Westie Rescue hopes to see the day when we will no longer be needed. But that day isn't likely to come to this "throwaway" society we live in. Too many people see pets as something that they can "get rid of" when they are no longer convenient. Therefore our job is to RESCUE but also to try to EDUCATE.

When you are looking for a puppy, please be sure to do a great deal of research on the breed before you go out to buy. A puppy should never be an impulse purchase. You need to determine if the breed will fit your lifestyle. And you should never buy until you are confident that you can care for that puppy for its entire lifetime. We hope you will choose to rescue a Westie that needs a good home but if you must have a puppy:

- Always purchase from a reputable breeder. The National Club, www.westieclubamerica.com provides a breeder referral service. Also, learn about breeders at www.sfbaywestieclub.com (Breeder Referral).
-Understand about puppy mills and make sure you don't do anything that would support them and encourage them to produce more puppies (www.nopuppymills.com)
- Insist on a breeder who will stand behind the puppy; who will be there for your questions and concerns; who will take the puppy back and find it a new home at any times in its life, should that become necessary; who does medical testing on the parents before the breeding; who lets you meet the mom and puppy in a home environment; who breeds for good temperament
- Understand that registration papers do NOT ensure the quality of the puppy. They simply mean the litter is registered.
- Expect to put as much time and effort into the raising of this puppy as you would in the raising of a child. This little one will grow old but it will never grow up! It will be as dependent upon you 15 years from now as it is when it is small. It WILL have medical issues at various times during its life and it WILL cost you money to care for it properly.
- Research the breed and make sure it fits your lifestyle. When you do this research, consider the source. Not everyone who is selling puppies is going to tell you the truth if it might lose them a sale. Westie Clubs are probably your least biased sources...they have to take care of the "rescues" who need a home because the buyer was not properly educated.
- Read multiple books and visit many sites; look for contraditory statements and research them
- Check with Rescue to find out why this breed is given up
- Consider what the breed was bred to do! If it was bred to kill small critters who run and squeak and squeal, do you want it around your toddler? Maybe a dog bred to retrieve would be a better choice.
- Expect to care for this puppy for its ENTIRE life. If you can't make that commitment, don't buy a puppy!