For experienced rescuers: do you give adopters AKC papers, if you have them?

[Magwart]

We have, for the first time, a purebred GSD in my shelter's adoption program who has his AKC papers. He's an 8-month old. As far as I can tell, he's BYB -- neither the sire or dam or any other dog by this breeder shows up on pedigreedatabase.com when I entered them in the search feature (I searched the breeder name, the full names, and parts of their names).

He's in a special adoption program we started that's an alternative to owner-surrendering at the shelter--where the owner gives volunteers a few weeks to help rehome the dog, neuter it, and screen applicants before surrendering at the shelter. Basically, it works as though the owner is fostering her own dog for the shelter--we handle the vetting and adoption, she just keeps the dog fed and safe for a while longer. The owner also was adamant that he shouldn't go back to the breeder--which supports my BYB thesis. The owner has turned over copies of the papers though, and is willing to give them to a new owner.

Here's the dilemma: would you market this dog as having AKC papers and turn the papers over to the future adopter? He'll be fixed before adoption, so there's no chance of him being bred. Keep in mind we have a ticking clock on him to find him a home -- the owners typically give us several weeks, and if a home isn't found, drop them at the overcrowded shelter with a 50% kill rate. There, I'd still work with him to find him a home or foster, but he'd be at risk of illness and even euth.

On the one hand, if we market the dog as AKC-registered, with papers, to prospective adopters, he'll draw more interest from people who think papers make a dog "special." On the other, we've heard rumors of adopters, no matter how well screened, selling or otherwise transferring the AKC registration papers to some unscrupulous breeder to use for different animals. We are, after all, in the Deep South where BYB and puppy mills are rampant.

Thoughts from experienced rescuers?

[shepherdmom]

I'm not an experienced rescue but I did rescue my Tasha and she had papers. She was spayed before I got her, so breeding her was not an issue. I do like having her papers and here is why. I was able to research her lines and find out her history. It is kind of nice being able to know what lines she is from and what to look out for in the future. I wouldn't advertise you have the papers (maybe advertise that you have a copy of his AKC papers) but once you have found a good home for him, I would give her new owners maybe even just a photo copy of the papers so they can research his lines for themselves.

[martemchik]

Is the dog registered already? I think you might have an issue transferring owners as I believe the old owner has to also sign the dog over for the AKC to recognize that its a true transfer of ownership (think of a car title).

I'd include the papers...not being on pedigree database does not make a dog byb. A lot of breeders don't use pedigree database. There's a lot of breeders that don't know how to use the internet so I wouldn't judge a dog based on the fact that its not on pedigree database.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

We do not, as per a specific policy, pass along the AKC papers with any dog that we get who has them. And this is in the north. We file it with their paperwork that does not go to their new family. All our dogs are speutered before adoption, but we still do not give them out.

[sit,stay]

The rule at the shelter was the papers were returned to the AKC. No exceptions. With my personal fosters, I would include a copy of pedigree with the adoption paperwork.
Sheilah

[angelas]

My local shelter shreds CKC papers and will call the animal a breed-type (ie Border Collie-type, GSD-type) since to sell an animal as purebred up here it has to be registered with an organization incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act.

[Jax08]

Why not give the papers if the animals is spayed/neutered? If someone wants to compete with the dog, it makes it much easier to have the papers.

[TrickyShepherd]

Originally Posted by Jax08

Why not give the papers if the animals is spayed/neutered? If someone wants to compete with the dog, it makes it much easier to have the papers.

I agree with this. ^

I'm not in the world of rescues and fostering. However, I AM in the world of having rescued. One of the dogs, I did not receive papers for. At the time, I really didn't think twice... but now that I've actually spent countless hours and paychecks on training... to find out that I can not attach any titles on this dog. Well... it's disheartening. All the work, and no title. Also, in some other venues, I can't even bring him since we don't have his papers.

If he is neutered.... why not? Some owners just want them to know their dog's history. Know of their lines... get some knowledge as to why the dog is what he/she is. Understand them better. etc.etc. Maybe it's just my lack of knowledge of how rescues and shelters work... but, I just don't see the harm in a neutered/spayed dog going with it's AKC papers.

[Yoschi's_Pet_Human]

I'd want the papers just to have insight into how my dog came to be... our goldendoodle came with papers of the sire and dam... it was fun to look stuff up... I would hope all rescues are fixed prior to rehoming.... as well meaning as most people are... a lot of times the desire to share their dog through pups takes over.

[BowWowMeow]

Basu was AKC registered and I was given all of his paperwork when I adopted him. He was neutered and I never did anything with it but it was interesting to see his pedigree.