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| Rescue FAQs | |||
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Shibas come to rescue for a variety of reasons. Shibas in need of rescue include lost dogs left to roam that end up at a local animal shelter and were never claimed. An owner has died and the family no longer wants the responsibility of taking over pet ownership. An owner did not educate themselves about the needs and traits of a Shiba. Therefore, they were not prepared to take on the challenge of a Shiba. In other instances, particular human lifestyles did not lend itself to the commitment needed to raise a Shiba. In many cases costs of care for pet ownership were not taken into consideration beyond the initial purchase of the pet. What Are the Costs of Pet Ownership? Currently the average cost for pet vet care for a single dog for one year can be $300 to $1500 depending on the needs of the Shiba. This cost could be more or less depending on where you live as well. Just like humans, as pets age the cost can be more for geriatric services and disease prevention. Please consider what you can afford to budget before you adopt a pet! Given quality care Shibas can live 12 to 15 years. We do not discriminate based on salary in the adoption process, but it is important that one consider carefully what they can afford beyond food and water i.e. paying for regular medical services such as annual shots, heartworm preventative and tick and flea preventative in addition to toys and chew bones. What is Available for Adoption? Vary rarely does Mid-Atlantic Shiba Rescue have small puppies available. What rescue has for adoption are young animals from 6 mos of age on up. In the past some very nice older animals have come to rescue because their owner had passed away, so be aware that younger does not always make for a better pet. It's the match between adopter and Shiba that makes for overall happiness for everyone. On occasion we list availble Jindos that are also in need of a home. Puppies vs. Adults Much patience is needed in working with puppies and adolescence. You will need to devote much more time in working through housebreaking, crate training, destructive chewing, mouthiness, plus the challenging and testing that occur at the different development stages. It can take up to six years for a Shiba to mature. Breed traits do not diminish with age. In fact, the confidence that comes with maturity only serves to enhance their spirited boldness and independent nature. They remain alert, inquisitive, open to new challenges and learning. Shibas age more gracefully than some breeds, and an eleven-year-old senior can fool quite a few people into thinking it's half its age. A good article about Shiba puppies vs. adults written by Carolyn Sanford of NESRA Coming of Age: Adopting An Older Shiba What is the Difference Between Male and Female Temperament? As far a temperament there is not a great difference in male and female Shibas. Females can be more aloof towards strangers but they also tend to emotionally mature quicker as well. Usually the males are more gregarious but will take longer to settle down and focus. Hence you may have a longer training duration when working obedience etc. with a male. These are generalizations and as with any mammal there are exceptions. Regardless of gender it takes patience and persistence on your part to achieve a happy household that includes a dog. What is the Warranty on an Adopted Shiba? Shibas that come into Mid-Atlantic Shiba Rescue come from a variety of sources and we usually can not offer pedigree papers with these companion animals. We make every attempt to evaluate the health and temperament of each dog for its suitability for adoption. All dogs are spayed and neutered before placement and brought up to date on health care. We will disclose all health and temperament information we have concerning each Shiba before adoption takes place. However, we cannot warranty or guarantee the genetics, health or disposition for the life of the dog. Once a Shiba leaves our care the new owners assume responsibility for their pet, any future medical services, training, and daily routine care. After adoption we will continue to work with adoption families to guide and assist them as needed in training their pet and to provide information in order to facilitate happy transitions. We believe that cooperative communication after adoption is essential in assuring that all Shibas are happy in their new homes. We welcome regular post-adoption updates from families about their adopted Shiba! Feel free to send pictures and info. See Shiba Alumni |
