new member... hello!

[kitty]

my name is kitty which is short for katelin. i live in charlotte, nc, & have been looking to adopt a pembroke welsh corgi for months. i don't want to buy from a breeder because i don't have that sort of money to spend, which is probably why my journey has lasted so long & has yet to end. my sister told me yesterday she knows someone who is giving hers away... so, crossing my fingers! when i finally get my lucky corgi, i will post lots of pictures.

[glencorgi]

Welcome Kitty! Have you contacted Palmetto Corgi Rescue? <ppwcc.rescue@gmail.com>

I also know there happens to be a young corgi fellow in the York County Animal Shelter named Corkie just now.
PetHarbor.com: Animal Shelter adopt a pet; dogs, cats, puppies, kittens! Humane Society, SPCA. Lost & Found.
http://www.petharbor.com/detail.asp?searchtype=ADOPT&start=4&stylesheet=inc lude/default.css&frontdoor=1&friends=1&samaritans=1&nos uccess=0&rows=10&imght=120&imgres=thumb&view=sysad m.v_animal&nomax=1&fontface=arial&fontsize=10&zip= 28479&miles=200&shelterlist='CHRL','BURL1','BURL', 'CTWB','NHNV','ONSL','ORNC','WNCO','YORK'&atype=do g&where=type_DOG&ID=A020427&LOCATION=YORK

Debbie
(who just happens to be the rescue chair for Palmetto and the regional Cardigan rescue contact)

[MyPemCharlie]

Hi Kitty! Welcome to GoCorgi. May I respectfully advise you to be very careful with the "free dog", or with a dog from any breeder other than a reputable show breeder.

The "extra" money a good breeder charges affords you the best possible dog for the money...health and temperament, with a lifetime return guarantee if you have problems or can't keep the dog.

This is fresh on my mind, as I just went to visit some neighbors last night to see their new Beagle who was abandoned at a duplex for three days, and my neighbors got talked into taking him. The dog clearly is a very nice dog temperamentally, but has quite a few standard medical needs, an ear infection, intestinal worms, plus the possibility of some more severe and expensive needs, plus needs to be neutered. They are probably looking at $500-$600 in vet bills if the dog doesn't have heartworm or chronic allergies...which will put them in the thousands of dollars. The dog they adopted from a shelter for $135 was a lot less expensive than this "free" dog.

Not to go on-and-on more than I have, sometimes it's best to save the money up front to buy from a good reputable breeder, than pay at the vet's office (or behaviorist for temperament issues) over the next 12-15 years.

Anyway, not ragging at you...just want you to be very cautious! We GoCorgi folks will be here to support you and answer any questions regardless how you get your Corgi. Welcome again!

[Jane Austen]

Good Luck with finding your corgi. Generally pups do cost a lot to buy from a breeder. Some would say that you would do better to spend the money up front for a healthy dog. I am not qualified to argue that but I got my Duchess free too. She was seven when I got her from a reputable breeder, she has been fairly healthy.

Duchess is my first corgi, and gocorgi the first website that I joined. I have gotten a lot of support and information by reading and discussing different aspects or the breed. I recommend you continue to be an active member and ask all the questions you need. Jane

[MyPemCharlie]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

Welcome Kitty! Have you contacted Palmetto Corgi Rescue? <ppwcc.rescue@gmail.com>

I also know there happens to be a young corgi fellow in the York County Animal Shelter named Corkie just now.
PetHarbor.com: Animal Shelter adopt a pet; dogs, cats, puppies, kittens! Humane Society, SPCA. Lost & Found.
http://www.petharbor.com/detail.asp?searchtype=ADOPT&start=4&stylesheet=inc lude/default.css&frontdoor=1&friends=1&samaritans=1&nos uccess=0&rows=10&imght=120&imgres=thumb&view=sysad m.v_animal&nomax=1&fontface=arial&fontsize=10&zip= 28479&miles=200&shelterlist='CHRL','BURL1','BURL', 'CTWB','NHNV','ONSL','ORNC','WNCO','YORK'&atype=do g&where=type_DOG&ID=A020427&LOCATION=YORK

Debbie
(who just happens to be the rescue chair for Palmetto and the regional Cardigan rescue contact)

Awww! Look at Corkie.

I should have added Corgi Rescue as a great option to buying from a breeder. They will have already treated any known medical issues, spayed/neutered, and tested for temperament.

Thanks Debbie...again!

[Jane Austen]

Corgi pups from breeders sell for $500-$1000 and up. What do rescues charge? I know of one couple who got a rescue dog recently and I believe they paid $400 or more for a four year old. They got a good dog but it was comparable to the price of a dog from a breeder. You have to figure though that the dog was up to date on shots, spayed, housebroken, etc. So I guess they made out pretty well price wise.
If I got another dog, I would not mind covering the expenses a rescue would have to charge. My question is what is the usually price that rescues charge? Does it depend on what the animal cost them? Or is there a set price? Jane

[MyPemCharlie]

There isn't a Corgi rescue in Austin. The two Texas Corgi rescues closest to me are $150 and $175 for pure-breds and less for Corgi mixes. I'm sure there are differences depending on how the rescue group is organized and funded.

[glencorgi]

To a degree it depends upon the dog. For a young (up to 6 years or so) corgi in good health with no special needs (health or behaviors) Palmetto charges $300 for a rescue, 1/2 of what was the price of a well-bred puppy at the time it was set. For the $300 one is getting a dog that is up to date on all vaccinations, heartworm clear and on preventative, spayed/neutered, usually crate trained, house trained, and some manners work begun. One also gets an evaluated dog in terms of temperament and personality. Seniors, special needs such a health problem that might require life long care, adoption fees are adjusted accordingly.

The $300, if anyone is wondering, basically covers the vet bill if the whole works are needed. Now if one comes up heartworm positive, then that is another $300 - $400 on top of the other veterinary expenses. This is not passed on to the new owner, nor would surgery costs for a tumor for example.

Corkie at the shelter, his adoption fee is between $50 & $60 according to the shelter staff I spoke with. He is already neutered, but his vaccinations will be updated. He is an owner turn-in, the reason given for his being taken to the shelter was, he barks.

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

Gee. A dog that barks. Who would have ever thought???

[kitty]

thanks for all of your replies, fellas! if i were to spend hundreds on a pup it would have to be in a month or so, as of right now the money set aside for puppystuff (food, bed, toys, & medical savings) is about the cost of a puppy from a breeder, so if i blew 700 i would have nothing left in case of an emergency! sometimes patience is a virtue though... only time will tell. i can assure you all i would never go in broke & bring a dog into my home without anything set aside for emergency medical things. i've owned animals in the past, so i know how easy it is for injuries, illnesses, & other medical issues to occur out of the blue... especially with corgis, & their back problems.

[glencorgi]

Kitty,

If the "free to good home" girl doesn't pan out for you, I highly recommend keeping an eye on the available dogs at the York County Animal Shelter. It is definitely close enough for you to monitor - what only 30 - 45 minutes from you in Charlotte? The week before Corkie arrived there was a sweet young Pembroke girl there that happily got adopted by a nice family while rescue was working on her. For under $100 you get all the veterinarian needs taken care of, thus giving you more money for classes, toys, food, treats and other essentials of life. <G>

Debbie

[theimagunter]

Kitty,
you are right ... patience is good, I waited almost 20 years for my Harley who I adore. My wait time was a bit excessive but I never seemed to be in the right place to have a dog. Harley, now 3, has been nothing short of a Godsend to me.
I also agree that you should know what you are getting into with the dog that is being given away ... you could be walking into big issues ... behaviorial issues you may very well be equiped to handle given the time (and admerable to take in a dog that needs a good forever home) but the financial issuse can sink ya. The one in NY might just be a great option for you. Debbie how old is Corkie?
I can't believe some one turned him in for barking (my hair is standing on ends just thinking about it). Dogs bark and excessive barking can be changed like just about any other behavioral issue if the owner is willing to work with the dog.
Good luck Kitty
Thelma