Doberman rescue group to hold reunion
Call it the ultimate dog-day afternoon.
Only this particular outing will be fun for both people and their pooches when Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus has its annual reunion from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Blackwell Forest Preserve along Butterfield Road, near Winfield Road, just outside Winfield.
The annual reunion, which is the group's biggest event of the year, was organized to help reconnect adopters and foster families and to celebrate all the successful adoptions during the previous 12 months, said Heather Skillicorn, a previous adopter and an IDR+ volunteer.
Festivities will include a raffle for gift baskets, demonstrations, games for the dogs, a silent auction and, of course, plenty of food. Vendors will have dog treats, collars and leashes, canine jewelry and nail trimming available for purchase.
A pet artist, dog training experts, animal communicator and dog masseuse also will offer their services. As always, the kissing booth will feature Degas, an affectionate albino Doberman pinscher adopted by IDR's president. Degas will be planting big wet ones for $1.
You can register online at ildoberescue.com for $12 per person or $30 per family, which includes lunch. Registration at the event is $15 per person or $35 per family.
While the event normally attracts people who have adopted Dobermans, it's also open to anyone who's simply interested in the breed or learning more about the organization.
Skillicorn recently discussed the organization and its goals with the Daily Herald.
Q. What's the mission of Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus?
A. Our mission is to rescue Doberman pinschers in need, place them into responsible, loving homes, and educate the public about the breed.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. We receive Doberman pinschers from animal control organizations, humane societies and owner give-up situations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Indiana. After health issues are addressed, including a spay or neuter, most of the Dobermans live in foster homes throughout Illinois, where their temperaments are evaluated, behavioral quirks are observed and basic manners/obedience are worked on so that each dog can be placed into a permanent home that best suits their individual needs.
Q. Who do you serve?
A. We endeavor to rescue homeless Dobermans in the Midwest and place them into appropriate, responsible homes.
Q. When and why did the organization start?
A. We started as a subset of ADOPT, or Animals Deserving of Proper Treatment, an all-breed rescue group in Naperville. A group of volunteers there who loved Doberman pinschers began dedicating their time and energy toward rescuing and placing Dobermans specifically. This subgroup developed its own rules to cater to the specific needs of the breed and, over time, grew very large. It broke off in May 2003 to become its own rescue organization and still receives Dobermans through ADOPT.
Since then, IDR+ has grown both in numbers and experience. Initially, 20 to 30 volunteers helped run the organization. Now, more than 150 volunteers throughout the Midwest are involved.
IDR+ also keeps evolving with experience, adjusting the adoption process, adding events such as adoptathons and improving the dog intake system. These types of continual improvements enable us to rescue more dogs than before and still have more than 80 percent of them fostered and evaluated in volunteer homes at the same time.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
A. Since IDR's inception in 2003, we're proud to have placed more than 2,000 Dobermans and other breeds into stable, loving homes.
Q. What challenges does IDR+ face?
A. There are always more orphans than homes! We are experiencing a higher volume of dogs coming in this year than in the past due to the higher mortgage foreclosure rate. We don't have enough foster homes to take them all in so we're forced to kennel them until space in a volunteer home opens up. Unfortunately, Dobermans do not do well in kennels because, in addition to being a high-energy breed, needing mental and physical stimulation, they thrive on human contact.
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about IDR+?
A. First, because of Hollywood's portrayal of the Doberman breed as overprotective and vicious, people are often fearful of them. However, regardless of breed, any balanced and healthy canine knows the difference between a friendly stranger, an indifferent stranger and a threatening stranger, and should respond appropriately to each.
Because of the negative stigma on the breed, many people are unaware of what an affectionate, energetic and loyal family member Dobermans make.
Many people also assume that all rescued dogs have been beaten or abused and are very fearful. This is not the case. As a result, people are often surprised to find that adult rescued dogs can be well-mannered, are as trainable as puppies and make a great pets.
Q. How can readers get involved?
A. People interested in learning about IDR can visit our Web site, ildoberescue.com, where breed information and a list of our adoptable dogs is available. Donations also can be made there by purchasing IDR gear from Dobermart or by outfitting a rescued dog with DoberDuds, a leather collar and leash that will go with them to their new home. Volunteers, especially foster homes, are always a need.
To find out more about volunteering, adopting or the organization, call (847) 277-1082 or e-mail orphandobe@ameritech.net.
If you go
What: Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus annual reunion
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Blackwell Forest Preserve, Butterfield and Winfield roads, near Winfield
Cost: $12 per person or $30 per family online; $15 per person or $35 per family at the event
Info: ildoberescue.com