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Read about BMDCNV Rescue happy endings

The club rescue program processes, on average, 6 to 12 dogs per year and covers the New England area and New York. A typical dog in rescue tends to be a 1 to 4 year old male of pet quality. We have placed dogs as young as 6 months and as old as twelve years, though puppies are almost never placed as rescue dogs. Rescue is not a way to obtain a “bargain Bernese” nor is it a way to avoid house-training a puppy.

Most dogs that enter the rescue program are failed placements of family pets where “things just didn’t work out” and, for whatever reason, the dog has not been returned to the breeder. We endeavor to contact the breeder even if the owner hasn’t, so that they can be offered the opportunity help determine what is best for the dog’s welfare. The reasons that the dogs come in to rescue are often such things as death, divorce, human health problems, relocation or financial reverses. Another reason that makes people turn to rescue is behavior issues such as barking, digging, roaming, dog or human aggression and, occasionally, biting. If, in the opinion of the BMDCNV Board, a dog entering rescue poses a clear threat to humans, it is euthanized. Infrequently, we even have dogs come into the rescue program as strays or through shelters. In these cases we make every effort to locate the owners but will place the dog in a new home if it becomes clear (s)he’s been abandoned.

Should you be matched with a dog, its history and any health or behavior problems (to the extent that BMDCNV Rescue has knowledge) will be fully reviewed with you. You will know whatever we know. We will offer help and advice in getting you off to a good start with your dog, but you should plan on spending anywhere from 8 to 24 weeks in a professional obedience training program. This will enable you to develop a strong bond and working relationship with your Berner who, after all, is a working dog. Training will help the dog over an often traumatic stage while they adjust to a totally new world and it will help you solve most common behavior problems. The BMDCNV Training Resource Director, Paul Emerson, is always available to help you locate a training program in your area. Rescue dogs require at least as much time and effort as a puppy, if not more. Unless you have time and effort to commit to a dog, a Berner is not the pet for you!

All dogs that come into the program are either assessed immediately by a veterinarian or come with up-to-date medical records. In the event that a dog has health issues, the club makes every effort to determine the nature of the issue and the prognosis. The BMDCNV Board, in conjunction with the rescue chair, makes decisions as to all major expenses required for rescue dogs in the program. In some cases, the Board may elect to address the dog’s health issues itself, while in others, the adoptive owner has elected to step forward and cover the expense. Each case is considered separately.

The BMDCNV rescue chair and volunteer staff carefully evaluate each dog and exercise great care with every placement. All adoptions have a trial period and the rescue program will always take the dog back. You will have a chance to meet your proposed adoptive Berner prior to placement to insure that you and your family (human and animal) all find it to be a good match. Just because you decide not to adopt a particular dog that is offered to you does not mean that you will no longer be considered for future placements. The best way to insure that you are at the top of the list for consideration of any rescue dog is to have your application already on file with the rescue chair. Feel free to describe the specifics of the dog you’re looking for (High energy or low? Male of female? Large or petite?).

In drafting this brief article, I have shamelessly cribbed from written materials supplied by Paul Emerson, to whom credit goes for this and many other things. Any errors or omissions are mine alone.

Anya Wittenborg
BMDCNV Rescue Chair
Toll-free Hotline: 1-877-4BMDCNV (1-877-426-3268)


To be considered as a foster or adoptive home, please download and complete the application form. Completed forms should be sent to Anya Wittenborg at the address on the form.

BMD Rescue Application
	View and print the Foster Home/Adoptive Home Application using Adobe Acrobat
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BMD Rescue Happy Endings
	Sophie's Story - A rescue Berner can dare to dream can't she? Read about Sophie's remarkable transformation from a fearful, unsocialized girl to a confident CGC-titleholder.
	Porter's Story - Learn how a lucky dog named Porter found out how truly good life can be with a family like the Stevens family!
	Gracie's Story - One of the Club's littlest rescues. Read how this brave girl from a puppy mill in Missouri got a second chance at just 9 weeks old.
	Maddie's Story - Here's Lisa Seretto's beautiful tribute to her rescue girl Maddie, who earned a Novice Draft Dog title just 10 months after finding Lisa.
	Emma's Story - Who says a 10-year old Berner should rest on her laurels? Read how Penny Petrone has given this remarkable girl her forever home and a new career as a certified therapy dog!
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