Dogs at Barn are Ruining my Zen

[StormyDay]

Your interaction with rescues has also been mine, and it’s one of the reasons my last two dogs have been purchased from a breeder instead of adopted. You basically have to sign away your life and be some sort of magical person who both works from home and has a fenced yard and swears they go on a walk 3x a day to adopt a dog. I was denied because I don’t have a fenced yard; I have 10 acres along with the neighbors 150, and my dogs aren’t out unless I’m out too. But that’s not acceptable to them.

But what’s so odd is it’s the opposite with cats. They basically throw the cats at you. They run a buy one, get 3 free sale on cats. Anyone who appears to be breathing can get a cat. I’ve found it the same with other animals such as rabbits. As long as you agree not to eat them they give you one. Why does our society think dogs must be put on a pedestal and have such specialized care while other animals, animals that I would argue need more difficult care, are basically thrown away?

[enjoytheride]

@Rackonteur

I don’t “need” to do anything. You,however, need to back off and stop leaping to accuse people who aren’t accusing other people. The trainer has my sympathy.
You, OTOH, do not have my respect. You’re too judgemental and bitchy to have anyone’s respect.

Excuse me? I asked you to elaborate what you’re accusing this trainer of because it was vague and seemed ridiculous and then you attack me? How exactly are we supposed to keep track of when our trainer is on the rag? And you’re accusing the trainer of mistreating her dog at that time? That’s bizarre.

[vxf111]

When I needed a barn cat I had several area shelters/rescues act like I was seeking an animal for ritual sacrifice. I’m probably on some “no adopt” lists because of it. But I refuse to lie or get a cat under false pretenses. I literally was saying “I want one that has flunked out of an indoor home and is not going to be adopted as a house pet” and shelters/rescues were hanging up the phone on me.

The only place that would entertain the idea was the SPCA in a county an hour and a half away. They had whole rooms of outdoor cats that would not transition to house cats. I took the one who bit me when I met her. To me, she’s perfect. So it worked out in the end

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

@vxf111

When I needed a barn cat I had several area shelters/rescues act like I was seeking an animal for ritual sacrifice.

Yeah, I have a few otherwise sane friends who are absolutely flabbergasted that–gasp–people keep barn cats! Outside!

I’ve tried to explain that barn cats have a good life because they have shelter, live reasonably far away in most instances from speeding cars, and can enjoy themselves mousing yet still have food (and reduce the need for poison and keep down the mouse/rat population), are spayed and neutered, and have as much affection or as little as they want, and don’t need to use the litter box (which is why they are often barn cats in the first place). But there are people who get upset when cats are walked outside on a leash, much less a barn cat.

My local shelter is actually absolutely wonderful, and I would adopt in a heartbeat from them. They also have low-cost vaccination and training clinics. But even just reading the applications for small, unaffiliated rescues is often scary, in terms of the intrusive questions which are asked.

[endlessclimb]

@Rackonteur

Hahaha I’m not accusing her of anything (although you appear to be accusing me of accusing her!) Good grief.
If she’s not yet hit menopause, her behavior could have something to do with her menstrual cycle.
For which she has all my sympathy, and no judgement whatsoever.

But you “ladies” are so quick to judge and condemn here where you’re all anonymous …
Glad you’re not my students!

I. Literally. Can’t. Even.

You’re a REAL special breed. WOW.

[foursocks]

It’s not just dog rescues! Before I share my guinea pig story, I will point out that I think there are many excellent rescues with reasonable, smart rules. We have adopted most of our dogs through good ones. Most of them see and hear horrible things about animal abuse and neglect, and I think that makes rescue people a little crazy. But I absolutely agree that there are way too many with ridiculous policies that don’t seem effective in what should be the priority: finding and securing good matches for pets and people.

The other thing that I find problematic is the effort by some rescues put into raising money for horribly-injured or ill animals, where costs can go into the tens of thousands for emergency care that might not work. Just regular vet care for otherwise healthy or mildly-ill animals is expensive, but raising thousands of dollars for an animal that is suffering and may not survive, or that has a terminal disease but the surgery or chemo or whatever will give it a few more months…I just don’t get that. Give those poor hearts a kind, soft death and use the resources to help more animals. We have spent a lot of money on our own pets (I mean, I’m a horse owner), but that is different. Our mission isn’t rescue! A rescue that focuses massive resources, over and over again, on emergency cases seems like one that cares more about being the saviors than the general welfare of animals.

I have always had guinea pigs and I give mine a really, really good life. We have a big compound that is lined with fleece bedding and full of pigloos and places to lay and mutter to oneself while chewing air or glaring at one’s companions. They get high-quality hay and veg every day, I keep their nails and coat in good health, and in general my pigs live very long, healthy lives.

Anyway, I applied to adopt a bonded pair several years ago from a large local pig rescue and spent weeks going back and forth over email with the rescue after I submitted my application, which included pictures of our pig compound and detailed histories of the pigs I’ve had before then. They kept sending me a single question about some aspect of the care I would provide. I would answer, and then another question would come back. When I was asked if I would agree to syringing vitamin C into the pigs every day I gave up. No, I’m not going to do that to a healthy pig who is getting a pile of fresh veg every day, along with his Oxbow pellets! I went on craigslist and ended up with two young pigs who needed a new home and that was that. I am one of the best-case scenarios for a gp rescue as an adopter, but they drove me away with stupid, time-wasting nonsense and their two pigs I would have given a good home to remained in rescue. Oh well! There are, unfortunately, too many who need homes, so I just went a different route that was less irritating.

[anon6923113]

@foursocks

The other thing that I find problematic is the effort by some rescues put into raising money for horribly-injured or ill animals, where costs can go into the tens of thousands for emergency care that might not work. Just regular vet care for otherwise healthy or mildly-ill animals is expensive, but raising thousands of dollars for an animal that is suffering and may not survive, or that has a terminal disease but the surgery or chemo or whatever will give it a few more months…I just don’t get that. Give those poor hearts a kind, soft death and use the resources to help more animals. We have spent a lot of money on our own pets (I mean, I’m a horse owner), but that is different. Our mission isn’t rescue! A rescue that focuses massive resources, over and over again, on emergency cases seems like one that cares more about being the saviors than the general welfare of animals.

Amen.

@foursocks

I have always had guinea pigs and I give mine a really, really good life. We have a big compound that is lined with fleece bedding and full of pigloos and places to lay and mutter to oneself while chewing air or glaring at one’s companions. They get high-quality hay and veg every day, I keep their nails and coat in good health, and in general my pigs live very long, healthy lives.

Your description of your guinea pigs in their compound made my morning. It sounds like they are living their best little guinea pig lives. Too bad the bonded pair weren’t allowed to join the party.

[wildlifer]

@Impractical_Horsewoman

I have a few otherwise sane friends who are absolutely flabbergasted that–gasp–people keep barn cats! Outside!

Because it is neither appropriate nor responsible to have unrestrained outdoor cats, given their decimating impacts on native wildlife around the world.

[foursocks]

I would venture to say that the vast majority of people do not know this, and are reacting instead to the notion that the cats might be in danger themselves. We live in a large city and our cats are strictly indoor so they won’t get run over or exposed to FIV or FeLV.

I have never heard about this issue, myself, and now I’m off to find out more so thanks for that input. Again, though, if you were to poll those people who don’t like the idea of outdoor cats I would put down money that nearly all or even 100% of this stems from worry (misplaced or not), over the cats’ well-being, not from an understanding of the dangers posed by them to wildlife.

[Jealoushe]

@foursocks

Anyway, I applied to adopt a bonded pair several years ago from a large local pig rescue and spent weeks going back and forth over email with the rescue after I submitted my application, which included pictures of our pig compound and detailed histories of the pigs I’ve had before then. They kept sending me a single question about some aspect of the care I would provide. I would answer, and then another question would come back. When I was asked if I would agree to syringing vitamin C into the pigs every day I gave up. No, I’m not going to do that to a healthy pig who is getting a pile of fresh veg every day, along with his Oxbow pellets! I went on craigslist and ended up with two young pigs who needed a new home and that was that. I am one of the best-case scenarios for a gp rescue as an adopter, but they drove me away with stupid, time-wasting nonsense and their two pigs I would have given a good home to remained in rescue. Oh well! There are, unfortunately, too many who need homes, so I just went a different route that was less irritating.

OMG I had something similar happen! I too have pigs, have had them since I was in University. Mine live 7-9 years…always except one who died young. In the summer mine have an outdoor compound my dad built. Its huge, its off the ground,with chicken wire sides so lots of ventilation etc. Its in our wood shed where the outdoor woodstove is, its basically piggy paradise.

Anyways the guinea pig rescue wouldn’t adopt to me because my pigs live outside in the summer. I have cared for them this way for years and years and years and never had issues and never had sick pigs. Even with photos, stories of my pigs and vet reference they wouldn’t adopt to me. Such a joke.

I ended up getting my recent ones from someone looking to rehome them.

[trubandloki]

@wildlifer

Because it is neither appropriate nor responsible to have unrestrained outdoor cats, given their decimating impacts on native wildlife around the world.

Probably one barn cat is less detrimental to wildlife than the poison people would use to control the rodents if they did not have their one barn cat.

[Ghazzu]

Rescues can be the most frustrating people to deal with.
Fortunately, there are some with ample common sense.
This spring we got our second dog from a wonderful rescue several states away, and she’s got a few quirks, but is overall a perfect fit, as was he predecessor.

Contrast that with the local rescue for this particular breed, who are full of condescension and insane demands.

[Moderator_1]

The OP and her BO have discussed this issue and are happily working together, and the thread has taken an interesting turn or two, so we’re going to close it down. Feel free to continue a discussion in The Menagerie re: barn dogs and related issues.