How to Rescue a Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise dogs are very popular due to their small size, cute looks and hypoallergenic coats. Unfortunately, many people buy the puppies on impulse, not realizing how much time is needed to care for the all-white hair.
With foreclosures at an all-time high, many pets, including purebred Bichons, are also being abandoned. If you have experience with Poodles or Bichons and want a new best friend, consider adopting (or rescuing) a dog from a rescue or animal shelter.
Things You’ll Need
- Veterinarian
- Dog groomer
- Experience with dogs
- Willingness to let your background be checked
- Adoption fee
- Own transportation
- Own home
8 Steps to Rescue a Bichon Frise
1. Ask yourself if you can take on a Bichon Frise at this time.
It needs constant grooming, as well as attention. If you can, go on to Step 2.
2. Put the word out that you are looking for a Bichon Frise-type dog to adopt.
Tell your veterinarian, your dog groomer, your business associates, your neighbors and anyone else you can think of. They might be able to get you in contact with someone who needs to give up their dog.
3. Contact your local animal shelters to see if they have Bichon Frise-type dogs up for adoption.
If they do, visit the shelter, view the dog and fill out the adoption forms. You then go and wait for a home check or another appointment to visit a particular Bichon Frise the shelter thinks you would get along with.
4. Contact shelters and Bichon Frise breed rescues through Petfinder in order to find the most comprehensive list of Bichon Frise and Bichon-mixes up for adoption.
5. Fill out the online application forms and include a small non-refundable application fee.
You may have to provide a reference character letter from your veterinarian.
6. Wait for the shelter or breed rescue to contact you for a home visit or to give you directions on visiting a Bichon Frise in a foster home.
This is someone’s home, so you will have to work around their schedule. You may have to travel back and forth a few times.
7. Read the contract carefully before signing.
A good animal rescue will offer to take your Bichon Frise back should something bad happen. However, you won’t get your adoption fee back.
8. Pay the adoption fee, which averages about $100 and take the dog home.
Tips & Warnings
- Some shelter workers and volunteers can’t tell the difference between a Bichon Frise and a Poodle. You should see all of the dogs yourself.
- Although people who rent can often adopt a Bichon Frise, preference is usually given to people that do not rent.
- If you do take in someone’s dog, then you need to get a bill of sale or transfer of ownership papers written up and signed. Even a handwritten one will do. It’s best to get it notarized.
- Bichon Frise breed rescues will often check your background, especially for animal cruelty violations.
- Don’t buy a Bichon Frise puppy from a pet store. This only supports inhumane puppy mills.
- Don’t buy a Bichon Frise puppy from the Internet.
- Don’t pay all of the adoption fees up front for a Bichon Frise that you have never met.
- Don’t expect to find a Bichon Frise puppy at an animal shelter, but it does happen sometimes. Consider getting an adult dog instead.
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I have been looking for a small adult dog since two of our dogs died. I greatly miss Ginger of 14yrs. i bought very overpriced Westipoo from Petland and he was not what stated. I cannot find a small gentle dog to share life with my older Bichon and our family. aim very depressed and heart broken. If you have any dog that we could adopt or suggestions I would appreciate it.
C Thomas