The Westie Rescue of Western Pennsylvania follows an extremely strict protocol when placing a Westie in need of a new home:
1. An application MUST be on file by the potential adopter. Click on "ADOPT/SURRENDER A WESTIE" at the menu bar on the top of the Home Page.
2. To the left of the "Adopt/Surrender" page, find "FORMS," and click on "Adoption Application."
3. Complete the application online, and click on "Submit" at the bottom of the digital form.
4. After completing the application online, you may then contact the head of the Westie Rescue organization, Bob Murphy, at 814-598-0697.
5. Please understand that completing an application and phoning Mr. Murphy does NOT guarantee adoption. A very thorough decision-making process is utilized, keeping the dog's individual needs as the main contributing factor for who is chosen as the adopter.
6. An adoption fee is required which will allow the Westie Rescue of Western PA to continue to help other Westies in need.
7. Due to the high number of applications received, further communication will only be with the potential adopter. We are a very small organization made up of ONLY volunteers, therefore responding to each and every interested party will be attempted but not guaranteed.
Thank you most kindly,
Bob Murphy & Westie Rescue of Western PA
1. An application MUST be on file by the potential adopter. Click on "ADOPT/SURRENDER A WESTIE" at the menu bar on the top of the Home Page.
2. To the left of the "Adopt/Surrender" page, find "FORMS," and click on "Adoption Application."
3. Complete the application online, and click on "Submit" at the bottom of the digital form.
4. After completing the application online, you may then contact the head of the Westie Rescue organization, Bob Murphy, at 814-598-0697.
5. Please understand that completing an application and phoning Mr. Murphy does NOT guarantee adoption. A very thorough decision-making process is utilized, keeping the dog's individual needs as the main contributing factor for who is chosen as the adopter.
6. An adoption fee is required which will allow the Westie Rescue of Western PA to continue to help other Westies in need.
7. Due to the high number of applications received, further communication will only be with the potential adopter. We are a very small organization made up of ONLY volunteers, therefore responding to each and every interested party will be attempted but not guaranteed.
Thank you most kindly,
Bob Murphy & Westie Rescue of Western PA
Are you interested in becoming a foster family OR adoptive family?
Check out this letter from Gloria who adopted Caesar...
Check out this letter from Gloria who adopted Caesar...
"Dear Bob Murphy, Coordinator of Westie Rescue of Western PA:
I am so sorry that I missed the Westie Walk last weekend! I hope that it was a great success.
I just wanted to bring you up to date on Caesar’s success story.
As we have continued with his training, Caesar has made significant progress both with his training and his fear and anxiety. Caesar is very smart and learns quickly. He loves his classes and his classmates. He has relaxed significantly and engages well with the other dogs and people that he knows.
We have a “pack” of friends - people and their dogs who we’ve known for 20 years. We meet for lunch at Misty Pines every Friday. Last year Caesar was very reserved with everybody and would get upset sometimes. This year, he can’t wait for Fridays! When he sees his pals, he barks and wags his tail happily. He’s still not too keen on other people petting him (we are working on that) but he will take treats from them and engages with them when they talk to him.
Late last Spring, I started taking Caesar to Lowe’s and Home Depot and other dog-friendly places. While he was nervous during our first visits, he now walks through the stores like he owns them, with a happy smile on his face and a happy, bouncy tail. There is no fear anymore. He is still anxious when strangers approach (I don’t let them try to pet him). But I do let them talk to him. He is so polite in the store, no barking or anything like that. He responds to all obedience commands & sits politely while I check out.
We have no problem handling him for grooming tasks anymore. He hasn’t had a meltdown during a bath in quite awhile and although he does not like getting a bath, he walks quietly into the shower and is good during the procedure. I brush his teeth and hair every day with no problems. The last real difficult area for grooming was his feet but the past couple of weeks I have worked hard to help him be more comfortable with me handling his feet. I am able to brush his legs and feet now without any tension or him trying to pull his feet away. Today, we had a breakthrough when he allowed me to hold each foot and trim the hair between his foot pads. Success! I still let the vet techs trim the toenails when we go in for his cytopoint injections every month but that is the next task I want to work on.
I can also pick Caesar up and hold him without any problems! Caesar has come such a long way from the fearful barker/biter he was when we got him. Today he is a happy, healthy little guy whose sweetness is shining through. I’ve attached a recent photos for you.
Thank you so much for entrusting Caesar to our care. I thank God every day for you and the Westie rescue and the dedicated people who care so much for this wonderful breed.
Sincerely,
Gloria Aiello"
I am so sorry that I missed the Westie Walk last weekend! I hope that it was a great success.
I just wanted to bring you up to date on Caesar’s success story.
As we have continued with his training, Caesar has made significant progress both with his training and his fear and anxiety. Caesar is very smart and learns quickly. He loves his classes and his classmates. He has relaxed significantly and engages well with the other dogs and people that he knows.
We have a “pack” of friends - people and their dogs who we’ve known for 20 years. We meet for lunch at Misty Pines every Friday. Last year Caesar was very reserved with everybody and would get upset sometimes. This year, he can’t wait for Fridays! When he sees his pals, he barks and wags his tail happily. He’s still not too keen on other people petting him (we are working on that) but he will take treats from them and engages with them when they talk to him.
Late last Spring, I started taking Caesar to Lowe’s and Home Depot and other dog-friendly places. While he was nervous during our first visits, he now walks through the stores like he owns them, with a happy smile on his face and a happy, bouncy tail. There is no fear anymore. He is still anxious when strangers approach (I don’t let them try to pet him). But I do let them talk to him. He is so polite in the store, no barking or anything like that. He responds to all obedience commands & sits politely while I check out.
We have no problem handling him for grooming tasks anymore. He hasn’t had a meltdown during a bath in quite awhile and although he does not like getting a bath, he walks quietly into the shower and is good during the procedure. I brush his teeth and hair every day with no problems. The last real difficult area for grooming was his feet but the past couple of weeks I have worked hard to help him be more comfortable with me handling his feet. I am able to brush his legs and feet now without any tension or him trying to pull his feet away. Today, we had a breakthrough when he allowed me to hold each foot and trim the hair between his foot pads. Success! I still let the vet techs trim the toenails when we go in for his cytopoint injections every month but that is the next task I want to work on.
I can also pick Caesar up and hold him without any problems! Caesar has come such a long way from the fearful barker/biter he was when we got him. Today he is a happy, healthy little guy whose sweetness is shining through. I’ve attached a recent photos for you.
Thank you so much for entrusting Caesar to our care. I thank God every day for you and the Westie rescue and the dedicated people who care so much for this wonderful breed.
Sincerely,
Gloria Aiello"