Dog Adoption Network on Web

ROCKFORD, Ohio (AP) â€” It's a good thing the 25 wet noses sharing a farmhouse in western Ohio all belong to small dogs, because another orphaned animal is always on the way. <br><br>It's also

Tuesday, November 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ROCKFORD, Ohio (AP) â€” It's a good thing the 25 wet noses sharing a farmhouse in western Ohio all belong to small dogs, because another orphaned animal is always on the way.

It's also probably good that these yappers' angel, Debra Linn, turned to the Internet for help in finding other mothers for the neglected and abused pups that kept showing up and tugging at her heart.

Since founding Furkids Rescue and Adoption in 1998, Linn has ``rescued'' about 500 Chihuahuas and other toy breeds from traditional animal shelters and placed them with adopters from New York to New Mexico. Thirty caretakers in six states have joined her network.

``It seems like it's grown faster than we can keep up with it,'' Linn said.

Facilitating more adoptions â€” a growing national trend â€” may seem like the obvious solution to overpopulated shelters, which euthanize languishing animals, said Kate Pullen of the Humane Society of the United States.

``But it isn't so simple. There are animals that enter shelters that should not be adopted for behavior reasons and for health reasons,'' Pullen said.

Furkids screens dogs and requires veterinary commitments from foster caretakers and permanent adopters, Linn said.

Despite the best-laid plans, most matches are imperfect, said Ruth First, spokeswoman for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

While the ASPCA favors Internet linking, it recommends meeting prior to adoption, First said.

Furkids' online matchmaking rarely allows for a prior meeting, Linn said. Its delivery method, which relies on truckers performing 100- to 200-mile legs of a cross-country relay, also is imperfect. However, extensive research of an animal and its prospective home tend to make for success, she said.

Denise Clark, a financial analyst, became a happy customer after failing to find a black Pomeranian at a Massachusetts shelter. Furkids located Foxy in Kentucky and 10 people shuttled it to her in a weekend.

``You obviously take a risk,'' said Clark, 32. ``But it was kind of thrilling. I would do it again in a heartbeat.''

The Humane Society is concerned about the long-distance trips and about groups like Furkids becoming overwhelmed. ``That is the greatest flaw. They can't say no,'' Pullen said.

Linn rises by 5 a.m. to feed, water, medicate and clean the dogs. She repeats the process by evening after eight hours' work at a county social services agency.

Then, she handles administrative chores.

Last year, Linn spent $6,000 on the veterinarian, a figure she expects will reach $10,000 this year. The costs are offset by donations and by adoption fees, which average $150.

But Linn said the downside to finding homes for animals is the feeling of grief when they're gone.

``We have to be really careful about getting attached,'' said Linn, who lives with her husband and 9-year-old daughter. ``I gave one up that made me cry. When I handed her over to the mom, the tears just started.''

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On the Net:

http://www.geocities.com/furkidsrescue

http://www.petfinder.org

http://www.hsus.org