What is it with rescues?
- Thread starter Sit Stay
- Start date
I put in an application to volunteer with the local humane society. They never called me back. I called couldn't get a person. After two messages I gave up on them..
I've asked about a few petfinder dogs, never the same rescue twice, I almost never get a reply back. The few that have I'm often physically not close enough for them to want anything to do with me.
I try not to browse petfinder now.
I've asked about a few petfinder dogs, never the same rescue twice, I almost never get a reply back. The few that have I'm often physically not close enough for them to want anything to do with me.
I try not to browse petfinder now.
Well, my experiences are definitely colored by the shelters I have had to deal with, and being turned down because of a staff worker's error, not TOLD I was turned down, etc, etc. But to "twiddle your thumbs" is to pass the time by foolin' around with your hands. I specifically meant shelters that don't get back to you because they are dickin' around. I know a lot of shelters aren't like that, but I've also seen some that were.
If you don't get back to someone because you are in the hospital, or because your child is, you aren't twiddling your thumbs. I see that as a legit reason, but still expect a reply whenever they become available (even a simple, "I'm sorry but the dog was adopted to another person. Good luck on rescuing another dog." a month later or what have you).
I'm not trying to hate on all shelters, and even the bad experiences I've had doesn't undo all the good they have done, but I'm still annoyed by their (note: I don't mean all shelters) inaction.
If you don't get back to someone because you are in the hospital, or because your child is, you aren't twiddling your thumbs. I see that as a legit reason, but still expect a reply whenever they become available (even a simple, "I'm sorry but the dog was adopted to another person. Good luck on rescuing another dog." a month later or what have you).
I'm not trying to hate on all shelters, and even the bad experiences I've had doesn't undo all the good they have done, but I'm still annoyed by their (note: I don't mean all shelters) inaction.
Huh? My rescue desperately begs for volunteers each month. Anyone who is willing to be the coordinator for adoptions on a handful of dogs. Someone who's willing to recruit foster homes. Someone to organize adoption days at pet stores. People to foster. ANYTHING. They have about 400 "volunteers", but only 30 people who actively do anything (and 25 of those are foster homes...read between the lines. That's 5 people doing everything else--for an organization that places 1000 dogs a year). This is a well run organization in a huge metropolitan area of millions of people. It's HARD to get good volunteers. It's even harder to keep them around.
The rabbit rescue I volunteered with growing up had 20 or 30 people on the list of volunteers, but only 7 or 8 who were active, despite trying desperately to get additional bodies. No one wanted to do anything except pet the rabbits. Paperwork is boring, and not what people want to do when they say they'll volunteer.
The rabbit rescue I volunteered with growing up had 20 or 30 people on the list of volunteers, but only 7 or 8 who were active, despite trying desperately to get additional bodies. No one wanted to do anything except pet the rabbits. Paperwork is boring, and not what people want to do when they say they'll volunteer.
:hail:
If more shelters/rescues understood this very basic idea, a lot more animals could get into homes. Too often shelters/rescues don't respond, are rude in their response or treat people with a "us vs. them" mentality. Then they complain that they don't have enough volunteers and no one adopts dogs from them.
If more shelters/rescues understood this very basic idea, a lot more animals could get into homes. Too often shelters/rescues don't respond, are rude in their response or treat people with a "us vs. them" mentality. Then they complain that they don't have enough volunteers and no one adopts dogs from them.
I wonder what sorts of different designs shelters have, and how they function. Are the majority like this, or the majority like that. The shelter I volunteered at had paid staff and volunteers were not allowed to do paperwork. I will say that volunteers were responsible for most of the socialization, exercise, play time, and cleaning done.
In my head, that's the difference between a shelter and a rescue. A shelter has paid staff, usually gets minimal funding from the county or city, and is there to perform a service for the community. Volunteers exist to do extra things like walk dogs or staff events.
A rescue is all volunteer, doesn't have to exist, but does so out of the good of their hearts because they believe in the cause. They're grassroots organizations.
I know there's a lot of overlap. There are probably rescues with paid staff, and shelters that get zero funding from anyone.
A rescue is all volunteer, doesn't have to exist, but does so out of the good of their hearts because they believe in the cause. They're grassroots organizations.
I know there's a lot of overlap. There are probably rescues with paid staff, and shelters that get zero funding from anyone.
That's about the same distinction I make. To me, a rescue is what someone does as their hobby practically. Some of us chat on Chaz, some play a sport, some do crafts - rescues rescue.
What can I say. I've had only wonderful experiences with rescues and my rescue dogs. I also approach rescues as if they are doing me, and the dogs, a huge favor, not as if they are service providers, so I probably have different expectations and give off a very different vibe. At the end of the day, I am beyond grateful for the work they do. The frequent "this rescue won't do x,y,z so rescues suck" threads get my blood boiling just as others would be upset by "my dog got attacked by a pitbull so pitbulls all suck" or "I got bit by a chow, chows are all viscious" threads. We all have our triggers; this happens to be mine.
What can I say. I've had only wonderful experiences with rescues and my rescue dogs. I also approach rescues as if they are doing me, and the dogs, a huge favor, not as if they are service providers, so I probably have different expectations and give off a very different vibe. At the end of the day, I am beyond grateful for the work they do. The frequent "this rescue won't do x,y,z so rescues suck" threads get my blood boiling just as others would be upset by "my dog got attacked by a pitbull so pitbulls all suck" or "I got bit by a chow, chows are all viscious" threads. We all have our triggers; this happens to be mine.
While I agree in principle, I think its a little different. I have know people (some on this forum) who have NEVER had a good experience with a rescue. Not one. Every one they call is either rude, doesn't talk to them or at best says they aren't suitable. So imagine ever chow you met snarked and or bit you. EVERY one, as in 100%..
If someone said JRTs suck and I asked why and they said every single one attacked them, I might not agree, but I would understand their position.
If someone said JRTs suck and I asked why and they said every single one attacked them, I might not agree, but I would understand their position.
Actually, they have. Granted, it is a pretty small group to judge it on (four known purebreds, one that I am fairly sure was), but there you have it. The only dog I ever had to kick out of one of my training classes was a Chow. I passed them on to a behaviorist who worked with the business because someone was going to get bit, and not just nipped, in class. But, as I have not met every chow, I'm not going to say that every chow is vicious. Nor will I rant about pit bulls, despite having had my dogs charged not once, not twice, but three times in the last week.
I understand that some people have had terrible experiences with rescues. As long as they understand that I've had spectacular ones, and will jump in to defend each time
I understand that some people have had terrible experiences with rescues. As long as they understand that I've had spectacular ones, and will jump in to defend each time
Yes but you have good experiences with dogs. This is the only 'breed' of its species.
I do think many rescues are great (I LOVE the JRTRO). But I hear from so many 'regular public' people who have given up on the idea of a rescue after trying 4-5 of them and having a horrible experience every time. I don't blame them for shying away. At the same time I wish they would persevere.
I do think many rescues are great (I LOVE the JRTRO). But I hear from so many 'regular public' people who have given up on the idea of a rescue after trying 4-5 of them and having a horrible experience every time. I don't blame them for shying away. At the same time I wish they would persevere.
Like I said, I get that some people have bad experiences. I get that some rescues are probably total pains. I just also believe they do more good than harm.
While I understand your point, I also see so many people who try to get dogs through rescue that are beyond idiots, that I understand why rescues shy away from "regular" people. Neither side is really working in their own best interest, but we are humans. We try to protect ourselves from getting hurt. Hard to blame anyone.
While I understand your point, I also see so many people who try to get dogs through rescue that are beyond idiots, that I understand why rescues shy away from "regular" people. Neither side is really working in their own best interest, but we are humans. We try to protect ourselves from getting hurt. Hard to blame anyone.
I tend to give rescues the benefit of the doubt. They do a difficult job with no pay, usually have full time jobs, families that need them, and animals of their own. Maybe their kid has the flu and has been yacking all week, maybe they are having a hard time at work, life happens, and it won't hurt to pick up a phone.
See and IME most of the people I have met have been really great. A few people aren't suitable, but arent' jerks about it.
I do think rescues who decide what dog you can and can't have (ie you are looking for a companion to do dog sports with and they decide you can have the older arthritic dog... and if you turn down that dog then they won't adopt ANY dog to you ever.) or who refuse to return your calls/emails, or who won't talk to you if you don't perfectly match their profile of an 'ideal owner', ARE doing more harm than good. Sure they are saving the dogs they have, but if they aren't moving them AND they are turning people to BYB and petstores because they refuse to deal with the public then they are doing harm.
Not only that they are giving the good rescues a hard time too. I can personally tell you of MANY conversations I have had trying to explain to people that is not how all rescues are. Many try a few, get the same hostile response and figure thats just how rescues are. To me that IS very harmful.
(here we don't have the overflowing shelter problem, I know people who have looked in their local shelters for months and never found what they are looking for. And they weren't picky)
I do think rescues who decide what dog you can and can't have (ie you are looking for a companion to do dog sports with and they decide you can have the older arthritic dog... and if you turn down that dog then they won't adopt ANY dog to you ever.) or who refuse to return your calls/emails, or who won't talk to you if you don't perfectly match their profile of an 'ideal owner', ARE doing more harm than good. Sure they are saving the dogs they have, but if they aren't moving them AND they are turning people to BYB and petstores because they refuse to deal with the public then they are doing harm.
Not only that they are giving the good rescues a hard time too. I can personally tell you of MANY conversations I have had trying to explain to people that is not how all rescues are. Many try a few, get the same hostile response and figure thats just how rescues are. To me that IS very harmful.
(here we don't have the overflowing shelter problem, I know people who have looked in their local shelters for months and never found what they are looking for. And they weren't picky)
But should a rescues job be quick turnover, or finding the best home for that dog? If I had say, a young pit that I was fostering and screening homes for you had better believe I would be super picky, because it is my duty to that dog. Rescues should be free to set their own goals. I can't foster in my current situation but if I could, I would be far more interested in finding a good home that I felt comfortable with the dog going into than having a quick revolving door of fosters.
Incidently, I have met some breeders who are jerks, who have crazy contracts they will make puppy buyers sign, etc, yet I never hear any talk about how those breeders are driving people to bybs, even though they are.
Incidently, I have met some breeders who are jerks, who have crazy contracts they will make puppy buyers sign, etc, yet I never hear any talk about how those breeders are driving people to bybs, even though they are.
They are, but no one seems to expect breeders to rescue dogs.
Its like holding police to a higher standard.
If you are claming to be a rescue. And you have a mandate to SAVE dogs (a very different mandate than breeding them, though someone can do both). Sticking them in foster homes forever and telling people they have no business wanting a dog isn't saving dogs is it? I get being picky, but someone who has had dogs, has great references, has trained dogs in dog sports, is financially stable, but doesn't have a fenced yard shouldn't be told they are unfit. Or that you are a horrible person for not wanting an older arthritic dog when you are looking for a dog sport partner.
IMO (and sure ppl will disagree) a rescue should aim to help people find the right dog. Save more dogs by educating people vs alienating them. If you can't adopt someone a dog because you dont' feel any dogs are right for them, politely point them to rescues or shelters that might.
I find the 'bad' rescues are more about their own agenda than actually helping dogs. I can think of many busy (seems the good ones are busier lol) rescues that are very helpful, polite, and take time to educate and help people find their forever dog. BC rescue for example as a general rule of no kids under 10, yet we got Sport FOR Darien when he was 8. Its a very busy rescue, lots going on. Yet they had the time to see what we needed, and when they found the right dog they called.
I have seen first hand some of the snarky its us vs them rescue people. Just running a rescue doesn't mean you are good, or are a positive influence any more than breeding two dogs together doesn't make you a good breeder or a positive influence on the breed.
Its like holding police to a higher standard.
If you are claming to be a rescue. And you have a mandate to SAVE dogs (a very different mandate than breeding them, though someone can do both). Sticking them in foster homes forever and telling people they have no business wanting a dog isn't saving dogs is it? I get being picky, but someone who has had dogs, has great references, has trained dogs in dog sports, is financially stable, but doesn't have a fenced yard shouldn't be told they are unfit. Or that you are a horrible person for not wanting an older arthritic dog when you are looking for a dog sport partner.
IMO (and sure ppl will disagree) a rescue should aim to help people find the right dog. Save more dogs by educating people vs alienating them. If you can't adopt someone a dog because you dont' feel any dogs are right for them, politely point them to rescues or shelters that might.
I find the 'bad' rescues are more about their own agenda than actually helping dogs. I can think of many busy (seems the good ones are busier lol) rescues that are very helpful, polite, and take time to educate and help people find their forever dog. BC rescue for example as a general rule of no kids under 10, yet we got Sport FOR Darien when he was 8. Its a very busy rescue, lots going on. Yet they had the time to see what we needed, and when they found the right dog they called.
I have seen first hand some of the snarky its us vs them rescue people. Just running a rescue doesn't mean you are good, or are a positive influence any more than breeding two dogs together doesn't make you a good breeder or a positive influence on the breed.