Rejected adoption application.

I just think it's so unfair to require fences for certain breeds. I have an akita, which are known for being escape artists with poor recall, and two bully breed dogs, and I don't have a fence around my property. My dogs do NOT roam, and the ones I can't trust off leash are not allowed off leash. There's no risk of them running loose, and they get plenty of exercise. I think there's actually more of a risk of dogs not getting enough exercise when kept in a fenced yard...because alot of owners assume that's enough exercise for them and don't walk them.
 
Either way, I don't think it's fair that I would be turned down for a dog because I don't have a fenced yard. Careful management and training works just as well. My dogs will NEVER be seen running loose, which is more than I can say for many people with fenced yards that I know. [>:]

Here is the list of dogs not allowed to be adopted without a fence check.
Rottweiler, Pit Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Boxer, and Great Dane,

I don't think fences should be a problem at all with certain adopters.. I'm not going to be using my backyard to exercise my dogs, so I don't think the fence thing is a big deal. But obviously they think it is.

You definitely aren't the only one having problems with adoption applications.  I applied, willing to adopt two older girls because they didn't want to separate them... one had some eye issues (one was removed and the other wasn't in the best shape).  I was more than willing to drive to pick them up, filled out the app... and was told after two months that I was too far away (I'm in WV, the rescue was in TN - not that far).  I ended up adopting closer to home and NOT on Petfinder - got a sweetheart of a girl that was turned into a clinic as a stray.  Maybe it's just God's way of keeping your options open to a fur kid that really might need you?  Never know!

ORIGINAL: Ratsicles

I just think it's so unfair to require fences for certain breeds.

 
I agree.  I think it's unfair for all breeds.  If you are willing to put in the effort to walk a dog, you shouldn't need to have a fence.  I know lots of people with fenced yards who's dogs never see the outside of that yard.  Is that any better?  No I don't think so.
 
I understand that they want what's best for the dog, but it seems like some are getting so picky that as Ron2 said - they're going to end up with the dogs forever... 
 
It's also probably turning people off... They can walk into a pet store and just pick up a puppy without going through applications, references, home checks, etc.  I have friends who have been really turned off by the whole process and the negative reception they recieved from the rescues they dealt with.  It's unfortunate as their intentions are good but the method some are using are only going to compound the problem.

It's unfortunate as their intentions are good but the method some are using are only going to compound the problem

 
Exactly.
 
As for fence check, that doesn't necessarily guarantee a good place. There's a house in town with no fence. They have three dogs, all tethered or chained. But they have dog houses, food, and water. So, technically, they haven't violated anything, though I can't see the use of a dog spending it's entire life on a chain. Even sled dogs, which are often kept on chains or zip lines, get to run a couple of times a day and a few of those places have a free run area. OTOH, a good point was made that a conscientious owner will exercise the dog, fenced yard or not.
 
But I do not understand how a rescue could deny an app in spite of all the hoops the person has just jumped through just because of age, or too low a fence, or not enough money to afford a couple of grand in surgery. I couldn't afford a couple of grand for a pet surgery. Does that mean I can't own a pet?
 

I completely understand the frustration. It was a great lesson in patience and perseverance trying to adopt a dog. But some are right that it depends on rescue organizations. The one that we finally adopted Stanley from, everything went so well and efficiently. Most I never heard from, and yes, I was lectured at some -- for daring to have a large dog when I live in busy Manhattan! But it was all worth it at the end. I would also suggest that you go to a shelter OR go to another rescue.

But I do not understand how a rescue could deny an app in spite of all the hoops the person has just jumped through just because of age, or too low a fence, or not enough money to afford a couple of grand in surgery. I couldn't afford a couple of grand for a pet surgery. Does that mean I can't own a pet?

Some people would argue that no, you shouldn't own a pet if you don't have unlimited resources for surgeries. [:'(]

I am a 19 year old newlywed with pretty limited income. My husband is military, and I don't work due to very serious anxiety issues. We have 4 dogs, 10 chickens, 9 rats, a cat, a ferret, a mouse, and a fish. Most people would say that because of my age, and the fact that I have a limited income, I'm not fit to own a pet.

We are NOT rich...in fact, we're pretty darn poor. Most young newlyweds are. Still, my dogs eat better than I do- my rats eat a whole food diet (the rat equivalent of raw,) my dogs eat Blue Buffalo and raw and get $20 supplements added to their food, my chickens eat a home made organic grain mix that isn't exactly cheap, my ferret eats raw...heck, my fish is even on an organic raw diet! My dogs hove toyboxes and beds, go for long walks during the day, and get loads of play time. My ferret has his own room with cat climbing trees and play centers, tons of toys, and a HUGE  cage for when we're not home to supervise him. My rats, when I had more than 9 of them (I've lost 27 of them in the last 4 months to a virus []) had their own room and a play area similar to what my ferret has. My chicken have their own room in the basement with hay, nest boxes, and a roost to stay in at night and during poor weather, and a big outdoor run to graze in during the day. They get toys to play with, loads of fresh foods, and room to run. All of my animals get vet care. Now, there are times when I have to save up for them to get their shots, and it IS rough for me to get them vet care. Don't get me wrong- if they need to go to the vet, they go- and if worse came to worse, I'd start selling tv's, computers, and furniture to pay for whatever they need to have done. But, at any given time, I probably won't have more than a couple of hundred bucks at my disposal for vet bills. Like I said...I'm a poor newlywed.

In order to give my pets whatever they need, I eat ramen, wear old holey jeans and cheap tshirts, and wear makeup when I can afford it. Our two cars *barely* get us where they need to go, and we literally have nothing left over. We spend every cent we have on our animals.

We chose that for ourselves, we're not rich, but we put literally everything we have into our pets. It saddens me that, according to some people, I don't deserve my animals because if one of them needed a 3,000 surgery, I wouldn't be able to afford it. I think if you asked my dogs, they'd rather have a good life with a family that loves them and gives them whatever they can, but maybe couldn't afford to save them if they needed some insanely expensive treatment, than to live chained outside some rich man's house as a lawn ornament, and have a ton of money spent on them in the event that they needed surgery. IMO, quality of life is more important than quantity of life.

Like I said earlier, despite all that I put into my animals, I was still turned down for adoption because I was "too young." This after they saw the way I care for my animals. My parents are in their 50's, well off, and their dogs are chained in their backyard, eat crap, and never see a vet. But because of their ages, and the amount of money they make, they'd be more likely to be approved for adoption from a rescue than I would. Amazing. [>:]

I was still turned down for adoption because I was "too young." This after they saw the way I care for my animals. My parents are in their 50's, well off, and their dogs are chained in their backyard, eat crap, and never see a vet. But because of their ages, and the amount of money they make, they'd be more likely to be approved for adoption from a rescue than I would. Amazing

Ah, the irony.

And I'm over twice your age and still live on a budget. And I have to save a couple of grand every year to pay property taxes. If those don't get paid, ain't no one got a place to live.

ORIGINAL: Ratsicles

.....I was still turned down for adoption because I was "too young." This after they saw the way I care for my animals. My parents are in their 50's, well off, and their dogs are chained in their backyard, eat crap, and never see a vet. But because of their ages, and the amount of money they make, they'd be more likely to be approved for adoption from a rescue than I would. Amazing. [>:]

 
Ratsicles, may be not for long.  Rescue organizations like mine, pull from shelters, spay/neuter, innoculate, take care of any medical problem, address behavioral problems, house, feed, rehab, advertise, respond to inquiries, interview, review application, home visit, vet reference, and meet.  All on a volunteer basis.  I foster and I am involved in adoption process.  We always have 2 people involved every step of the way.   I work for the service industry so I have been trained to give timely responsive.  Communication and timely responses was a big problem in getting our dogs adopted.  I started keeping records and I kept pestering my organization to change.  I think once we examined the process and talk through a new one things got a lot better.  The positve feedback and thank yous for responding so quickly also helped a lot.
 
The reason for my 1st statement is because rescues will spend a lot of resources on a dog and their mission is to place that dog in the best available home.  Old age is a consideration because of if the owners health declines something has to be done with the pet.  Sadly, but a consideration no less.  Now again I am an exception.  For one of my fosters there was a family that was very well off and had a solid applicaiton.  I just had a sense about the mom that the dog would not do good with her.  So on the same day I met this solid family in Petsmart, an elderly lady with her daughter approached me and was interested in Jenny, an overweight slow moving beagle.  We talked for about an hour and the lady took Jenny for a walk.  Watching them walk made me think that was a perfect match.  When the lady returned she said "ok, wrap Jenny up, I'll take her".  That sealed it for me.  What ensued within the organization was the discussion of who would get Jenny, a solid family that is well off, kids, residence dog, fenced yard, middle age...Or the elderly lady on fixed income and apartment.  Without going into the specifics of the debate, the elderly lady got Jenny because I was her advocate but more than that it was a perfect match.  If you work from within an rescue organization you can initiate positive change to the benefit of the dog, the organization, and the public.

ORIGINAL: Ratsicles


I am a 19 year old newlywed with pretty limited income. My husband is military, and I don't work due to very serious anxiety issues.

This is off topic, but I had to comment on this because I'm in the exact same situation! I'm also married and don't work because of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. I'm sooooo glad that I'm not the only one!! [] My husband and I also aren't the richest people in the world. We've been married for 2 years and he's just now starting to make a decent amount of money, but my animals have always had the best of everything and very well taken care of.

DPU, that story made me feel pretty good! It's great that there ARE organizations out there that are willing to use common sense instead of following a bunch of incredibly black and white, discriminatory policies that leave plenty of good people unable to adopt. Hopefully that kind of mentallity will spread. []
 
Luvntzus, cool! I've never met anyone who had the same issues I do. I had a couple of jobs during high school (the usual minimum wage high school stuff) and it was hell. I'm mildly autistic (asperger's) and have CRIPPLING social anxiety. Every day, as soon as I got to work, I would go in the bathroom and cry, hyperventilate, and throw up. I just cannot deal with strangers- I can barely function well enough to shop for myself and go out in public- dealing with customers (I was a cashier) was terrifying and stressfull to the point of being completely exhausting. Aspie's have problems with sensory overload, and after a certain amount of time dealing with strangers I *have* to escape somewhere and calm down and collect myself. I actually seem to function very well- I'm articulate, appear confidant, and most people would never know that I have a problem. Inside, I'm usually on the verge of tears.
 
My Asperger's has been diagnosed, my anxiety problems have not. I just haven't gotten to a doctor for it yet. Most people think it's just an excuse for me to be "lazy" (lazy, with all of these animals? ha!) and not work, but I would LOVE to be able to do normal things without freaking out. I have trouble shopping, making phone calls, answering the door, and sometimes just going outside. Most people think I'm just lazy for not having a job- I would LOVE to be able to get out there, volunteer, and work. I was going to college on a full ride scholorship and had a 3.6 GPA(art/illustration major)...and I dropped out because I was too afraid to go to class. People act like it's something that I chose. I wouldn't exactly call puking just from thinking about social situations and being too afraid to call and order a pizza a "choice." [8|]
 
anyway, sorry for the thread hijack. It's good to hear that I'm not the only one that's in this boat. []

I'm glad we're also not the only people who have had trouble with rescues. We tried that route before, and got no responses from many, they said no, or in many cases, the applications alone deterred us. I can say that one definitely would have. If it says you need a fence, we're out. Nevermind that we have three adults and a 15 year old living in the house who are capable and willing to walk a dog. Nevermind that our current and previous dogs have been well taken care off, and plenty of people would vouch for that fact.
Sometimes, it's not really a problem with you, but I think some of these rescues only adopt to homes that are 110% perfect in every way. Anything less, and they believe you are unworthy of owning a dog. The local SPCA was glad to adopt Millie to us, and when we returned and wanted to get another dog, they would have been more than glad to let us have another one had Millie liked any of them (and they were very glad to see the way she looked when we brought her in). Next time we get a dog, we'll be steering clear of the overly picky rescues once again.

I definitely agree with Ratcicles about the fence thing. A fence does NOT guarantee a good home for a dog! I know WAY too many people that have dogs that never leave that fence. No walks, no car rides, nothing. The fence makes it way too easy to just turn the dog out and forget about it. I have had some rescuers tell me that the fence is required so the dog doesn't get loose. What? Who has their front yard fenced in? I don't know anyone whose entire house is enclosed by a fence. If you don't want your dog to run out the door, you have to train it. A fence around the back yard won't solve that problem. A fence also won't stop an escape artist. There are quite a few dogs that shouldn't be outside unsupervised *period*. They dig, they climb, they chew, they do whatever it takes to get out.

My sister already has two great danes. When she saw a dane at a local shelter on petfinder she contacted them about adopting him. The shelter had already surrendered him to a dane rescue. The dane rescue refused to even consider her because she didn't have a fenced in yard. She lives in the country and has 50 acres of yard and horse pasture. She worked as a vet tech already had two danes that were rescues - one from clinic clients who had to move out of the country for work and another partially deaf one from a breeder who found out she had already taken in a dane. She had references up the ying-yang, but they wouldn't even consider her because she had no fence.

My sister was talking to the breeder she got her part-deaf dane from and heard a few disturbing things about the people involved in that dane rescue. The breeder gets about one deaf or part deaf pup every couple years that she prefers to find her own homes for. Mainly because the area rescue was no help in finding homes. While the rescue workers each kept 4-6 danes in a tiny *fenced* yard for months and years to find the *perfect* home. The dogs weren't getting properly socialized or trained. In the meantime, they were turning down people like my sister who didn't have a fence, but is otherwise a wonderful dog owner. The breeder has fenced kennels, but prefers to see her dogs out and about and able to run in a safe environment. NOT kept cooped up in yards for their entire lives with no leash walks or trips to the dog park where they aren't *safe*.

I agree some rescues are way too strict.
 
I like the rescue I work with because we approve adopters on a case to case basis.
 
You do have to understand how much work/time/money we put into these dogs. We want to be darn sure that they are getting a great home who will keep them forever.
 
Some people take this over the top and have rules like "must have fenced yard" or "must be 30 years old", or "must not be away from home for X amount of hours--usually 4". It's not fair to pass a blanket rule like that because if you do, you will miss plenty of good adopters like the OP.
 
I have heard of SOOO many people going to breeders because they were rejected by a rescue for no good reason. It's sad and not right, I wonder if these rescues know what they are doing?