The Trinity and our Hopes

About Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. Background Information
• 2. The Dogs
• 3. How do I apply to adopt a dog?
      Download/Print application form (PDF)
• 4. Helping Rescue

1. Background Information

Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue is based in the Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) region. 

1.2 What are the hours of operation?

Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue does not have a shelter facility. All the dogs are fostered in private homes. As such, there are no *hours of operation* as potential adopters are invited to meet the dogs only after the application process is completed. All potential adopters meet the dogs by appointment only and accompanied by a THDR volunteer. 

1.3 When was Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue established?

Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue began in 1993 when one of our founding members rescued her first Newfoundland. Until 1999, it was a one person effort without a name. In 1999, Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue was born. Trinity Of Hope's mandate is to rescue and rehabilitate unwanted Saint Bernards and Newfoundlands that are in area shelters. THDR will accept owner surrenders on a "space and resources available" basis.

1.4 Why is it named Trinity of Hope?

In the beginning, there were three people who joined together to help one dog. That dog was named Hope. Because THDR does more than just rescue abandoned dogs, the name Trinity was selected to reflect our other activities, mainly to assist with the transportation of dogs needing to go to rescue groups outside of the area and to help raise the level of awareness regarding responsible pet ownership.

1.5 How many people are involved?

Trinity of Hope is a small organization. There are approximately 12 people who help out on a regular basis.

1.6 Would you like more people to be involved?

Absolutely. We'd love to have more help with fundraising and when we attend dog shows to raise public awareness about responsible pet ownership. We never have enough foster homes. Right now, we can't take any dogs from shelters because our quarantine foster home isn't available.

1.7. How would a person become a quarantine foster home?

Ideally, a person would have dog-handling experience and be able to keep the foster dog isolated from any personal dogs. A home that no longer has a dog but would like to have a dog from time-to-time would be a perfect quarantine foster home.

1.8 How long would a dog need to stay in quarantine?

The ideal goal is for 22 days. But, sometimes this is longer because the dog still needs to be isolated from other dogs, e.g., the dog arrives with worms and the fecal test doesn't come back clear, even after treating the dog for the worms.

1.9 Who do I contact about possibly being a quarantine foster?

You will need to speak with the person in charge of our foster care program. This person may be reached at Info@TrinityOfHope.on.ca. Please remember that sometimes computers crash and e-mails get lost. If you don't hear from us, please e-mail us again.

1.10 Do you place dogs (either as fosters or adopted dogs) outside of the Ottawa region?

Our first preference is to place dogs locally so that we may offer support. We will consider applications for some of our dogs from outside of the area.

1.11 What kind of support do you offer?

While our dogs are in foster care, we provide the necessary equipment to ensure that the dog is safe, food, and any veterinary care that is needed. We also offer training assistance and may enroll the dogs in an obedience class.

Following the adoption of our dogs, we offer support with respect to advice on training, socialization, health care and the general well-being of the dog. We do not offer financial assistance for veterinary care or routine care following the adoption of one of our dogs.

1.12 Is Trinity of Hope a registered charity in Canada?

No. At this time, we are working with a lawyer on our letters patent to incorporate. Once we receive our letters patent, we will be applying for registered charity status in Canada.

2. The Dogs

Most of our dogs come to us from shelters. Our mandate is to help Giants that are abandoned in shelters, with assistance to owned dogs only being possible when we have adequate resources available.

2.2 Why do people surrender the dogs to shelters?

There are many reasons dogs are surrendered to shelters (e.g., health, behaviour, personal circumstances). With Giants, one of the most common reasons is that the dog got too big or is untrained.

2.3 What happens when THDR takes responsibility for a dog?

The first thing we do is get the dog into our rescue vet. If the dog is not altered, we arrange for the dog to be altered, updated on shots, and to receive other necessary vet care. The dog then spends three weeks undergoing assessment before it is placed in a home-like foster setting.

2.4 Why don't you place dogs directly from a shelter in a potential home?

The dog is in a shelter for a reason. We like to assess the dog's temperament before placing the dog in a potential home and start working on the dog's house manners, loose leash walking, and other training. Also, most of the dogs that come into our care require veterinary care before the dogs are ready for adoption. This is why most of the dogs stay in foster care for a minimum of 2 months prior to placement. Many remain in foster care much longer.

2.5 Does Trinity of Hope have a euthanasia policy?

Yes, we do not feel one can overrate the value of sound temperament. We do not feel that dogs with poor temperament make good family companions for the average person. There are too many dogs with sound temperament that are in need of help. We cannot spend our time and resources trying to help a dog that is a potential danger to ourselves and others. We recognize that we cannot hope to save them all.

2.6 How often does THDR decide that a dog should be euthanized?

Rarely and only after we have consulted a number of people about our decision. Death is always final and we want to make sure we have made the only humane decision that we can make before the dog is euthanized. We arevery careful about accepting responsibility only for those dogs that have undergone, and passed, a temperament evaluation while in a shelter. We prefer shelters that use Sue Sternberg's method for testing shelter dogs. Because we cannot help them all, we do give them a forever home following euthanasia, the ashes are returned to Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue.

2.7 If the dogs are unwanted, why do you request an adoption donation?

The dogs may be unwanted when they arrive, but they soon become treasured by those who care for them. We do not consider our dogs unwanted, they are very dear to us. Although our rescue vet is very generous, veterinary care for the dogs is paid for by Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue. We ask to be reimbursed for those costs so that we can help another dog in need.

Taking care of other peoples' responsibilities and disregard for life comes with a price tag. For many of the dogs we help, the veterinary care stopped when the dog was no longer a cute puppy. Many of the dogs we have helped arrived without shots, full of parasites and not sterilized.

Besides vet care, the dogs all need to be fed. Although we do receive generous food donations, sometimes we do need to buy food for the rescued dogs. We know that our dogs are more adoptable if they undergo some training, add the cost of an obedience class to our dogs while they are in foster care. Some of the items we purchase for our rescued dogs are re-used by the next rescue dog. Some are not. Every dog needs a bowl, a leash, a collar, a bed and toys. We make sure they have those. You can help our foster dogs have toys, too, by sponsoring a foster dog.

Then there are the hidden costs assocated with each dog. The cost to transport the dogs, the long distance calls, and other costs incurred by our volunteers that are not reimbursed. Then there are the special-needs and senior dogs we help. We cannot hope to begin to recover the money that is spent on those dogs. We generate funds through fundraising activities and private donations. But we are always short of money and always looking for creative ways to generate more so that we can help the dogs who need us. Adoption donations are only a part of the funding that is needed to successfully operate Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue.

2.8 How much is the average adoption donation requested?

Most of the rescued Giants receive between $300-400 in vet care before they areready for adoption. This care includes spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchip implant, urinanalysis, heartworm test (and preventative pills during the hw season in Ontario), as well as other vet care that may be required. We have had entropia surgery performed on a number of dogs, as well as rear dew-claw removal. Some dogs arrive with skin infections, others with parasite infections. This is why the amount fluctuates, some dogs receive more vet care than others.

2.9 Why are all the dogs named "Trinity of Hope's..."?

When a dog enters rescue, Trinity of Hope promises to give that dog a better life. We believe that when a dog embarks on a new life, it should do so with a new name and one that it can wear with pride. Since many of our dogs arrive with little or no history, their real lives begin at Trinity Of Hope Dog Rescue. And, for many, that is also the first time they've ever had a name that they know is theirs. The inclusion of Trinity of Hope in the dog's name is so that they leave with more than they came, a name that tells others from when their new lives began. It is also our way of letting people know how special our rescued dogs are to us. Our rescued dogs are forever a part of our hearts and families. Giving them a *Rescue Name* doesn't imply that they are registered or eligible to be registered. But it is the string that binds our dogs forever to Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue and we hope will help lead them back to us if they need help once again.
 

3. How do I apply to adopt a dog?

• Commitment Required
• Questions To Ask Yoursef?
• Are You Right For A Rescued Dog?
• Securely-Fenced Exercise Area

If you do have an e-mail account, please feel free to e-mail us at info@TrinityofHope.on.ca. The most cost-efficient means for us to handle inquiries that are outside of our calling area is by e-mail and is our preferred means of communication.

3.1 If there are so many dogs in need of homes, why are you so picky?

We realize that part of the problem with the number of dogs in need of homes is that people have selected a dog that does not suit their lifestyle. If a person leads a fairly sedatary life, a dog with high energy and exercise requirements is not a good match. A bored dog will often start to misbehave, which in turn leads to the owner wishing to get rid of the dog. We strive to ensure that the dog's needs will be met by its adoptive family.

3.2 I think I meet the requirements, what should I do next?

Send an e-mail describing your family, experience with the breed, where you live, other animals in the household, expectations you have for a rescued dog, and contact information to Adoption@TrinityOfHope.on.ca 

3.3 What happens after that?

If we feel that you may be a potential home for one of our rescued dogs, we will ask you additional questions, share information about the dog we think would match your environment, etc. We will also invite you to complete the adoption application .

3.4 After I've submitted the adoption application, what can I expect?

You can expect a THDR representative to contact you via e-mail. We generally have additional questions we ask based on the answers you've given us. There are no right or wrong answers to any of the questions on the application. The application is generic in that it is not designed for any one dog, but for the various types of dogs we do get into care. Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue will check your personal and vet references, and make an appointment to meet you in person. 

3.5 When do I get to meet the dog?

Once a home study is done, and references checked, if we feel that you are a good match for the dog, you will be invited to meet the dog. Until the application process is completed, no one is allowed to meet the dog that may be a potential match.

3.6 Why can't I meet the dog first?

Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue does not have a public facility. All the dogs a re fostered in private homes. Rescue is a volunteer activity and one that we fit into our schedules between work, our own dogs, our families. We recognize the amount of time our fosters spend with the dogs and respect their right to privacy. We also respect that everyone leads a busy life and must arrive at a mutually-convenient time to introduce the dogs to potential new families. 

3.7 After I meet the dog, can I take it home with me?

No. Generally, we make arrangements to move the dog to your home shortly after you've had a chance to meet the dog and think about adopting the dog.This is usually done on a weekend following having met the dog. 

3.8 Do I have to commit to keeping the dog when it arrives?

No. We prefer to have the dogs placed in local homes for a trial adoption period. The length of time for a trial adoption period is usually 3-4 weeks. During this time, the dog is on a *foster-with-potential-to-adopt* arrangement.

3.9 Does Trinity Of Hope Dog Rescue offer any post-adoption assistance?

Yes, Trinity Of Hope Dog Rescue assists with training and socialization following the adoption of the dog. Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue does not, however, assist with any future veterinary bills, that is part of the responsibility when adopting a dog.

3.10 What happens if I can't keep the dog after I adopt it?

The dog is to be returned to Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue or its designated agent (adoptions outside of the area). Under no circumstances is the dog to be given away, surrendered to a shelter, sold, or euthanized.

3.11 What about my adoption donation?

Because adoptions are finalized after a trial adoption period, adoption donations are non-refundable.

4. Helping Rescue

There are a number of ways that you can help rescue. To get an idea, please read our 102 Ways to Help Rescue.

4.2 Who do I contact to help rescue?

If you are involved with a specific breed, we would suggest that you contact the Ottawa Kennel Club or the Canadian Kennel Club for the address of your breed club or a representative for the breed. Most breed clubs have a rescue coordinator. If you are interested in assisting Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue with abandoned Giants, you may send us an e-mail or contact us by phone or fax.