1. How can I donate to your organization?

2. What do your volunteers do?

3. How do I find a great family dog?

4. What is crate training and why should I do it?

5. What if I have other questions that aren't answered here?

If you are interested in making either a cash donation or a donation of some needed commodity, such as dog food, blankets, crate mats, leashes, collars, etc., you can send them to us at 

Lighthouse Boxer Rescue 
P.O. Box 111111 
Cleveland, OH  44111 

Lighthouse Boxer Rescue is a 501(c)(3) organization, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Our organization is operated entirely by volunteers, so volunteers are always needed to help process application, foster dogs, and to talk to the public at Meet & Greets.  We also need volunteers to help with transporting dogs and many other things.  If you have a talent or just have time to spare, please consider helping us.  Although there are no monetary rewards, the first time that you witness a successful placement of a dog, you will understand why we do this.  There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that a dog who has been abandoned or abused will now know the love of a family.

To apply to volunteer, please complete our application here.

Reputable Breeder vs. Backyard Breeder

Breed Rescue vs. Shelters

Pet Store vs. Puppy mill

Puppy vs. Gray muzzle

Reputable Breeder vs Backyard Breeders

Reputable Breeders take great pride in every litter produced from their stock. The number one reason for such selective breeding, is only to better the breed itself. If you take into consideration all of the health testing, temperament testing and genetic testing that each and every dog undergoes, only then will you understand why a puppy conceived with such care will cost more. They have the testing and certificates to prove it! These fine breeders are lucky to break even on their cost.

Backyard Breeders do not take health, temperament or genetics into consideration. There will be NO certificates of such testing.

Reputable Breeders guarantee their healthy, well socialized puppies.

Backyard Breeders Do Not.

Reputable Breeders Do Not advertise their puppies in newspapers. Their puppies are sold by reputation alone, even before they are conceived. No pup would ever be allowed to leave its’ mother until it was at least 8 weeks old.

Backyard Breeders advertise in newspapers, bulletin boards, yard signs and other garage sale fashions. Puppies are sold off at 6 weeks old and some times sooner. GRRRR

Reputable Breeders extensively screen applicants before consenting to sell a puppy. If you qualify, then you will be asked to sign a contract, shown documented proof of all health testing, meet the parent dogs if on the premises and have a support system for the life of your dog. Let’s face it….Reputable Breeders truly care about their breed!

Backyard Breeders are cash & carry. Good Luck!

Breed Rescue vs. Shelters

Breed Rescue specializes in a chosen breed. They know the temperament, health considerations, activity level, pros & cons and what type of family best suits the breed itself.

Shelters have to know a little about every breed. Dogs of every shape, size, color and temperament are relinquished daily. Shelters do their very best to educate themselves.

Breed Rescue foster dogs in their homes. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the dog in a family environment. Foster dogs receive regular veterinary care and vaccinations, spay/neuter, extensive temperament testing, socialization, basic training and the benefit of a temporary loving home until adoption day.

Shelters house their dogs in somewhat spacious, but noisy kennels. Veterinary care, spay/neuter and temperament evaluation is administered. Shelters are a high volume adoption agency. Individual care and socialization is attempted at some shelters, but the sad fact is that there are more relinquished dogs than there are caretakers. Due to the staggering number of dogs being surrendered each and every day, these caring souls find it difficult to keep up, but do their very best to meet each individuals dogs’ needs.

Breed Rescue extensively screens every adoption candidate. Home visits, veterinary references and personal references are all taken into consideration before an applicant is approved for adoption. Adoption contracts are taken very seriously, with the adopted dog being non-transferable. Breed Rescue’s are a support system for life.

Shelters do try to screen potential adopters, but not to the extent of a reputable Breed Rescue. Shelters also offer support, training references, veterinary references and other fabulous resources. Shelters require an adoption contract to be signed.

Pet Store vs. Puppy Mill

No Reputable Breeder would ever dream of selling one of their puppies to a Pet Store! So…where do they ALL come from? You guessed it…puppy mills, backyard breeders and other such facilities. Puppy mills or puppy farms do just that, (Farm & Mill puppies for CASH). More Puppies = $$$$$$

Puppies are born to mothers and fathers housed in cramped living spaces. Cages are the typical home. Mothers eat, sleep, eliminate and give birth, all within the same cage. This WILL be her life from here until her death.

Cages are sometimes stacked 3 to 5 high to accommodate more dogs, while litter and excrement filter down through the cages, onto the resident dogs at the bottom. There is NO play, NO comfort, NO caring and above all… NO love involved for these helpless victims.

Six weeks or less after a mother gives birth, the puppies are taken from her, cleaned up and shipped out to market. Many are sick and carry unknown genetic and temperament disorders. Temperament, health and genetics are Not considered in these careless and cruel farming practices.

Now, the question is….Will you ask how much that puppy is in the window?

Please DON’T… however sad those little eyes may be. In buying just one Pet Store puppy, you have just said. “I approve of Backyard Breeders, Puppy Mills and Puppy Farms”. Think Twice!!!!!

Puppy vs. Gray Muzzle

People pass by the gray muzzle and soulful eyes of the mature dog, in their search for a brand new bouncy puppy. They say, “I want a puppy! An older dog is just too hard to train and set in his ways”.

The Gray Muzzle says, “I know many things, maybe the kind of things that you will have to teach a new pup. Give me a chance to show you what I know”.

They say, “I want a puppy! An old dog will not bond with my family”.

The Gray Muzzle says, “I will be ever grateful of your love and kindness and will show you how much your family truly means to me each and every day of my life. Give me a chance to share my love with you”.

They say, “I want a puppy! Old dogs have too many health problems”.

The Gray Muzzle says, “Yes, I am a little slower at getting up, but I will just to play with you my Dear Family. I do get achy and tire a little quicker, but will do my best to show you my steadfast love and the puppy still living inside of these old bones”.

They say, “I want a puppy! That old dog hasn’t much time left”.

The Gray Muzzle says, “It is true, I am gray and sage and may not have as much time left to enjoy my new found home. BUT…I promise you with all of my heart that I will sit by your side, nuzzle your hand, lovingly gaze at you and comfort you if your time should come before mine”.

They now say, “Hey…what about that one, the one with the loving soulful eyes, this ole’ boy needs a home.

WE’LL TAKE HIM!!!!

What is crate training and why should I do it?

Dogs are highly social animals, but because of lifestyle and family schedules, most dogs must spend a portion of the day at home away from their humans. During times when we are unable to supervise, the pet may still feel the need to chew, play, explore, eat, and eliminate. Preventing these behaviors when we are absent requires scheduling and prevention. Allow the pet the opportunity to play, eat, and eliminate before confining him and he will feel secure and safe, and you will too, knowing that no harm can come to him or your possessions.

One common type of confinement is crating. This is neither cruel nor unfair. Leaving a dog unsupervised to wander, investigate, destroy, and perhaps cause injury to himself is far more inhumane than confinement. Ensuring your dog has a suitably sized crate will allow him time to sleep and relax in a place he feels secure. Many behavior problems are prevented when a dog is crate trained. Because they are social animals, an appropriate location for their crate would be where ever the family spends time. Not isolating him will prevent further unwanted behaviors. Crate training not only helps within the home, but also makes it easier when the pet is required to travel or board. He will more likely feel secure and far less stressed.

Choosing the type of crate may be just as important as the training. Many choose wire crates, which are collapsible and easily transportable. Another type, not always as economical, but sometimes preferred over the wire crates, are plastic crates, which some dogs relate better to as a den. Training methods for puppies and adults may vary and can be discussed further with a volunteer, veterinarian, or trainer when necessary. Not all dogs feel comfortable with being crated and other alternatives are available, but it is necessary to work with your pet, being patient and consistent with your technique. Very few dogs will ever reject acceptance of a crate -- it is usually the owner who "gives up", so please give your beloved family member his own "room".

What if I have other questions that aren't answered here?

If you have unanswered questions, please contact us at Questions@LighthouseBoxerRescue.org .  Someone will answer you as soon as possible.