View Full Version : Animal Rescue
fidgiegirl
5-30-12, 10:35pm
Argh, as some of you saw in the Pit Bull thread, DH and I are thinking of getting a second dog. I am having some issues with not knowing if rescues are truly reliable. Now, I go to actually fill out an application (since you need to have an approved application at many rescues first) and it is ETERNAL. It's longer than some of the job applications I've been filling out, or at least feels like it. Where is the balance? I understand rescues want to choose good homes, but oh. my. gosh. It just feels so intrusive. I guess I haven't worked in a rescue group and I'm sure many people take on dogs who shouldn't (that's why we have rescue groups in the first place, partially . . . ) . . . but ok. Vent over. But I ain't fillin' it out. At least not tonight . . .
ETA: I mean rescue groups. Cuz I think some people are tryin' to get on the rescue bandwagon and just sell dogs.
fidgiegirl
5-30-12, 10:42pm
Ok, I just looked at another one from another group that I know to be on the up-and-up through a friend and theirs was more reasonable. It's a good lesson in form design, perhaps? Just to shorten it up!! And ask the very most important questions!!
iris lily
5-30-12, 11:09pm
We actually call references. I'm not the caller, but our rescue coordinator does the calling. Apparently we've had several people recently volunteer to be foster homes but they had dodgy past experiences with dogs, according to their references.
Miss Cellane
5-30-12, 11:19pm
Been there. I wanted another cat after my older cat died last spring. All the cat rescues and the Humane Society in my area had 6-7 page applications. You had to state if the cat would be indoor, outdoor or indoor/outdoor, if you were going to declaw, if you were going to spay/neuter. You had to agree to a home visit. If you currently had pets, you had to give your vet as a reference. Then you had to give three unrelated people as other references. And provide proof that you own your home or that your landlord allows cats. I'm sure a lot of the questions were designed to weed out people who would treat cats poorly, but still--page after page of questions? It was not any one question or requirement that bothered me--they all seemed reasonable, taken one by one. But all together?
Intrusive is not the word. I do realize that they are trying to screen out potentially bad pet owners, but three references, a vet *and* a home visit? That's where I felt things started to go over the top. Maybe a home visit and a vet reference? Or a vet reference and two other references? I could deal with that. But seven pages of questions to fill out and all the visits/references? It just seemed all too much.
I did go ahead and fill out one application. And was rejected on the basis of the application. No one ever called my three references. Maybe they called my vet? All I know is that I got an email telling me the application was rejected. When I questioned why, thinking that there was some small matter that I could clear up, I was told that it was not their policy to give out that information, because then I could change things to fit their requirements. And the problem with that is?
Completely turned me off these "rescue" organizations. I was willing to pay $150 and let my friends be pestered as references and allow some stranger into my home to see if I'm a fit cat owner and you won't even tell me what mistake I made on the application? No wonder they have cats that have been waiting for three years for their "forever" home.
I'm just going to wait until another stray shows up and take it in.
iris lily
5-30-12, 11:33pm
Just a couple of years ago I found myself completing an application at one of the Humane Societies and was turned down for an adoption. oh, it's a long story, but I had fallen for a little dachshund at one rescue event I attended as part of the Bulldog group. I was so busy trying to think how to answer by dodging the truth on one question (how many pets have you had over the past 5 years? how many of them do you have now?) that I forgot and gave an honest answer about how many pets I currently had. While I had only 2 dogs and one of them quite elderly, I did have some cats. In my little mind only the dogs count toward the legal limit but cats DO count.
The reason why I was trying to dodge the "5 years ago" question is that honestly, hell, I don't remember. My menopause brain coupled with the fact that we take in lots of senior citizen dogs in a breed that doesn't live a long time, well--gosh I don't know how many pets I've had in the past 5 years, not without notes and calendars. So they turned me down, but that was really ok with me. That little dog was a doll and I know that he got a home. This particular Humane Society shows only the cute, adoptable ones.
As far as cats, I know that one should always reply that cats will be indoor only, but the organization may be accepting of declawing. Me, I NEVER declaw but because I end up with other people's pets, I have had a fair number of declawed cats. OTOH I have, off and on, let my cats out. At the moment we've got indoor-only cats who show no interest in going outside.
I don't think all rescues are that bad, or that they need to be. I've browsed PetFinders, and the applications seem to run about a page. Friends of mine have had excellent luck with the Portland Humane Society--in fact one of them just adopted a cat there this week, and I don't believe there were references or a visit involved. I understand the need for caution, but not to the extent that you're driving people away in droves. I would be disinclined to allow a home visit, personally. I'm half-hoping for another stray at my doorstep, as well. Preferably a cat (Siamese type, a couple of years old...hint to universe).
iris lily
5-30-12, 11:47pm
We always do a home visit for the rescue bulldogs. I've done a few of them, just want to make sure that that fenced yard really does exist.
One of my cats came from a similar rescue group. At the time, I was moderately annoyed by the invasive form, but the cat had chosen me, so I had no real option. ;) My last dog, however, came from the city shelter. I suppose I might go through the process again if I found a specific animal I really wanted, but I would probably try the shelter again first.
Yes, same for cats here, too, Kellie - long forms, including at the Humane Society. I've not had to give personal references, though, as one comment noted above.
DD and I visit a cat shelter regularly and, sadly, many of their cats are adopted and then returned at some point - from months to years! later. And it's almost always not the cat's fault. The quick returns, within 2-4 weeks, are allowed per the contract and are understandable, generally due to unknown allergies or conflicts among the pets in the home. No, the long-term returns are due to things like moving and not wanting to take a pet. In some cases, it may be unavoidable, but...
This results in a cat that may have been quite young at time of adoption (the young ones are adopted most quickly) coming back as an adult, possibly with some bad habits, and then remaining at the shelter for a much longer time. It is sad to see.
So I can see why they want to get an idea of how responsible a prospective pet owner is.
fidgiegirl
5-31-12, 8:28am
So I can see why they want to get an idea of how responsible a prospective pet owner is.
Me, too, which is why I feel a tad guilty over starting this thread. Actually, I would be alarmed if a group had ZERO questions for the new owner. But this particular group I think has just a poorly laid-out form. Another group didn't want so many open-ended answers, they at least had some more multiple-choice type ones that you could cruise through but they still got their info.
One place wanted a groomer's reference, and I just couldn't get my head over the fact that though we have a good dog that we care for well, he's not a groomed dog . . . so we wouldn't be able to provide it. So I never inquired about the dog. What are they thinking when they do things like that? They don't think, "oh, not everyone has ever had call to use a groomer, but maybe their vet could also vouch for the way they care for a dog, so let's put down a few examples of who might serve as an appropriate reference."
But I'm an oddball as far as the extent of my interest in survey design, too . . . :P There's a lot of abandonment if questions are poorly or confusingly written.
If I was a cat owner I'd likely be inclined to go the same route as you guys, since there are so many cats in the world everywhere. But dogs are a tad more difficult to come across (though far from impossible - my parents have never paid for a dog in their lives, or had to go to any shelters or rescues to get them - and they've had a large number) so I feel stuck either working with a rescue group or going with a private party. I guess I could do that but I had such good luck with my current dog that I always envisioned working with a rescue again. I could go back to that group . . . they didn't make me do some huge amazing form . . . did visit my house, and chat with me about much of the content that would have been on said form, and that was fine and all is well.
I went to the shelter for the first time yesterday, by Como, and it stunk so bad I couldn't believe it, because it looked clean, but my-oh-my, the smell. And then the 15-year-old-ish volunteer wouldn't let me in to meet any dogs because I joked that I really probably shouldn't take one home because my DH doesn't want one that sheds. "I really can't open the cage if you aren't interested in adopting." It took me a few minutes to figure out what was even happening, that she had taken my comment to mean that I didn't want a dog at all. So while I was puzzling out her reaction, I just left. Sheesh.
I'm gaining a new appreciation for how people end up going over to PetLand and plunking down money for a cute little puppy and taking it home. Though don't worry, it won't come to that.
*Sigh* It will all work out in the end . . .
The shelter that we go to is actually a cat rescue org - they operate a very nicely maintained no-kill shelter, in addition to having cats for adoption at a pet store and in foster care with individuals. I've never been to a shelter that is free of animal odors, though - just so many animals in a relatively small space. DH and I used to volunteer at a no-kill shelter in AZ. So many people needed to keep them running!
If you look at the local humane society's web page, you can see all the dogs at the different locations, and narrow down the ones that might interest you. The other facilities aren't actually that far from St Paul. Also, I know that volunteers walk the dogs from the St Paul AHS around Como Park - maybe becoming a volunteer would be a good option for meeting more dogs/deciding if you really want another one.
iris lily
5-31-12, 10:32am
fidgie I know that you will be a GREAT great great home for a dog, so hang in there. In fact, I think that you need TWO additional dogs, haha. I think that you are looking at large-ish dogs and that's great, they are harder to place I think. The black ones, especially are hard to place.
I have to admit I bought one of my favorite cats (a gorgeous deep orange calico Manx mix with gooseberry green eyes and the plushest fur ever--not to mention a loyal, mischievous spirit), at a pet store (back when "shelters" were unbearable holes proudly displaying their kill count). I might do it again, as cats don't seem to be subject to the nasty breeding practices puppy mills employ.
I have to say, with all the "thou shalts" and "thou shalt nots" put forth by rescue organizations, I have a friend who figuratively thumbs her nose at them. She always has her animals neutered, but after that it's only vet visits for emergencies. She lives on a busy thoroughfare with an indoor/outdoor policy (and a fenced yard) and doesn't bother with fancy diets. Her cats regularly live to twenty years or so with no chronic illnesses while all my cats--all but one indoor only--suffered from lingering health problems in the end. There's something to be said for vitamin D and fresh air and an absence of questionable vaccines, flea treatments, etc., IMO.
fidgiegirl
5-31-12, 6:10pm
fidgie I know that you will be a GREAT great great home for a dog, so hang in there. In fact, I think that you need TWO additional dogs, haha. I think that you are looking at large-ish dogs and that's great, they are harder to place I think. The black ones, especially are hard to place.
LOL, thanks a lot, Iris Lily - especially because I want Missy (http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21356539) and Cookie (http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21497004), who have to be placed together. If only I could convince DH . . .
My current dog, Corky, is black and I got him when he was 6 (at the time, I thought 5.5, but turned out to be 6 - I got all his records with a birth month on them). He would not have been our first choice if we'd made a list. Good thing DH wasn't around at the time to have veto power!! :) And now he loves Corky to death, even with the mountains of black hair we're pulling out of him right now. He's a sweet boy.
Here's my favorite pic of Corky in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. He loved that trip, but I don't know if his hip pain will allow another trip up there.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5248/5379561944_a3af53279f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/5379561944/)
IMG_4490 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/5379561944/) by fidgiegirl (http://www.flickr.com/people/7733846@N05/), on Flickr
Rosemary, I like your idea of being a dog walker. I will give that some thought.
treehugger
5-31-12, 6:38pm
As someone who is actively involved in animal rescue, I want to give a slightly different perspective on the application/home visit/approval process. It's not just about trying to make sure that the new adopters will treat the animal well, but also a long, involved process makes sure this is not an "impulse purchase" and greatly lessens the chance that the animal will be returned. "Bounce backs" are a big problem for rescue groups and everyone involved would rather the animal go to the right home the first time. It is stressful for the animal and a waste of valuable resources to have to re-home an animal that has already been adopted once.
That said, it's of course a good idea to try another rescue group if you don't like the vibe they are putting out or if you feel they are wasting your time. There is no governance for how private rescue groups operate, so there will be good ones and bad ones.
The best ones put the animals' welfare first, and in your dealing with them, you should be able to tell if that's the case.
Good luck finding your new dog!
Kara
Missy and Cookie have my vote. Sharpen your negotiation skills and go for it!
You persuaded me to call on Missy and Cookie, but no call back yet :(
I finally figured out you pretty much have to do the application to even talk about or see dogs with most places. So I finally did one. The longest one, the one that got me started on this thread. :P
I tried to find groups that said they didn't buy at puppy mill auctions, but couldn't. So I am resigned to give up on that point.
At least this group has a large variety of dogs, I figured I should start with ONE group and try to work with them first to find a candidate. So I wanted the pool of candidates to be large.
Wish us luck . . . they have a few I would be interested in. But our schedule requires a dog that can hold it for up to 9 hours . . . some can, some can't. We shall see. Hopefully the group is ready to work with us. If not, it will be on to the next one . . .
Nine hours? Oh dear. That barely sounds possible, let alone healthy. Isn't there some way you could use something like a cat box? If Missy and Cookie have poodle forebears, I'd be amazed if they're even fully housebroken. In my experience, there's a reason the name comes from the German pudel (puddle).
9 hours does seem like a long time. Is there any way you could use puppy pads or have someone come by mid-day to take them out? Having a mid-day break might also be a plus with the rescue organizations.
fidgiegirl
6-2-12, 10:56am
I'm sure there are options, but it does rule out dogs that have to go out every two hours on a schedule or something like that. It's been a little better this year that we can stagger our leaving times, like I leave a litter later than my husband, so the time is generally more like 7.5 hours.
I used to do summaries of questionaire's for a huge organization the IRS. One of their data gathering documents was so unprofessional and poorly designed that the data was all but useless. Note that this document was copied (rather poorly) and used year after year and was given to a seminar full of lawyers. I finally got so mad that I redesigned the whole form and submitted it to the head of the office. He tried to hire me but a Grade 5 salary does not go far in New York City.
Some of these organziations have volunteers with little business experience trying to solicit info. It may look unprofessional and long but it might be the best they can think of. You might consider providing them a better document and suggest they would find it easier on both ends to work with such a form.
fidgiegirl
8-3-12, 11:12pm
Well, all, I wanted to resurrect this thread. Perhaps I should just start a new one. I started this one end of May/early June, applied with a rescue group at that time. Between the application and arranging the home visit, that took two weeks, then my husband went on his annual two week fishing trip, so we met no dogs. When he was back, we had about two weeks of being home so we thought maybe we could meet dogs at that time and perhaps the rescue would hold them while we went on another trip. Turns out they would have, but they took so long answering us that we never met any dogs then, either. Now that we're home I've inquired again about 3 dogs and have had no answer in 3 days. I only have contact information for one person. I am losing patience and ready to start the process again with another group. But then I tell myself that's silly and not fair, we were out of town for a lot of this time - that wasn't the rescue group's fault!!
I'm trying really, REALLY hard to remember that it is volunteers who are staffing these organizations. But I'm also frustrated that the group we chose writes really poor listings on Petfinder, generally, leaving lots of unanswered questions that force us to bother the poor placement coordinator every time we're interested in a dog, and she's our only contact at the group. I don't want to waste the foster's time in meeting the dog if I can know it won't be a good candidate for our home based on a few simple pieces of information (do they know if it does well with other dogs? small children? housebroken?). Simple stuff!
That's the update!
It's not you, Fidgiegirl:
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/heavy_petting/2012/01/animal_rescue_want_to_adopt_a_dog_or_cat_prepare_f or_an_inquisition_.single.html.
When we were looking for a cat, all I could find were sick ones at shelters, and when we were looking for a dog the only "small" one was a basset hound. Since we wanted a hiking dog, it was no dice. Best of luck!
I used to volunteer at a no-kill shelter. They had such restrictive policies they only very slowly adopted out pets. It took WEEKS for them to process an application. It was absurd and so frustrating for me to watch these animals linger because they wouldn't let cats outside, as example. So if you stated you'd let the cat out, you were excluded. Personally, I think quality of the animal's life is one consideration but all this shelter cares about was animal will be completely safe from all threats for its entire life and animal will not show back up at this shelter. If there was any hint in the application that any of the above would happen, person was excluded.
You can get a good animal at the SPCA. The people who are iffy owners should go through that 3rd degree from those shelters because they are either oblivious or don't care anyway.
Too bad the no-kill shelters were so slow on the uptake with you. Summer would have been a perfect time to adopt and get acquainted with a new dog. Now it's nearly over...
I adopted all of my animals from the local humane society (kitten and 6 y.o. dog). Unless things have changed, I don't really remember much of an application process. Might you consider the one in the Twin Cities area? The dog and cat were/are wonderful pets. As a bonus, the dog was already fully trained and housebroken (previous owners were moving).
If you are looking to adopt a specific breed, then I think a rescue group is the way to go. But they are staffed by volunteers and sometimes it takes a long time to find a dog that is a good fit. And in some cases they have a long list of people who have applied to adopt dogs through them and they often work on a first come, first served basis. Two of our dogs came through a breed-specific rescue and it took a lot of work (and patience) on our part to adopt, but it was totally worth it. Our third dog came to us through private rescue and we lucked out by being in the right place at the right time.
A few things that you might need to take into consideration. If you have been traveling a lot, the rescue group may not consider you to be an ideal family to adopt unless you have made it clear to them what happens to the dog when you travel. They may be slow in responding because they are concerned that you are going to simply board the dog in a kennel for weeks at a time while you are traveling. We made it very clear to our rescue group that our dogs are never boarded and either travel with us or we don't go. On the off chance that we must travel without our dogs, they stay with family members and are never boarded. This was very important to our rescue group because our dogs had suffered abuse and/or neglect and being confined to a kennel at a traditional boarding facility would be very traumatic for them. Also, it is entirely possible that the placement coordinator does not have the answers to your questions and has to contact the foster family to get the info. You may find that contacting the foster family actually gets you info faster and, also, since most people who foster are often fostering multiple dogs they may have a dog that is about to go on the available list that is perfect for you and they will give you a heads up in advance if they have already had contact with you.
I hope that helps (and that I didn't sound too critical -- definitely not my intention). Good luck and thank you for opening your home to a rescue animal!!!
fidgiegirl
8-4-12, 11:04am
My eyes popped open this morning and I thought, ew, what a jerky post I made about rescue! It wasn't very realistic to think that if we were going to be out of town we would be able to move ahead during that time.
Thanks, all . . . either we'll wait it out or go with someone else . . . we are committed to rescue.
My eyes popped open this morning and I thought, ew, what a jerky post I made about rescue! It wasn't very realistic to think that if we were going to be out of town we would be able to move ahead during that time.
Thanks, all . . . either we'll wait it out or go with someone else . . . we are committed to rescue.
fidgie I know you are a great home and I truly hope that you get TWO dogs, not one. IT is much harder to place two togehter in one house, so if you are willing to take two at a time that is great!
fidgiegirl
8-4-12, 11:23am
We have looked at two bonded pairs but neither worked out. I do have it in mind, tho! :)
As soon as I checked my email I saw a super nice message from my contact. So we forge ahead. And with no trips on the horizon, I'm hopeful!
try2bfrugal
8-4-12, 11:57am
I personally refused to do the whole 17 page application thing to just look at a dog we may not even want. I also found one dog on petfinder who looked cute but the rescue made no mention of any health issues. Then I later found out they were using the dog as a poster dog for a fund drive to get money to pay for all of its vet bills. So they want a 17 page application from us yet they were not even forthcoming about the dog's major health issues?
I noticed that many of the rescue groups in our area go in regularly to the pound and pick up all of the puppies and most adoptable dogs. Then they basically hold the dogs hostage while you fill out 17 pages forms and they charge much higher fees than the pound does. Some wanted hundreds of dollars in fees and then said you would have to come back to get the dog weeks later after it had all of its shots or neuter operation. I can see where rescues would want to be careful about pet owners, but after looking for a dog for a few months I became skeptical about how some of these groups operated. Some of the leaders seemed a bit daft and some seemed to be in it for the money.
What we did instead is we found a rescue nearby with a one page form and a 30 minute interview, and just checked there regularly for several months and watched the dogs every day and talked about what we wanted. Then the whole family went in one day for the interview, spent time with a few dogs and actually ended up with a different little guy that we went in for. But he is a sweetheart and it was worth the wait.
... Some of the leaders seemed a bit daft and some seemed to be in it for the money.
....
You are right, anyone can set up any dog biz and call it "rescue."
Here in this state there is control, however, on who can get dogs out of shelters. To do that you have to be licensed by the State Department of Ag. While that doesn't ensure a lot, it is at least something. Another thing to look for is a 501c3 designation, another "something" to control excessive profit.
We had a problem in a nearby midwestern city (deliberately being vague about geography) where a household was taking in dogs when they were affiliated with a national groups, essentially selling them and turning a profit. Took a while to cut them loose from the national organization.
And honestly, I will have to say that our local bulldog club came out in the financial black over several years of doing minimal rescue. We would take in 2 -3 dogs per year and end up netting a couple hundred bucks. But that wasn't the goal, it's just how the finances fell out.
Now that the rescue group I work with is entirely separate from our dog club and we are dedicated to real rescue, we are constantly in need of funds. We do surgeries on dogs for $$$$ and adoption fees just do not cover that.
try2bfrugal
8-4-12, 4:02pm
Here in this state there is control, however, on who can get dogs out of shelters. To do that you have to be licensed by the State Department of Ag. While that doesn't ensure a lot, it is at least something. Another thing to look for is a 501c3 designation, another "something" to control excessive profit.
That is a good tip about the 503c designation. I will keep that in mind in the future to differentiate between the real rescues and the dog version of crazy cat ladies. I do not think it is right for our local tax payer funded pounds to let individuals who just live in regular houses come in and adopt all of the puppies and well behaved, healthy looking dogs and then charge much higher fees than the pound or require 17 page forms to even look at a dog. Some of the people I talked to on the phone sounded a bit nutty and when they said things like they had 200 dogs at a private residence. It just didn't seem like that would be healthy for any of the dogs or should even be legal.
The place we ended up adopting is a major animal rescue with their own building and a board of directors, so I am sure they are a legally designated nonprofit.
After another four days or I've heard back with the adoption status of four different dogs we're interested in. I am now so confused - if one person has applied for the dog, does that mean we should ask to look at it, or not? The contact says (nicely, though, mind) that all they know about a given dog is already on the website, but it doesn't even say where they came from (they must know that, did they get them out of a pound, from a puppy mill, an owner surrender?), is the dog housebroken, etc. One the guys we inquired about clearly has a skin condition - what about that? A lot of the descriptions just talk about how wonderful and cute and cuddly the animal is. I feel like a crabby pants if I point this fact out to her. I know no one is perfect, and we don't expect that . . . just want to know the basics if known to the rescue group.
I am going to see if DH does want to meet the two who are available (both so sweet), even though we don't know much about one of them. And if it works out, great. And if not, I think we're moving on to a different group.
After another four days or I've heard back with the adoption status of four different dogs we're interested in. I am now so confused - if one person has applied for the dog, does that mean we should ask to look at it, or not? The contact says (nicely, though, mind) that all they know about a given dog is already on the website, but it doesn't even say where they came from (they must know that, did they get them out of a pound, from a puppy mill, an owner surrender?), is the dog housebroken, etc. One the guys we inquired about clearly has a skin condition - what about that? A lot of the descriptions just talk about how wonderful and cute and cuddly the animal is. I feel like a crabby pants if I point this fact out to her. I know no one is perfect, and we don't expect that . . . just want to know the basics if known to the rescue group.
I am going to see if DH does want to meet the two who are available (both so sweet), even though we don't know much about one of them. And if it works out, great. And if not, I think we're moving on to a different group.
As example of rescue practices, here is the description of my current foster dog:
http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/showdog.pl?id=4189
It does accentuate his positives but it tells the facts. This dog CANNOT be fed food with corn--he loses hair and gets skin sores. His last adoptive home didn't follow the food regime and he developed open sores. And that is annoying because, in my mind, someone prior to them spent the $$$ to analyze his skin condition. The adoptive home should have had more respect for that food directive. However, following the regime--he's just fine. Here at my house he is all healed up.
He is also a doofus--his brain is full of rocks. But nowhere in our description do we say "this is a smart bulldog!" ha ha. He is really very sweet and is a typical bulldog, goofy and loving, just a big puppy.
If you want more details, we'd give them to you on the phone once we approved your application for him. You would come and meet him. You could get more questions answered then. Meeting him doesn't obligate you to adopt him.
That how it works with us, anyway.
I personally refused to do the whole 17 page application thing to just look at a dog we may not even want. ....
Certainly that's your choice, but you make the application ONCE with the organization, and then it can be used with many dog prospects.
A home visit and vet rerferences is the essential minimum.
fidgiegirl
8-7-12, 10:54am
As example of rescue practices, here is the description of my current foster dog:
http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/showdog.pl?id=4189
It does accentuate his positives but it tells the facts. This dog CANNOT be fed food with corn--he loses hair and gets skin sores. His last adoptive home didn't follow the food regime and he developed open sores. And that is annoying because, in my mind, someone prior to them spent the $$$ to analyze his skin condition. The adoptive home should have had more respect for that food directive. However, following the regime--he's just fine. Here at my house he is all healed up.
He is also a doofus--his brain is full of rocks. But nowhere in our description do we say "this is a smart bulldog!" ha ha. He is really very sweet and is a typical bulldog, goofy and loving, just a big puppy.
If you want more details, we'd give them to you on the phone once we approved your application for him. You would come and meet him. You could get more questions answered then. Meeting him doesn't obligate you to adopt him.
That how it works with us, anyway.
I wish. Some of the descriptions, maybe 50% from this group, are that detailed. I like it when groups clearly have a template, because I would guess several volunteers write the descriptions, so that everyone knows what to include. Like you said, it doesn't have to be gloom and doom, but for example, we're not taking a puppy mill former breed stock dog. We're not home enough to give it what it would generally need. So we wouldn't want to waste the rescue group volunteers' time arranging a meeting for a dog from a puppy mill.
We are going to meet some of the dogs we inquired about anyway, though. We can ask the foster families our questions, and really, it takes meeting the dog anyway to know if it's a fit. And overall? I think I'm stressing out too much about this. Clearly this group moves A LOT of dogs, or we wouldn't be having aaaaaaany trouble meeting whoever we wanted. So that's a good thing!
Your boy, BTW? Sounds EXACTLY like the "hunka hunka burnin' love" that's in the description. :)
You are right about the mill dogs. Hell, WE in rescue don't like taking mill dogs. They often have poor social skills and nonexistent bathroom skills. They are hard to place. We are all about being able to place dogs in typical homes.
I've had two mill dogs though, and they were both well socialized, although on the shy side. But both were sugar-sweet with dogs and humans and were not overly shy.
Reading this exchange makes me appreciate the Oregon Humane Society even more than I already do. I have several friends who have volunteered and adopted dogs and cats there, and their operation seems to be vastly better-run than the ones you're dealing with. Consider this a shameless plug. http://www.oregonhumane.org/
try2bfrugal
8-7-12, 11:56am
Certainly that's your choice, but you make the application ONCE with the organization, and then it can be used with many dog prospects.
A home visit and vet rerferences is the essential minimum.
Just some food for thought, but the long form might be actually turning away some great prospective dog owners and sending them to buy a breeder dog outright instead. An executive making $400 an hour would think twice about getting a rescue if it took all Saturday to fill out forms just to even look at a dog when he could go buy a $300 dog from a breeder in less time. The long forms may not be a good use of time for the prospective adoptive families who are in the best place financially to support and take care of a dog.
In my metro area there are probably 100 - 200 different rescue organizations each with their own set of forms. The forms may be once per rescue, but for the people who look on pet finders it often a set of forms per dog since the dogs on there come from all different rescues groups.
If you are looking for a dog, I would think it would be more productive to get to know one or two good rescue organizations in your area. Talk to them and take some time. Looking thru a catalog, which is what Petfinder is, can leave more questions. There are far more good dogs out there than even make it on Petfinder. If you know the organization and trust thier judgements and get to know how they handle thier fosters, it will make it a much better fit.
decemberlov
8-7-12, 3:04pm
If you are looking for a dog, I would think it would be more productive to get to know one or two good rescue organizations in your area. Talk to them and take some time. Looking thru a catalog, which is what Petfinder is, can leave more questions. There are far more good dogs out there than even make it on Petfinder. If you know the organization and trust thier judgements and get to know how they handle thier fosters, it will make it a much better fit.
This is such a great suggestion! I wish I got to know the rescue group better when I adopted my pup. I found her through a posting on craigslist, I was naive and did not do the proper research on the actually rescue before I adopted. Their application process was fairly simple and I had a quick home visit and that was it. I spent $300 on adoption costs which was suppose to cover he vaccinations, etc. I was told that the rescues would mail me the vaccination records, they were never received. I called and emailed over 20 times asking for them when finally they told me "sorry we sent them to you and unfortunately we don't keep copies, that was the only one we had" so I was basically left with no option but to get the vaccinations since I couldn't be certain she really had them. I also found out later that my dog was crated almost 24/7 for the 1st 5 months of her life...which made it nearly impossible to house train her. She is 3 now and finally almost fully house broken, which was incredibly stressful and took soooo much work!! (more than normal since she was a-ok with going where she slept and ate...which is usually pretty much instinct not to do, but she just didn't know any better)
I'd say it definitely pays to do your homework on not only the dog but the rescue organization as well. I also think some of these applications are purposely detailed and time consuming to weed out those that are very serious about adopting.
try2bfrugal
8-7-12, 4:20pm
I'd say it definitely pays to do your homework on not only the dog but the rescue organization as well. I also think some of these applications are purposely detailed and time consuming to weed out those that are very serious about adopting.
I don't disagree with weeding out people who would not make good pet owners, but there has to be some point at which the process starts turning away families that would otherwise provide great homes. Would you fill out a thousand page application? Five hundred pages? Thirty-four pages? At what point does it stop being a screening process and start becoming a barrier that weeds out potentially good adoptive homes?
Honestly, unless you're talking about purebred high-end specimens, all dogs and cats are rescue animals. A lot of companion animals in my circle have been strays. I bought one from a pet store (she was a wonderful cat!), one from a private party, and found another couple in my front yard. Given a choice, I'd rather not be grilled or visited at home, but I understand why it's done.
Guess what!
We are meeting Cora (http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/23631886) and Augustus (http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/23703585) tomorrow night.
I'm leaning toward Cora, but a lot could change that - Corky's reaction to each of them, and if we learn more details that are dealbreakers. But her picture has me twitterpated! And Augustus is a cutie, too.
Wish us luck!!!
dado potato
8-8-12, 7:55pm
Forms Design is an an art that I support. An "Eternal" form is suggestive of a service provider who has much to learn.
Still and all, my laptop (Norwegian Forest Cat) came into my hands in violation of all the rules and protocols of a certain rescue organization. They do their thing, I do mine.
Guess what!
We are meeting Cora (http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/23631886) and Augustus (http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/23703585) tomorrow night.
I'm leaning toward Cora, but a lot could change that - Corky's reaction to each of them, and if we learn more details that are dealbreakers. But her picture has me twitterpated! And Augustus is a cutie, too.
Wish us luck!!!
Those dogs are too cute to be legal!!!! I an always attracted to shi-tzus
Don't forget to bring two carriers...:cool:
try2bfrugal
8-8-12, 10:14pm
Good luck Kelli.
Hope you find the dog you're looking for!
Hope you find the dog you're looking for!
Even better, the dog(s) looking for you! http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/artists/viannen/viannen_03.gif http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/artists/viannen/viannen_03.gif
We met them. They are both super sweet. We are going to have a think on it, but the very fact that we have to have a think on it makes me think maybe they are not the dogs for us. But then again, I tend to overthink EVERYTHING! If I could, I'd take both!! But I have to remind myself that the foster parents will not (nor the dog that isn't selected) be hurt by us choosing one of the two.
It's hard to know when you're choosing a pet. Sometimes you just have to go with a gut feeling. Ask the foster owner many questions, and perhaps you can bring your dog to meet the most likely candidate in a neutral place to see how they get along?
P.S. major overthinker here, too. And after my painstaking precision of determining any big decision I can count on at least one sleepless night while I ponder all other possible outcomes of the decision.
Corky did come, and he was more interested in Augustus, and Augustus was more interested in him than Cora was. She was sweet but not interested in Corky, really.
Cora has a heart murmur (recently detected) and they are not sure if she is spayed. Both fosters were brand new to it and the place was BUSY so no staff really around. I wonder if they would require to verify that she is spayed. She's 10! Seems pretty pointless!
Augustus has a lot of hair missing and they are not sure why. He is getting baths and is less itchy now. They thought it might have been from being penned up in a hot place. :( He goes back to the doc on Saturday.
Both super calm and super sweet. Really really sweet!!!!!
My parents (father, really) had a shih tzu and a lhasa apso...I bet if you look them up, you'll find they are susceptible to skin problems (fungal infections). They're cold-weather dogs, so you'll probably want to keep them clipped to combat these.
Following your gut is always a good idea.
No rush, think it over, and go to visit them again later. Two visits is a perfectly reasonable thing to do. Skin problems could mean many things. Low allergen foods are a good place to start.
fidgiegirl
8-9-12, 10:18pm
My parents (father, really) had a shih tzu and a lhasa apso...I bet if you look them up, you'll find they are susceptible to skin problems (fungal infections). They're cold-weather dogs, so you'll probably want to keep them clipped to combat these.
Following your gut is always a good idea.
It would make sense that he didn't get groomed in some time, perhaps precipitating the infection, although his behaviors point to having been an inside dog at sometime. He came recently from Indiana, but not sure exactly why. Foster dad said they have been bathing every other day with special shampoo, but no meds otherwise. He has vet appt. on Sat. We could go back and see him again then and take him if everything checks out ok.
fidgiegirl
8-11-12, 8:13pm
Guess who came home today!!
Mr. Augustus!!!
Photos later tonight . . .
He's getting along OK with our resident dog. Resident dog is not really sure about this yet, but I think ultimately he will like it.
This dog plays! We need to have toys for him! (Resident dog is a lump. A sweet, loyal lump, but a lump.)
He got the all clear on his health, we just have to keep bathing him with a special shampoo as his skin continues to heal and hair grows back in.
He's a sweet boy!
And, and! I had kind of put the therapy animal idea aside with the mental trouble I was having with the incomplete descriptions - i was focused on finding out the most crucial info. But it looks, so far and what we've heard from the foster mom (who cried when we took him!) that he would have the right disposition. He has just about zero training, but a sweet disposition :)
Wonderful! Congratulations!
All dogs are therapy dogs, one way or the other. http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/artists/connie/connie_08.gif Congratulations on your new boy!
What kind of shampoo are you using?
fidgiegirl
8-11-12, 10:02pm
Not sure re: shampoo - they sent home something from the vet. It's helping so far, foster mom says.
fidgiegirl
8-12-12, 10:27am
As promised! We had a good night overnight. Little dog already took over big dog's bed. Ay ay ay.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8423/7765878544_9870fe2589.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7765878544/)
IMG_1748 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7765878544/) by fidgiegirl (http://www.flickr.com/people/7733846@N05/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8421/7765875012_2a8d644164.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7765875012/)
IMG_1749 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7765875012/) by fidgiegirl (http://www.flickr.com/people/7733846@N05/), on Flickr
Cute doggie.
Looks like a case of the mange at the base of the tail?
fidgiegirl
8-12-12, 12:52pm
Looks like a case of the mange at the base of the tail?
They said no, that they tested him for it and they are not sure why the hair fell out. It is growing back. Hopefully they are right!
rosarugosa
8-12-12, 5:47pm
Congratulations on the new addition to your family, Kelli! He is very cute!
fidgiegirl
8-12-12, 7:25pm
Thanks everybody!
Wildflower
8-13-12, 2:27am
As promised! We had a good night overnight. Little dog already took over big dog's bed. Ay ay ay.
Is big dog ok with that?
He is ADORABLE!! :)
Congratulations, Kelli! He's a cutie!
fidgiegirl
8-13-12, 5:54pm
Is big dog ok with that?
LOL, surprisingly Big Dog just gave me a look like "Moooooom . . . . he took my bed." It was quite comical. The comedy was enhanced by the fact that Gus was scent rolling all over in the bed like a little squirmy worm. He was RELISHING the occupancy of said big bed!!!
Wildflower
8-14-12, 12:20am
LOL, surprisingly Big Dog just gave me a look like "Moooooom . . . . he took my bed." It was quite comical. The comedy was enhanced by the fact that Gus was scent rolling all over in the bed like a little squirmy worm. He was RELISHING the occupancy of said big bed!!!
A word of advice - don't let new dog take over too much. He needs to respect big dog and his territory, including his bed, food bowls, etc. or big problems can ensue. You may think big dog won't retaliate, but really any dog will eventually when pushed too much. Ask how I know - been there, done that and it wasn't pretty. Introduction between two dogs new to each other needs to go slow and easy for a very long time, with great deference to the dog that originally lives in the house. And no matter how well you think they are getting along, even months or years from now - DON'T leave them alone together without crating one or both of them when you aren't there to supervise them....
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