Tibbies Available for Adoption

How Tibbies Come to TSCA Rescue

TSCA Rescue guidelines permit us to rescue only pure-bred Tibetan Spaniels (“Tibbies”), and we are the only Tibbie-specific rescue covering the whole U.S.(and Canada). Compared to many other more numerous breeds, only a few pure-bred Tibbies come into the care of TSCA Rescue for adoption each year. Some come to us from public shelters because they were picked up as strays or their owners surrendered them to the shelter. However, most of the Tibbies that come into our care are surrendered to us for re-homing. Often, a Tibbie is surrendered because the owner has passed away or has become unable to care for the Tibbie.

Far more people want to adopt Tibbies than there are Tibbies to adopt. As a prospective adopter, please understand that you may have a long wait. You should also be aware that most Tibbies surrendered to us are usually mature adults or seniors; youngsters and puppies are rare.

We offer the suggestions below to help you find a Tibbie to love.

Rescue/Re-Home Alert Emails from TSCA Rescue

TSCA Rescue maintains a database of persons from everywhere in North America who have contacted us about adopting a Tibbie. This is the “prospective adopter waiting list.” When a Tibbie in TSCA Rescue’s care is ready for a new home, the Rescue Coordinator notifies the prospective adopter waiting list via an email with “TSCA Rescue/Re-Home Alert” on the subject line. The email Alert includes facts about and photos of the Tibbie and explains how to apply to adopt the Tibbie. Generally, the email Alerts first go to everyone on the waiting list in the state where the Tibbie is located and adjacent states. However, depending on factors such as the Tibbie’s age and any special needs, we may send the Alerts to more states or even nationwide.

There are two ways to join the prospective adopter waiting list:

• Send an email to TSCA Rescue at info@tstrust.org. Please include your full name, location (city/state) and contact information. The Coordinator will send you a welcome email and add you to the list.
• Submit a Prospective Adopter Questionnaire. The Coordinator will send you a welcome email, add you to the list, and keep your Questionnaire on file.

TSCA Breeder Referral

Another option for prospective Tibbie adopters is the TSCA Breeder Referral program. TSCA member breeders sometimes have adults, as well as youngsters, available for adoption to a forever home. These Tibbies may have “retired” from their show careers or they may have been returned to their breeder for re-homing when the owner passed away or became unable to care for the Tibbie. Several people on the TSCA Rescue prospective adopter waiting list have adopted adult Tibbies through this program. An annual Breeder Directory is available. The TSCA Breeder Referral Coordinator can help you find out when and where Tibbies become available. To contact the current coordinator, see TSCA Breeder Referral Committee.

Tibbies from Other Rescue Organizations

Tibbies or Tibbie-like dogs sometimes show up in the care of public shelters or other nonprofit rescue organizations. Many of the dogs closely resemble Tibbies, but they may actually be mixes of other breeds, such as Pekingese-Pomeranian. TSCA Rescue’s policy is to help other organizations reach people who follow us and are eager to adopt a Tibbie or Tibbie-like dog. The Coordinator posts information about the dog and the organization on the TSCA Rescue & Health Trust Facebook page. If you’re on Facebook, please “like” and follow our page to make sure you see these posts.

Here are some more suggestions for finding a Tibbie in the care of shelters or rescue organizations other than TSCA Rescue. Please bear in mind that, in their listings, Tibbies or Tibbie-like dogs may be misidentified as “Pekingese (Peke) mixes,” or other breeds and mixes may be misidentified as Tibbies or Tibbie mixes.

• Expand your search to local city/county shelters and nearby rescue organizations. Make a list of all the shelters/rescues in the area you’d be willing to go to, find their websites and sign up for alerts (if offered). Every shelter works differently, so you have to read their sites and follow their directions (or call and ask for advice). Be aware that many shelters and rescues will adopt only to people in their immediate area. Since big city shelters often work on a first-come-first-adopt basis, it’s a good idea to “follow” the shelters and rescues in your area so that you can apply quickly when a Tibbie or Tibbie-like dog becomes available. Check their websites every day. Some shelters and rescues use a search service instead of, or in addition to, their own websites to publicize available dogs – read on.
• Sign up with search services such as Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet. That way, you’ll get alerts when a dog listed as Tibbie or Tibbie mix becomes available from any shelter/rescue that uses the search service. When you sign up, you can specify how far away you’re willing to travel to adopt. Remember: Since Tibbies may be misidentified, you may want to broaden your search criteria to include Peke mixes.