Thank you for your interest in Cavaliers of the South's Rescue Program. We wanted to take a moment tell you a little of how we operate and what you can expect.

COS Rescue is comprised of volunteers who are members of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of the USA's regional club, Cavaliers of the South.  We are not paid employees and do what we do simply for love of the breed.  We are not a "stand alone" rescue, but function as a branch of CKCSC, USA's National Rescue Program, under the direction of National Rescue

President, Ken Kates (kkates@chesapeake.net).  Cavalier Rescue is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization. 

The starting point of adopting a rescue dog is filling out an adoption application.  If you haven't filled one out yet, click here to go to our online application. 

Rescue's primary concern is the welfare of the dogs that have come into our care.  As such, we do not work on a first come-first serve basis.  Your wait might be longer than some, or shorter than others.  Some dogs may have been in rescue foster homes for a short time, others considerably longer.  Right off the bat, expect a wait!  Nationally, only about 50 dogs per year come into the rescue program and we always have a healthy waiting list of homes ready to adopt!  So, don't be surprised, or

discouraged, if your wait is a lengthy one.  Patience is the key to getting a good match for you!

Most of the Cavaliers that come into rescue are older, with some degree of health and/or behavioral problems.  Some problems are minor and some are major.  Some problems are due to the health of the dog and some are do to the handling, training, treatment, and care the dog received from its prior owner. So, as a potential adoptive home, you need to be absolutely sure

that you are willing to accept the responsibility of a dog that is going to require some degree of medical attention over and above yearly checkups and vaccines and/or extra time, attention, and training.

Most Cavaliers that come into rescue are older dogs.  We rarely get young dogs or puppies, and never healthy puppies, so rescue is definitely NOT the place to look if you are seeking a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy at a discounted price!  If you have your heart set on a puppy, we will be more than happy to put you in contact with the Club's breeder referral

contact in your area.

There is an adoption fee that typically ranges from $200 to $600, depending on the age and health of the dog.  The new owner must be willing to travel to where the dog is being fostered to pick it up, as we generally will not ship dogs.

Now, after thoroughly discouraging you, let me tell you some positives! All Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that are adopted from Rescue have spent a period of time in a foster home.  They have been observed carefully to ascertain their suitability of placement...habits, temperament, have been thoroughly examined by a veterinarian, and, in many cases, by veterinary

specialists, have had all the required vaccines, are on heartworm preventative, and have been spayed or neutered.  During this period, when the dog is being evaluated, we review the applications from people interesting in adopting our rescue dogs and try to match the best home to the dog.

Rescue will always be here for you and for the dog you adopt, for questions, advice, and friendship!  We will always take the dog back into the rescue program, at any time and for any reason, with no questions asked.

Bringing a rescued dog into your home is a rewarding experience!  You have the dog that you have been so patiently waiting for and he or she has the lifelong family that he or she has been waiting for.  It's a win - win situation! There's something about a rescue dog that is well...different! They seem to sense that you have gone to some pretty extraordinary measures to bring them into your home and forever gratefully adore you for it!

Thank you again for your interest in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels CKCSC,USA,  and our rescue program.  For more information on Cavalier Rescue, please visit www.cavalierrescueusa.org

With Warmest Regards,

Sarah Fannon

COS Rescue Chariman