Important Information regarding West Highland White Terrier rescue groups and organizations:

The Club now operates rescue for West Highland White Terriers. The complete information can be found in our pages. For the convenience of our visitors, we have also listed below some rescue organizations as well as some general information about rescue.

Please note that the Club Executive responsible for the management of the CWHWTC cannot and do  not recommend any other rescue organization, whether or not we show a link.  We take no responsibility for any unacceptable or inappropriate contacts that may be made from any links we include.  These links to 'rescue' groups or individuals are provided strictly as a convenience for Westie aficionados,  and we caution you that it is up to you to look carefully into the groups behind those links.  If you provide rescue services (of West Highland White Terriers) and you wish to have a link included, please submit contact details, and background information to editors@canadawestieclub.ca . We reserve the right to make the final decision regarding the inclusion of your link.
 

Choosing a Rescue Organisation to Deal With

There are many independent rescue organizations that are managed by a varied number of people.  Some are small and work within a specific region, and some are larger with more widely spread contacts.  Some are breed-specific, some are all-breed rescue groups, while others might be all-terrier-breeds rescue groups.  The volunteers who run the smaller organizations often have many years of valuable experience. Don't dismiss the help that exists because the group isn't flag-waving and banner-bearing.  Regardless of your chosen breed - remember that 'biggest' isn't necessarily 'best', and that 'smallest' isn't necessarily 'smartest' .  You must spend time doing some research into what help is available and gauge your personal reaction to the contacts that you make.  You should feel comfortable with the group/person that you deal with, and it is your responsibility to check them out before making any commitment.  Ask if they have personal experience in dealing with problem or abused dogs. What steps have they taken to ensure that the dog is really ready for placement? Have they personally sheltered this dog, and how does it behave in a social environment? Just because a 'rescue' person or group exists does not mean that they know what they are doing. Ask for references.  Always remember, any dog deserves the best chance possible. We'll give you a few ideas about how to find some help. 
 

Finding a Rescue Organisation

Often, humane societies, animal shelters, S.P.C.A.'s, pounds,  and like organisations,  have one person responsible for coordinating the rescue groups/people in their area.  They are able to give you the contact numbers and names of people who run various kinds of rescue groups, or are experienced individuals who perform rescue work.  Ask if the shelter contact person feels confident in, or has  personal knowledge of the person/group that they are suggesting you call.

Call local  veterinary clinics, or your own veterinarian.  He or she may know of a West Highland White Terrier (or whichever breed you are looking for) that needs a new home, or might  recommend a specific individual to contact.  They are often well aware of smaller rescue groups, and may even have one of their staff maintain a list of people who are experienced and reliable who perform rescue work . 

Look on the notice board in veterinary clinics, pet stores, or other dog-oriented locations.  You will find notices from local rescue groups, e.g. 'Friends of lost Pets' or 'Small Dog rescue'.  Some of those groups have been active for many years. If you wish to adopt a 'rescue' or even just an older pet of any specific breed, call local breeders and ask if they have dogs that they would like to find good homes for.  Perhaps they took in a stray or had a dog returned from a client that is now waiting for a new home.  If you need to find a new home for your pet, then perhaps that breeder has a client who would like a  mature dog. 
 

Use the Internet to Find Rescue Organisations

Access the Internet - or ask somebody to do it for you - and do a 'search'  for local dog or pet rescue groups.  As an example we looked at one rescue information web site - the "BC Pet Rescue Organizations".  That one web site alone lists 13 independent groups who specialize in rescues of all breeds.   Look in the local newspapers - often a rescue group/individual will let you know of their existence by placing an ad that shows their contact information. 

Regardless of whether you want to adopt a rescue, or simply have a dog you wish to place in another home, any rescue group should be willing to help you in some way.  While the group is in existence primarily to take in genuine rescues, many times owners no longer wish to own or can no longer retain their pet, and any group should be able to provide help in locating another home.  If you are able, but cannot be bothered to spend the time and effort finding a suitable new home for your pet, then expect to make a donation to the organization who is doing the work for you.  If you are looking for a rescue to join your home as a new family member, then perhaps you will be asked to cover any bills that were incurred for that dog while it was still in the hands of the rescue person. 
 

Rescue – sometimes difficult, always rewarding!

Remember, many rescues come with their own problems.  Some might have been abused, and may need very special attention and care to put them on the road to recovery.  They will require a dedicated new family, with unlimited patience and the ability to pay perhaps large veterinary bills.  Others come from a known background, and they might be older and in need of love and security and human companionship.  It will not always be an easy road.  But ....  it will be worthwhile and satisfying.
 

Useful links

Canadian National Westie rescue

The Canadian West Highland White Terrier Club has a division who takes in rescue. For information, go visit our pages on rescue.

Regional and other Westie rescues

Westies in need (WiN) is a non profit Canadian group that provides rescue, fostering, transport, medical attention and adoption services for surrendered, abused, abandoned, neglected, and/or homeless West Highland White Terriers in Ontario and Quebec.

American National Westie Rescue is a committee of the West Highland White Terrier Club of America.

All-breed rescue

The following are just a very few samples of the type of help that exists in Canada, for the rescue of different breeds. Regardless of the breed that you feel you might like to adopt, do not limit yourself to a single-breed rescue group, (and remember that there may be a few groups that rescue the same single breed), but use the all-breed rescue groups also. 

Once again, all of the following links are provided strictly as examples of the help you can find if you look for it, and the CWHWTC can not and does not intentionally recommend, endorse, or guarantee any in particular.

Most of these were found by doing a simple search:

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
Lists many of the humane societies across Canada.

Dogs in Canada
On the magazine "Dogs in Canada" pages, you can select your breed and look at some of the breed rescue groups. Bear in mind that this is only tiny selection of all the groups that exist.

Bow Valley SPCA
A no kill, no cage adoption centre--the first of its kind in Canada.

Pet Guardian Angels of America
A national pet rescue and adoption assistance service also offering general and health related articles and resources for all types of pets.

Hugs for homeless animals
This website is great - it provides a comprehensive listing of many misc. rescue groups - click on the country of your choice (and then the province) and look at that list!

Animal Rescue Foundation
In 1992, Dr. Laurie Flavin, a Calgary chiropractor, began rescuing stray and abandoned dogs from Calgary Animal Services (the Pound) to find suitable homes for them....

Seniordogrescue.org
Alberta Senior Canine Rescue are part of this US based organization.

Special Adoptions: smaller dogs
Some Humane Societies offer opportunities to adopt small dogs with the help of an independant local rescue organization,   e.g. this site is at the Ottawa Humane Society, and the Pet Rescue Network helps place smaller dogs.

BC Pet Rescue organizations
A list of some of B.C. rescue organizations.
 

Please - remember that the above links are only given as samples of what you can find by doing searches on the Internet for rescue groups. Also remember that not all rescue groups have a website, so do check out your local newspapers, look on notice boards at shelters and Vet clinics etc. We provided some ideas at the top of this page. Finally, ask people that you know have the breed that you are looking for. They may know somebody who does rescue work 'privately' with loads of expertise and knowledge  (don't have to be part of a huge rescue group to do valuable work).