About Us

About us, our policies and philosophies at New Hope Cattle Dogs

About us

We are a registered Arizona non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation.  We are a completely volunteer run organization with no paid employees. We do this in our spare time and most of us work full-time (paying) jobs on top of doing rescue work. We do this because we love it and we are passionate about the dogs and rescue. Please be kind to us and understand that we are moving as fast as we can and juggling as many balls in the air as possible. We are ALWAYS in need of volunteers, so please consider joining our team!

We won't lie to you! It is stressful at times, but when you see a dog that you rescued/fostered/nurtured and new owner meet for the first time and see the *magical* connection, followed by a person and canine grinning from ear to ear, it makes it all worthwhile. There is a lot of work that goes into running this Non-profit corporation. It runs just like any business but without the funding that traditional corporations have. Our only source of income is from donations from the public and adoption fees. All donations to us are tax deductible. Out of that money we must pay for shelter fees, food, toys, bedding, routine veterinary care (spays/neuters, blood work, microchips, vaccines), transport and sometimes boarding and grooming. We need 7 day a week coverage in many areas (adoptions, fostering, phones, volunteer coordination, fundraising, event coordination, etc.). Please check out our volunteer page to read about the many things you could help us with.

We rescue most of the dogs off of the euthanasia lists from local pounds/shelters, strays and also take owner surrenders (there is an intake fee), although we frown upon owners who dispose of their pets because they are no longer convenient. Dogs are like children and should not be thrown away like old furniture. Please take the time to work with behavioral problems/Obedience training first then if you must place them in another home, take the time and make the commitment to finding a great home. We have several wonderful training articles and are available to assist you with behavioral issues and/or referrals via email at . ***If you are wanting to place your dog, please go to the Owner Surrender page*** for further instructions.

Our Philosophy

It is important to us to place the dog that is right for you in your home the first time. We are committed to finding forever homes for our ACD's and we pride ourselves at being good at what we do. It is important to note, that the dog you are interested in IS NOT always the best match for your family, home and lifestyle. We are firm believers that the dog chooses his home. Allow us to perform our matchmaking 'magic' to ensure that you, your family and the dog will be happy. It is stressful on the family and dog to shuffle them from home to home. It can cause extreme stress, behavioral problems and setbacks in their training. Please understand that we have strict requirements for placement for a reason and we are seasoned veterans at placing dogs. We have had close to 600 dogs come through New Hope Cattle Dogs since February 2001 and combined, our volunteers have over 50 years of ACD knowledge.

We make a commitment to all our rescued dogs to watch over them for life. We require that if one of our dogs ever proves unsuitable for ANY reason in your home that they come back to us for placement.

Our Policies

We will do an extensive evaluation to try and get the best "fit" between you and your new dog.  We take in to consideration the following things:

• Your Lifestyle
• Your Activity level
• Your Living Arrangements
• Other pets and/or children in the household
• Your commitment level
• Your experience with the breed
• Your leadership ability

Please fill out an Adoption Application so we can work on finding you the perfect match. We understand that this can be a lengthy and cumbersome task at times, but it is well worth the time and effort it takes to find the perfect dog for your home.

We WILL NOT place one of our dogs in a home that is planning on keeping their dog outside more than 25% of the time.  These dogs have all encountered some sort of abuse in their lives, whether it was physical, emotional or just plain neglect.  This is a 'sticky' breed of dog that insists on being with their owners. It is important that they feel like a part of the family and get to be with their "pack" as much as possible. We understand that Australian Cattle Dogs are known as a 'working/herding' breed, but that does not translate to us as 'outside only dog'. The breeding programs have changed over the years to make them more family-friendly. We rarely come across an ACD in rescue that is suitable to a strictly only working environment. Most are family oriented dogs and therefore need to be treated as a part of the family. They can become very destructive, aggressive or fearful if not properly integrated into the household and given good leadership, boundaries, exercise and mental activity. For more on the characteristics of the breed, please visit our 'Is an ACD Right for you' page.

There are ALWAYS exceptions to the rules. We will assess those on a case-by-case basis and make determinations based on our knowledge and experience.

Here is a group of dedicated volunteers at several of our events in 2008

RESCUED HEARTS

by Kathleen Parsons

Taking care of rescue dogs
Is something I do best.
I know because I've done it,
And I've surely passed the test.

The dogs I've bathed, the food I've fed,
The vacuuming I've done,
And all to watch a frightened soul
Sit dreaming in the sun.
My own dogs I've neglected,
But I tell them everyday
That I love and cherish each of them
Though a new dog's come to stay.

I know they understand this,
For in their eyes I see
The love that I have given them
Come shining back at me.

Some people think I'm crazy,
Some others think I'm great.
But very few can understand
What really is at stake.

If I can love and help a dog
To find a better way,
My own life is much richer,
I look forward to each day.

So now you know my secret,
It's there for all to see,
The love I give, the life I save,
I do it all for me.