Dog adoption...did I say/do something wrong?!?

[witherbee]

I think sometimes people get into too much detail on the application itself and make things sound too complex. I would keep it simple and put what your end situation will be and explain what is going on once they reach out to you - but again, keep it simple. I see on here all the time people giving all sorts of detail and feeling defensive about their situation and that is a red flag I would think for some of these rescues that deal with drama from adopters as well as the drama from the people they get these pets from. Many of the rescues are hotbeds of drama themselves.

That said, I agree with others about going to your local shelter or through a specific breed rescue. I have had a lot of luck with both of those options. I have also been frustrated with some rescues not responding.

Good luck - sounds like it will be a lucky dog when you find it!

[Romany]

@ the OP - try and get a phone # from them and talk to a real person, and find out why EXACTLY AND IN DETAIL your application was unsuccessful. If, indeed, you need to bother: I think I’d move on and find a more realistic rescue group. Don’t feel guilty - or guilted-into - about having your heart broken. That’s why you’re looking for a dog, and you will find the right one eventually, I promise.

Like others, my experience with the bulk of our local private rescues has not been positive. They ask more questions than the FBI/CIA (and this is Canada, where many of the questions they ask actually contravene privacy laws), and they can be so sanctimonious and holier-than-thou. They’ve got snazzy websites with shiny photos of pretty dogs with the best double-speak on their little issues, post endless luvvies photos and soppy drivel on FB, and do seem somewhat distanced from reality. I’ve written a fair few applications, only to get the nosy form to complete…at which point I’ve asked to see THEIR privacy policies…and NOT ONE has got back to me. And we did fit all their criteria (stay-at-home, fences, Mother Theresa ;)).

We have adopted a dog from every single local shelter (SPCAs, etc) over the years, and got our most recent pair from a sane private group far, far away. Reasonable questions asked (on both sides) with honest answers, reasonable prices paid: happy us, happy dogs. It’s not that complicated, really.

Hopefully you’ll have more luck than we did, but I’m not holding my breath!

[sorrelfilly721]

I agree that some shelters are a little big for their britches. A few months back I was trying to adopt a kitten. I looked at petfinders.com and there was a kitten listed at the Beverly Hills Animal Shelter that looked like what I wanted. I filled out the applications and got a call:

Shelter: So will the cat be living inside or out?
Me: Inside - always.
Shelter: Do you live in a house or apartment?
Me: Mobile home.
Shelter: Do you think a mobile home is an appropriate home for a cat?
Me: ??? Yes…
Shelter: How many SF do you have?
Me: Really??? 1400 SF.
Shelter: We’ll get back to you.

I got an email saying the placed her in a more appropriate home! LOL! I’m sure the two I have now are grateful they did.

[LauraKY]

There are really good rescues out there, there really are.

Here’s what should happen:

You see a dog you like on a website and you send in an application.

You get a phone call from a rescue volunteer who will go over the application with you, tell you if the dog is still available (a lot of times they are not), answer any questions. At this point they will ask your permission to contact your references.

Once your references check out (making sure that your other animals get regular vet car for instance and that you don’t have a habit of discarding animals when you’re tired of them), they will probably arrange for a home visit or ask to have photos of your home.

I know that seems invasive, but I’ve done a few home visits and I’ve ruled out a couple of possible adopters because the home was either filthy/didn’t meet what was said on the application OR after talking some more with the potential adopter found that there are inconsistencies.

In one case, a person who lived right on a golf course discussed allowing the dog to roam. Now knowing that collies are herders, I tried to explain that wouldn’t be a good idea from the get go…that they are likely to chase golf carts and mowers. She knew better. So application denied. In another case, dogs were restricted to the sun porch because “hair”.

So then you move on to matching. In a good rescue, the adoption coordinator will try to match you with a dog most likely to fit your needs, likes and lifestyle. So if you are away from home 9+ hours a day and won’t be using day care, a puppy might not be the best choice. If you have a lot of stairs, a senior might not be the best choice. IME, you then get to talk to the foster about the dog and the foster also has input about the potential adoption…they’ve got a lot emotionally invested in the dog too.

Then…if all goes well, you find your perfect or almost perfect dog.

For the most part, with a good rescue, the volunteers are really doing their best for the dogs and the adopters. Really.

ETA: Shelter dogs can be really great too…but you’re getting an unknown. With a dog that’s been in foster, you know if they’re housebroken, aggressive, fearful…etc.

[cowboymom]

The holier than thou attitude of most rescues keep the dreaded puppy factories in business. The people you turn down b/c their dogs stay on the porch or you didn’t like the cleanliness of their home are the ones that go buy a puppy off of craigslist.

[french_fry]

I am probably going to draw ire for this advice but in my city there are tons of owners who list dogs they can no longer keep directly on Craigslist. Of course, some of the dogs have issues and some listings are for owners who are straight out trying to sell their dogs for a profit but there are (at least in my area) also many people who feel the need to give up their dogs due to a change in financial or family circumstances. Or the “oops” litter (be careful you’re not inadvertently supporting a backyard breeder by buying one of their “designer” mutts.)

I don’t have a dog at the moment but this is the route I’d go. My friend has an “oops” puppy and another friend has an adult dog that was given up by his owner. I myself have a kitten pulled from the street by an acquaintance and given to me. I could not have put myself through going through a cat rescue - so many hoops to jump through!

I understand what rescues are trying to do and applaud them in carefully screening homes but I am very happy with the peer-to-peer “adoptions” (if you can call them that) I’ve been a part of.

[Romany]

[QUOTE=cowboymom;7720722]
The holier than thou attitude of most rescues keep the dreaded puppy factories in business. The people you turn down b/c their dogs stay on the porch or you didn’t like the cleanliness of their home are the ones that go buy a puppy off of craigslist.[/QUOTE]

Great point! It’s not the only reason puppy mills are so lucrative, but indirectly, I imagine those overly-judgemental “rescue” groups with their unrealistic expectations of dog adopters is probably another contributing factor.

[Romany]

[QUOTE=french fry;7720757]
I am probably going to draw ire for this advice but in my city there are tons of owners who list dogs they can no longer keep directly on Craigslist. Of course, some of the dogs have issues and some listings are for owners who are straight out trying to sell their grown dogs for a profit but there are (at least in my area) also many people who feel the need to give up their dogs due to a change in financial or family circumstances. Or the “oops” litter (be careful you’re not inadvertently supporting a backyard breeder by buying one of their “designer” mutts.)

I don’t have a dog at the moment but this is the route I’d go. My friend has an “oops” puppy and another friend has an adult dog that was given up by his owner. I myself have a kitten pulled from the street by an acquaintance and given to me. I could not have put myself through going through a cat rescue - so many hoops to jump through!

I understand what rescues are trying to do and applaud them in carefully screening homes but I am very happy with the peer-to-peer “adoptions” (if you can call them that) I’ve been a part of.[/QUOTE]

By the same token, apparently a lot of the dogs looking for homes on Craigslist (or Kijiji, in Canada) are “adopted” by unsavoury types who then flip them to dog-fighting outfits. There’s pretty good evidence that’s going on in our area, which is otherwise a fairly “respectable” town, being the capital of Canada and all. :rolleyes:

[french_fry]

Romany, this is a really good point to consider. I guess by taking in a dog from Craigslist, even if I am careful in making sure that I’m not inadvertently supporting a backyard breeder or puppy mill, I may be supporting circumstances that allow this type of thing to happen. But,on the other hand, I may be preventing it from going into unscrupulous hands.

I do know that both of my friends ended up with dogs from “legit” people - a farm dog had an oops litter and a family that had a child with an allergy that developed.

I don’t know. I understand the pitfalls of going on Craigslist and am not saying that it’s a great thing to do when you consider the overall landscape. It can be a great way to get a dog, though…

[Romany]

I agree - every dog that gets a good home is a win by my reckoning!

I totally understand why people look for homes for their dogs on Kijiji/Craigslist, and you can usually tell from the wording if they’re actually unloading a dog they couldn’t care less about vs someone in a difficult situation looking for a good home. Not that unloaded “bad” dogs don’t often turn out to be altogether much better dogs when they find better homes, too.

[fourmares]

Your local Tractor Supply should be having a pet adoption event on Sept. 20th.

[Casey09]

Just a thought about Craigslist. There isn’t anything wrong with it necessarily, but many of the animals on it are being re sold by flippers (at least where I am). I also read through the pet ads, and see a lot of posts to warn others that a particular litter has parvo. Just be careful because some of these animals haven’t had the same types of care that a dog that has been through a rescue has. If it is an oops litter, I’d want the sellers to be altering the parents, but you have no way to make that happen.
Personally, if I were going to get a dog from an individual, I’d ask around and do it privately rather than on craigslist. I’ve also noticed that there are a lot of ads that are just as picky as any rescue or breeder, and often about really weird things. Many people there are now talking about references, home visits, lots of questions, etc.
Personally, I’d also contact reputable breeders, but that is usually more money and the same amount of questions. The benefit is that if you really want a small dog, you might have an easier time. Sometimes they even have older puppies or youngish adults.
I personally think that a lot of what goes on with Craigslist are people who are breeding irresponsibly to make money, aren’t giving appropriate vaccines, or are buying and reselling dogs as a profit enterprise. It isn’t anything I want to support.

[asb2517]

[QUOTE=LauraKY;7720698]

In one case, a person who lived right on a golf course discussed allowing the dog to roam. Now knowing that collies are herders, I tried to explain that wouldn’t be a good idea from the get go…that they are likely to chase golf carts and mowers. [/QUOTE]

My local course has a “course dog” that’s a collie…it’s at least their 2nd one. The old had to be put down last year and they got a puppy last fall. I know this is off topic…but I just saw “Putter” a couple days ago and your post made me think of him!

[jessiesgrrl]

Hey All,
Thank you so much for all the great advise and words of encouragement!!!

Update on the situation: I got a phone call!!!

I noticed that 4/5 pups had been adopted so I had lost hope. Last night I got a phone call from his foster mama (for the initial phone interview) to go over my application.
I was at the barn, but I dropped the fork and had a seat to get into the nitty gritty of things lol
Turns out the first 4 had in fact been adopted to volunteers/previous apps that were waiting for this specific situation. Little Loki (pups name) is the only one left for the general public. She had over 100 apps to go through :eek: hence the delay in phone call.

She did explain my initial app was not a immediate X off, but there was concerns. She said my follow up email was good because it explained stuff more and thats the reason I got the call. (Yay for being a pestering person!)

So after 30mins of talking, he sounds like a great fit!!! And hopefully I did too

He is a stunning 3lbs Mama boy, already started on the crate training, and loves to snuggle and give kisses. Not nippy, doesn’t jump, and gets along with everyone and everything he has encountered so far. His only issue so far is he won’t go to the bathroom outside unless you are with him (like most pups) but that will probably work itself out (her words not mine)

So now I wait for the email…either I get the denied email or the lets do a home visit email.

And I strongly agree with SPCA route too…the BF says once we get the farm thats where we will be going for his dog lol

Kepp you all posted!!

[LauraKY]

[QUOTE=french fry;7720757]
I am probably going to draw ire for this advice but in my city there are tons of owners who list dogs they can no longer keep directly on Craigslist. Of course, some of the dogs have issues and some listings are for owners who are straight out trying to sell their dogs for a profit but there are (at least in my area) also many people who feel the need to give up their dogs due to a change in financial or family circumstances. Or the “oops” litter (be careful you’re not inadvertently supporting a backyard breeder by buying one of their “designer” mutts.)

I don’t have a dog at the moment but this is the route I’d go. My friend has an “oops” puppy and another friend has an adult dog that was given up by his owner. I myself have a kitten pulled from the street by an acquaintance and given to me. I could not have put myself through going through a cat rescue - so many hoops to jump through!

I understand what rescues are trying to do and applaud them in carefully screening homes but I am very happy with the peer-to-peer “adoptions” (if you can call them that) I’ve been a part of.[/QUOTE]

And sometimes those “adopters” who respond to craiglist ads are really people looking for bait for their dog fighting or to sell for research.

[LauraKY]

[QUOTE=asb2517;7721215]
My local course has a “course dog” that’s a collie…it’s at least their 2nd one. The old had to be put down last year and they got a puppy last fall. I know this is off topic…but I just saw “Putter” a couple days ago and your post made me think of him![/QUOTE]

Yes, once they’re trained and you know the personality of the dog. For instance, my last collie was a great farm dog, never chased the the horses, stayed on her side of the fence. My newest collie is ADHD. She’s not allowed off leash unless she’s in her securely fenced yard when the horses are out. But collies do have a tendency to chase and try to herd…it’s their nature, that’s what they’re bred for. The potential adopter was clueless. Completely clueless. The adoption coordinator just had misgivings…which is why she asked me to do a home visit.

[french_fry]

[QUOTE=LauraKY;7722367]
And sometimes those “adopters” who respond to craiglist ads are really people looking for bait for their dog fighting or to sell for research.[/QUOTE]

I’m not advocating rehoming a dog this way, nor do I agree with most of the reasons people rehome their animals. I’m simply saying that it can be a way to get a dog from people who are too clueless to realize this - basically the same kind of dogs that end up at shelters.

[cowboymom]

[QUOTE=LauraKY;7722367]
And sometimes those “adopters” who respond to craiglist ads are really people looking for bait for their dog fighting or to sell for research.[/QUOTE]

Which makes a dog’s life on the sun porch instead of on the couch not look so bad. If some rescues made it easier for folks to get a dog through them the CL traffic would dry up.

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=LauraKY;7722367]
And sometimes those “adopters” who respond to craiglist ads are really people looking for bait for their dog fighting or to sell for research.[/QUOTE]

There are massive protocol regarding procurement of research animals and purpose bred beagles for research purposes are typically used

[Hippolyta]

I am not sure if this is the situation in your case, but echoing what has been said above about some rescues being a bit ridiculous.

My friend, a wildlife biologist & lifetime cat owner (currently has one that has lived to 18 so far), had vet rec, home visit, etc. Cat rescue turned her down b/c she worked too much (she walks to 5 minutes to work, works 9-4:30, comes home).