Dog Community

I feel so badly for a co-worker.

Posted : 11/29/2007 11:39:38 PM

I work with a guy who adopted a dog form a shelter a little over a year ago. Apparently many agencies here in the northeast transport dogs from down south for adoption here (which is what they did). They have done all the "right" things. They put up a fence around their backyard, took the dog to obedience school - and recently started agility. They decided they were ready for a second dog and found a young dog they really wanted. They corresponded with the head of a shelter in Tenn who said this particular dog was being transported to a shelter here on the 28th. She also said it was the"best" dog and she had been fostering it in her home. She encouraged them to apply for it which they did. She e-mailed back saying they could meet the transporter on the 28th, she just had to do a vet check. She subsequently e-mailed back saying she had talked to their vet with a smiley face! That was two to three weeks ago. Suddenly the dog disappeared from the shelter site in Tenn and was on a site here. They wrote to and called the original shelter and received no responses. They then talked to the shelter here who said they would talk to the shelter person in Tenn. My friend asked if they should fill out an application here too, and were told yes.. The 28th was approaching rapidly.

They called the shelter here on the 27th and were told they were rejected by the person down south. Their vet had said that while their dog was up to date on everything, they had two cats that were not. The woman said it was a board policy that all pets had to be current on their shots and they WOULD not be able to adopt any dogs from them - "end of story". He tried to explain what happened but to no avail. They have three cats - all indoor cats. They do not like their vet (the wife in particular) because he has cancelled two appointments at the last minute, and was not there a third time. He also was not nice to their animals. She went to a new vet with two of the cats and they plan to change vets. The new vet had none of their dog's records so they didn't mention him up front. The third cat is actually overdue by about two months on its shots.

I feel badly because they would have ben great owners and have been looking forward to this particular dog for some time . I can't believe the woman never responded to them or told them what the vet said until the last minute.

So today they went to a shelter in Ma., found three pups they are interested in, and are going back tomorrow to introduce their dog to them and hopefully, bring one home.

erica1989

Posted : 11/30/2007 12:05:43 AM

that really sucks. We have the same policy where I work - however - we allow people to put the animals on 'hold' and get the rest of their pets up to date, then come back within the 24 hours and they can adopt. We hold the application and everything. We would never turn someone away because their cat was not current for a few months, we'll give them a list of vets in the immediate area, and they come back the next day.

2shelties

Posted : 11/30/2007 12:16:34 AM

I was turned down by a rescue group b/c I gave them the wrong number for the vet. It was a typo and I emailed them the right number, but they would no longer consider me, they had moved on to someone elses application. Whatever. I don't vaccinate my senior indoor cat either, and my vet supports me on that. She told me at my last visit that if my younger cat never goes outside, I don't need to continue vaxing her either.

DumDog

Posted : 11/30/2007 12:26:01 AM

that must quite annoying! people dont care if there is a real reason for this.. all they hear is excuses excuses blah blah blah.

either way, hope they have much better luck with the pups.... its a shame they were given the run around for so long only to be turned down flat. seems like.. you know.. they would have caught that mistake in advance?

jenhuedepohl

Posted : 11/30/2007 11:24:58 PM

My mom was nearly at that point with a nearby rescue. She wanted to adopt a cat, but they almost rejected her after contacting the vet for a reference. Her vet only does heartworm tests on the *dogs* every two years (that's his standard protocol for regular clients who follow his medication schedule). The rescue finally agreed to let her adopt the cat, but only because she was following her vet's advice (apparently they know better than the vet!)

spiritdogs

Posted : 12/1/2007 12:30:05 AM

Most rescues are doing the best they can and we need to remember that even though you might know the person is a good owner, they don't know the person - all they get is the information that they get. Anyway, it's really too bad for these people that this all happened. I hope they find a great dog, and I'm glad it didn't sour them on going to a shelter. What makes me maddest is the fact that a lot of rescues are making it so hard for some people to adopt that they get fed up and go right to the pet store or byb. I must hear that several times a month. Crying

Afterglw

Posted : 12/1/2007 1:06:31 AM

I kind of know the feeling. I tried to adopt a middle-aged Chihuahua from a local rescue and I was denied, for two reasons. The first reason was I was too young (I'm 20) and the second was I didn't have any prior vet records even though I referred them to the family vet. The dog I had when I was little was always taken to the Vet by my mom, why in the world would they be in a 13 year olds name?

While I kind-of-sort-of understand their reasoning, I thought it was a little ridiculous. I was a manager of a store in the mall (before I left for college) and I bought my own new car without a co-signer when I was 19. That at least goes to show of my work ethic and financial responsibility. I was trying to do something good and save a life, instead of buying from a breeder. I wanted a smaller dog and we had had Chihuahua's before... so what did I end up doing? I went to a breeder. I kind of regret it now but I was discouraged by the rescues' blind judgement of me.

I also just found out that my local shelter doesn't adopt a dog to anyone under the age of 21... seriously, what's a girl to do?

It kind of makes you wonder why so many animals aren't finding homes...

dgriego

Posted : 12/1/2007 10:53:33 AM

I feel for your friend, but I understand that rescues sometimes have rules that maybe should not apply to everyone, but that is their policy. I was turned down for an adoption because Gunnar is not neutered. He has never been bred and is very well kept but that was their policy.