Why is it easier to buy a dog then save one?

[Wynette]

I had an excellent experience when I adopted a dog from an organization that does not actually have a physical location; they have a web presence, and they have many "foster parents" for their dogs. I really wanted an adult, since so many are put to sleep; seems like everyone wants the puppies. Anywho, I adopted a "used" Great Dane; I believe the adoption fee was $100 (this was maybe 5 yrs. ago), he was neutered, heartworm negative, and had all his shots. This dog is the BEST dog we've ever had! He was already potty trained, never went through the chewing phase since he was an adult already, and we knew what his personality was before bringing him home. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. We paid almost $2k for our purebred Great Dane from a show breeder, and thought I love her to pieces, she's got lots of issues that the rescued Dane did not have. JUST my experience I'm speaking of, obviously, but I wanted to tell of a GOOD adoption experience!

 

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

I come from an area where if you aren't a breeder, bet you know someone who is!
Anyway.... I agree about all the crazy hoops people have to jump through just to give a dog a home. As long as the adopter is willing to pay a reasonale fee to reinburse for the fixin' and shots, that should be good enough. Atleast we know that the animal will not be reproducing and people generally take good care of things that they pay good money for.

 

[ChickenFanaticAB]

Try craigslist.com for your area. There are typically tons of great dogs on there from individuals who just need to re-home them for some reason. Many come fixed and house trained with little to no fee. Purebreds and mutts, all ages and genders. Definitely a place to check, no crazy forms (though some do want to see you home, which I think is reasonable)

 

[mamaKate]

My sister lives in St. Louis and (unlike me) she's a real by-the-book kind of person. She sometimes spends hundreds at a time for her animals' medical care. When her rescued dog died of old age, her first choice for a new one was a shelter. After repeated rejections, she gave up and bought a great lab puppy. He is completely loved and spoiled silly. Oh, guess why she was turned down: she has a full time job. They didn't want the dog to be alone while she worked.

 

[monarc23]

Many shelters are well meaning with their intentions with their adoption screening. I think screening is wonderful...however some go above and beyond and the animals end up paying for their decisions by not letting them get homed by well meaning people who have a kid under a certain age, bred/breed another breed of dogs but wanted to adopt, dont have a fence etc. It's just a shame.

Then theres the shelters who adopt to anyone, and hand out sick animals....like in a shelter in NC that stuffs several animals in one pen, and sends out contagious animals to homes where htey later die in the new owners home......(happend to my brother and his wife with a cat). The vet down there wishes so bad that shelter would be shut down....dont knwo why it hasnt been.......


When my hubby and I were 18 we had an appt that allowed cats, and we wanted to adopt a kitten there named Scout. WE go there fill out all the paperwork and they are being so great to us...then they go"how old are you?" "oh we're 18 why?" "sorry we cannot adopt to you, you have to be 21 to adopt".

What?

I can understand a 16 year old not being allowed ot adopt because they still live at home...but an 18 year old? And why the heck do i need to be legally allowed to drink to own a cat? I was old enough to vote!? LOL!

He would have had a great home with me and still would be here....i hope he found a good home with the IUP students.................(college party central over this way)....

I'm now 24 almost 25, many people my age are careless party goers, who get pets just cuz and dont do a single thing with them....im one that's NOT like that....and i wasnt at 18 either. Grr.

I dont adopt anymore....I home animals that haven't been thrown in the shelter yet, but would have if i hadnt intervined.

 

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!

 

[orcasislandchickens]

I had the same issues a couple of years ago when my last dog died and I wanted to replace him. The shelters and rescue groups around here are beyond unhelpful. I found out later that good GSD dogs are hard to find and highly prized and they are "reserved" for law enforcement agencies and a couple of our local breeders when they come in. You can pick from the dregs of ten year olds with hip displaysia and badly bred genetic disasters guaranteed to provide a steady income for your vet that are left over, IF you qualify, and if you want to shell out the several hundred dollar adoption fee. The list of "qulifications" is huge and I paid big bucks to fence my yard to meet their "requirements" and they decided they still weren't sure I was up to standard. Plus they like to do lots of home visits, and I live far enough out in the middle of nowhere they would have had to put themselves out to check up on me. (They actually admitted this)

I refuse to EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES attempt to adopt from a shelter again. My pets are well loved and well cared for, licensed with current vaccinations, good food and vet care. I am not rescuing a pet for someone else to tell me how to raise it for them, nor am I standing in line behind someone who wants to pick up a dog, lock it in a kennel, and breed it for money. I will, however, stand happily in line behind police departments who need a certain sort of working dog, value them, and give them a life that we all benefit from.

My pets now come from the people that own the parents, as youngsters, period. I get dogs as puppies, cats as kittens. I raise them and keep them their whole lives. They are healthy, well adjusted, strong, well trained and socialized, properly fed, and have all shots.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
Dogs getting hit by cars is one of the big reasons many rescues now require fenced yards.

 

[Wildsky]

I don't have a fully fenced yard.

My spoiled brat lives inside anyway, and when she goes outside, there is always someone with her.

Edit to add: Spoiled brat is currently keeping the couch warm.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
Sounds like my spoiled brat.

ETA: Actually, he's not spoiled. I'm well trained.