The Miami Valley Gordon Setter Rescue program is part of a national network of regional Gordon rescue programs. These nonprofit programs are run independently by volunteers from each regional Gordon Setter club, and availability of dogs varies from region to region. Miami Valley's territory is the state of Ohio, northern Kentucky, eastern Indiana, and western Pennsylvania. We feel that Gordons are very special dogs. They inspire a strong degree of loyalty among those who own and understand the breed. It's exactly because they are not very common that we are so dedicated to providing homes for every Gordon possible. Most (but not all) of the people involved in breeding Gordons belong to the national breed club, the Gordon Setter Club of America (GSCA), which is firmly committed to the idea of producing sound dogs with good temperament, and also to protecting the breed from exploitation. These responsible breeders take back dogs bred by them; the rescue program takes in dogs that have no one to speak for them. We believe in protecting our own, and that every Gordon, even those that are not bred by GSCA members, deserves to be in a good home where its owners love and appreciate the breed. The dogs available for adoption through rescue come from several different sources. Some we find in animal shelters. Some are turned over to our programs because of a change in family circumstances such as divorce or job transfer, or because the owners were not prepared for the energy level of a young Gordon (Gordons need a lot of exercise and attention). Occasionally, when a true rescue dog is not available, we also assist GSCA and Miami Valley breeders in placing adult dogs whose homes did not work out, because most offer a lifetime return policy. The rescue dogs and potential owners are carefully evaluated to insure the best possible placement for each dog. The cost for each dog depends on the costs incurred in the rescue; we do not sell dogs but ask for a donation to offset the costs of rescue. Most donations are $200. The ages of adoptive dogs tend to range from 8 months to 10 years, and dogs are spayed or neutered as a condition of placement. We ask potential adoptive homes to fill out a questionnaire, which we keep on file so that when a dog becomes available we can call the family that is the best match for a particular dog needing a home. You can download a copy of that questionnaire elsewhere in this section of the web site. Rescue dogs make wonderful canine companions. It's sad that they can't stay in the home they've known, but they adapt very well to their new situation and come to be very attached to their new owners. For more information on the rescue program, please see the contacts page. ©1983-2005 MVGSCI. All rights reserved.