Adopting a dog? How easy is it really?

[agilitydog]

This is an article I wrote after dealing with the shelter that I rescued Toby from. Please note, I did not send this article anywhere and has not left my computer. Also please understand that I am all for rescue dogs. I know why fees are needed and know that adoption fees include vet shots, spay/neuter, etc All of mine have been and will continue to be but is rescuing a dog as simple as it seems. I deleted the poem I had that started this letter. It is not directed at any one shelter in particular as many are different. Just something to think about

It is stories like this that make us all want to run out and save this poor pup. We also hear do not buy from a pet store as they get puppies from puppy mills and watch out for backyard breeders as they are breeding just for money. But how easy is it, really, to help that poor dog at the shelter?

Many dogs can be found on the internet, at sites such as petfinder.com, that are located in shelters. There are many high kill shelters as well as no kill shelters. All are supported by donations from the community. The more money they receive, the more dogs they are able to care for. They are also run by volunteers. Volunteers who feed, clean pens, clean food dishes, and bathe the dogs. Volunteers who are willing to take dogs in as fosters into their home in order to make room in the shelter. These are all great tasks that have to be done in order to run a shelter successfully and every effort is appreciated.

But what is involved when you want to adopt one of these dogs? In many cases, you can no longer go to a shelter and look at their dogs without filling out an application first. This is like going to a car dealer and filling out the credit application before you are able to look at the cars. If there is not a dog in the shelter that does not fit your needs, you have now just wasted your time as well as the shelters. When at last you are able to see the dog, you visit with it, decide that it is the dog for you but you cannot take it home yet. Many shelters come to your house to check your fence. There are many, very well educated, dog people that do not have fences because they can train their dogs or always take them out on a leash. Should you be prevented from owning a dog by the type of fencing you have? Any current dogs that you may own need to come to the shelter to visit. While this is a good idea, it puts your dogs in a strange place.

When the shelter decides that you are a good candidate for the dog you chose, your dogs have gotten along and you are ready to proceed with the adoption, the final step is the price. Shelters range in price on their puppies and dogs anywhere from $75 to $400. A person goes to a shelter to rescue a dog. Shelters can not guarantee health. They do what is needed, spay/neuter, worm, shots, etc. Is it necessary to spend $400 at a shelter, for an older puppy and have no health guarantee? Why not go to a breeder, pay the same price and get a very young puppy that may have a health guarantee. Not all breeders or all dogs are priced that low through a breeder; but now with shelter prices that high aren’t we encouraging the backyard breeders, those who will breed a dog and sell it simply for the money? They can sell it for less than a shelter. I know of many reputable breeders as well who produce remarkable dogs and guarantee their health and sell puppies less than $400. Yes vet charges come in to play after the purchase but these backyard breeders got their money so there is no need to follow up with the care the dog is receiving. I understand the need for the shelter to need money, but it needs to be collected in other ways.

In many instances it appears easier to walk into a pet store, pull out your credit card and buy a dog. Few questions asked. Or maybe find a breeder who sells their dogs at inexpensive prices? Many people would love to rescue a dog and give them a second chance. Rescue dogs are great for those who are less experienced with dogs as many of them are slightly older and housebroken. But some shelters have made it very difficult to walk in and buy a dog. I understand that they are looking for the best homes for these dogs and that in itself is great. But many of these homes are great but don’t meet every requirement. So these homes get turned down and they spend more time at the shelter. I feel that if the prices were cheaper and the process a little easier more people would be willing to rescue, leaving space open for more dogs. It would discourage people wanting to buy from puppy mills and backyard breeders. Yes, these dogs need our help, but many shelters have put the money before the dogs and in the end, the shelters are there to help the dogs find a home.

I truly believe that rescue is the best way to go and all of my own dogs have been rescue and will continue to be. But all of my dogs have also spent several months at the shelter. As much as I am into rescue, after my last experience at a shelter, I, too, am wanting to look for a breeder for my next dog. Will I? No, but the shelter gave me reason to want to. In the end it is all about the dog and I feel that many shelters have gotten too wrapped up in the money and have forgotten about what is best for the dog.

[Dax]

If it is TOO MUCH trouble to fill in paperwork on a dog, the dog itself is going to be too much trouble when it behaves like a dog.

Convenience has never been a reason to get a dog IMO. Don't we wish real health guarantees existed. No one can say a dog won't get cancer 3 years after you get them.

I have both rescued and purchased dogs. Although I understand the writer's perception I hope we don't adjust how careful shelters are in placing pets because of it.

[Trace]

I would agree with some of the points raised - there are some aspects of getting a pet from a shelter that may put people off adopting.

My personal preference is to have a dog from the puppy stage and to have a purebred.

But I am not against shelters in anyway shape or form.

[tay115]

imo, people need to stop complaining that adopting is soooo hard and soooo expensive (btw, if people complain about the adoption fee, I'm not going to place a dog into a home that might complain about food, vet, supplement, etc. costs) and look at why the policies are there and why the adoption fees are there.

I would say 99.9% of the time it’s always a darn good reason.

I wish some of my local shelters AND rescues would up their adoption fees and get a tougher adoption process. I notice with the rescues that are "easy” to adopt from have a higher turn in rate and seem to attract people who won’t properly care for the dogs (i.e. keep them chained or penned in the yard). My responsibility, and that of rescues, is to find the best possible homes for the dogs in their/my care… THAT is why we have the adoption process we have, we do not and won’t change our process for the convenience of people and don’t have a move em’ in move em’ out attitude. As for the fees, we seem to spend hundreds (sometimes thousands) on our dogs, we sure aren’t rolling in the dough and the adoption fee hardly keeps us afloat, but it’s there for a reason and if it does help with the costs, great.

[agilitydog]

I am not against shelters or their fees as every single one of my animals fur to feathers(10 current as well as 2 dogs and 1 horse that have passed). I know of many homes turned away and they would be great homes.

A friend of my ma who has done obedience training for 30 years and titled many many dogs was turned away for lack of fence. I am not saying I agree or disagree but oput by me it is extremely tough to get a dog. When I got Toby, I was charged and additional $75 because he was designer dog that was in high demand, yet he sat at the shelter for 3 months. I know you can't guarantee long term health but breeders can guarantee certain things. I am on the rescue side so please don't attack me. I know no one has yet but just let me get my guard up first In the training facility I am at over 75% of the dogs are from breedeers and of those 25% of them started at shelters and didn't continue. I am nt saying to lower thed standards at shelters but sometimes exceptions can be made. It is just as possible to weed out a potentially bad home as it is a potentially good home. Shelters by me can run as much as $400. I know shelters need the money but for $400 I may find a breeder in that close price range and get a puppy that I can raise from a pup without the behavior issues. Would I? no but it is considered by many people.

A family in my daycare got turned down for a 3 month old puppy because it was too mouthy. The shelter said it was normal puppy stuff but didn't feel it was right for this family. THEY NEVER EVEN MET THEM> Just looked at the application

[pung-yo]

Sad to say, but I've heard the same comment..."If I'm going to pay that price for a pound dog, I can get a purebred for the same money." I do agree the fees are discouraging people who would be great owners. People want the most value for their $$$$.

[RoughCollies]

Originally Posted by pung-yo

Sad to say, but I've heard the same comment..."If I'm going to pay that price for a pound dog, I can get a purebred for the same money." I do agree the fees are discouraging people who would be great owners. People want the most value for their $$$$.

The most VALUE for their money? We're talking about DOGS here, not objects. There is nothing not valuable about a rescue dog. The value that you get is in the love and relationship that you share with your dog. The love of a dog is priceless. If people are that worried about it, then they shouldn't get a dog in the first place.

[pung-yo]

RC---I totally agree with you, but then I am a dog person and love all dogs. But people just beginning in dogs never experienced the love a dog brings, no matter what the breed, so they think differently than dog people. Maybe that's why some people are turned down, the shelter notices they are shallow people.

[GSR Trucker]

Working in rescue I stand behind home inspections and applications. The dogs deserve a better home then the one that led them to the shelter in the first place.

But on the same token, I am affiliated with a no kill rescue. It's discouraging to see dogs get killed in shelters when people HAD wanted them, but were turned down. It's a no win situation.

[Sir Max II]

I was turned down.. I found a dog I wanted badly he was 6 months and no one was calling about him.. he was a rottie/GSD mix.. Max was a month late on shots but appt was set and ready too go...But I guess they thought if i was going to be late I did not need to spend money on another dog. But gosh he was handsom