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Mission
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Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue's mission is to rescue companion dogs, especially seniors, at risk for euthanasia from overcrowded shelters, and we provide the medical treatment they need to be healthy again and ready for adoption. We are proud that we find perfectly matched forever homes for the dogs and perfectly matched dogs for the families.
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About Us
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SCPR is a 501(c)3 charity organization, a dog rescue completely run by dedicated dog-loving volunteers and funded by your donations.
We rescue primarily Poodles, Doodles, Poodle mixes, Bichons, Maltese, Shih Tzu and other non-shedding hypoallergenic companion dogs. We also rehome dogs surrendered by their owners who can no longer care for them. All of our dogs temporarily live in private foster homes throughout the Northern Virginia area where they are restored to good health and evaluated for placement into their best matched permanent family. As mentioned above we are 99% Volunteer Run and have no brick & mortar facility, all incoming dogs are kept for a minimum of 2-3 weeks in private foster homes. Our Rescue does NOT euthanize dogs - the Shelters do! Even if a Shelter advertises that it is a NO KILL Shelter - 85% euthanize for space right now. All incoming dogs found as strays, are kept for 7 - 10 days on a stray hold, during which time owners are being reached, if possible (if dogs are chipped) or if people are missing dogs they can reach out to shelters. ALL dogs are evaluated by a Behaviourist and should be given a brief vet examination. However, 65% of shelters do not have vets on staff to do an evaluation, so many times the dogs only get a quick look over by an Intake person or Animal Control Officer. ALL dogs not passing their Behaviour test or deemed Medically not suitable to be adopted by the shelter to the public, are then offered to Rescues that are registered with that particular Shelter and asked to pull the dog. Rescues are normally only given 48 hrs or so to pull the dog before it is put down. Shelters are so crowded, as are Rescues, that without doing this they would need to turn hundreds of adoptable dogs onto the streets. After a very short period of time, dogs shut down in the shelter, become Very scared, depressed and go through many other emotions. They have no idea where they are or who to trust or even if they will get fed. We do not allow people with kids under 12 yrs to foster for a very good reason. Dogs coming into Rescue ALL have baggage, some more than others - all need to spend quiet time in a foster home to decompress first - no touching, no eye contact, just LEAVE THEM ALONE! 80% of people just do not understand this and unfortunately want to shower them with hugs, cuddles, kisses and the like. It's hard enough to explain this to new adopters & fosters, but even harder to explain to kids. One false move, however sincere, could end up with a child being bitten in the face! Believe me - we don't make these rules to be difficult, we need all the help we can get - but people you MUST REALIZE it is for YOUR CHILD'S protection - it's a huge liability waiting to happen. So instead of cursing us out, PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU START TYPING FRANTICALLY and calling us all the names under the sun! We work extremely hard to do what we do, our only reward is seeing the dogs happy again and making a difference in somebody else's life! Together we can make a difference, but we cannot do it alone, without your help - when we say " ITS URGENT" we mean it! Don't rely on somebody else to step up to help - if you live within our 60 mile radius and meet our criteria, PLEASE go to our website www.somersetcottagepoodlerescue.org and click on VOLUNTEER to complete a foster application. Without having a complete application we cannot contact you! ALL dogs must go to OUR vets, No exceptions - which is why fosters must live within that radius, which includes Virginia , Maryland and West Virginia Don't let the dogs down, PLEASE! |
About Lesley
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Lesley Clark, President and Founder, established SCPR in 2013. Since then over 1500 dogs have been rescued and placed in permanent homes.
For over 40 years, she has been the proud dog mom of many poodles and three who were adopted as seniors lived until the age of 19 years. Presently Lesley lives with her three senior poodles, Baylee, 21, Sammy 13 and Bella 9. |
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