Must Be Adopted Together

[UpTheIrons]

I was pursuing petfinder and noticed a trio of dobermans. Mother, father, and daughter. They are asking for all three dogs to be adopted together because they are so bonded. How likely is it that a person is looking to adopt THREE large breed dogs all at once? They are rather adoptable dogs too. Purebred, sweet dispositions, etc. What would be more traumatic: letting them sit in the shelter for months waiting for someone to adopt them all or getting homes quickly, but be separated? I was curious to hear what you all think.

 

[Paige]

If it was my choice I'd split them all up. I've never met dogs so bonded together that they are unable to adjust to life without the other.

 

[Doberluv]

I was pursuing petfinder and noticed a trio of dobermans. Mother, father, and daughter. They are asking for all three dogs to be adopted together because they are so bonded. How likely is it that a person is looking to adopt THREE large breed dogs all at once? They are rather adoptable dogs too. Purebred, sweet dispositions, etc. What would be more traumatic: letting them sit in the shelter for months waiting for someone to adopt them all or getting homes quickly, but be separated? I was curious to hear what you all think.

I agree with you. It's better to be adopted at all than sit in a shelter all their life. And it is unlikely that one family will adopt all three. There could be someone who knows someone, who knows someone who all three want a Doberman. Or some kind of rescue. (hopefully not some hoarder) But yeah, dogs usually are very resilient and adaptable, even if they have a hard time at first being separated. They need someone who will feed them and take care of their needs the most of all. And their survival instincts will make them gravitate toward and bond with their new family.

 

[ravennr]

That's just not very realistic at all.

 

[ThoseWordsAtBest]

What we do at work with bonded pairs is begin working on separation. Start small separations and doing things to build their confidence on their own, without the other. We just had a pair of very bonded Shih Tzus that were luckily adopted together, but that is pretty rare to hope for. We advertise dogs as a package, but don't absolutely require them to be adopted together because it's too hard.

 

[Ulteed]

Usually I know at a local shelter here, if a pair are bonded they are asked that they are adopted together, and so far there has been success in the cases I've heard of.

 

[JessLough]

Asking for does not mean that they absolutely have to be. It's just a preference.

 

[SarahHound]

I can sort of understand that, even if its just for a short while to see if people would be interested.

I know a rescue here had a group of 5 rabbits for the longest time, but they wouldn't split them up. And I know, three large dogs isn't like 5 rabbits, but their homing requirements were over 120sq.ft of space for them. So many people told them to split them up, but they said there would be the perfect someone, and there was! They were there a while, yes, but they got a great home together

 

[MicksMom]

...I know a rescue here had a group of 5 rabbits for the longest time, but they wouldn't split them up. And I know, three large dogs isn't like 5 rabbits, but their homing requirements were over 120sq.ft of space for them. So many people told them to split them up, but they said there would be the perfect someone, and there was! They were there a while, yes, but they got a great home together

A bonded pair/group of rabbits is very different from a bonded pair/group of dogs, tho. Rabbits that are bonded could very possible "die of loneliness" if seperated (for lack of a better phrase). Although, in the case of 5, it might have worked if they split them into a pair and a group of 3.

 

[Sweet72947]

I think people anthropomorphize animals too much sometimes. FOHA currently has some little dog pairs that must be adopted together. There is one pair I called "The Ratties" which is a rat terrier and a rat terrier mix, male and female. The description refers to the female as the male's "wife". The other pair is a male and female pair of chihuahua/pug mixes. It is usually not too hard to find a home for a pair of little dogs. But a pair or more of big dogs? It can be done but the dogs usually wait a looooooooooooooong time! I know that HART (local rescue) has had a pair of bloodhounds they would like adopted together on their website for FOREVER.

There are some dogs who bond strongly and would be adversely affected by separation, but most of the time the dogs would do just fine. If you think the dog needs canine companionship to be happy, advertise him as desiring a home with another dog! There are lots of people who want to get another doggie friend for their dog.

 

[SarahHound]

A bonded pair/group of rabbits is very different from a bonded pair/group of dogs, tho. Rabbits that are bonded could very possible "die of loneliness" if seperated (for lack of a better phrase). Although, in the case of 5, it might have worked if they split them into a pair and a group of 3.

Oh I know, that's why I said its different, but they could have split them up like you said.

 

[StillandSilent]

In 10 years of dog rescue, I've only seen 1 pair of dogs who I felt would be in danger if seperated. The shelter tried for a while, but the weaker of the pair would pine and acutally make himself vomit and have the runs from stress. They were littermates who had been together their entire lives (5-7 years if I recall correctly).

I once saw a shelter ad for 3 chi puppies, 12 weeks old, all of whom had been surrendered by the breeder after they were born with no front legs. The shelter wanted all three adopted together. Imagine three handicapped puppies at the same time! There was no reason they couldn't have been seperated, and they probably should have been for their own good.

 

[Toller_08]

I think dogs being adopted together is a silly idea. My dogs all get along well, but they'd absolutely be perfectly fine separated. I've never had a dog who'd bonded so closely to another dog that they couldn't function without the other.

 

[M&M's Mommy]

I think dogs being adopted together is a silly idea. My dogs all get along well, but they'd absolutely be perfectly fine separated. I've never had a dog who'd bonded so closely to another dog that they couldn't function without the other.

If I ever have to give my dogs up for adoption, I'd requested that Missy & Muffin be adopted together. These two are basically inseparable. They groom each other every mornings and nights and many times throughout the day & cuddle up to each other to sleep. When Muffin is at the groomer, Missy would run around looking for her and not rest until she returns.

I'm sure if forced to, they can survive without each other - but they certainly won't be happy about it.