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Bearded Collie Rescue

I have been in rescue for the past 20 years, and along with the popularity of the breed, the rescues have also escalated.  I'm now assisted by some fantastic members of the Bearded Collie Club of Central Florida (though we cater to the entire state as we are the only functioning BC club in Florida).  We normally average a rescue per month in Florida alone.  Most of them come from pet stores or are of some questionable parentage, (as most of our breeders- Bearded Collie Club of America members- are reputable and stand behind their dogs through thick and thin.  None of us can imagine abandoning a Beardie for whatever the reason, just as we could not give up a child if something wasn't quite right).

All the breeders from the BCCA (I would venture to say 99%) plan on a litter with the utmost of care, but sometimes things don't go as they should on paper and we end up with a health problem (most notable Addison's disease which is an over production of the Adrenal glands making adrenaline- which appears to be recessive but hereditary, or hip dysplasia where the hips or elbows do not met smoothly at the joint or the joint being shallow).  The most prevalent  cause is Heartworm (dog never placed on preventatives and is now infested).  As a result, this sometimes causes a drain on the finances of a family.  We have ways of assisting these families, but some are not willing to further incur the care involved, or limitations it places on the dogs.  We then do our best to re-home the dogs.

Other times the dog ends up at the pound, as the dog was cute and cuddly when it was small, but the new owners (usually buying their pup from a store that is only interested in the dollar and not the final welfare of the dog) are unaware of the care and maintenance involved with a Beardie.  When the dog has been tied up to a tree for 3/4 of its life, and ignored, they now have a problem dog on their hands and can't get rid of it fast enough to please them.  We handle these as well. n Our primary goal is to get them out of the bad situation and then find a home that is compatible.

The dogs are usually older (usually over 3) and shaved back as they were never or seldom groomed and to remove the mats would be more detrimental than beneficial to the dog.  So we shave them back and start from scratch and assist the new owners as best we can.

We occasionally have to act quickly, and I send a "mass mailing" to all persons who have expressed a wish for a Beardie.  We do not always have the luxury of time in our favor and we must act quickly.  In this case, first come, first served.  Otherwise, we try to find the best home that best fits the knowledge we have about the Beardie (ie., "nips at small children" or "afraid of men", etc.).  There is a page on our BCCCF website devoted to the rescue of the Beardie and there is a questionnaire we ask you to fill out.  We use that as a guide for placing our dogs.  It therefore does not mean that you must be the first in line to receive a dog, but the one is the most "paired" or "matched" to the requirements of the dog..  

If you feel that you still want one of our "babies" please go to the BCCCF website and fill out the rescue questionnaire.
It will be forwarded to me and I will send it on to the person responsible for the area closest to you.
Everyone would prefer a puppy and they are sometimes available, however, if they are that young there is usually some "baggage" attached.
We charge $100 NON REFUNDABLE fee for adoption. This goes toward paying the fees we have paid for these dogs. Vets, spaying/neutering, shots, boarding, pound fees, vaccinations, treatments, groomers, etc) It may not have been spent on the dog you may be getting, but pays towards the upkeep and vet fees we pay on other dogs. Believe me when I say we lose more money than obtain, but it all goes towards helping Beardies in trouble.
We have a national network that covers the 48 contiguous states. If there is a Beardie unable to be homed in another state, then the word goes out to the remaining states and the dog is shipped to the new owners. In Florida, we try to keep them "in state" before going "out" to other states.
The network of Beardie owners is a veritable source of knowledge, help, ideas and assistance as well as making true and life long friends. I am proud to say that the Beardie people in Florida are my friends as a result of the breed. We are all as gregarious as our dogs.
If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Chaniam Bearded Collies

Chantal Andrew ~Breeder

Telephone:  352.489.8988

Fax:  352.489.8990

Postal address:  5454 S.W. 121 Terrace, Ocala, FL 34481

 

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