Rescue

	The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ontario has a Rescue Committee who is involved in placing Berners in new homes. We have "rescued" numerous dogs over the past years and they are now enjoying life with new families where they are loved. Any dog that enters our rescue program is evaluated for health and temperament and suitability to their new home. Any animal placed is spayed and neutered.
	Contact us if you would like to be considered as a prospective home for a "rescue" Berner or if you have or know of a Berner in need of placement. In addition to our "Rescue" functions the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ontario feels that one of the ways we can help prevent a future explosion in the number of dogs in need of rescuing is to educate the public to research the breed and not to buy on impulse. To this end we have displays at venues such as "Pet Fairs", etc. and we are happy to answer any enquiries we receive from the public either by email, phone or mail about The Bernese Mountain Dog breed.
	Some of the information we give out at the Pet Fairs includes the following: Please, Do Not Buy From A Pet Store No reputable breeder will sell a puppy to a pet store for resale. The parents of pet store puppies may not have had any health checks or been screened for genetic diseases. Certainly, the purchaser of a pet store puppy will not get any information about the parents of the dog and the dog may not have the reliable temperament that you can count on when you purchase from a breeder. Pet stores cannot provide the ongoing support and advice about a specific breed that a new owner may need and pet store prices may be just as high, if not higher, than those of a breeder. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ontario wants you to have a long and happy relationship with your dog. Please do your research, attend Canadian Kennel Club dog shows, talk to breeders and owners. Adding a dog to your family is a long term commitment and responsibility - Do not buy a puppy on impulse.
	Buy From A Breeder: There are many ethical and responsible breeders in Ontario. Throughout the life of your dog, they will welcome your questions, give you ongoing advice about care or information on specific health problems to which the breed may be prone. They will be happy to let you meet the parents of your puppy and will try to be sure that your home will be a good one for a dog. They will provide you with papers attesting that your dog is a purebred and registered with the Canadian Kennel Club. Upon request, we will provide a list of breeders who are members of the club, have signed our Code of Ethics and are very knowledgeable about the Bernese Mountain Dog.