Was looking at adopting from a Lab rescue group not too long ago, it didn't work out, but I swear I had to fill out more paperwork and give more references (plus the home visit) than I took for me to refi my house.

They decided we were a good home for a older dog and keep trying to offer us 7-8 year olds. My wife didn't want to get a dog that would be dead in a couple years, and we wanted a young dog. We finally just told them to go away.

So, basically, the same reason so many children don't get adopted is the same reason pets don't get adopted.

Slives: Was looking at adopting from a Lab rescue group not too long ago, it didn't work out, but I swear I had to fill out more paperwork and give more references (plus the home visit) than I took for me to refi my house.

Same here. We found a "used" dog from another foster home and took him home instead.

My wife and I are in the middle of getting approved for a rescue right now for a red bone coon hound to be a companion to our dog. It's quite a process and expensive too, but it'll be worth it.

I pretty much need a constant and endless supply of cats, and my local humane society wants to know why.

I mean, this city is completely overrun with the feral bastards, and all I get is prying into my business. Because I *need* them, OK you hippy bastards? The traps in the park don't nearly meet the demand I've got going here.

Horse shiat. The reason so many pets need adoption is because animals be farkin!

There's a local woman who runs a cat rescue and she's exactly like those described in the article. She also does everything she can to put down the local humane society, criticisms that are not only false, but completely unfair to the society.

When we adopted our cat from said local humane society, the only thing we had to promise doing is ensure our cat was an indoors cat, and that's more because she's a special needs kitty then anything else. She was born with a birth defect to her front legs called radial hypoplasia (aka radial agenesis), so it's especially dangerous for her to be outside.

I can say on good authority that this is not how the Yonkers pound works. It's also a super sad place.

I was going to adopt a dog a few years back. Submitted their application, references, vet reference, but drew the line at letting a stranger "inspect" my home. I absolutely said no to that. I wanted a dog, but not enough to allow a stranger to invade my privacy and be in my house.

I'm sure they manage to chase a lot of people away with crap like that.

Going through rescues & private shelters has always been a PITA. I tried to rescue a 1/2 Abyssinian from a local private shelter and they wouldn't give him to me because I had a 12-yo cat, which I'd adopted from them 9 years earlier, that I didn't take to the vet every 6 months. They also threatened to take the 12-yo back! I had to pay for a full check-up & bloodwork on my perfectly healthy cat in order to keep her, let alone be considered for the Aby. (I eventually got him--a friend adopted him for me. Awesome cat--had him for 7 years before he died of a heart murmur at age 10)

When I tried to get my current dog, a Great Dane, the first rescue denied me because I don't take my indoor-only, perfectly healthy cats to the vet every 6 months. The 2nd rescue group told me no because my NEIGHBOR had a dog and they weren't sure how the Dane would react around strange dogs (WTF??). The 3rd rescue didn't want me to have a dog because I'd only lost my 15-yo German Shepherd 9 months earlier (had to put her down due to crippling arthritis--poor thing couldn't walk anymore). They required a note from my Dr. certifying that I was emotionally stable enough to handle another dog "so soon". And even then, I had to put up with phone calls 3x a week & monthly visits for 3 months.

I tried getting a cat from the Cat Angel Rescue Network, and had to fill out a three page application. I was turned down because my ex-wife had gotten one of our cats declawed many many moons ago.

The SPCA is the place to go if you want a nice rescue cat.

wow.. every rescue i've ever seen has been very reasonable. and Pheydra is a consulting dog trainer for one.... i can believe how fascist some of them are.

i wonder if it is an east coast thing?

Kazan: wow.. every rescue i've ever seen has been very reasonable. and Pheydra is a consulting dog trainer for one.... i can believe how fascist some of them are.

i wonder if it is an east coast thing?

The lab rescue in the Chicago area is like that. They would have given me a dog, but I wasn't going to jump through their hoops. I ended up with an Australian Shepherd just because we saw a pic and melted.

Kazan: wow.. every rescue i've ever seen has been very reasonable. and Pheydra is a consulting dog trainer for one.... i can believe how fascist some of them are.

i wonder if it is an east coast thing?

The cat rescue woman I referred to in my previous post is on the west coast. She's so damned rigid and unbending as to who qualifies during the adoption process that I'm actually surprised she's adopted out any animals.

Yes, there are nutcases out there in the animal rescue world. Please, PLEASE don't let them turn you off. Go to another rescue, go to a shelter near you, find one that actually wants to find homes for animals.

// Lots of them need to take a break, they see so many crappy people, they end up assuming everyone is crappy, and would rather hold on to an animal for a year than find it a 99% perfect home...

R.A.Danny: Kazan: wow.. every rescue i've ever seen has been very reasonable. and Pheydra is a consulting dog trainer for one.... i can believe how fascist some of them are.

i wonder if it is an east coast thing?

The lab rescue in the Chicago area is like that. They would have given me a dog, but I wasn't going to jump through their hoops. I ended up with an Australian Shepherd just because we saw a pic and melted.


The local golden retriever rescue group is the same way (applications, home visits iirc).

But, that does help keep the dogs from being dumped again. So I can kind of see their point, to a certain extent.

serpent_sky: I was going to adopt a dog a few years back. Submitted their application, references, vet reference, but drew the line at letting a stranger "inspect" my home. I absolutely said no to that. I wanted a dog, but not enough to allow a stranger to invade my privacy and be in my house.

I'm sure they manage to chase a lot of people away with crap like that.

It does. It also gets rid of the people who want another dog to chain up next to the 4 in the backyard dirt pile...

// Sorry, but keep in mind that for every good family driven away by a zealous rescue, there's a crappy one that is scared of even a reasonable one.

All the rescue places I've been looking at the adoption fee is around $250 to $350. Is this average?

So...is there something stopping these people from going to the Humane Society or some other non-private animal rescue instead?

I don't get it.

3 of 3 pets we have are rescue pets.

2 or 3 pets we have are defective rescue pets.

The one cat has an unnerving obsession with water and the dog is, well, just not right.

I got the first pet because of a con. When I went to pick out the cat, he clung to me, didn't want to be put down. Get him home and it's "Leave me alone. Get me food! Get me water!"...y'know, a normal cat.

AlwaysRightBoy: All the rescue places I've been looking at the adoption fee is around $250 to $350. Is this average?

It's higher than around here, though I've not check in a while. We also got the last pet on clearance, so that brought it down even more.

AlwaysRightBoy: All the rescue places I've been looking at the adoption fee is around $250 to $350. Is this average?

For the NYC area, probably. It's probably 200-300 for a dog in the DC area, (usually closer to $100 for a cat).

That probably doesn't even pay their vet bills (feel free to call your vet and ask what it would cost to do a complete initial checkup on a stray, including a spay/neuter).

Blues_X: But, that does help keep the dogs from being dumped again. So I can kind of see their point, to a certain extent.

And a lot of dogs that need rescuing also need extra care, either mentally or physically. I do understand that, but DAMN they want to do everything but read your mail.

KyngNothing: That probably doesn't even pay their vet bills (feel free to call your vet and ask what it would cost to do a complete initial checkup on a stray, including a spay/neuter).

Good point. This is my first rescue so I really didn't have any idea.

I always have some friend who has rescued a cat or dog. It's all I can do not to have pets hurled at me in a drive-by.

convo about this article w/ my wife she wanted me to post


(11:46:04 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: this pisses me off because people use stuff like this to "justify" not rescuing
(11:46:19 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: when in REALITY, a decent breeder will be as strict with them as the standard rescue
(11:46:37 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: but if you buy from off ebay classified from someone who only wants money, then yes, it is easier than rescue
(11:47:27 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: You get what you pay for though. With NR you get a lifetime guarentee that if you can't keep your dog we will take it back. A life time of training support via phone or email. An organization that stays interested in your dog for their entire life and will contact you occassionally for progress reports
(11:48:00 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: all for $175 and a week or so for the adoption process - initial application, phone interview, home visit, decision (approval/not approved)
(11:48:10 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: PLUS all the vetting the dog needs
(11:48:46 AM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: indeed.. now what are NR's adoption requirements
(11:49:16 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: it depends on the dog and the client
(11:49:27 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: some dogs we won't adopt if they have cats, other dogs, or small children
(11:50:04 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: but we don't require a fenced in backyard. We do require references (vet and 2 personal references) and we do ask questions abotu what you want from the dog, udner what circumstances you'd give the dog up, etc
(11:50:31 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: we require that the person be fully aware of any considerations about the dog they want including behavioral or medical concerns. They need to understand the full average yearly cost for care of a the dog, etc
(11:50:43 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: for isntance, we've had applications where they expceted to spend $2-500/year on the dog
(11:50:51 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: and we've had to speak with them about vet bills and food cost
(11:51:14 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: but we don't require a certain food, a fenced in yard, etc. We do require that the dog be a good fit for you, and if the dog you want isn't the best fit we will work to find the dog who is
(11:51:45 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: we had that happen with one - they wanted jasper but wouldn't work with him due to Jasper's prey drive (they have ducks) and jasper's severe SA. So they instead adopted Gus, a very easy going boy. And they love him
(11:52:08 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: Just like you wouldn't go to any vet, or any car dealership, you sometimes have to shop a few rescues
(11:52:16 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: but you should also shop your breeders
(11:52:47 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: You know what, can you post all that into the fark thread?
(11:52:54 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: cause I essentially just wrote what I would say =P
(11:52:54 AM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: yeah some of the practices people had issue with is some rescues want to come inspect their home
(11:53:00 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: oh thats bullshiat
(11:53:24 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: like we're going to give you a dog without knowing you don't have 10 other dogs in the house, cables lying out for puppies to chew on, antique persian rugs you may not want pissed on, etc
(11:53:42 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: there is a reason for the home visit. It benefits everyone. We get to check and make sure your home is safe and also get to know you in person
(11:53:58 AM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: you are also essentially a stranger
(11:54:02 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: when I did a home visit I spent 90 minutes there, 60 of which was discussing how to integrate their current dog with their new dog, and basic manners training
(11:54:05 AM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: that they may not want in their house
(11:54:07 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: yes, as is the adopter
(11:54:18 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: too bad. They can go elsewhere. Remember, we aren't here for the adopters, we are here for the animals
(11:54:30 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: if you cooperate and don't get your hackles up you will find a rescue who gives you a lifetime of support
(11:55:05 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: but if you expect people to give you a pet based on very little, then you will end up getting from a basic shelter (who won't really know much about the animals personality) and no lifetime support
(11:55:24 AM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: As the family waited, the children sat on the ground and started writing in the dirt with sticks. A volunteer came over, alarmed. He reprimanded them, saying that if a dog sees a stick in a person's hand it will expect that stick to be thrown, and it's not fair to frustrate a dog
(11:55:48 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: People don't realize that the home visit isn't to look for ways to fail them....its to make sure they are ready for the dog, its safe for the dog, and that any questions that may come up prior to adoption get answered
(11:55:51 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: now thats insane
(11:56:44 AM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: oh.. and the rescue refused to adopt to that family because "We had a report of inappropriate behavior by your children"
(11:56:53 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: that is case by case
(11:57:06 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: if we have a case within the past few years of children harming an animal, no way will we give you a dog
(11:57:06 AM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: (The behavior being .. writing in the dirt with sticks)
(11:57:13 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: again, insanity
(11:57:19 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: but again, isolated incidences with one rescue
(11:57:42 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: 99% of rescues do the best they can and want a home where teh dog is loved, given structure and discipline, basic medical care, and treated like a family member
(11:57:43 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: thats it
(11:58:36 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: rescues also make placements with the assumption the animal will be with them for life. When you're talking a decade or more commitment that isn't taken lightly. Lots of rescue dogs come from shelters - we don't want them to end up there again. So if you have to show the rescue that you are a lifetime home, it is for the benefit of the dog and the person
(11:58:50 AM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: Ari Schwartz, a business development manager from Tarrytown, N.Y., and his wife, Lisa, a medical student, ran up against these Jeopardy-like quizzes when they went looking for a shelter dog. After filling out a multi-page online application from a local group, they got a follow-up phone call from a representative who noted they hadn't given the name of their veterinarian. That was because the couple didn't have a dog, Lisa replied. In Joseph Heller-esque fashion, the rep said that in order to adopt, a referral from a veterinarian was necessary. The representative went on to note the group preferred that one owner be home full-time. They also didn't like to give dogs to people who lived in apartments, like the Schwartzes. The couple was told to get a cat. "My wife is deadly allergic to cats," Ari notes. So-surprise!-they decided to go to a breeder. They now have a Shiba Inu named Tofu. "We absolutely love him," Ari
(11:58:50 AM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: says.
another good excerpt from the article
(11:59:22 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: *shrugs* I keep making the same point
(11:59:34 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: untrained volunteers or stupid requirements
(11:59:38 AM) Blair: PECRYPT: very much the exception, not the norm
(12:00:19 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: Many adoption agreements also have a provision mandating that if things don't work out with the pet, you must return it to the group rather than find it another home. Let's call this the Ellen DeGeneres clause. The comedian adopted a Brussels Griffon named Iggy that just couldn't get along with her cats. DeGeneres gave it to her hairdresser, who has two daughters, then aged 11 and 12, and Iggy basked in the love fest. Then someone from the group called to check in with DeGeneres on how Iggy was doing. She told them about the new arrangement. Not only was DeGeneres in breach of contract, the group didn't want Iggy living with any children under age 14. They confiscated the dog.

pure.. insanity.
(12:00:59 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: Not really. Perhaps the rescue new that Iggy wasn't good with young children
(12:01:07 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: rescues make those provisions for a reason
(12:01:14 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: some dogs we won't adopt out to homes with children
(12:01:18 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: and yet Iggy was doing just fine
(12:01:25 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: yes, right then
(12:01:43 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: and if a bite happened 6 months from now? Guess who gets killed because the rescues requirement of no children under 14 wasn't followed?
a
(12:01:54 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: and how does the rescue know the new home is suitable?
(12:02:15 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: what Ellen should have done is conctacted the rescue while she still had Iggy and explain it to them
(12:02:20 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: so a proper transfer could occur
(12:02:35 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: here's the problem - the rescue shouldn't still own that dog. those contracts where the rescue retains ownership and can pull shiat like that is the single biggest turn off of adoptions
(12:02:36 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: instead she created a huge liability issue and possibly put a bite risk dog with children
(12:02:41 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: Too bad
(12:02:42 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: again
(12:02:46 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: and there you go
(12:02:52 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: you just demonstrated the EXACT problematic attitude
(12:02:54 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: again
(12:02:58 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: and by the way
(12:03:01 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: the rescue doesn't own the dog
(12:03:09 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: some of them actually stipulate in their contract that they do
(12:03:17 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: the CONTRACT that the adopter signs says that if they VIOLATE the contract that the dog can be siezed
(12:03:17 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: others just retain the right to take the dog back
(12:03:22 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: do'nt like it, don't sign the farking contract
(12:03:29 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: I don't knwo fo any rescue that retains legal ownership
(12:03:32 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: and in fact I call bullshiat on that
(12:03:50 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: slate isn't known for making stuff up
(12:04:06 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: the own legal ownership they have is if the contract is broken. And that contract means that the animal won't be neglected, won't be left intact, and won't be given to another home without rescue permission
(12:04:12 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: there are likely a few rescues that do it
(12:04:16 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: but jesus christ this is hysteria
(12:04:24 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: a few rescues does not the entire community make
(12:04:34 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: 99% of rescues are people busting their ass to save lives, not make people miserable
(12:04:44 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: and yet you - one of the more reasonable rescuers - are showing some of the problematic attitudes
(12:05:25 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: overly strict standards
(12:05:33 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: and meddling
(12:06:42 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: again, the bottom line is "if you can deal with you we will give you an amazing best friend. If you can't deal with our minor requirements that are for your sake as well as the dogs, then frankly you aren't the adopter we are looking for"
(12:07:02 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: we adopted otu over 200 dogs last year. Our requirements aren't that strenuous
(12:07:12 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: the most strenuous requirement is the home visit
(12:07:52 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: and all we are checking for is to make sure there aren't any major safety issues, the animals currently living there are healthy and happy, and that if they said they have a fenced in backyard/etc they actually have it
(12:08:33 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: people need to understand that there are reasons for these requirements
(12:08:41 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: if rescues wanted to we could give the dogs to the first person who wanted them
(12:08:52 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: but the rescue wants to make sure this is a lifetime home that will make all parties involved happy
(12:09:26 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: considering you are getting a fully-vetted, temperment tested, partially or fully housetrained animal for a damn low fee its pretty amazing
(12:09:32 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: cannot the objectives of the home visit be achieved by just talking to them about safety? some people may want to work with the rescue, but may not want people from the rescue in their house
(12:09:57 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: No. Because what if they don't realize that kitty door leading to the unfenced back yard is a major hazard for the dog?
(12:10:28 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: someone that dumb woudl be going to the pet store
(12:10:32 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: no, not really
(12:10:36 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: rescues are "cheap"
(12:10:42 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: pet stores are expensive as hell
(12:10:51 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: and soem folks are very well meaning but don't know a lot about dogs
(12:11:19 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: what if this is their first dog and they think having christmas decorations at the dogs level is ok because they don't realize how chewey dogs can be?
[off topic content snipped out]
(12:16:23 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: I have to call soemone tommorow mornng though too
(12:16:29 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: for new rattitiude
(12:18:41 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: did you post this convo to fark?
(12:18:53 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: not yet
(12:19:09 PM) hanskazan83: PECRYPT: wasn't sure since i was pointing out where you were showing some of the problem attitudes
(12:19:51 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: I stand by all I said honey
(12:20:01 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: those "problem attitudes" are there for a reason
(12:20:10 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: I believe 100% in what NR does and their policies
(12:20:38 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: the fact that our return rate (about 2.5%) is so low speaks to our quality
(12:20:56 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: I mean, we have an entire Behavioral Mod team here to answer any training or behavior questions for the life of the dog
(12:21:00 PM) Blair: PECRYPT: our rescue is amazing

AlwaysRightBoy: All the rescue places I've been looking at the adoption fee is around $250 to $350. Is this average?

$80 at the Maricopa County Animal Shelter for a dog, including the optional $25 microchipping. And he got a free checkup from a vet (that's at least $40-$60 value).

Kazan: convo about this article w/ my wife she wanted me to post


Next time, ask your wife to summarize instead of giving us her entire 40 minute rant.

A dog is a fine meal.

FirstNationalBastard: So, basically, the same reason so many children don't get adopted is the same reason pets don't get adopted.

The reason why the children adoption is a bit different is that 1)People are too hung up on adopting their own "race" 2) They want a "baby" not older kids. 3) Adopted children were abused horribly historically-thus having the need for regulations. 4) There is still as stigma in being adopted. 5)There are a lot of special need kids. Most people cannot deal with that

/CSB
My Brother and his wife wanted to adopt a dog from a "rescue" place. When it came to the point that the shelter would keep doing "visits" long after the official adoption, he said screw it and went to the local animal shelter and got a mutt.

When they adopted my niece - he said he had far less paperwork than adopting the damn dog.

Seriously, fark all of these "rescue" groups. They're not about rescuing animals at all.

They're the goddamn HOAs of the pet world. Fark them right up the ass.

Home visits? Are you farking kidding me. GTFO!

Please, please, please... go to your local SPCA.

Mrs. Meet and I went to the local SPCA a few days after Christmas. They are damn near GIVING elder cats away. And by elder, they mean like 6 years old. Spayed/Neutered, shots, microchipped, free vet checkup... for less than $20.

Fark those "rescue" groups.

Gig103: Kazan: convo about this article w/ my wife she wanted me to post


Next time, ask your wife to summarize instead of giving us her entire 40 minute rant.

i think you need to learn the definition of that word

a conversation discussing the issue is not a rant.

Darth_Lukecash: My Brother and his wife wanted to adopt a dog from a "rescue" place. When it came to the point that the shelter would keep doing "visits" long after the official adoption, he said screw it and went to the local animal shelter and got a mutt.

When they adopted my niece - he said he had far less paperwork than adopting the damn dog.

less paperwork? bullshiat
overly invasive rescue? yeah.. they exist.


in the convo with my wife above she explains why most of the reasonable ones want to do one home visit.

FirstNationalBastard: So, basically, the same reason so many children don't get adopted is the same reason pets don't get adopted.

Ding ding ding.

This won't help reduce the euthanasia rate, that's for sure.

We used to volunteer for a rescue organization in Arizona. We often "fostered" cats for months at a time. A particularly satisfying effort was the time we had the world's most anti-social terrorist cat and he became a friendly guy again who liked our cats and everybody else.

So now I'm in a Midwestern state and the local rescue places make it HARDER than adopting a kid. You fill out enough paperwork to enlist in the Marines and get your security clearance. And they have brilliant ideas for fostering like "the cat must be kept segregated from all other animals at all times."

Americans over-organize at the drop of a hat resulting in situations where simple good deeds not only go unrewarded but are prevented altogether.

Meet Us at the Stick: Seriously, fark all of these "rescue" groups. They're not about rescuing animals at all.

yes they are. don't be a farking idiot. the one my wife works with as a trainer does extensive behavioral modification of animals that are unable to be homed because of issues - almost always successfully.

Meet Us at the Stick: They're the goddamn HOAs of the pet world. Fark them right up the ass.

that analogy doesn't even make sense.

Meet Us at the Stick: Home visits? Are you farking kidding me. GTFO!

yeah because "hey, we want to stop by your place once to see if we can catch any dangers, or things the animal might destroy, that didn't occur to you" is "GTFO"

(i agree with the GTFO sentiment on the overzealous ones that want to keep visiting)

Meet Us at the Stick: Fark those "rescue" groups.

fark yourself. you make the legitimate objectors look like idiots behaving like that. not all rescues are the overzealous farkwits mentioned in the article. stop acting like they are.

Kazan: convo about this article w/ my wife she wanted me to post

I appreciate you posting that but your wife sometimes exhibits the same problematic attitude I've run into & what's stated in the article. Rescues should stop treating potential adopters as friggin' morons. Just ask us some simple questions about what we know about dogs, why we want a particular dog/breed, etc. The home visits are BS, too. They have the vet records--if it's an unsafe home, the vet records will show that type of ignorance. And just because they visit the home one or twice doesn't mean the home is going to stay there. What if they adopt the dog & then move to an apartment a year later? Or bring home a stray? Or the wife gets pregnant the next day? The environment that exists during the visit is not guaranteed to remain static. In fact, it's stupid to even think it will.

There are plenty of hypotheticals any one of us could come up with and your wife will just come back with, "Fine--go somewhere else". But that's the entire point of the article. If organizations keep copping that attitude, people WILL go somewhere else. If I didn't get that note from my doctor assuring the rescue that I was "emotionally ready" for another dog, I would have just gone to a friggin' breeder.

brigid_fitch: Kazan: convo about this article w/ my wife she wanted me to post

I appreciate you posting that but your wife sometimes exhibits the same problematic attitude I've run into & what's stated in the article. Rescues should stop treating potential adopters as friggin' morons. Just ask us some simple questions about what we know about dogs, why we want a particular dog/breed, etc. The home visits are BS, too. They have the vet records--if it's an unsafe home, the vet records will show that type of ignorance. And just because they visit the home one or twice doesn't mean the home is going to stay there. What if they adopt the dog & then move to an apartment a year later? Or bring home a stray? Or the wife gets pregnant the next day? The environment that exists during the visit is not guaranteed to remain static. In fact, it's stupid to even think it will.

95% of the home visit is to make sure you're not a hoarder (if you never take an animal to the vet, it won't show up on the vet records, will it) of animals or crap. 4% is to help you get ready to bring an animal home. 1% is just to piss you off. ;)

brigid_fitch: I appreciate you posting that but your wife sometimes exhibits the same problematic attitude I've run into

which you'll notice i pointed out to her.

Slives: Was looking at adopting from a Lab rescue group not too long ago, it didn't work out, but I swear I had to fill out more paperwork and give more references (plus the home visit) than I took for me to refi my house.

We went through this as well. We had one tell us they'd turn us down unless we fully screened in all our balconies and promised to never let the dog go unsupervised in a fenced in back yard, because they were afraid a hawk would swoop down and carry the dog away.

Really.

While I'm sure it happens once or twice a year, you'd think there would be more important things for them to worry about than a once in a million shot of an eagle deciding to eat our dog while it takes a dump in the back yard.

KyngNothing: brigid_fitch: Kazan: convo about this article w/ my wife she wanted me to post

I appreciate you posting that but your wife sometimes exhibits the same problematic attitude I've run into & what's stated in the article. Rescues should stop treating potential adopters as friggin' morons. Just ask us some simple questions about what we know about dogs, why we want a particular dog/breed, etc. The home visits are BS, too. They have the vet records--if it's an unsafe home, the vet records will show that type of ignorance. And just because they visit the home one or twice doesn't mean the home is going to stay there. What if they adopt the dog & then move to an apartment a year later? Or bring home a stray? Or the wife gets pregnant the next day? The environment that exists during the visit is not guaranteed to remain static. In fact, it's stupid to even think it will.

95% of the home visit is to make sure you're not a hoarder (if you never take an animal to the vet, it won't show up on the vet records, will it) of animals or crap. 4% is to help you get ready to bring an animal home. 1% is just to piss you off. ;)

I doubt animal hoarding is all that common considering the size of the country's population. It absolutely exists, but not as often as A&E would have us believe. Besides, you can SMELL an animal hoarder (one aunt's home was relatively clean but you could still tell she owned 20 cats once you were within 10 feet of her). And most knowledgeable pet owners don't need to be told how to get ready to bring one home. Like I said, the home visits can be completely done away with just by asking the right questions. You can also watch how someone interacts with the prospective animal whether or not they know what they're doing. Personal interviews, absolutely but home visits are unnecessary.

I put up w/home visits from 3 of the rescue organizations I went through 2 years ago to get my Great Dane and there was nothing they couldn't have gleaned simply by asking questions. Even the one who required a fence, I could have just produced pictures. Just because I have one when they visit doesn't mean it's staying up a week from now. When I finally got the dog, I STILL had to put up w/3 more visits to make sure I was still fit to keep her, on top of phone calls twice a week. I finally put my foot down when they wanted me to let her previous owner visit or call.

Kazan: brigid_fitch: I appreciate you posting that but your wife sometimes exhibits the same problematic attitude I've run into

which you'll notice i pointed out to her.

I did, yes. I also noticed that she completely ignored you pointing it out. :)

Darth_Lukecash: My Brother and his wife wanted to adopt a dog from a "rescue" place. When it came to the point that the shelter would keep doing "visits" long after the official adoption, he said screw it and went to the local animal shelter and got a mutt.

It's an extreme violation of privacy what these people do.

That great big text chat above from someone who thinks their rescue is "reasonable" is proof that they're all insane. I understand they want the dogs and cats to go to good homes, but I really think you can gauge a person without going through their home and treating them like children or criminals.

I was in shock that someone couldn't believe I wasn't going to allow them to come inspect my home so I could adopt an animal. The lady seemed shocked. I cannot believe I was the first person to ever consider that a deal breaker.

Also: while it is nice these rescues provide support and the like, do most people really need lifelong support to have an animal? Growing up, my parents had two dogs, both died of old age. In my life, I had a cat, who passed due to a stroke when she was around 14, a dog that passed due to cancer, and now have two cats and the most support I've ever needed was asking someone else wherever I was living to please clean the cat box or walk the dog for me for whatever reason. And they were all taken in -- from a shelter, from a family that didn't want a dog, and my two cats from elderly women who passed on.

Sorry, but it looks like Percypt is gonna be stuck with some very nice animals. That attitude is absolutely out of line.

Ooh... This is gonna be better than a foodie thread (or a beer-snob thread)

cmunic8r99: Ooh... This is gonna be better than a foodie thread (or a beer-snob thread)

I have the deep dish Chicago Aussie Shep.

R.A.Danny: Sorry, but it looks like Percypt is gonna be stuck with some very nice animals. That attitude is absolutely out of line.

[not sure if serious.jpg]

cmunic8r99: R.A.Danny: Sorry, but it looks like Percypt is gonna be stuck with some very nice animals. That attitude is absolutely out of line.

[not sure if serious.jpg]

Absolutely serious. I have no problem showing that I am a good owner, but that is insulting.

R.A.Danny: cmunic8r99: Ooh... This is gonna be better than a foodie thread (or a beer-snob thread)

I have the deep dish Chicago Aussie Shep.

That's not a real dog like a New York Aussie Shep.

AlwaysRightBoy: R.A.Danny: cmunic8r99: Ooh... This is gonna be better than a foodie thread (or a beer-snob thread)

I have the deep dish Chicago Aussie Shep.

That's not a real dog like a New York Aussie Shep.

Shove it up your ***hole, you damn troll!