In 1988 Sharon Elliott, a Cocker Spaniel enthusiast, was called on to assist in a raid of a backyard breeder. Sharon, horrified by what she saw, became determined to assist Cocker Spaniels who were abandoned and helpless.
The operation started small with two volunteers placing a dozen dogs a year. Within ten years this noble effort attracted a core of volunteers who re-homed a hundred plus dogs a year. In the late 1990's Cocker Spaniel Rescue established an internet presence with a website, www.cockerkids.org. While the website helped recruit volunteers and donations, the number of Cocker Spaniels in need increased dramatically. Now we have a presence on FaceBook and we are reaching even more Cocker Spaniel lovers.
Today CSR serves the greater Houston area with foster homes stretching from Conroe south to Lake Jackson, west to Katy and as far east to Deer Park. Our primary service area is around 5,600 square miles with a population of 5.7 million people. We serve an area bigger than three individual states (Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Delaware). Thirty states that have populations smaller than the greater Houston area. In 2009 we were contacted about 633 Cocker Spaniels in need of help and we adopted out an all-time high of 300. In 2009, we were awarded the Pedigree Breed Rescue of the Year at the Westminster Dog Show.
Dedicated volunteers are the heart of Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas. Currently we have about 50 volunteers and 30 foster homes. We are an all volunteer organization (no paid employees) and do not operate a facility. We refer to the Cocker Inn® as a virtual home, representing our network of foster homes and boarding kennels. About 80% of the dogs are in foster homes. The remaining 20% are boarded at several kennels across the greater Houston area. We would love to have foster homes for all the dogs but being boarded in a kennel is better than being on death row. We extend our thanks to those of you who "volunteer" money. Your donations enable us to provide veterinary care and board dogs when foster homes can't be found.
Veterinarian bills consume 65% of our budget. Nearly all dogs require immunizations. About 70% must be spayed or neutered. Almost 50% undergo heartworm treatment. In addition to these basic services dogs may arrive with ear, eye or skin infections that must be treated. A few of the dogs in our care need specialized surgery for cataracts, luxating patellas, femoral head ostectomies or cherry eye repair. Other dogs arrive injured or sick with contagious diseases such as distemper, requiring extensive hospitalization.
Understandably, not everyone can foster or make monetary donations. However, we have had great success from people posting our website on the company bulletin board, or sharing our story with family members and friends. We are always looking for ways to share information regarding rescue and would be honored to speak at a party or gathering to promote and educate on the joys of these 2nd Chance CockerKids®.
Mission and Vision
CSRET is a non profit organization that operates as a network of dedicated volunteers. Our mission is to provide essential care and support to Cocker Spaniels in need. We offer foster homes, affection, shelter, transportation, grooming, and food to these dogs. The funds we receive are primarily allocated to veterinary care, medication, and temporary boarding for dogs who are awaiting placement in foster homes. We recognize that leaving a CockerKid® in a shelter while waiting for a foster home is not a guarantee of their safety. Therefore, we take proactive measures to ensure their well-being.
As a recognized 501(c)(3) organization by the IRS, Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas provides you with the opportunity to make tax-deductible contributions towards our cause.
Specialization
Other specialization
Adoption Policy
Adoption process
Our goal is to find the best homes possible for our CockerKids®. Consequently the application and interview process asks many questions of potential adopters. The adoption process starts when you submit an application either online, in the mail or at an adoption event. Please answer every question on the application. Failure to do so slows the application process. If you have difficulty with the online adoption form, please e-mail cockerinfo@swbell.net.
Please note that the adoption contract is a separate document from the application. The contract will be signed at the time you pay the fee and take possession of the dog. You will also need to provide picture identification at the time of adoption. You will know the online application is successfully completed if you see a dog licking the computer screen.
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas may verify employment, confirm home ownership, contact landlord and/or contact your veterinarian. If a home visit is required it usually takes one to two weeks depending on the availability of a volunteer to conduct the home visit at a time mutually convenient with the applicant. Home visits are done by appointment. We won't just drop in.
If there are questions about your application or clarification is needed, you will be contacted by e-mail or telephone. An interview may be done over the telephone or in person.
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas has the right to either deny or approve applications without explanation. Approval should not be construed to mean the applicant can select any dog. If we feel a specific dog(s) is not a good match, we may still decline to adopt that particular dog to you.
Please be patient. Our organization is manned completely by volunteers most of whom work full-time. If you aren't contacted in some manner within three days of submitting the application, please e-mail cockerinfo@swbell.net or leave a message on the hotline at 713-208-1314.
Meeting dogs
After an applicant is approved a visit to meet the dog(s) in which the applicant is interested can be arranged. Since we do not operate a facility, the best way to meet dogs is to attend an adoption event, or arrange to meet a volunteer or foster parent in an environment that won't be scary for the dog. Foster parents often agree to show the dog(s) they are caring for, but it is at their convenience. Please be considerate of our volunteers' time by being prompt or cancelling appointments in advance. If the dogs in which you are interested are in different foster homes you may have to arrange several visits.
We also hold adoption events from time to time throughout the greater Houston area. Adoption locations and times are posted on our FaceBook page. Plan to arrive early during the adoption period to have the best selection. We do not "hold" dogs for more than an hour waiting for a prospective adopter to show up unless special arrangements have been made.
After adoption
Finalizing an adoption and taking a dog home
If you have been pre-approved, you will be permitted to take your "fur baby" home from an adoption event or after meeting with the foster parent. Please come prepared. The dog should have on a collar and a rescue tag. You need:
• A check, cash or money order for the adoption fee.
• Photo identification.
• Be prepared to sign the adoption contract.
• A leash.
• A crate is advisable to safely transport the dog home in the car, and
• Cleaning supplies - paper towels, plastic bags, wet wipes and/or disinfecting wipes.
Puppy policy
Puppies are not released until they are at least 8 weeks old. We do not adopt infant puppies (less than 4 months) to homes with children less than 7 years old, apartment dwellers or to homes where no one is home during the day. All puppies must be neutered and Cocker Rescue reserves the right to reclaim the dog back if proper documentation is not made available to the organization at the specified time. For additonal information on the process to adopt a puppy from CSR, click this link to the Puppy Adoption Process
Return policy
Despite our rigorous screening, process inevitably some dogs don't work out or people's circumstances change and they need to return a dog adopted from CSRET. During the first thirty days the dog can be exchanged for another or the adoption fee returned.
Our expectation is that you will keep your commitment (as per the signed agreement) and will keep your pet through sickness and health, through the arrival of new babies, new spouses, new pets or new residences, and especially in old age. However, we are also realists and know some people aren't able to fulfill this commitment. Consequently we will take the dog back at any time. We ask that you never, ever return a dog to an animal shelter or post it on Craigslist.
Out of state adoptions
• First time applicants are approved only if we can verify through your veterinarian that you immunize and keep your dog on heart worm preventative.
• Occasionally we may be able to arrange a home visit but generally this is not practical.
• We prefer approved out of state adopters come to Houston and meet the dog they want to adopt and transport the dog back home.
• However, we also recognize a visit to Houston may not be feasible and we ship dogs.
• In addition to the standard adoption fee, the adopter pays transportation costs. If the dog is shipped by air this includes providing an airline approved crate, health certificate and airfare. Our preferred shipping carrier is United Airlines. The flight booked must be direct out of Houston Intercontinental to a city near your home. No layovers or connecting flights. We do not ship during the summer.
• If the adoption does not work out, the dog must be returned to Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas at the adopter's expense.
https://www.cockerkids.org/adoptable-dogs
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