Come Bye BC Rescue is an Illinois-licensed, not for profit rescue organization dedicated to the rescue of border collies. Our western boundaries extend as far west as Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and as far east as Ann Arbor, Michigan. Started as an all breed rescue in 2002, we soon found ourselves devoting most of our efforts to saving border collies. Incorporated in Illinois as Animal Protective Association of So. Illinois, we are also known as Come Bye Border Collie Rescue to more accurately reflect our passion for the border collie breed. Our mission is to rescue and successfully re-home border collies. It is our belief that dogs of sound temperament should be given every chance to lead a happy, healthy and fruitful life. In support of our mission, we also offer training resources and support to current owners experiencing behavior issues with their border collies. We do this in the hope that these dogs are able to stay in their existing homes and do not end up at a shelter or in a rescue. Unfortunately, there are far more wonderful border collies in need than can be saved. We are an all-volunteer organization staffed by individuals committed to saving this wonderful breed. Some of our volunteers have little experience with border collies, while some possess over a decade of working with border collies. We work extensively with many other border collie and all breed rescues.
We rescue border collies. We educate people. Each dog we rescue is placed in a private foster home. It is the role of the foster family to provide love, veterinary care and training to each foster dog. Once in foster care, the foster home will arrange veterinary care (paid for by Come Bye BC Rescue) to ensure the health of the animal. Each dog is given a complete exam, spayed or neutered, heartworm tested, brought up to date on vaccinations and treated for any medical problems they may have. Some of the dogs we rescue have significant medical issues. We are very proactive in addressing any diagnosed or suspected medical problems, including the recruitment of specialists to treat the condition and, if necessary conduct surgery and advise on rehabilitation. Dogs are not discriminated against based on health issues. Many of the dogs we rescue have never lived in a home or know what a toy is and need to be taught to play. Foster homes provide the training necessary for each dog to learn manners, housebreaking and basic obedience. Many dogs have had little to no human affection and attention. One of the most important jobs of the foster home is to teach a dog to trust humans. Our rescue strives to find the perfect home for each and every dog that we accept. Our volunteers screen every potential adopter to ensure the safety and happiness of each dog placed. Applicants are thoroughly screened via telephone interview, reference checks, veterinary history and home visit. We have a high rate of success in our placement of border collies in adoptive homes.
Many people are interested in adopting a border collie because the breed has been labeled as the "smartest dog." With intelligence comes responsibility, and it is this lack of responsibility on the part of the owner which results in many border collies ending up in a rescue or a shelter. The volunteers at Come Bye BC Rescue all have a love for dogs, but a particular passion for border collies. It is this passion that moves us toward our goal of finding loving forever homes for these wonderful dogs, while continually serving as an education and training resource for both current and prospective border collie owners.
