When adopting a dog there are several things you ought to consider. We’ve covered several of them in previous articles. However, while considering the everyday needs of your pet, you also need to focus on the immediate ones, meaning vaccines.
These are extremely important, as not only do they secure the health of your dog, but they are also essential in bringing a dog from one country to another. There are specific regulations which one needs to respect in order for any adoption to succeed.
So, a series of three articles, in a rather serious tone, will follow. Read them carefully and make sure you respect every step, as these are the requirements of international adoptions.
So, vaccines. These are indeed crucial. Usually, when dogs are rescued by dedicated organizations their health state is carefully inspected. Life on the streets exposes the animal to several threats, some of which can be deadly.
So, any rescuer’s main concern will be the health state of the animal. Only after it is 100% healthy, the dog is suitable for adoption.
Core vaccines
It is important to specify from the very beginning that every country tends to have its own set of rules as far as vaccines are concerned. However, there are basic rules all pet owners, irrespective of their nationality will recognize.
For puppies, things are pretty clear. They need to be immunized against Canine Parvovirus, Distemper Virus, Canine Leptospira and Canine Rabies.
It is also recommended that the puppy remains in quarantine for 3 months during which time the vaccines will start kicking in and make their effect noticed.
By quarantine, one means not only the actual space in which the dog will reside, but it should be kept out of contact with foreigner pets. By quarantine, one actually means isolation. Therefore, we can only talk about traveling after this period has reached its end.
The first vaccines your dog will receive are known as core vaccines. And they are recognized across the entire EU. One, in particular, is also legally mandatory and that is the canine rabies vaccines.
It is true that these are the rules for puppies. However, considering that adult dogs are often recovered from the streets, they will be treated as puppies. Tests will be performed and in case viruses are found, then we will apply a remedy to eliminate the viral threat, otherwise, if there is no threat, all the necessary vaccines will be made. It is safe to say that some viruses are less dangerous for adult dogs than they are for puppies.
To be suitable for EU travel, pets will need to have the entire core vaccine scheme.
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Dog ownership recognized
One of the essential regulations adopters have to follow is applying the microchip. This demonstrates that the dog has indeed been adopted by someone and it is now part of his/her responsibility.
This is an essential requirement and it is valid across the EU.
Usually, when dogs are rescued by organizations they are micro-chipped as soon as they are brought into the shelter. So, really, when adopted the name of the owner is changed in the system. However, Romanian shelters collaborate with foreign associations which facilitate the adoption and seldom do they know with whom the dog will end up with.
So, in order to change a dog’s owner name in the Romanian system (RECS), the adopter needs to ask the association to do that. The association will therefore sent the request back to the shelter and changes will follow. This is not necessary but recommended, considering one could lose his dog and a dog with a foreign name will discourage potential finders. If the information is updated, finders could easily reach the adopters.
Dogs need to be micro-chipped.
Communicating with the rescue organization
It’s tough to trust a person you’ve never met before. However, even though the lack of trust is understandable, one needs not to assume that every rescue is lying or trying to deceive you. If you are communicating with a trustworthy organization that has been doing this for a long time that has plenty of successful adoptions to boast about, an organization that is supported by other individuals in your country, an organization that has a dedicated staff that can award adopters with the required pieces of information regarding the use of received funds or the welfare of the animals, then you have nothing to worry about.
Ask for information whenever you feel the need that further clarifications are in order.
However, please understand that there are costs involved in any adoption. Unless certain vaccines are not done as required, your pet may not be able to travel. Also, a process of this kind could take some time, during which your furry friend needs to be cared for and fed.
So the adoption fee could be easily broken down in these costs. You could say that rescue organizations would be doing all these things if the dog wasn’t adopted. So why does the adopter have to cover these costs?
Two very simple reasons. First, being willing to cover all the necessary costs for your new family member displays commitment and once you have adopted a pet, you’ll have to show a lot of that. Showing that you are willing to commit even before you’ve met your friend is what every rescuer wants to see in the future adopter.
Secondly, it is common knowledge that rescues rely mostly on donations. Of course, a rescue organization would cover these costs no matter what because saving those pets is part of the commitment they’ve made. However, covering the costs for your dog means giving a new dog the chance to be rescued. So, think of it as doing a double good deed.
Support adoption, encourage adoption and by all means, adopt. Follow all the steps involved to make sure that your furry friend arrives home safe & sound.
Woof, Woof, People!
