Rescue Listings for Ohio (below) Updated January 6, 2022 Send corrections to: ColumbusDogConnectionInfo@gmail.com
Do not buy from a Rescue Broker, while not illegal, they are highly unethical
Rescue Brokers buy from breeders to resell for a high "adoption" fee. Puppy mills will continue to thrive as long as anyone is buying from them. Reputable rescues do not pay breeders for dogs to rehome as rescued dogs/pups. Reputable rescues have a 100% spay/neuter before adoption policy.
Signs of a Rescue Broker
- only have puppies for adoption
- adoption fees are high - especially in relation to medical costs.
Columbus Dog Connection started in 1998. At that time, our adoption fee was $125. About 8 yrs later, we raised it to $150. About 6yrs after that, we raised it to $200. In March of 2020, we raised it to $300. Please note we receive no gov funding.
California is considering a bill to limit rescues to a $500 adoption fee cap to crack down on Rescue Brokers. - not spayed/neutered before adoption, often times they will say the pup is spayed/neutered but when you actually get the pup, they are not. Ask for the vet that did the spay/neuter. Pups can be spayed and neutered as young as 8 weeks of age so a rescue claiming they are too young is not really in the business of rescue, they are in the business of rehoming and collecting rehoming fees while keeping medical costs as low as possible.
- claim they remove pups from puppy mills or Amish that don't spay/neuter, to remove them from the breeding cycle
- may not have an active 501c3. You can check tax exemption status with the IRS here: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/search-for-tax-exempt-organizations. It's important to note that just because they have an active 501c3, does not automatically make them a reputable rescue.
- will not take their dogs back if the adoption does not work out. Reputable rescues will take back their pups for life.