Dog rescue groups: picky

Thursday March 31st, 2011

Question:

Why does it seem harder to get a dog from a shelter or rescue group than from a breeder?

Answer:

It's true, adopting from a shelter or rescue group can seem more rigorous than filling out a college application. Breeders are less picky--they generally look for the basics when evaluating a potential dog guardian: Are you able to pay for the dog and any future medical care? Do you have a roof over your head? Usually, that's where the breeder's involvement ends.

But rescue groups and shelters are all too familiar with stories of dogs who have been abandoned or surrendered. Many of the dogs that end up in their care were once purchased from a breeder or pet store. In fact, some experts say there are more bred and pet-store dogs left at shelters each year than stray mutts.

So, foster parents and rescue groups are careful to go that extra step (or two or three) to ensure a safe and permanent family for the dogs in their care. Many spend great amounts of time and money on their dogs, working to train and rehabilitate them. Some even take care of costly medical issues. For those reasons, it's much more common for shelters and rescue groups to carry out comprehensive assessments of potential adopters; they simply want to increase the number of dogs who wind up happy and healthy in "forever" homes.

Jamie Wolf, a lifelong animal advocate, is the founder of PetLover Central, a high-end, dog day care center in Boca Raton, Florida.

Tags Choosing A Shelter Dog, Choosing A Shelter Puppy, Dog Adoption

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	Thank you to all of those who spoke out against these shelters, rescues, etc. and their power trip politics. I recently soured on these institutions after wanting to adopt and found out how they operate and how they give you this attitude that they are somehow better than you. Who needs that? And when I wrote in on a blog, a group of them ganged up on me and began to bad mouth me, told me they would never adopt to me, blah blah blah. They don't know me. Talk about judgmental and power trips! I struck a nerve because I spoke the truth. They engaged in name calling and profanity-laced abbreviations. Nice! I didn't have to say another word. Whoever read those posts got the idea what they were all about. They gave themselves the worst P.R. possible. I stand with you folks who also turn away from their antics. Better to go to a reputable breeder. Good to let people know the darkness behind their facade. 6 months ago by Redhead
	I have recently created my own blog highlighting my experience with Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW) in Maryaland, a group I had volunteered with for 11 years. The blog gives a detailed account of the politics, power trips, and social agenda pushing I witnessed. I think it is important to impart this knowledge: pet lovers should know that there is often more to their rescue group than meets the eye. The knowledge can eventually help do something about this unfortunate phenomenon because rescue groups should be responsible for what they do; they often operate with tax-free funds. over 1 year ago by Anonymous
	I think many rescue organizations attract people who like the power trip, aka "large and in charge" of who gets the dog. The local county shelter has no such agenda and plenty of nice dogs. The fee is less too. Several of my friends gave up on the rescue folks, who often seem more into feeling self important than an adoption happening amy. about 2 years ago by Anonymous
	Some rescues are ridiculous, and it's a power trip with them, which is very sad because they end up shortchanging the very animals they are entrusted with protecting. Sreening is necessary, but nit-picking and being arbitrary in their requirements is not. Some rescues hold on to their dogs for months and years in anticipation of that elusive "best match," denying applications to perfectly good people for absurd reasons, such as no fence or no other dogs in the family. These dogs spend sometimes months in boarding or crated in a crowded foster home because the person who applied for them doesn't have a yard. Leash walks and/or dog park are just not good enough. And these rescue people can be very territorial on their turf. Try telling them they are not doing the best by the dog, and you are an enemy for life! over 2 years ago by Anonymous

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