Mission statEment

Our Mission

Southwest Cairn Rescue is a regional organization dedicated to rescuing, fostering, and placing homeless Cairn Terriers into suitable and caring life-long homes. We are committed to educating current and prospective owners on the special needs and temperament of Cairn Terriers in order to promote responsible ownership and to prevent future displaced terriers.

Southwest Cairn Rescue includes a network of volunteers dedicated to placing unwanted or abandoned Cairn Terriers, most of which are adult dogs, NOT puppies. The volunteers arrange for emergency rescues throughout the tri-state area, and gather information designed to match appropriate permanent and temporary homes.

The majority of the dogs that end up in the Southwest Cairn Rescue are unwanted simply for being Cairn Terriers by nature and behavior. Owners often find that they were unprepared for the care required for this high energy terrier; they did not understand the nature of the breed, and their instinctive desire to hunt. Owners are often gone all day, and therefore unable to provide the time, attention, and strenuous exercise this little dog requires. We would like to emphasize that Cairn Terriers need an active lifestyle, as they are hunting dogs by instinct.

Every dog that comes through our program is microchipped with a Home Again Microchip.  Southwest Cairn Rescue is registered as the primary contact for that chip.  Each dog is also spayed or neutered and given a complete physical exam as well as veterinary treatment for any problems found on exam.  Southwest Cairn Rescue will disclose any known  health or behavioral problems prior to placing any dog in a new home.