Rescue Organizations
Most purebred dogs have their own rescue organizations these days, and Yorkshire terriers are no exception. Dogs may become rescue animals when puppy mills are shut down, when owners die, when kennel owners face sudden catastrophic circumstances, or when they're taken out of animal shelters by rescue groups.
The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America has a rescue coordinator who may be able to put you in touch with a rescue in your area. Most urban areas also have rescue groups, For example, in Washington, the Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue has local rescue coordinators for most of the AKC-recognized breeds.
Unfortunately, these pups or adult dogs come from circumstances with significantly fewer assurances than a show kennel. A rescue dog may have a higher chance of developing genetic disease or another problem due to irresponsible breeding. However, if the dog is already an adult, many of the worst diseases and conditions will already have shown themselves. A rescue dog can be a more challenging pet, but these animals are often the most in need of secure and loving homes.
Drawbacks
One potential disadvantage of a rescue is that you will rarely have any background on the dog. There will likely be no health guarantees and no chance to meet the parents or interview the breeder. Some dogs in rescue end up there due to behavior problems, and these may not be immediately apparent. In toy breeds, such as the Yorkie, housetraining issues may be one of these problems.
Depending on the quality of the rescue organization, your rescue Yorkie will almost certainly be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, checked for parasites both inside and out, and microchipped before being released to a new home. All of these services are figured into the adoption fee.
For puppy seekers, another downside to the rescue is that you're not likely to find Yorkie puppies there. Most dogs in rescue are adolescents or older. There's absolutely nothing wrong with having an older dog as a pet, but many people have their hearts set on a puppy. However, if the age of your new dog doesn't really matter to you, consider getting a rescue dog instead of a puppy. Puppies have their adorable looks to ensure that they get homes. Older rescue dogs can make perfectly wonderful pets, and they need good homes just as much.
Positives
Rescue groups will do their best to match dogs with appropriate owners. Many groups keep dogs in foster care (living with individual families) for a certain period of time in order to learn about their temperaments. Once their personalities are known, it is easier to then place them in homes and advise the new owners of what to expect.
Where else can you look for a Yorkie in rescue?
Both rescue groups and animal shelters/humane societies may post their dogs at www.petfinder.com. You can search for dogs on this Web site by breed, geographic area, or a number of other parameters.
Rescue groups will be nearly as particular as the best breeders in placing their dogs. They want a lifetime placement, not an owner who is going to reject the dog and force him back into rescue status again. Be prepared to answer plenty of questions. Different groups may require fenced yards, frown on owners of pickup trucks (for fear the dogs will be relegated to riding in the bed), or insist on someone being home with the dog during the day. They will ask for (and check) references, and some may even insist on a home visit before giving you the dog. They will also take the dog back if some unforeseen problem arises.
