ABR E34

What does it take to adopt a beagle from ABR? What process do we go through.

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Alaska Beagle Ranch

Episode 34

Hello everyone and welcome to the Alaska Beagle Ranch. I’m Dave Dorsey and I manage the ranch located near Wasilla, Alaska. There are presently 18 beagles and 1 basset at the ranch right now. One beagle is with one of our fosters. Alaska Beagle Ranch is the only rescue in Alaska dedicated to beagles only.

Thank you to all our listeners. This week we welcome new international listeners from Blanzat, Puy-de-Dome, France and White Horse, Yukon Territory, Canada. In the US, we have new listeners from Lawrenceburg, Indiana and Calabash, North Carolina. Of course, our largest listener groups are here in Alaska. Welcome and I hope you like what we have for you here. We do appreciate your support. The Alaska Beagle Ranch has over 1200 downloads since we started doing our podcast last November. We are available wherever you listen to your podcasts at.

Alaska Beagle Ranch is the number 1 beagle podcast on PlayerFM.

Weather wise we did get a break for a couple days this past week with some nice sunshine and higher temperatures in the mid 70’s. All beagles were charged up and enjoying the warm weather.

While I’m thinking about it,will you take a moment and write us a review. Tell us what you think, how we are doing and maybe what you would like to hear more about. Help us get the word out about the Alaska Beagle Ranch.

You also can help support our podcast by donating on PayPal @Beagle Ranch 907.

Today’s podcast is dedicated to Xena. A little beagle that came via a special trip.

There are times a dog doesn’t click with a person or persons. And there’s time those people don’t click with a dog. Not everyone is a good match with a dog and not every dog is a good match for all people.

Alaska Beagle ranch is a little different kind of rescue. 

For one is we don’t get a lot of beagles in. As I’ve stated in previous podcast that the beagle population isn’t as large as in other states in the lower 48.

Two, not all beagles taken in are going to be up for adoption. Senior beagles are hard to adopt. Most people want a pet that will be with them for 10 plus years. A senior pup is probably going to be around 3 or 4 years. So most senior pups will become residents.

Some have long term illnesses and require long term care. To make sure they get that care, they become residents of ABR.

We are pickier about our adopters than most rescues. Right now, most shelters and rescues are full. They need to get the dogs out so they can get more in. ABR isn’t full. We also have a couple fosters that can take in pups. So, we’re not rushed to get the pups out the door to make room for more.

We have all our pups seen by our vet. Shots are brought up to date if needed, they are spayed or neutered, a full blood panel is done to see if there’s any hidden issues, and they’re micro chipped.

Veterinary care is expensive in Alaska. A normal spay or neutering can run $1100. Dental cleaning can run a $1000 plus cost of extractions. We have all our pups spayed or neutered. Dental cleaning we’ll leave up to the adopter.

We require our adopters to have beagle experience. Beagles can be challenging, stubborn and more. Adopters with experience will know what to expect.

We require our adopters to have a fenced in yard. Beagles will run off or not stay on your property. This puts them at risk of being hit by a car, angering neighbors or injured by wildlife.

If the adopter rents their home, we need approval from the landlord that the pup is welcome there.

We need to visit the home of the adopter. We check for a fenced in yard. They aren’t hoarding pets. It’s a safe home where the pet will be cared for and loved.

Our adoption fee is $400, cash. We don’t accept checks or credit cards. You see that we don’t recoup 100% of our expenses. The fee is refundable if you return the pup within 10 days. Most rescues in the area charge $150to $250. We figure if you’re willing to pay more, you’re going to take good care of your investment.

If you determine that you can’t keep the pup, it must be returned to us.

We have agreements with the local shelters that if your pup shows up at their shelter and isn’t claimed, it’s returned to us.

What are some of the reasons to decline an adoption.

1.   The prospective adopter has a history of abusing animals.

2.   The prospective adopter is unable to understand the animal’s medical or behavioral needs. 

3.   The prospective adopter indicates that they plan to use physical abuse to discipline the animal.

4.   The prospective adopter does not believe that pet ownership should be a life-long commitment.

5.   The prospective adopter indicates that they plan to use the animal for an inappropriate purpose i.e. attempting to breed the animal, use a dog to be a guard dog or a cat to eat wild mice.

In instances where red flags are present, we will need to decline adoption. Failure to meet our adoption requirements will be reason to decline adoption.

Declining pet adoptions is a part of keeping animals safe. 

We will never hesitate to decline a pet adoption when they have determined that it is unsafe for a companion animal to go home with a prospective adopter.

BEAGLE SPOTLIGHT:  Xena came to ABR from Alaska Animal Rescue Friends in Anchorage via Bethel, Alaska in January 2021. That’s 400 miles as the crow flies. She was flown in on a Northern Air Cargo flight because there’s no road between Anchorage and Bethel. Xena had allergies and had scratched the hair off both of her sides. She also had a urinary tract infection. After a trip to VCA Far Country and Dr Wellman she was feeling much better.

I didn’t like her name at first, but after taking a beating on social media for wanting to change it, I didn’t. And I’m glad I didn’t because she does do a warrior scream. Her howl is more of a scream like Hank for those that knew him. She is a happy pup at 6 years young. She loves to play and a little rough house. She loves a ride in the truck but won’t jump up in it. I have to lift her up. She is also a bed hog like most beagles.

Xena has had a significant weight gain recently and is on a strict diet. 

Xena, we love you at ABR and glad you are here.

Shoutout! A special shoutout to my neighbors. I live in an awesome neighborhood with awesome neighbors. My neighbors have helped recover my beagles the times they have escaped. Some have helped look, capture, and return them to me. They’ve walked them back or brought them in their car. I’ve got calls when they’ve got out and I hadn’t noticed, or a stray is seen, and they we’re worried it was mine. I’ve come home to Spot and Lilly tied to the deck because they found a way out and wouldn’t stay in the yard. All was asked is that I return the rope. All of this in all kinds of weather, from beautiful sunny days to ugly butt freezing days. Thank you, neighbors, everyone.

While I’m thinking about it, will you take a moment and write us a review. Tell us what you think, how we are doing and maybe what you would like to hear more about. Help us get the word out about the Alaska Beagle Ranch.

You also can help support our podcast by donating on PayPal @Beagle Ranch 907.

Remember, your next forever pooch can be at the local shelter or rescue. 

Adopting an animal from a shelter or rescue organization not only saves that one animal’s life, but it also saves the life of another animal who can now take the empty spot you’ve opened up.

The Alaska Beagle Ranch is a nonprofit and we depend on donations to help us with our mission. What is our mission? Our mission and our goal are for every beagle, especially in Alaska, has a happy home. For our beagles to be happy, they need to be healthy. We only adopt healthy beagles, so we need your help in paying medical bills to get or keep them healthy so they can find their forever home. Beagles that can’t be adopted become resident beagles at ABR. Their medical, food and upkeep can be costly. We know that the economy isn’t as good as we would like it to be. Just a few dollars add up and goes a long, long way. Go to our Facebook page of Alaska Beagle Ranch and you can find out how you can donate through PayPal or Amazon.

Thank you for listening to the Alaska Beagle Ranch. If you know someone who is looking to get a beagle, please share our podcast with them. All the episodes will tell you what you need to know about beagles. If you have any questions about beagles and if they are right for you, email me at akbeagleranch@gmail.com or call us at 907-202-4226.

You can follow us on Facebook at Alaska Beagle Ranch or on Twitter at @beagle_ranch. If you would like to support the Alaska Beagle Ranch, there are links on how to on our Facebook page. Our show notes can be found at alaskabeagleranch.buzzsprout.com.

Be sure to like, subscribe and maybe give some feedback. See you next week at the Alaska Beagle Ranch.