RESCUE

The BMDCSEW's rescue program primarily services owners/dogs located in the state of Wisconsin.

If you would like to surrender your Bernese Mountain Dog to our club's rescue program, please contact Annette Liddle by phone at 262-670-4871 (southeastern Wisconsin) or Ann Milligan by phone at 920-822-8174 (northeastern Wisconsin).
Email Annette at liddles5@aol.com
Email Ann at amilligan@netnet.net
If you have difficulty reaching Annette or Ann and need immediate rescue assistance with your Berner, please contact any BMDCSEW Officer.

*Please note - If you are interested in adopting a RESCUE DOG, please contact Annette or Ann to obtain an Adoption Application. Rescue dogs are available on occasion through SEW rescue. Our rescue program at this time handles 6 - 12 rescue dogs annually.
Or you can download the adoption application Here

Fill out the Adoption Application and mail it to:
Annette Liddle
1051 Seneca St.
Hartford, WI 53027

Adoption Applications will be kept on file for 1 year.
Please consider the Adoption Application as "preliminary" information gathering. Should our rescue program have a dog available for adoption that will likely be a good match for you, we will contact you and make arrangements for you to come meet the dog.

Our goal is to place rescued Berners with families that are a good match for the dog.

Rescued dogs are evaluated for temperament and general condition and are vet checked prior to placement. Dogs taken into our rescue program are spayed or neutered prior to placement. Adoption fees may apply.

The rescue chairs are NOT the contact if you are looking to adopt a Bernese Mountain Dog adult or puppy from an SEW member breeder. Anyone interested in adopting an older dog or puppy from an SEW member breeder should contact Brycie Marine, 920-235-0131.

Considerations

Please take the time to learn whether the Bernese is a good breed choice for your lifestyle and expectations. A good source for general information on BMDs is the BMDCAInfo Series. The best way to get to know more about Bernese is to meet dogs and their owners at our club events or contact breeders and make arrangements to visit.

When considering a rescue dog the important thing to realize is a dog forms behavior patterns based on its past living situation. Some rescued dogs are turned over to rescue because of their owner's management. Management concerns might include such things as - the dog is untrained, has behavior issues or has health issues the owner is unable to cope with. Some rescued dogs are well trained and well socialized family pets. Adoptive homes with owners who are willing to take the time to work with the less than perfectly mannered dog often have the rewarding experience of watching their rescue dog blossom into an outstanding companion or working dog.

Tips

-Be sure that all family members meet the dog before it is adopted and that they all agree that this is the right decision.

-It is best to aquire the dog when you can be at home with it full time for the first few days. This is so that the dog can learn what is expected of it, where it is to relieve itself, when meals will be served, etc.

-Learn about the dogs habits, diet and past history - if not available perhaps you could take the dog for a week for observation. For example, if the dog lived life in an outdoor kennel run, be prepared to take the dog's housebreaking needs into consideration. Or if the dog was not raised around young children, please realize you will need to pay very close attention to child/dog interactions.

-Don't expect an instataneous fit. Although a rescue dog may be confused at first and cause a few problems, patience, consistency and reassurance are the key. The dog's self-confidence will return and he or she will adapt readily to your routine.

-Before beginning formal obedience training, give the dog a month or so to settle into its new environment. Even if the dog has had classes in the past, training is a good way to help you to understand the dogs responses and personality and for the two of you to become better friends.

Recommended reading: The Second Hand Dog by Carol Lea Benjamin - available through Amazon Books

More rescue contacts

Rescued Bernese Mountain Dogs are not frequently available at this time in the upper Midwest. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Southeastern Wisconsin is one of four regional clubs serving this region of the country. The Heart of Michigan, The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Northern Illinois, The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Greater Twin Cities and the BMDCA maintain rescue programs. BARC, The Berner Action Rescue Coalition rescues Bernese Mountain Dogs from auction and other exploitive circumstances. Please see our "Links" for these organizations' websites.