Disenchanted with Rescue

[Herschel]

I'm starting to get really, really disenchanted with rescue organizations. I can't understand the place of elitism, judgment, and bureaucracy in trying to find a home for a dog. Instead of trying to find a great home for a dog, a lot of rescue people get caught up on their personal issues rather than the interests of the dog at hand.

For example, although I'm approved for adoption by two major Border Collie rescues, I've had people tell me that I don't have a fenced yard so I can't have a Border Collie. I think BCJake has a thread in the training forum about the merits of having a fenced yard.

On the other side of things, foster and transport volunteers are often flaky and irresponsible. People will commit to driving 2 hours of a transport and then back out on the day of the trip. I've had more than a few foster dogs get canceled because "the transport fell apart" or something like that.

People need to start being more reasonable about things. Almost all of us on here own dogs and are responsible, but for some reason, I don't think half of us could get approved by a lot of rescues.

I'm sick of jumping through hoops. Maybe I'll just go to a breeder to get a second dog and give up on fostering.

 

[Melissa_W]

It bothers me too. We are great doggie parents, but we can't adopt from Triangle Sheltie Rescue because we don't have a fenced in yard. It doesn't matter that my dogs get about 1-3 hours worth of walking a day, plus trips to the dog park. They won't even take anything else into consideration. We don't have a fenced yard, so we're not eligible, end of story. If you ask me, everyone should be evaluated on a case by case basis. But we ended up purchasing our Sheltie from a breeder.

 

[BostonBanker]

I've got to say, I never would have guessed half the crap rescues have to deal with until I started getting involved in one. People who blatently lie about their situations, who return dogs for stupid reasons, who can't understand why a rescue dog should cost them money, etc. Not saying that about you, of course, but I'm not surprised anymore that so many rescue groups are on the defensive.

I'm sure that some good homes get turned away because of what seems like silly rules, but it also probably turns away countless people who would put the dogs into less than stellar situations. Look around and find the right rescue, one whose policies you agree with. There are great ones out there - but you may have to prove yourself first. Just remember, these people really are trying to look out for the dogs.

 

[Kayla]

Unfortunatly some do seem to get more carried away then others. About a year ago, before I brought Duke home, a very good friend began looking for a new dog to adopt as her sister had recently moved out and brought her dog along leaving her house once again very dogless. She was in no means a new owner and was very experinced with a very different breeds, some very dominant. We set out looking for a medium sized dog, with a decent amount of excersise needed. The first dog we found that made her, to consider list was an 8 month old boxer. Having helped me re-train Diamond ( our 12 year old boxer girl who just passed in October of 06) she knew all about the wiggly, joy filled breed which was exceptionally head strong and put in an application. Due to her being under 18 at the time, she had to have her parents come along. She was immediatly given little credit due to her age despite having plenty of previous experince with dogs. In the end her application was turned down when it was discovered she didn't have a backyard. In the end she adopted an Aussie Cattle dog cross who gets a minimum of two-three hours outside on hikes a day, is fed a top premium food and has an excellent qaulity of life.

Yet because she didn't have a backyard (which though is nice to have for play sessions, many people use as a substitute for walking) and because she was a minor wasn't given more then a second glance.

When I'm done college and am ready for a second dog I will consider adopting, but am not looking forward to all of the bs that comes along with dealing with *some* rescues.

Kayla

 

[Charliesmommy]

Before I got Charlie I was talking with a rescue about adopting a GSD and they turned me down. I DO have a fenced yard but they decided that the 40" fence was not high enough. Funny, it has kept Charlie in for 10 months now!

 

[Rosefern]

I've got to say, I never would have guessed half the crap rescues have to deal with until I started getting involved in one. People who blatently lie about their situations, who return dogs for stupid reasons, who can't understand why a rescue dog should cost them money, etc. Not saying that about you, of course, but I'm not surprised anymore that so many rescue groups are on the defensive.

I'm sure that some good homes get turned away because of what seems like silly rules, but it also probably turns away countless people who would put the dogs into less than stellar situations. Look around and find the right rescue, one whose policies you agree with. There are great ones out there - but you may have to prove yourself first. Just remember, these people really are trying to look out for the dogs.

That is totally my point. Our rescue takes a lot of crap about how busy we all are and such...

I don't think people understand that all of us have lives beyond rescue. We have full-time jobs, school, husbands, wives, kids, and our own animals to deal with...

-Rosefern

 

[Herschel]

It is kind of relieving to hear that I'm not the only one, but all the more disappointing.

I've seen the other side of this, too. I'm approved as a foster home for...at least 3 different rescues. How many foster dogs have I seen? None. I'm willing to drive, but they aren't willing to get their dogs to me. Why do they approve me if they aren't willing to use me as a resource?

The people that spend 4 weeks trying to find the "right" home for a dog are the same ones that complain about dogs being put down in shelters. Well, I have a great idea to get some dogs off of death row. Place the ones you have into homes.

 

[Doberluv]

Yup....I'm sure, from all the stories I've heard, a rescue wouldn't adopt to me either. I don't have a fenced yard. I have acreage with thousands of acres of forest service land adjacent to me, a little dirt road with hardly any cars that go on it about 600 ft. from the yard. My present dogs don't leave my property ever. It's doggie heaven here and I'm a nice doggie parent. But I'll wager that a rescue or shelter wouldn't adopt to me. So, why waste time and struggle when you can go to a breeder? Or go pick up some lost dog on the street somewhere? Of course, most reputable breeders ask if you have a fence. But I think they tend to be more case by case. I know mine was. But they're smaller. These rescues probably have too much trouble doing something case by case.

 

[Doberluv]

I was typing my post before a lot of yours were put up. It takes me so long to figure out what to write. BB, I see your point. Really I do. I can imagine that there are loads of people where it doesn't work out and that is really hard on the dogs. So, I do see that point too. And the case by case.....looking at individuals more carefully must be hard to do when rescues are so very busy. It just seems like a real catch 22.

 

[terrapin05]

We got told the same thing by our local beagle rescue, no fenced yard, no dog. We have a large black-coated fenced pen that is 6-foot high and holds 3-4 dogs comfortably when the weather is nice. In cold or super hot months they're on our back porch until we get home. We simply got a beagle no problem from a shelter rescue, and then adopted a basset from a basset rescue org. that approved our home. They should at least pay a visit and see if the homeowners are worthy before making that blanket rule.

 

[RD]

I'm afraid most rescues wouldn't adopt to me either. I've rehomed a dog in the past, that got me turned down by several. When we lived in Vegas I had a fenced yard but no fence around the pool, that got me turned down. When we first moved to Arizona we lived in a motorhome and nobody would adopt to us then.... I am fine with rescues having rules and I think it's often in the dog's best interest, ie: not adopting an active border collie to a family with kids under 5, don't give the dog to someone who is gone 16 hours a day, etc. However, it's disheartening to me to see how many good, responsible homes are turned away because the rescue is totally inflexible about their policies.

The reason buying from a reputable breeder is easier than acquiring a dog from a rescue is because the breeder does not get the volume of inquiries that a rescue does. The breeder has time to get to know every applicant before they make a decision. I've found that a breeder will ask you about things that concern them, rather than assume the worst. The volunteer-run rescue doesn't have that time and probably turns a lot of applications down immediately after reading them. My age was a big issue with me getting a puppy but my pup's breeder decided to trust me because she'd gotten to know me. Rescue wouldn't have done that. I can't blame them, they don't have the time or manpower to get to know people who don't fit their criteria right off the bat. It's sad though, because I think I would have been a good home for a rescue dog. (not sad that I have my lovely little Eve though)

I think ultimately you have to fulfill some requirements if you want to get a dog from either route - responsible breeder or rescue.

 

[shadowfacedanes]

The people that spend 4 weeks trying to find the "right" home for a dog are the same ones that complain about dogs being put down in shelters. Well, I have a great idea to get some dogs off of death row. Place the ones you have into homes.

Rapid placement for the sake of freeing up space is NOT in the best interest of the dog. And how dare a rescuer, one who puts their heart and soul on the line for these animals, turn away a person they do not deem suitable. The nerve.

I've had the same dogs in my care for upwards of 8 months before. But you know what? I have had ONE dog returned. ONE.

Seems like so many people do not understand that these animals have often been bounced around their whole lives. It is my responsibility, as a rescuer, to make sure the home I place them in is their last.

I've got to get back to work now, but I will certainly elaborate on my placement policies further should anyone feel the need to ask.

 

[Herschel]

This is heart-wrenching. I have pages and pages of application materials that support my application for this little Border Collie puppy, but I'm being placed at the bottom of the list because I don't have a fenced yard.

I am already approved for adoption, but I still can't adopt the puppy.

She has even stated that we would make an excellent home for him, but fenced yards get priorities. I've cited countless examples of people that have mistreated their animals with their fenced yards but I don't think it matters.

This woman has spent a lot of time reviewing me and my application. She knows just about everything about us. It isn't an issue of volume anymore. It is something entirely different.

Here he is:
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8305344

I think he is incredible and could easily see him being my next heart dog. I will never get a chance to find out because I don't have a fenced yard.

 

[Herschel]

Rapid placement for the sake of freeing up space is NOT in the best interest of the dog. And how dare a rescuer, one who puts their heart and soul on the line for these animals, turn away a person they do not deem suitable. The nerve.

I've had the same dogs in my care for upwards of 8 months before. But you know what? I have had ONE dog returned. ONE.

Seems like so many people do not understand that these animals have often been bounced around their whole lives. It is my responsibility, as a rescuer, to make sure the home I place them in is their last.

I've got to get back to work now, but I will certainly elaborate on my placement policies further should anyone feel the need to ask.

I'm not talking about rapid placement. I'm talking about adopting dogs out to approved homes.

-How dare a rescuer turn down so many of the great dog owners that have posted in this thread.

-People like Doberluv or RD have more experience with these animals than some of the rescuers, but they will still be denied

The nerve is right. I can't believe it.

 

[Melissa_W]

Rapid placement for the sake of freeing up space is NOT in the best interest of the dog. And how dare a rescuer, one who puts their heart and soul on the line for these animals, turn away a person they do not deem suitable. The nerve.

I've had the same dogs in my care for upwards of 8 months before. But you know what? I have had ONE dog returned. ONE.

Seems like so many people do not understand that these animals have often been bounced around their whole lives. It is my responsibility, as a rescuer, to make sure the home I place them in is their last.

I've got to get back to work now, but I will certainly elaborate on my placement policies further should anyone feel the need to ask.

I would just like to know why a fenced yard is the be all and end all. There is a dog down the street that is left in the yard ALL the time. I'm not sure if he ever gets to come inside. Does he have a better life than Kai? I don't think so. I just don't understand why they don't consider other factors.

 

[RD]

Herschel, he is beautiful. I'm so sorry.

 

[Herschel]

Herschel, he is beautiful. I'm so sorry.

He's going to a home with an 11 year old girl and a fenced yard. Apparently the parents will be able to make enough time to adequately exercise the dog...by opening the door and letting it "play in the yard".

I'm looking for a breeder.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I'm really really sorry hun.

I wanted to rescue a dane.. If I want one down the road, I'll be findign a great breeder. I have a fence it's not high enough, You can't be in school (which I'm long done but considering going back) and you HAVE to have owned the breed. For a few years I wanted to cry since the dogs weren't ever going anywhere..

Found that a lot of rescues put you at the very bottom of every list unless you've owned the breed before. I even know people that have owned crosses like dane x lab, and been turned down flat as it's not enough experience.

I gave up a while ago, am hopefully buying a cocker puppy in 10 week, and will likely never look at rescue again. It's sad, but I've had enough too.

 

[ToscasMom]

Oh Herschel, he's soooooooooo cute!

 

[Herschel]

"You are taking my decision personally and I regret that. I do understand how you feel though. There was a dog listed with XXXXXX Border Collie Rescue once that I really really wanted. I was turned down by the foster parent even though my references checked out and I had a successful home visit. I was turned down because the foster parent thought it would be better for the dog to be crated while I was at work 8+ hours a day instead of out in my backyard on nice days . I wrote the following on my ap: On nice days (between 50 - 80 degrees F) my 2 dogs would be out in my shady back yard, with access to the garage (which had a fan for them). I have a secure 6 foot privacy fence. He didn't like the idea of the dog being outside all day even on nice days. I disagreed with the foster parent and took it quite personally. I later realized that things happen for a reason and a great dog appeared at the shelter right after that. She's been a real joy to us and I'm glad it turned out the way it did."

I wrote her back and told her that I agree with the foster home. I can't imagine leaving your dogs unattended for 8+ hours in a yard.

BCSA breeder referral, here I come!