Spinoff- Vet references for rescues

[Renn_aissance]

I am finally, finally seriously looking at getting My Very Own Cat- after several years of stealing time with other people’s kitties because my living situation was not conducive (e.g. housemate with cat-chasing dog.) I’m a few months away from feeling like I am in Ideal Cat Space, but am starting the process of looking at breed-specific rescues, local adoption agencies, etc. to be ready when Right Cat comes along. (I may have already found Right Cat, but I can’t get him for another few weeks, at which point I sincerely hope he will have found himself his Right Home. Sigh.)

I grew up with a complete menagerie of family dogs and cats, but the only veterinarian reference I think is appropriate for me to give is the horse vet. The vet for the family critters does know me as a representative of my family; the horse vet can speak to how I take care of my actual existing critter.

In your experience with various rescues and shelters, is it an item of concern if the veterinary reference does not habitually treat the animal in question, provided that the potential adoptee also lists “and this is the name and number of the veterinarian I am planning to use for not-horse”?

I would think that not everyone can provide a vet reference in the first place, so this shouldn’t be a problem, but the recent thread on stringent rescue requirements prompted the question. (So did my family’s experience adopting an animal through a rescue, vs. keeping the known-to-have-no-home stray dog who stole my dad’s candy bar out of his hand and then took it into his SUV to eat. We’d had dogs for 20+ years and a list of references as big as the backyard, but because we trained the dogs to an Invisible Fence to perimeter said big backyard- because the Husky would jump a fence that could keep a jumper stud in, and the Pyr would go right under it- we were an unsuitable home. And other stories.)

[LauraKY]

If you have no house pets, I would think your horse’s vet recommendation would be sufficient. Rescues are just looking for consistency with vet appointments, current on vaccines, that kind of thing. Stick with the vet for your personal animal, I doubt a rescue will have any interest in your family’s vet references, unless you still live at home. If you don’t own, you’ll have to get permission and a reference from your landlord. Most cat rescues will insist the cat be kept inside, unless you’re adopting a barn cat.

I used to check references for fosters and volunteers, I spent more time just talking to a potential foster for any inconsistencies in their story than anything.

As far as invisible fence goes, some rescues are OK with it, some aren’t. It depends on the breed of dog, and the relative whackoness factor of the rescue.

[glfprncs]

I used to be a former adoption counselor for a local shelter, and that was one of the questions on our adoption form as well. Where I live, many people didn’t even think about vet expenses when coming in to get a dog or cat (which was evidenced by the answers to the next question, “How much, annually, do you believe it will cost to keep and maintain your pet?”–Answers varied, from $50 up to 1000s).

What I was looking for was that the individuals looked beyond “I’m going to get a dog/cat today” and thought about future needs. This is especially true for dogs because living in the South, I need to make sure they understand the importance of heartworm prevention.

I rarely actually checked vet references unless I got some odd vibe from people. Shockingly, I know, those people were unknown to the vet office when I called.

That said, I’d use your personal large animal vet reference and note that in the paperwork. Since this is your first real pet, it should be understood that you don’t have a small vet reference to give. However, you might include (if there’s room, or if you are talking directly to someone) that Dr. So-and-so has an office at X Address and that is the vet you plan on using should you get your cat.

[red_mares]

Here’s a question for the rescue types here - if you’re a first time pet owner, how are you going to get a vet reference? No prior pet = no need for vet. Just curious.

[dkcbr]

[QUOTE=red mares;8215845]
Here’s a question for the rescue types here - if you’re a first time pet owner, how are you going to get a vet reference? No prior pet = no need for vet. Just curious.[/QUOTE]

I really like the suggestion above about explaining it’s a first pet so you don’t have actual refs, but that here is the vet you plan to use. (or using your large animal vet for references and explaining that, if you have had horses.)

Of course it’s always possible the rescue won’t believe it’s your first vet and jump to the worst conclusions, but hopefully that doesn’t happen often.

[RackNRoll]

The rescues in my area aren’t nearly as stringent on cat adoptions as they are for dogs. As long as you meet some basic criteria, you are likely to walk out with a cat or kitten. Even if you do get turned down by a rescue, there are free kittens all over craigslist and facebook this time of year. And sometimes, the Right Cat finds you.

[french_fry]

For my rescue, you only need a vet reference if you currently have a pet. We’re not checking to make sure that you have a vet to take your new animal to, we’re checking with the vet to make sure that you vaccinate and spay/neuter your current pets as appropriate.

Not having a small animal vet reference has literally never been a problem for any adopter at our rescue - unless, of course, they have a house pet that doesn’t have a vet because it doesn’t receive regular veterinary care!

I would say that you don’t have any house pets but you do have a horse and provide your equine vet’s contact info.

That being said, in general feel free to over explain any answer on your application if it gives you room. One of our app questions is something like “have you identified a vet for your new pet?” and I think sometimes people get unnecessarily intimidated by this - it’s totally fine to put no (we will then offer to recommend someone) but “No, I’m hoping you can recommend one” or “no, but my friend/neighbor has a vet they really like and I am planning to ask them about him/her” are GREAT answers that will show that you’re thinking ahead.

[Marshfield]

If this is your first small animal, it’s okay to explain that to the rescue and follow it with you’ve asked friends/neighbors for recommendations and will be using Dr. X for kitty’s care.

[Hampton_Bay]

Having just tried to go trough this process with a dog, I actually submitted a few applications saying I ad never had a dog just to see what would happen. Shockingly, I got NO response to those. Not even a thanks but no thanks. The breed rescues for dogs tend to be VERY strict on having every vaccine in order regardless of circumstances. I’m somewhat guessing on that because I explained my situation about elderly dogs who had some health issues, and then all communication stopped. No more replies or answered calls. The sudden dropping came after admitting that my 12 and 14yo dogs had not been vaccinated for the puppy shots in the years prior to their deaths, and that I had given the older dog his annual rabies right before his death. He had all rabies records lined out prior to that one shot.

I just gave up wit the rescues entirely. The county shelters with dogs matching my needs were as picky as the breed rescues. I went to craigslist and found a breeder with a female who wasn’t working out as a dog in a group of dogs. I just brought her home today but so far she is PERFECT. She seems to really enjoy being the center of attention and is very laid back and loving. I couldn’t have asked for a better dog. And as an individual, she understood giving your own shots instead of having a vet do every single one. The rescues in this area just don’t seem to get that.

[Renn_aissance]

[QUOTE=glfprncs;8215823]
I used to be a former adoption counselor for a local shelter, and that was one of the questions on our adoption form as well. Where I live, many people didn’t even think about vet expenses when coming in to get a dog or cat (which was evidenced by the answers to the next question, “How much, annually, do you believe it will cost to keep and maintain your pet?”–Answers varied, from $50 up to 1000s).[/QUOTE]

I love that question. “How much do you expect to spend annually on your pet?” That’s a bad question to ask a horse person… “I’ve budgeted $X per year with the full understanding that sometimes animals do some completely bizarre things and need to see the vet for something that will ultimately make the vet question my choice of animal.” I don’t know that the cat rescue would appreciate that answer. (In reality, I have budgeted $X per year for routine + emergency, but would really like to be spending just $Y routine, so kitty, help me out.)

French Fry, thanks for explaining that your rescue’s perspective on the vet reference is for houses with current pets to identify a standard of current care- I hadn’t thought about that one. It does address Red Mares’ question of how first time pet owners are expected to provide a vet reference.

The other question that cracks me up is one that a breed specific rescue has on their questionnaire. “Where will the cat sleep at night?” I know they’re asking really if the cat is going to be in or outside, but come on, it’s a cat… it’s going to sleep wherever it likes, and since I’m looking at Maine Coons (or Large Fluffy Weird Cat of Unspecified Parentage,) I hope the cat will deign to leave me a spot on the bed!

[jen-s]

I was an adoption counselor (application screener is a better phrase) for a few years. I’d agree to just explain that this is your first pet and then list your equine vet. You can also offer to give additional personal references if they’d like.

[Perfect10]

My rescue asks on the application about your current vet or, if you are a first time pet owner, the vet you have chosen. We do vet checks on current pets to show a standard of care- we won’t adopt an animal into a home where the current pets haven’t been to the vet in years without some kind of explanation.

[glfprncs]

@Renn/aissance;8216580

I love that question. “How much do you expect to spend annually on your pet?” That’s a bad question to ask a horse person… “I’ve budgeted $X per year with the full understanding that sometimes animals do some completely bizarre things and need to see the vet for something that will ultimately make the vet question my choice of animal.” I don’t know that the cat rescue would appreciate that answer. (In reality, I have budgeted $X per year for routine + emergency, but would really like to be spending just $Y routine, so kitty, help me out.)

That’s a tough question to ask a dog person, too (says the dog mom with a Cushing’s diagnosis that took 18 months and thousands and thousands of dollars to correctly treat)!

That question, though, does tell you a lot about people’s thinking about their pets. If they think that it’ll cost $50 annually to keep a cat (including vet, food, toys, scratching posts, etc.,) then I need to do a bit of education first. Heck, an annual vet visit is $100 minimum.

[Knubbsy]

When DH and I adopted our dog we hadn’t owned a dog as an adult so we used his parents’ vet. I don’t know if they even called because I had a long family history with the breed but they were perfectly fine with any evidence that we understood the requirements of pet care. Honestly, I think we’re one of the over achieving adopters with the prep we did and the work we’ve done since.

[BeckyS]

Interesting read, considering my husband and I are thinking of getting a second dog.

Those of you who listed a vet on an application–did you call the vet beforehand and let them know?

[LauraKY]

[QUOTE=BeckyS;8219463]
Interesting read, considering my husband and I are thinking of getting a second dog.

Those of you who listed a vet on an application–did you call the vet beforehand and let them know?[/QUOTE]

It depends. I used to approve foster applications. In some states, vets are required to get the owners permission to release records, in that case, I would ask the applicant to call the vet with permission. All I was really looking for was to see their animals were current on vaccines (within the vet’s guidelines) and heartworm medication (for dogs). I got that info from the receptionist.

[BeckyS]

[QUOTE=LauraKY;8219862]
It depends. I used to approve foster applications. In some states, vets are required to get the owners permission to release records, in that case, I would ask the applicant to call the vet with permission. All I was really looking for was to see their animals were current on vaccines (within the vet’s guidelines) and heartworm medication (for dogs). I got that info from the receptionist.[/QUOTE]

Thank you!