The Gordon Setter Club of America Rescue Committee was formed in 1991 to establish and maintain a national network of rescue programs and to provide informational support for these programs. This committee has done an excellent job by providing guidelines for regional groups, creating several brochures for their use, and even instigating policies aimed towards rescue prevention. Each regional program is established and run independently, as well as being funded locally. Communication and cooperation between programs is outstanding.

     Whenever a dog enters the program and the breeder is known, the breeder is contacted and asked to take responsibility for the dog or to pay for its placement. The program is not designed to aid members or other breeders in placing puppies. However, when a responsible breeder is faced with taking back an adult dog and needs assistance in placing it, the program may help in finding a suitable home.  In this case, the breeder would assume all expenses of the placement, including spaying or neutering, and would not sell the dog. The adoptive home would be asked to make a donation to the rescue program.

    Rescue funds are not used to purchase any dog that an individual wishes to sell. However, in the event that a Gordon puppy is found in a pet store, the program may offer to purchase the puppy for a nominal amount in an effort to prevent the store from disposing of it. This offer would be made when the puppy is growing too old to be sold and would therefore definitely not encourage the acquisition of more Gordons by the store.

    Gordons enter the rescue program under many various circumstances. Some are found as strays. Others are located in humane societies or private shelters. And some are surrendered by owners, who find that their situations have changed or that their means to care for the dog have been compromised. Surrendering owners are asked to provide all medical documentation and all known behavioral information. They are also asked to make a donation to the rescue fund to be used for the placement.

    Each dog is examined by a local veterinarian and given any necessary medical care. All rescues are spayed or neutered before placements are sought. Routine medical care includes vaccinations, heart worm testing, medication for heart worm prevention, internal parasite testing, and medication when worms are present. Any other medical care deemed necessary is also provided. The typical rescue dog spends a minimum of two weeks in foster care with a group member. This allows for all medical treatments to be completed and for observations to be made in great detail.

    Adoptive homes are screened carefully to help ensure satisfactory and permanent placements. A mutually agreeable contract is required, with an unconditional return policy. An adoption fee is required, based on medical and other expenses involved. Each adoptive home receives all medical documentation, detailed information on the specific dog, and several informational brochures on Gordons in general and rescues in particular.