Rehoming vs Rescue

[paris26]

I've been reading several threads about new hedgies joining several families. That is wonderful, but what is interesting to me is the language being used. I'm a member of the Hedgehog Welfare Society where a big focus is research and rescue. What does the word rescue really mean? What about rehoming? I've used the term "rescued" for several of my hedgies when all but 1 have really been rehomed.
http://www.users.nac.net/hedgehogwelfare/newsletters/newsletter_14.pdf
This is a link to an article about this very topic, from the latest HWS newsletter. Scroll down a bit and it's titled "rescue recap". It's a very interesting article.
I agree with the definitions that are laid out because it makes sense.
A "rescue" is generally defined as "a hedgehog who is removed from a situation in which s/he faces imminent harm" i.e. illegal animal, special needs, abuse, needs immediate veterinary attention, illness, severe neglect, etc.
Most of our hedgies have been "rehomed". Adopted from a shelter(the majority of mine), the HWS, from someone who "no longer has time or doesn't want anymore", the people who had accidental litters (i.e. Madelaine and Juliet for me) They have their basic needs being met, i.e. food, water, shelter, but they are awaiting a forever home.
I have a hard time believing an animal has been "rescued" when it was bought from a breeder or most pet stores. Yes, the hogs may be in acquariums or being fed what many may feel is a poor quality food, but they have better than some true rescues

What do you think? My intention is to not single any person out, because we all love hedgies, that's not the issue.

[Nancy]

My defination of a rescue is an animal that if left in the conditions it is living in it will not survive.

I have numerous re-homes and they are simply that, re-homes. There was nothing wrong with their previous living conditions, just the owners could no longer keep them for various reasons. One boy the owners had simply decided a hedgie was not for them. Another boy the family felt they could not give him the time he deserved. I also have some from 2 owners who developed severe allergies. I know some people would consider them rescues but I call them adopted. :)

[babybird719]

Good Topic! I "rescued" 2 hedgies last week from a wonderful home in Wisconsin. I really consider that a rehoming. I thnik the reason it was listed as a rescue is because they were advertised at only $40.00 a piece. When a hedgehog is being sold for that cheap there is a real risk of impulse buys, which could put the hedgie at real risk. But to me it wasn't a rescue. |To me a real rescue would be either taking a hedgehog out of a dangerous situation or a hedgehog with health or behavioral concerns that require it to be in an experienced home.

[babybird719]

Hey Tawana,
I just realized you're Paris26. The 2 I talked of rehoming were the last two from that litter of albinos that you took 2 of. If you picked them up at her home you know what I mean about it being a wonderful home for animals.

[Kerrie]

I agree with you Nancy.
One of my biggest pet peeves now is when people say they "rescued" a hedgie from a petstore. If the hedgie has an obvious medical problem, is living in filth, and is eating rabbit food, and the store does nothing about it...then that to me is a recue from a petstore.
The same goes for an outside source.
Otherwise you are re-homing the hedgie.
JMO.:)

[ejw829]

Good point, Kerrie.

Buying an animal at a petstore is just that: a purchase. Unless, of course, the animal is in poor health, being neglected, etc.

[Tamiko]

Yes, I think 'rescue' should only be used in cases of saving some animal from immediate and real danger. So many people crow on pet lists and forums about doing 'rescue' including the ones who simply bought an animal from an owner who had to part with that animal because of things like moving, or severe allergies or some other illness. And the buyer turns around and says "I rescued this animal" That's really offensive, and there are so many bogus tales of animal abuse and rescue flying around on pet related sites.

Rehoming or 'placement' even 'buying' off someone IMHO makes the person having done it look more honest and less like someone trying to be a huge animal hero at the expense of some other poor person who had to part with their pet.

Don't get me wrong, there are legit rescues, but I'm getting very tired of people bragging about being animal rescuers.

There's a great group on yahoogroups that deals with this, and there are quite a few people who have been victimized by animal rights 'rescue' efforts. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dog_anti-rescue_anti-peta

They're not against honest rescue, just the bogus ones and the bragging, and the PEta/HSUS etc. agendas.

-Tamiko

[tunes]

I don't have much experience with hedgie "rescue", but I have done a few for chins. Since the chins were considerably underweight, had cuts all over them, and other issues, I'd consider that a rescue. I'd also consider the blind chin I took that was going to be destroyed a rescue. I doubt there are many people that were around about a year ago this time who haven't heard of Hope. If she wasn't a rescue, I don't know what was. Hmmmm - does that make me bogus or a bragger?

I think buying from a pet store is just buying from a pet store. Now, I did actually get into an argument with a guy at a pet store when I was there, who was buying two PEW rats for his snakes. I insisted that he give them to me and not use them for his snakes. He called me names, I called him names - but I got my girls. Is that a rescue or a rehoming? I just think of it as one less feeder.

However, when I see someone asking for money to buy hedgies out of a pet store that is not mistreating them, but seeing themselves as a "rescuer" of these animals, it annoys me. If you want to buy a hedgie, save up your money and buy one. Don't ask people to give you money so you can get one. That's just ridiculous.

[Kerrie]

However, when I see someone asking for money to buy hedgies out of a pet store that is not mistreating them, but seeing themselves as a "rescuer" of these animals, it annoys me. If you want to buy a hedgie, save up your money and buy one. Don't ask people to give you money so you can get one. That's just ridiculous.
:applause: Couldn't have said it any better!!

I insisted that he give them to me and not use them for his snakes. He called me names, I called him names - but I got my girls. Is that a rescue or a rehoming? I just think of it as one less feeder.

That to me would be a rescue! Good Job!

[Tamiko]

It's bragging any time someone posts they have 'rescued' something and they usually get pats on the back in reply.

-Tamiko