buying from a breeder is easier

[hennaly]

ok i stole the title from a comment made in another thread but i have to say its very often true, i have spoken to lots of people who have said they went to the dogs home but it was so much fuss made and they were made to feel interigated so they went to a breeder as it was easier.
What do you think can be done to make it better for both potential new owners to adopt but still ensure the dogs are going to a safe loving home.
A few points i think are wrong at the home i work for.
1. They will not adopt to the over 65;s.
2. Dogs are walked during viewing time so very often kennels are empty when visitors are there to look around.
3. They wont foster out to good homes pending adoption.
4. i personally dont think they are good enough at matching up a person with as dog, as in certain dogs are not suitable for cetain personalities.

Please add anything i have missed or say if you disagree with my thoughts.

[agilitydog]

I did a thread on this before and totally agree.

One thing I know is price. While I understand the fees cover medical, spay, etc, around here it can run up to $400 to adopt a dog. I know I know it cost more than that to buy and vet and spay yourself BUT for $400 I can go find a dog and pick out an 8 week old puppy(ok they may not be the best breeder).

I also agree with their choosing. I went to one shelter, filled out an application and they brought out 1 dog and said this is the dog for you. I said no sorry. They found out later who my stepdad was and they knew him really well(he was a manager at petsmart and they did their shelter days there). They were very disappointed they let me go to another shelter.

[bernicesmama]

great thread!

I think there are a couple things that could be done better by shelters/rescues

-don't eliminate a prospective adopter because they work full time. it's unrealistic to think that people don't need to work to support their pups.

-don't lie or stretch the truth about a dog to get it adopted.

-listen to what the adopter is saying and remember everything isn't black and white.

when i was trying to adopt tank, i was denied because i work. it kinda upset me because how did they think i would have money to pamper my pooch if i didn't work?

[Bclover92]

Great thread-
1. Dont ask what kind of money you make.
2. dont ask to talk to your boss.
3. let older people adopt dogs esspecially older dogs in the shelter.
4. Let familys with young kids or babies adopt a dog.
5. dont have such high requirments
6. cheaper adoption fees
7. dont make people pay to surrender animals.

thats just a few mostly based on the shelter around here.

[Dignity]

I think this depends on if you're going from a shelter or from a Rescue organization. If you're going through a rescue organization, I think it is important that the potential adoptor know the breed and know what they are getting themselves into. With certain breeds, I do believe a 'no kids' policy or rather 'no kids under X age' is a good policy. Rescue's are not government funded, however they are non-profit so you can usually claim the rescue fee on your taxes.

I think it would be easier if the shelter/rescue was willing to bring the dog to the potential adoptor (if necessary or requested, ie the potential owners have several kids, it's easier to bring the dog to them so everybody gets to meet and greet then have the dog in a shelter plus there aren't as many destractions for the dogs). Don't do high pressure sales - allow placing non-refundable holds on shelter pets. Work with organizations such as banks or hair solons to have a shelter dog come sit in the shops for a day or just set up more rescue events. Provide a 'puppy pack' or 'kitty pack' for new adoptors including care information.

Rescue organizations seem harder to me to adopt from. I do agree in some reasons - reason number 1 being that these dogs have been dumped once and lets try to get it into a responsible home so it doesn't happen again.

Too bad we can't put pressure on the breeders and make it harder to adopt a puppy that way and easier through the shelters.

[SalemsMom]

I went on petfinder today to look at kitties,no didn't want to adopt but just wanted to look,one shelters questions were
1 Where do you work? not a problem
2 What is your bosses name? Somewhat invassive.
3 Have you ever had a felony or live with someone that does? I kind of see the point to this
4 Do you own your own home? Thats ok
5 Vet information? thats ok
6 How much money do you make? Should be enough to know they have a job,or income coming in,
The lists goes on and on,I think checking the vets to see if you take care of your pets,a income and where the animal will be should be enough. To me,that iswhy a lot of people buy a dog elsewhere instead of the animal shelters.

[Camberaoh]

Depending on the breeder it can be hard to buy a pup too. I know i had to fill out a huge survery, give references including vet references to buy Cash. It was a long ordeal. But yes rescues can be very strict. I think its because they get tired of seeing dogs go out then come back in a week or two or end up being dumped at the shelter or on the streets.

[Trace]

I have years of Border Collie experience - but not one place will place a BC with me becuase I do not have a fenced yard and I have a 6 year old in the house.

Go figure.

[whimzikal]

I am sure these have been said but I am lazy

-I don't think most are honest about breed, heritage or even backrounds.
(I've seen people lie about pit being in the mix even when it is dominant. I've seen dogs advertised as 'mill rescues' when I know thier former owners- once a shihtzu who's owner went to a nursing home after a stroke and one pom who was sent to rescue after biting a toddler)
-Being too picky. (Requiring a fenced yard for a rural home or toy dog. Requiring certain brand food. Requiring certain number of ppl in th home and ages. And yes, fulltime workers can own a dog!)
-Allowing people to adopt a dog just to make room for another reguardless of whether the dog suits the family. (YOUNG JRT to a disabled man, too hyper for him)
-Allowing people to foster who normally wouldn't meet standards for adoption. (I knew a girl who fostered and there couldn't have been a home inspection. She had a tiny home, no yard, a small child, 3 cats and a dog. There was no room. She also worked 2 jobs, equaling 65-80hrs a week. Her home wasn't tip top either if you know what I mean)

[southern_girl09]

i think that was me that said that.. lol