The MVPC Difference
Have you ever noticed how some rescues are so focused on the numbers? Numbers of dogs taken in? Numbers of dogs moving out? Numbers of foster homes? Numbers of dogs in care? Numbers. Numbers. Numbers. Everywhere you turn. So many numbers that it’s easy to lose sight of what it is that we’re supposed to be doing. While those numbers may seem impressive, let’s look at this a little closer.
The MVPC has always been a “quality over quantity” rescue. What does this mean? Well, let us elaborate...
Each dog is an individual, not a number on a page. The
needs of one dog could vary greatly from the needs of another, so each
dog we intake is evaluated and then placed in a foster home according to
his or her specific needs. This goes way beyond what each dog can
tolerate: kids, cats, dogs, and extends to what they need specifically
to succeed. When rescues are over focused on the number of dogs that
they schlep in and out in any given time frame, it becomes obvious that
the individual needs for each of those dogs have probably not been met,
and what tends to happen in these circumstances is, the dog is
ultimately returned.
The numbers that matter:
Most rescues know, or should know, that a good rule of thumb to remember is, always, always, always account for a 10% return rate on adoptions. This is a nice and easy average, as ALL rescues have returns no matter how vigilant they are in placing their dogs. That number might seem small, but when you’re operating on foster homes only, and moving 500+ dogs in and out in a years time, where do those 10% of dogs go when they’re returned? That’s 50 dogs coming back at any given time. By this time, most fosters have moved onto other dogs, and cannot feasibly take a return. Usually those returns get put into boarding facilities (no better than the shelter), OR get literally stuffed into an already over-crowded foster home. When this happens, how are the needs of each individual dog being met, especially when the dog may need specific issues addressed, or extra time to adjust? The answer is: they usually don’t. If your dog is coming from an overcrowded foster home situation, chances are high that they haven’t received the needed attention to succeed as a loved family member.
The MVPC adopts out on average, 110 dogs a year. Of
those 110 dogs, the 10% return would be 11, however we take great pride
in the fact that our return rate falls way below the average. For
example, In 2017 we had 3 come back, 2 of which immediately went right
back out. This is a testament of how dedicated our foster families are
to insuring these dogs stay where they’re placed. Our dogs do not get
listed until each need is met, even if that means the dog is here
indefinitely. We have also been known to remove a dog from our adoption
sites when there is an issue that has come up that needs immediate
attention. Our goal is to place SAFE, well-balanced, family dogs who
stay where they’re placed. This is what is in the best interest of the
dog.
Why we’re different?
MVPC has a limit, above and beyond lactating moms and
pups, of how many dogs each foster can have in their home. We have made a
conscious effort as a rescue, to stay small, so we can insure that each
and every dog that we commit to, receives individualized care. Our goal
is to create happy, healthy, well-balanced family dogs. This starts in
their foster families. Whether this means: one on one time, house
manners, house training, socialization, exposure therapy both inside and
outside the home, learning tolerance in specific situations, food
manners, toy manners, confidence building, leash walking, crate
training, additional professional training outside of the foster home,
we are able to provide that, because we are not drowning in so many dogs
that we are forced to operate in a “crate and rotate” type situation.
That situation does nothing to prepare a dog for adoption, and often
creates even more issues due to frustration, anxiety and lack of
attention and care.
Why the process?
We do not do on-site adoptions. Ever. Many do this to jack up the numbers. However, we believe that life long commitments should be made objectively and without emotion, as emotional decisions often fail once that “high” wears off. Our process starts with an application. The answers you give in that application help us determine if the dog of your choice is a good fit for your specific situation. This is about permanency in placement, not moving mass amounts of dogs in and out. We want you and the dog to be a successful TEAM, and in doing so we want to do our part to insure this happens.
The quality of the dogs that leave the MVPC cannot be
matched. When looking for a nice, family dog who has had all the kinks
worked out, make sure the rescue of your choice is managing a reasonable
amount of dogs. Check those adoption sites. See how many dogs are
currently in their care. The higher the number, usually the less one on
one time each dog has received.
***Though we save all breeds, we specialize in the American Pit Bull Terrier, and other strong working breeds that need families who are not only willing to move past the stereotype, but continue to make their new addition a breed ambassador. Not everyone is cut out to have just any breed. Please do your research, and know your limitations before heading down the path of owning one of these very special dogs.***
Quality over quantity - always.
