As we are a 100% volunteer run organization, depending on the donations and other funds provided to the rescue to pay for everything to care for our saved pugs, we ask for the following based on the age of the adoptable pug.

Checks are payable to Pugs U Gotta Save and can be mailed to our mailing address:

Pugs U Gotta Save

PO BOX 1810

CHESTERFIELD, VA 23832

If interested to adopt, please complete an adoption application at http://adopt.pugsugottasave.org.

To see our available dogs, please look at http://www.pugsugottasave.org/available-dogs.html.

We here at Pugs U Gotta Save (P.U.G.S.) receive pugs from all over and through various means.  We contact and hear from animal control and shelters, as these locations can fill up fast, leaving the location to determine what to do with the dog if not adopted from the public.  We also are contacted by people of the public that for one reason or another can no longer care for the pug that they have.  Not everyone is able to care for a pug for the duration of their life.  While we encourage those that wish to surrender to find a suitable home with friends or family, when there is no place to go, we welcome them into foster care.  

Lastly, some dogs are found on the street, so during the 10 day wait period we look for the original owner and prepare to take the pug into rescue. It is because of situations such as this that we do not always have historical information about the pugs we receive; however, that's okay because they receive all of the health care and love that they need to prepare for their forever home.

As for specific locations, our service area currently is limited to Virginia and, as able, neighboring areas.  We will accept a pug from any location; however, we ask that the pug be provided transportation to the nearest available PUGS representative (transportation services do exist to move a dog from one area to another, if unable to personally transport a surrendered dog).  When PUGS is contacted about surrendering a dog, we may forward the information to a rescue that services the area from which the pug is to be surrendered.

If you are looking to surrender a pug to our organization, please complete the online information form at http://surrender.pugsugottasave.org

The answer to this question can be found at "Where do the Pugs available for adoption or previously adopted come from?"

We want the pugs that people adopt from us to be with their new family forever. Therefore, we go to great lengths to make sure the pug is a match for the family. Change is hard on pugs, and losing a family they’ve bonded with causes depression, and some have actually mourned themselves to death. We work hard to educate new adopting families about the care pugs require, the potential health issues, the cost, etc. before they adopt. We do require by contract that if, for any reason, they can’t or don’t want to keep the pug they adopt, the pug must be returned to us – not given away, not sold, not taken to a shelter – returned to us. The foster that cared for the pug will be the first asked, but regardless we will take the pug back into the rescue.  We know where the pug is for the rest of it’s life, and we want that little one to be in the chosen home…forever.

Prior to coming into rescue, a pug may or may not be up-to-date on vaccinations; however, as long as the pug is medically stable, then every pug that leaves the rescue will be brought up-to-date on their shots, heart worm medication, and flea and tick preventive.

After you complete a volunteer application (quickest response from http://volunteer.pugsugottasave.org), you will be contacted by one of our volunteers to discuss your interest in fostering. That is a good time to discuss any detailed questions you may have. After being contacted (via phone, email, meeting in neutral location, etc...), you will have a home visit with one of our volunteers to explore your home environment to determine what kinds of foster pugs would work best in your home. Once you are approved to foster, you will be contacted when a pug that fits your home dynamic comes into the rescue. Whenever possible, we try to find the closest available foster parent to wherever the pug being surrendered is located but the rule of best fit between pug and foster home is the most important consideration.

Being a foster has some administrative responsibilities but the most important and the most basic part of the foster’s role is taking care of the dog as you would if he/she was your own. You will be assigned an experienced Adoption Coordinator (AC) who is a PUGS volunteer having experience assessing applicants and placing each dog in a forever home. This person will help you with all of the “work” involved in placing your foster including guiding you through the adoption process, helping you to obtain any vet care needed for your foster, providing you with approved applications of adopters for you to review for your foster, and assisting you in making arrangements for the adoption.

The basic responsibilities of a foster home are to:

• Provide a safe, loving, and healthy home for the foster pug(s) and humanely work with the pug on basic obedience, socialization, house training and house manners.

• Schedule and transport pugs for veterinary care, if necessary, and administer any medication prescribed to the pug; obtain preauthorization for any nonemergency vet care or other purchases related to a foster pug; scan and email, if able, copies of all receipts and pet care paperwork to the pugsugottasave.org volunteer email address; and retain copies of all receipts and forward the originals to PUGS by mail.

• Provide an initial assessment and multiple periodic assessments of your foster pug(s) to your adoption coordinator and remain in consistent contact with your coordinator through out the time that your PUGS foster is in your home.

• Provide (via e-mail) a digital photograph and a “personals ad” of the pug(s) in your home to your adoption coordinator. For additional information about taking pictures see this FAQ.

• Handle any phone calls and/or emails to prospective adopters and PUGS volunteers promptly and professionally and participate in periodic phone, email, or video discussions with the coordinator to determine adoption roles, process updates and to help select a forever home for your foster(s).

• Correspond with adoptive family and adoption coordinator as agreed and attend to the associated details in a timely and professional manner

• Maintain good communication with your AC throughout the process so that the best help can be provided to you and allows us to anticipate and resolve any potential problems or roadblocks to adoption. Your AC must have a reliable method to reach you at all times while you have a foster dog in your care. (For example, if you are going out-of-town and the foster is going with you or staying with someone else, your AC must be notified in advance of who to contact, how to reach the contact and be afforded the opportunity to discuss alternative arrangements for the fostered dog(s).)

When we are contacted by someone wanting to surrender a pug, we evaluate the needs of the dog and match that against our list of available foster homes. Whenever possible, we try to find the closest available foster parent to wherever the pug being surrendered is located.

When there is a dog needing rescue in your area that we believe will mesh well in your home, your coordinator will contact you to inquire if you are available to foster that dog. We will share with you all the information we have on the pug at that time so you are able to determine if you have a suitable environment for that dog. If you are unable to foster, that’s OK. It’s important that you foster only the dogs that you feel you can comfortably handle and it's important that you don’t commit to fostering when you have other conflicts. Alternatively, if you are able to provide a foster home for the pug in need, you will be provided with contact info for the surrendering party and we will ask that you make arrangements directly with the surrendering owner (or shelter) to take custody of the pug. Many times, we have to move a pug across a long distance, which is when we utilize the help of folks willing to transport, so you will deal both with other representatives as well as surrendering owners all to save this pug from whatever conditions that they may have lived.

If you get the pug directly from the surrendering owner, there is a relinquishment form the surrendering owner MUST complete. They will then turn over the pug, the form, any vet records, food the pug is used to eating, toys, bedding, etc. that the pug uses. We like for them to also provide a donation, though in reality, not all of them do.

Once the pug is released into your custody, you will make an initial assessment of the dog by reviewing the vet records provided to you (if any) and by observing the dog’s behavior and overall health. Within 1-2 days of obtaining the pug, you will contact your area coordinator to discuss the dog’s needs and develop an action plan for getting that dog ready to be adopted. If the pug needs veterinary care, your area coordinator will help you identify a vet in your area who provides PUGS with rescue pricing. Unless the dog is experiencing a true life-threatening emergency, preauthorization is required for EVERY vet visit.

If your vet is willing to provide PUGS with a rescue discount that is commensurate to the rates offered by our participating vets, we will work with you to make arrangements for your vet to see the pug. We address all health issues of the pugs before we adopt them out so whenever there is something we are able to handle within the rescue (like vaccinations, simple medical conditions, etc.) using the experience of our volunteers and leaders, we do so rather than seeking expensive veterinary assistance. Many of our volunteers are nurses or work in vet’s offices. Several of our volunteers have had many years of experience dealing with the unique health issues of pugs, as well as routine veterinary care so consulting with your area coordinator is always the first step in any medical need your pug may have.

Your adoption coordinator will help you identify and screen potential forever homes for your rescued pug. You will communicate with the adoption coordinator to provide them with information on the type of home your pug needs and together, you will choose the right forever home.

Once you and the adoption coordinator have settled on the perfect home for the pug, you will contact the selected family to arrange a time and place for them to first meet and greet their potential pug family member and then to meet to bring their new pug family member into their home. There is an adoption contract that they must complete and sign. Your adoption coordinator will help you with the contact and the adoption finalities. You will provide the adoptive home with any “personal” items to which the pug is attached (bedding, toys, etc.), copies of vet records (with the previous owner’s name and personally identifiable information blacked out) and of course, their new pug.

Once the adoption is complete, you can sit back and take a breather while it lasts. Unfortunately, the population of unwanted pugs is far too high, so our foster homes do stay pretty busy. Thanks to our many wonderful volunteers, these sweet fur babies get the additional chance they deserve to be treated like little valued family companions.

You will be provided an adoption coordinator who will be your main point of contact. Your adoption coordinator will help you through every step of the foster and adoption process and will help you get authorization for vet visits, answer questions/give advice about health and behavior issues, and help screen and select applicants. You will also receive access to basic medical supplies, a training manual to help you through every step of the foster process and access to our volunteer leadership. All of our volunteer leadership is here to support you in whatever way you need. We are accessible by phone at most any time and always by email as well. Our volunteers have years of experience with rescuing pugs, have a passion to save pugs, and will do everything in their power to make this an enjoyable experience for you!

PUGS will provide for authorized standard and any emergency care that a foster pug requires preferably through billing to the rescue; however, may require reimbursement.

Some examples of homes that we DO NOT adopt to are: homes with unaltered pets; homes that allow their pugs outside without a fenced in yard off a leash; homes with aggressive animals and/or aggressive people; homes that intend to keep the pug outside unsupervised (i.e. while they are at work - even in a fenced area); homes where everyone in the home is not enthusiastic about adopting a pug.

This is probably the hardest question to answer, because there really is no set time frame. There are so many variables – anything from the age, health and behavior of the dog, to the quality of the applicants we are getting. Typically, older, more special needs dogs take longer, as there are fewer people applying who have the capacity for providing them with proper care. It can be as short as a few days, or as long as…well, the life of the pug. We do try to get pugs adopted out sooner rather than later to minimize the trauma to them, but some pugs are just meant to stay. If they stay long enough to form a permanent bond with the foster family, it makes the transition into a forever home a bit more difficult, but still manageable.

Pre-approved veterinary care is covered by PUGS. Once the pug is released into your custody, you will contact your PUGS adoption coordinator to discuss the dog’s overall health and disposition and to make a plan for vet care. Except in true emergencies, you may NOT take your foster dog to the vet without prior authorization from your PUGS adoption coordinator or two PUGS' board members. Any vet costs incurred for vet care provided to your foster without prior authorization in a non-emergency situation will NOT be reimbursed.

While the food and supplies that you provide for the pugs are not reimbursable by the rescue, some may be tax deductible as charitable donations. Please consult your tax advisor for confirmation about specific items. Additionally, keep track of the mileage you drive to transport PUGS pugs (picking up to foster, take to the veterinarian, events, meet and greets, adoption day, etc...) – it’s also tax deductible. If you purchase supplies (i.e. crates, gates, beds, etc) for your foster pugs, keep it on hand for future fosters.

It happens. Some foster parents fall in love with the pug(s) they foster. How could they not? If that happens, the foster parent is welcome to adopt the pug. We ask that the adoption coordinator be notified as soon as possible hat there is an interest in adopting the foster pug. Once we begin working with an adopter to adopt the foster, we will not stop that process until it is complete.

We want the pugs that people adopt from us to be with their new family forever. Therefore, we go to great lengths to make sure the pug is a match for the family. Change is hard on pugs, and losing a family they’ve bonded with causes depression, and some have actually mourned themselves to death. We work hard to educate new adopting families about the care pugs require, the potential health issues, the cost, etc. before they adopt. We do require by contract that if, for any reason, they can’t or don’t want to keep the pug they adopt, the pug must be returned to us – not given away, not sold, not taken to a shelter – returned to us. The foster that cared for the pug will be the first asked, but regardless we will take the pug back into the rescue.  We know where the pug is for the rest of it’s life, and we want that little one to be in the chosen home…forever.

We're glad that you asked...

First and foremost: rescue requires having somewhere for the dogs to stay.  That means we need foster volunteers.  Well, reallly the pugs need foster volunteers, someone that will provide the time and attention necessary to nuture these little ones back to physical and mental health. Please seek other areas of this site for all that is involved with volunteering.

We could always use donations (http://donate.pugsugottasave.org)

Advertising about our available dogs and ways others can help.  With numbers our opportunities increase.  Our available dogs can be seen at http://available.pugsugottasave.org

Word of mouth with friends and family.

Sharing information posted on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/PugsUGottaSave)

Retweeting (http://www.twitter.com/PugsUGottaSave)

Assisting at events (posted at: http://events.pugsugottasave.org as well on applicable alternate sites)

Searching for ways that the rescue can fundraise that would reward more than it costs to partake.

Searching for ways to advertise to increase the support provided to the rescue.

Well, there are probably more questions than answers at this point, the answers to which would better hone the potential solutions.

1) Is this something new?
2) Are they both altered (spayed/neutered)?
3) Does one go in the same place as the other did?
4) What signs are there that one of them is preparing to go?
5) What is the response and or action when they go inside?
6) What is done to clean and deodorize the area?
7) What kind of training has been done with them?
8) What motivation do they respond to (food, verbal praise, petting, toy/play time, etc...)?
9) What is their schedule like? (Dogs are habitual creatures, especially in the sense of bathroom breaks coupled with meal times.)
10) Thinking back to when this started, what had changed either in their life or the families?
11) Which individual is the leader in the house? You, your husband, or one of the dogs?
12) Is there something medically occurring?
13) Do they have full run of the house? How often/when?
14) What amount of exercise do they get?

All these questions are centered around targeting the approach to take to correct the situation. See, dogs are pack animals that will follow their leader. If a person doesn't lead, then one of the dogs will step up to do so. Further, dogs have keen senses, and while pugs are prone to eye complications, they are born with both their eyes and ears shut with a keen sense of smell. Later their ears open, and then again later their eyes. So, if there is a scent that remains, it would seem like an acceptable place to go if their leader doesn't seem to mind. Add to this that dogs live in the moment, not so much the past, or planning for the future. That is not to say that they don't learn, but pugs can be a little stubborn about changing how things are done.

With positive reinforcement, they can learn to do the good things that are asked of them by their leader(s). They also feed off of the energy that is around them, so the saying that a dog looks like it's owner can be very true in that regards (though not everyone ends up as wrinkly as a pug). So having a calm demeanor when addressing them will elicit a calm response.

In order to modify their behavior their behavior needs to be anticipated, but not from the perspective that they are going to do something, but when they move this way or squat this way then that is a sign of things to come. When that precursor is seen, it is at that point to take the action to redirect. After they do their business when and where desired, they need reward. Especially at the onset of correcting the issue. If the reword is food (typical for a pug), then it should be coupled with an alternate reward at the same time. This way, eventually the food reward can go away (and any pounds gained as well) and they will still receive a reward that is reminiscent of the tasty food.  Further if food is a reward, be sure to use something low sodium, possibly low fat, and something small or broken to be small. This will minimize the extra calories.

In the sense of freedom in the house (and then outside as well), typically a dog will not go in the place it considers it's home (ie in a crate) unless there is an uncontrollable urge, illness, or the like. However, if a space is big enough, a dog will still respect it's private portion of the house, but the rest is just part of the "land".  Having too much freedom (a source of the dog taking the leadership role) allows the dog to claim its place by marking. If the more submissive tries to claim the space, then the more dominant is likely to follow up/step up and claim it. This leads to both urinating in the same place time and again. Back on the sense of smell, if the area is not cleaned from a dog's perspective, then it needs a "touchup" to reclaim it.

The fact that they are peeing outside is a good thing. If not where desired, then may need to help them by leashing them and taking them to the "designated" spot. When they go there, praise, praise, praise. If they go where not desired, do something to distract them (shake a can of coins, say something other than no, clap, etc.) Then take them outside to the desired location. Do this as soon as possible and try to observe/remember what was going on just before they went in the undesired location. Were they trying to get your attention?

Unfortunately, this is not likely to be something that will be fixed/modified quickly, it will require the work of both of you in a cooperative effort. It is almost like you will need to return to puppy training which could include the use of "piddle-pads", but that really should only be a training tool, not necessarily a permanent fix. Piddle-pads are typically cloth on plastic sheets that have a urine attracting scent (encourages a dog to pee on that area) used to help get a dog to target an area instead of just going wherever. If you can get them to use the pads (and only the pads when indoors), then slowly the pads can be moved outside so they associate outside being the place to go. In the short term, there are belly bands and girl panties that can be used to prevent or reduce the amount of pee that gets to the floors. These should be used as a training tool only and not substitute routinely taking them outside. Basically they are a piece of fabric that goes around the "waist" of the animal. Add a feminine pad (available at discount stores such as dollar tree) and there is some absorbancy at least until they can be whisked outside. Again though, it is important to identify what they did just before going. Also, their pad should be frequently checked and replaced. Wouldn't want an infection to set in because of urine on the fur. We have some in our online store that you can look at: http://shop.pugsugottasave.org/items/belly-bands

There really are a lot of good books out there as well. Some of the more favorite authors are Caesar Millan, and Victoria Stillwell. Caesar primarily addresses the behavior and thought processes of dogs, a sort of view into the psyche of a dog and the way(s) people should be around and with dogs. This is a more life approach to working with dogs rather than something like pat chest and dog should come running and jump in your arms. Victoria Stillwell also gets into the mind of the dog, but doesn't necessarily get to the level of the dog. These and other types of books are available at most book stores, plus they have internet sites that cover most topics.

We encourage you to continue working with your dog(s) and hope that they remain a part of your family. To compare the situation with that of raising a family, would you give up your child because they threw peas at the wall? If we can help you further, please let us know. If you could help us further, please visit http://donate.pugsugottasave.org.

4 Easy Tips for Crate Training Dogs
Try these tips to get your dog to hop in to the crate without a fuss:
1.        Hold your dog gently, and face him/her toward the open dog crate or pen door. Toss several tasty treats inside, the meatier, the better. Keep your dog restrained for a second, then say, “Get the treat!” as you let go. Allow your dog to come out again right away without closing the door.
2.        Do this again several times and when the dog is diving in willingly, close the pen door. Stay in the room and ignore the dog. Walk by twice and drop a couple of treats in. If the dog remains quiet, let him/her out right away.
3.        Feed all meals, give all treats, and provide chew bones and water in the crate. Toss goodies in when the dog isn’t looking and let the treats be found on their own. This helps your dog see his/her private place as a treasure trove of wonders.
4.        Your dog reads you like a book, so if you make a sad face when he/she whines a bit, your dog will work that like a terrier until you let him/her out. Teach him/her that coming out of the dog crate is allowed only when he/she is quiet. Be consistent, calm and cool and your dog will take your cue when it comes to crate training.

You may also want to look through the information here for some additional insight.

We want the pugs that people adopt from us to be with their new family forever. Therefore, we go to great lengths to make sure the pug is a match for the family. Change is hard on pugs, and losing a family they’ve bonded with causes depression, and some have actually mourned themselves to death. We work hard to educate new adopting families about the care pugs require, the potential health issues, the cost, etc. before they adopt. We do require by contract that if, for any reason, they can’t or don’t want to keep the pug they adopt, the pug must be returned to us – not given away, not sold, not taken to a shelter – returned to us. The foster that cared for the pug will be the first asked, but regardless we will take the pug back into the rescue.  We know where the pug is for the rest of it’s life, and we want that little one to be in the chosen home…forever.

While a good vacuum is good for the house, one is typically *not* suggested to be used on your pet. One thing about owning a pug, is that the shedding of fur comes with it. But, the use of a furmanator on a dog, a vacuum or a broom on the floors and routine bathing is only addressing the symptoms. (And yes a ball of symptoms it can be.)

Ideally, the goal is to prevent the shedding, which although natural may be an issue because of diet (nutrition), allergies, or possibly another skin condition (fleas, ring worm, hot spots, mange, etc.) to name a few. Surprisingly (or perhaps not), the feeding of quality food (good stuff in) can have a positive impact on the entire pug (good stuff out). However, food alone may not help as much as one may think. There are supplements that have been shown to help the skin and coat, and thus reduce shedding. These can range from simply skin and coat supplements to Omega supplements as a pill, powder, or liquid or as an increase in the quantity in the food. This can be found in a teaspoon of olive oil or fish oil that gets added to the food; however, fish oil can give some dogs "tummy" problems. If so, perhaps flax seed oil will do the trick.

Whatever the additive, changes may not be seen or take full effect for 3 months possibly, so please have patience, and work with your veterinarian on the things you can do to try to reduce or address the amount of shedding. This is especially important if there is hair loss in localized areas or an overall sudden increase of loss, and not just the day-to-day gathering of the pug dust bunnies. Speak with a licensed veterinarian about any issues or abnormalities related to your pet. He or she should be able to provide other suggestions on how to help your little furbaby.

Remember to slowly change the diet (at least taking a week) rather than suddenly changing it to not force tummy problems.

When owning a pug, one of the areas you can have the biggest impact on their health is by keeping them at a healthy weight.

Pugs (if for no other reason than they are so cute that they "deserve" a treat) are prone to obesity, which just like humans can cause a great deal of health problems. One way to prevent fat pugs is to only feed them twice a day a limited amount. Also feed dry dog food (which helps with tartar control and perhaps mitigates other chewing "needs") and not wet or at least not only wet food.  (Besides, wet food gets into the wrinkles and other face folds, which if not removed can lead to other skin/medical problems.)

If your pug is obese or even a little overweight use the 10% rule. Cut down on how much you are feeding them by 10% for several weeks and see if they lose weight. If they are still not slimming down, then drop how much they eat by 10% again. Once the weight has come down, the amount of food can be increased slightly to establish a maintenance regimen.

Although pugs are classified as a toy breed dog, they still need exercise to help them stay fit, and it also keeps them out of a lot of trouble.

Try to take them on walks twice a day or let them run around in a fenced in backyard.

Whatever the case, be sure everyone in the household is aware of the plan and agrees to support it. The little snack from one person is a big snack if everyone gives one.

It may also be that your pug has a medical condition that needs to be treated. Some that come to mind are hypothyroidism (treatable by medication) or something that slows the process from eating to elimination (stays in the digestive system longer than "normal"). These types of things require a veterinarian to diagnose and while not the most likely/easiest to identify, may also be an issue.

It is a great mystery, but some things that help with nail trimming are positive reinforcement, plenty of exercise before trying and possibly giving a bath before hand as well (Softens the nails).  Important is to begin the nail ritual when the dog enters the home either when volunteering or adopting.  Care of the quick which is the nail bed that extends out from the toe, if you clip the nail at the quick then it is likely to hurt and bleed.  Use of something like styptic powder will help stop the bleeding, but in a bind there are things in the kitchen that could help as well.

Methods typically used for shortening the nails are:

pet nail clipper

nail file

grinder (such as battery or power operated)

We're glad that you asked...

First and foremost: rescue requires having somewhere for the dogs to stay.  That means we need foster volunteers.  Well, reallly the pugs need foster volunteers, someone that will provide the time and attention necessary to nuture these little ones back to physical and mental health. Please seek other areas of this site for all that is involved with volunteering.

We could always use donations (http://donate.pugsugottasave.org)

Advertising about our available dogs and ways others can help.  With numbers our opportunities increase.  Our available dogs can be seen at http://available.pugsugottasave.org

Word of mouth with friends and family.

Sharing information posted on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/PugsUGottaSave)

Retweeting (http://www.twitter.com/PugsUGottaSave)

Assisting at events (posted at: http://events.pugsugottasave.org as well on applicable alternate sites)

Searching for ways that the rescue can fundraise that would reward more than it costs to partake.

Searching for ways to advertise to increase the support provided to the rescue.