FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We have photos of all the available dogs and cats on this website. Visit the available dogs profiles to see the dogs currently at Shih Tzu Rescue.

Trying to meet these requests in the past has required considerable time tracking changed email addresses, phone numbers, and changed plans. Unfortunately, Shih Tzu Rescue does not currently have the volunteer staff and time needed to provide this service.

We maintain regular business hours from 9–5 Monday through Friday, and until 2 on weekends. On major holidays, our hours differ, giving our small staff and willing volunteers a chance to enjoy some of the day themselves with family after basic care is given to our animal residents.

We do not post the exact location of the shelter in an attempt to avoid impulse abandonment of animals. We have learned that often a pet owner, annoyed by some behavior or problem, wants to immediately abandon the pet at a shelter. We have also learned that in such a situation, sometimes simple phone advice or counseling can give the animal a second and successful chance at living in its current home.

Furthermore, as much as we would like to, it is impossible for us, or any other organization, to serve every single case we encounter, particularly now with the added requests via email.

Unfortunately, our space and resources at this time are limited. We operate on an appointment basis to be sure that someone knowledgeable about the animals is on hand to serve adopters or visitors.

You must call the shelter first to see if space is available. If there is no available space at that time, you may give us all the information about the dog. Then, when and if space becomes available and we can help you, we will get back to you by phone.

Usually, animal emergencies carry priority. Space here is made available by adoption of current residents. Arrangements for incoming animals are not made using email.

Many people want to adopt a dog but cannot keep one at home for various reasons. Instead of actually adopting, they can "sponsor" the dog or dogs of their choice.

The dog stays at the shelter. If the sponsored dog is adopted to a qualified home, another pet will be made available.

Contact us to get started.

Yes, there is. The fee varies and will be discussed during the shelter visit or initial phone call.

The fee is reasonable and helps us cover some of the expenses of caring for the dog. Dogs available for adoption are spayed or neutered, have appropriate shots, and have been examined by our veterinarian.

Details of the medical history of any dog will be available during the adoption process.

Volunteers are a crucial part of our work for the dogs. They are needed and welcome. Volunteers must be reliable and dependable. We appreciate a "let's get it done" attitude.

There are multiple needs for willing volunteers in our shelter, including:

• Helping raise much-needed funds to operate our shelter
• Helping plan events and working and running them
• Recruiting supporters and volunteers
• Providing help with office duties, including computers, scanners, and photography
• Graphics work designing flyers for adoptions and invitations for events and fundraisers
• Providing donated printing costs for our newsletters
• Providing donated mailing services
• Providing landscape and lawn maintenance
• Providing specialty and handyperson skills for the never-ending repairs and maintenance of the facilities

As Shih Tzu Rescue has washers and dryers in our shelter (workplace regulation classified as "machinery"), persons under 16 cannot volunteer at Shih Tzu Rescue, even with a parent's consent or presence. This is beyond Shih Tzu Rescue's control, and we regret this limitation.

Persons age 16–17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when visiting the shelter for the first time. The parent or legal guardian must approve the minor for volunteering. Some of our best volunteers are young people, so we invite parents or guardians to visit our facility with them.

If you are 18 or older, you are an adult and there are no restrictions. Please visit our Volunteers page for more information.

Our volunteers help out with whatever needs to be done. However, if you have special skills, you may be able to concentrate your efforts in your specialty area.

We could really use the help of photographers and people who are familiar with computers, digital cameras, and picture scanners.

If you are allergic to dogs or cats, please discuss this with us, as there are dogs and a few cats "every place" at Shih Tzu Rescue, including in the office.

The rewards of helping these animals are great. They depend on the loving, caring, and kindness of volunteers so very much and show their appreciation with their love and affection.

Please visit our Volunteers page for more information.

We are still a small organization. Therefore, our office staff is small as well, as is the number of our regular volunteers.

Volunteers are often people with career and family demands, giving willingly of their spare time, which is appreciated.

We often get an overwhelming number of calls a day on our phone lines and a separate fax, which would require a full-time person to handle. We prefer that your donations go more directly to the animals' care and services.

We don't like voicemail any more than most, but sometimes it is a necessary and often helpful tool here and most everywhere today. Our voicemail asks that a detailed message be left about the nature of the call, along with a daytime phone number.

If we are in a position to assist, we will get back to the caller usually within a day or two.

If you don't get a callback and still need a response, please email us. Please keep in mind that we are a hardworking small organization with limited human and financial resources. We do sincerely try to do our best for the dogs.

Our fax line is not usually kept on. We prefer that you contact us by regular mail or email if possible. Attachments may be limited by our servers.

You can make a donation with a major credit card, debit card, or check using the security and convenience of PayPal right here on our website.

Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Donations are tax-deductible (check with your tax advisor), as we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Of course, we also accept donations through regular mail.

We are of different ages and backgrounds, with different skills, careers, and personal lives.

We all believe that dogs are precious, intelligent creatures that should not suffer due to human cruelty, sport, vanity, habit, or gain.

We work together to reduce whatever suffering we can and improve what lives we can. We believe that in our effort we can truly say, "I Helped Save a Precious Life Today."

You can fill out our contact form to send an email directly through our mailing program.

You will also find our mailing address and phone number on the Contact page.

Dog Food Suggestions

Go to the manufacturers' websites to find where these brands are sold in your area.

Note: Any dog food you feed your dog should be free of corn (a huge allergen to dogs) and the first three ingredients should be proteins such as chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, or beef. When changing your dog's diet, do this gradually over a 7-day period to avoid stomach upset.

• Artemis
• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul
• Innova Small Bites
• Flint River Ranch
• Eagle Pack
• Wellness
• Halo