Policies and Practices

Reputable breeders always want their dogs returned to them even if they need to find another suitable home.  If you think you need to find a new home for your Vizsla, please contact your breeder first.

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• If you feel you must rehome your Vizsla, we always want to know:

1. Who is the breeder and do you have a contract with your breeder that stipulates the dog is to be returned to him/her? 

2. Has the breeder been contacted?  If not, why?

3. Why doesn't the breeder want the dog back or why don't you want the dog being returned to the breeder?

• If your Vizsla has bitten, or has attempted to bite, is aggressive, or guards resources, we need to know before we can accept it into our rehoming program.  Please provide as much information about your dog's history as possible. 

• We accept purebred Vizslas but if it's a mixed Vizsla, it should substantially LOOK like a Vizsla. We are a volunteer club and so must limit our resources to handling Vizslas. 

• While our jurisdiction is Ontario Canada, from time to time the VSO may get involved helping to rescue or rehome dogs from other provinces.

• A separate rescue fund covers adoption fees, some basic veterinary expenses, etc. 

• If we accept your dog into our rehoming program, we would appreciate a donation of $100 to our Rescue Fund. 

• The fee to adopt a dog is $400.  This helps pay for basic rescue / rehoming (health tests, etc.) and fostering expenses.  This fee may be lowered or waived for special needs or very elderly Vizslas.

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Funding

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The club funds its rescue/rehoming program primarily thought sales of an annual wall calendar featuring photos of Vizslas owned by club members as well as individual donations.  The VSO produced its first calendar in black and white in 1995.  Now, it's printed in stunning colour on glossy paper.  Rescue funds are kept separate from our general operating monies.  In July 2019, the Board of Directors implemented an adoption fee to help cover costs.  Occasionally, the club makes a donation to a canine charitable or health research organization if the fund is really sizeable.

 

History

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The rescue / rehoming program started back in 1985 or 1986 after taking in a Vizsla which was found wandering on Highway 115 near Peterborough, Ontario.  His breeder wanted nothing to do with taking him back.  Club member Elaine Hopkins singlehandedly managed VSO's rescue program from its inception until 2018 when she stepped down.

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The VSO has found new homes for many dogs since the mid '80s - about 20 in a two-year period when PJ's Pet Stores sold puppies. Now, on average one to two Vizslas per year are being placed in new homes.  Most are needing to be rehomed largely because the breeder won't take the dog back when the dog has behavioural problems - but on occasion, the club deals with Vizslas that have been turned over to rescue shelters. 

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In late 2018, a watershed case involving a Vizsla which presented as having resource guarding issues but no biting history began to exhibit unpredictable aggression and to bite after it was rehomed.  This led the Board of Directors to revamp its rehoming practices including the design and introduction of detailed surrender and adoption applications forms, liability waivers, home visits, fostering where possible to assess behaviour, and extensive followup with the new owners as well as referrals to a behaviour specialist for dogs with resource guarding issues.  Now the program is overseen by a team of club members.

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