalmatians are usually 19 to 24 inches tall (about knee high to an adult) weigh, on average between 45-60 pounds. They have an average lifespan of 11-13 years, but have been known to live to the great age of 16 - 17. Dalmatians need very life span grooming, but they do shed quite a lot. Regular brushing can help control it and shedding will be worst during certain times of the year, but be ware that they do shed. A healthy Dalmatian requires bathing no more than a few times year, unless he has investigated something particularly smelly or messy. The Dalmatianšs skin has oil glands that protect the coat and keep it water resistant. Over bathing removes the natural oil. Dalmatians are high energy dogs who like to exercise. They make excellent walking, running, roller-blading and biking partners. You can expect to spend at least 30 minutes a day exercising your Dalmatian. Dalmatian are, in general, good with children and make fine family pets. They are happiest when kept indoors and treated as part of the family. It will take some effort on the part of the adoptive family to teach their Dal the house rules. With patience and persistence, Dalmatians can become excellent house pets Dalmatians have two unique hereditary problems: Deafness and bladder stone formations. Though deaf dogs can lead happy and productive lives an make excellent house pets, there are some special considerations. (Dalmatian Rescue test all dogs and potential adoptive families are made aware of any hearing impairment prior to adoption) Dalmatians cannot break down certain food proteins and are thus more prone to the development of bladder stones. If this condition develops, it can most often be controlled by a special prescription diet and or medication. Adopting a Dalmatian is a serious commitment. This sensitive, loving animal will depend on you for its health, training, and future welfare. Owning any dog is not inexpensive. The adoptive family should be prepared to provide food, water and health care in addition to comfort and affection. Health care cost include regular visits to your veterinarian and the necessary year round flea control and heartworm prevention. You will be required to obtain a license for your Dalmatian in the county in which you reside and to renew that license yearly. All dogs have potential to develop behavior problems. Though the staff and volunteers at Dalmatian Rescue are available to assist you in finding solutions to any behavior problems our adoptive families develop, it is our expectation that the adoptive families will take whatever steps necessary to solve these problems. This may mean consulting a professional dog trainer for classes or private instructions.

Want to Help?

Foster homes are always needed. To become a foster parent, you should have a yard that is securely fenced and be able and willing to provide a nurturing and safe environment in the interim period before your foster is adopted. We are able to provide foster families with food, crate, bedding, puppy supplies. All medical decisions and expenses will be made by Spots of Seattle Dalmatian Rescue. You will become the "expert" on your foster dog, and you'll play a large role in deciding who the dog's new adoptive family will be. You may be temperament, (good with dogs/cats/etc), size, and gender specific depending on your experience and preference. The need for available Dalmatian foster homes has increased and new volunteers are especially welcome. Deciding to become a foster mom or dad fills a critical need in dog rescue. Please call or e-mail for more information, or check out site at www.spotsofseattle.com.

REASONS FOR SPAYING/NEUTERING

REASONS FOR SPAYING/NEUTERING 1. Spaying or neutering increases your pet's chances for a longer, healthier life. Spaying your pet before her first estrous (in-heat) cycle (that is, before she reaches sexual maturity) greatly reduces her chances of developing mammary (breast) cancer and completely eliminates the threat of uterine and ovarian cancer and uterine infection, which are common occurrences in unaltered females. Neutering your male dog or cat prevents testicular tumors and may prevent prostate problems. Neutering also decreases the possibility of perianal tumors and hernias, which are commonly observed in older, unaltered dogs. The threat of abscesses caused by bites and diseases transmitted by fighting are greatly reduced. 2. An altered cat or dog is a better pet for your family. Males neutered early in life are less aggressive toward other males and are not distracted by females in heat. A neutered male will be less tempted to leave your property and cross dangerous roads or highways in search of a mate. Neutered males also are less likely to mark expensive shrubs with their urine as well as inside the house. Unaltered male cats have a tendency to spray. Cat urine odor can be difficult to remove from the inside of the house. Spaying your female eliminates the problem of stray males jumping your fence and camping in your yard. Spaying also decreases her desire to roam and breed. 3. No family wants to cope with an unwanted pregnancy. Spaying prevents your pet from giving birth to unwanted puppies or kittens. 4. Spaying results in a cleaner female dog and home. Because female dogs pass bloody fluid for about ten days, twice a year, as a part of their estrous cycle, constant care must be taken to avoid carpet stains in homes with such animals. Spaying your dog eliminates this problem. 5. You are helping to alleviate the dog/cat overpopulation program. Between 8-12 million companion animals are killed each year in America due to lack of homes. Only 1 in 9 cats and dogs born in the United States will find a home. The rest will be destroyed because nobody wants them. Could you choose which animal will live? It is a choice no one should have to make. AFV and other shelters make this decision every day. You can help stop the killing by doing your part in spaying/neutering your pet.
Spots of Seattle Dalmatian Rescue Phone: 206-938-4333
Email: sosdals@aol.com
Click here for a list of pets at this shelter Click here to see our Dog Happy Tails!


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