Pet Stores, Puppy Mills, Animal Shelters and all those *Poo* doggies.

[CathrynRose]

This is a rambling post....random thoughts, etc etc etc....

My g/f called me this afternoon and asked if I wanted to go with her to get a puppy. She currently has a 4 year old bearded something...looks like a Sheep dog.

Now, she was going to a Pet Store with we all know what that means. I said it to her, once. She asked me to come with to get a puppy, not the low down on puppy mills.

We went to puppy store #1 - she liked a puppy there, but it's a big commitment and she was nervous. I said, let's go get a coffee and you can think about it.

We left. ON our way to coffee, we passed puppy store #2. We stopped, she played with a few, and as she played I suggested - let's go to the Humane Society - maybe they'll have something. I looked on my phone, and they had a Cockapoo - that's what she wanted.

We go to the Humane Society. She finds a dog she loves. She fills out the paperwork, she meets with the counselor person. They decide because this dog was best for 10 and up - and even though her kids are older than that, she has nieces and nephews that come in AT CHRISTMAS, it wasn't a good fit.

So, back to Puppy Store #1 - where she purchased an adorable little guy. Odds are - it's a puppy mill dog. They had all sorts of puppies available. But like I said, I was asked to go with to get a puppy. My g/f has a master's degree - she didn't ask for a lecture. Not to mention the fact, I *tried* the shelter!!!

But it killed me. I talked her into the Humane Society - and they snubbed her.

On that note - what's with all the "Poo" dogs. They had "Boxepoo" (Boxer/Poodles). Huh?? Boxepoo. LOL!

 

[natenapril]

We tried to adopt a golden with multiple health issues we were willing to correct through treatment (On our dime) and we were denied too. I am really tied of trying to do the right thing and be denied!
We are getting a puppy for Christmas and we will be going with a breeder who doesn't turn their nose up at us.

 

[CathrynRose]

We tried to adopt a golden with multiple health issues we were willing to correct through treatment (On our dime) and we were denied too. I am really tied of trying to do the right thing and be denied!
We are getting a puppy for Christmas and we will be going with a breeder who doesn't turn their nose up at us.

I think it's just a darn shame. Ridiculous, really.

I have an adopted dog. I will *only* adopt. However, I'm not blind to the bias they have to people. It's just absurd.

There have been cases (my girlfriend, for instance) where I don't really 'get' because she has nieces and nephews ONE TIME A YEAR, she can't adopt a dog that is for 8 and older (I was wrong...another dog we looked at was 10, the dog she liked was 8 and up)

I don't understand. I just don't.

And I don't understand mixing a Boxer with a Poodle, let alone calling it a Boxepoo.

 

[JessicaR]

That seems SO extreme that relatives that MAY visit one time a year prevented her from getting a dog she wanted and saving that pup from a shelter.

You tried, thank you. I have more than a couple of shelters around here that make it quite difficult to rescue a dog. My SIL was refused too because she works part time!

 

[TinkInPink]

I think the shelters and just becoming completely insane anymore. We were looking for a puppy recently and the shelters wanted 4+ page adoption applications! It's a dog for god's sake! As long as the people are able to feed it and take it to the vet and don't show up as abusers during the online background check they should get the dog. More and more people by us are resorting to buying dogs instead of adopting because they're turned down for things like "you don't have a fenced in yard" etc, and I don't blame them. Shelters by us won't even hold a dog for a few hours so you can go and get the rest of the family to see it. I can't count the number of "horror" stories I have heard about people trying to adopt. Luckily we found a great no kill rescue, we filled out the application, (address vet name other pets and 2 references), were approved in 12 hours, went out and found an amazing puppy, who is now 10 weeks old and sleeping on my feet. I volunteer out there and this place is truly concerned with getting the animals homes. yeah not all of the dogs get expensive food, and I'm sure not all of them have fenced in yards, but you know what, they aren't sitting in a cold lonely shelter waiting they have loving owners and a new chance. That's what rescuing animals should be about.

 

[CathrynRose]

Another thing, I don't know if I made clear....

She filled out the paper work - we met with the adoption counselor - she never got to touch that dog, or any other dog for that matter.

What makes them think just because you want to see a dog, you will then even want it???

The whole thing was absurd. Just ridiculous.

 

[luvmy3]

And I don't understand mixing a Boxer with a Poodle, let alone calling it a Boxepoo.

I don't think the boxer and poodle understand why either

I am shocked that the shelter denied your friend. There is so much emphasis on adoption, which I totally suport, but it seems that the shelter in this case is going to make it nearly impossible to adopt from them.
Although my first choice would be from a shelter, my heart breaks for the those animals that are stuffed in those cages at the pet stores. No matter what your friend gave an animal a home

 

[froggygrrrl]

I think it's just a darn shame. Ridiculous, really.

I have an adopted dog. I will *only* adopt. However, I'm not blind to the bias they have to people. It's just absurd.

There have been cases (my girlfriend, for instance) where I don't really 'get' because she has nieces and nephews ONE TIME A YEAR, she can't adopt a dog that is for 8 and older (I was wrong...another dog we looked at was 10, the dog she liked was 8 and up)

I don't understand. I just don't.

And I don't understand mixing a Boxer with a Poodle, let alone calling it a Boxepoo.

UGH! I know exactly what you mean. We also exclusively adopt. I will not even consider buying a dog from anywhere BUT a shelter. However, we have also experienced "adoption bias".

We exclusively adopt chow chows because they can be a difficult breed, and both DH and I have adopted them since we were single. But there was one instance in which one particular shelter was hesitant to let us adopt a chow mix because she really liked the dog. I'm not kidding, she made it extremely difficult for us to adopt him because she just couldn't bear to let him go.

While I understand how she could become attached to him, I think it was ridiculous for her to try to keep us from adopting the dog because she was hoping to have him for herself (even though she told us outright that she couldn't because she had too many dogs at home already).

Our scenario ended up working in our favor, mainly because we didn't give up and ended up working with a different person for our adoption. He has been a FANTASTIC dog. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful that we found a way to bring him into our house.

 

[The Orchid]

I really appreciate that the humane societies and animal rescues are careful about who they give animals to, but they are taking it way too far these days.

About four years ago, I went into PetSmart to buy some catfood and they had a bunch of kitties there from the local animal rescue. I immediately fell in love with one of them in particular. Truly, it was love at first site between he and I! So I decided to take him home. I came so close to being unable to do so. Why? Because these freaks insist on HOME VISITS to check on the animal periodically over the first year! Well, I couldn't agree to that. I'm a domestic violence victim and my home address is not for anybody else to get...ever. That's how I have managed to keep my family safe! They had to make phone calls and more phone calls and they had a meeting about whether or not they could let me take the cat. Jeeeeeez, I felt like I was under a criminal investigation. It was just absurd. They finally, after hours of this, decided I could take the cat without giving them my home address. It was worth the hassle, of course, I mean look at this face:

Worth the hassle, but it is sad to think how many good people don't adopt animals because of the crazy screening process. The thing is, I DO understand and appreciate what they try to do. But the problem is they end up turning away a lot of good people who would be good companions to these animals. And like your friend, they go off to the pet stores. Sad, but true.

 

[froggygrrrl]

Another thing, I don't know if I made clear....

She filled out the paper work - we met with the adoption counselor - she never got to touch that dog, or any other dog for that matter.

What makes them think just because you want to see a dog, you will then even want it???

The whole thing was absurd. Just ridiculous.

I now see that you are in the Chicago area, as am I. This wouldn't have just so happened to take place in Hinsdale, would it?

 

[Imzadi]

Wow, I can't believe the Humane Society put your friend though all of that. It was probably because the cockapoo was a desirable dog and they could pick and choose. They were probably hoping she'd beg, and they push a dog they can't get rid of onto her.

I would have taken your friend to the next city or county to see what the Humane Society there had. I ended up getting my kitty in the next county over. Not because wanted to travel that far. But, once I saw her picture on their website, I knew she was my kitty. I was right!

 

[JessicaR]

Wow, I can't believe the Humane Society put your friend though all of that. It was probably because the cockapoo was a desirable dog and they could pick and choose. They were probably hoping she'd beg, and they push a dog they can't get rid of onto her.

This is so true and so sad. I always feel bad for the BIG dogs and thats what I gravitate to because I know they aren't going anywhere quickly.

 

[Imzadi]

This is so true and so sad. I always feel bad for the BIG dogs and thats what I gravitate to because I know they aren't going anywhere quickly.

Hmm... Now I'm wondering how long they've really had that cockapoo there and how many people have come in because they also saw the picture on the website. Then after not being approved for the cockapoo, they ended up getting a different dog there.


Added: Okay, now I'm really thinking they were trying a bait & switch, if they didn't even let her touch any dog, especially the cockapoo. They didn't want her to get pre-attached to that dog and not want to switch to the more "appropriate" dog they'd let her have.

 

[bumbershoot]

And I don't understand mixing a Boxer with a Poodle, let alone calling it a Boxepoo.

Could breed your dog breed with a poodle...pittypoo?

Sorry about your friend...

...I mean look at this face:

Is the name in the URL there her name? Adorable, both name and face! She's making me want to say "dang the allergies and asthma that almost killed me with our former cat" (she ran away and never came back while hubby cleaned up after she was sick everywhere) "I want another!".



I know we'll have a hard time when we feel its time for a dog. I'm VERY picky about the breed, I only want a malamute (hubby has agreed though he really mainly wants a German shephard or a standard poodle). I grew up with them. I'm sure that someone will say that one needs a big yard for them. And I disagree, as long as you're willing and able to have *at least* one BIG walk with them every day, hopefully more than one walk. They are pack dogs that would live in a den...my mom's first malamute she leased (the breeder still showed him while my mom raised him, then owned him after his showing days were done) while she lived in a tiny apt in San Francisco, and he thrived in that little den of his with his pack. My mom took epic walks with him and he was wonderful. Best moose (malamute) we ever had, actually.

But I am quite sure that my views will be different than others'...they usually are!

Then again, I know that the breeder still is alive and still has a place...aw dang, condo we live in has a very very low weight limit...no malamutes for me right now.

 

[sue1013]

Sadly I have to agree that these rescue groups are too much. I've had 2 siberian huskies the last one passed on 2 years ago. After about a year I decided to get another got in touch with a husky rescue group near me. They would not let us adopt becasue my fence is not 6 ft., the dog would be home alone for 2 days a week. I have a granddaughter under 5 that does not live with me but does visit frequently. I explained to them this would be my 3rd husky never had any problem with the fence height the dogs are not outside unsupervised. I don't know too many people that don't have to work. As far as my granddaughter both my kids were raised with huskies they were wonderful with the kids. It's no wonder they have so many they are supposedly trying to adopt they're unrealistic.

 

[DMRick]

About four years ago, I went into PetSmart to buy some catfood and they had a bunch of kitties there from the local animal rescue. I immediately fell in love with one of them in particular. Truly, it was love at first site between he and I! So I decided to take him home. I came so close to being unable to do so. Why? Because these freaks insist on HOME VISITS to check on the animal periodically over the first year! .

And in your case they made an exception. I guess being one of those 'freaks' when one of our adopted cats actually was responsible for a law in NY, because we did adopt without asking about a home call, and the cat was set on fire (although I admit it wasn't because of the home, but the nut that adopted it), I understand. We actually seldom make a call (I think it's happened twice in 4 years), but the people have to agree to one. If they don't, we wonder why. What are they hiding, if they don't want to give us all the info we ask for? They could be collectors..people with a dozen or two cats, often unaffordable, or mistreated. They could not live where they say, and instead live on the streets (and this has happened) and our cat/kitten ends up without a home. THey could be bringing the cat into a home where they live with their parents, and the parents don't want a cat, so out the door it goes (if they are know we make home visits, they usually don't surprise the rest of the household with a cat). Any number of reasons we want people to agree to let us do home visits.
Instead of blaming the volunteer, who does not get paid for trying to make sure it's a good home, stand in our shoes and volunteer for a couple of months. I think you might see things differently. We really just want a good, forever home for our cats.
That said, I don't understand why the shelter didn't allow that dog to be adopted, based on the idea that relatives might visit once a year. It doesn't even make sense. Maybe they just didn't like the answers on the adoption paper and used that for an excuse. Not being there, I have no idea.

 

[java]

This is a rambling post....random thoughts, etc etc etc....

My g/f called me this afternoon and asked if I wanted to go with her to get a puppy. She currently has a 4 year old bearded something...looks like a Sheep dog.

Now, she was going to a Pet Store with we all know what that means. I said it to her, once. She asked me to come with to get a puppy, not the low down on puppy mills.

We went to puppy store #1 - she liked a puppy there, but it's a big commitment and she was nervous. I said, let's go get a coffee and you can think about it.

We left. ON our way to coffee, we passed puppy store #2. We stopped, she played with a few, and as she played I suggested - let's go to the Humane Society - maybe they'll have something. I looked on my phone, and they had a Cockapoo - that's what she wanted.

We go to the Humane Society. She finds a dog she loves. She fills out the paperwork, she meets with the counselor person. They decide because this dog was best for 10 and up - and even though her kids are older than that, she has nieces and nephews that come in AT CHRISTMAS, it wasn't a good fit.

So, back to Puppy Store #1 - where she purchased an adorable little guy. Odds are - it's a puppy mill dog. They had all sorts of puppies available. But like I said, I was asked to go with to get a puppy. My g/f has a master's degree - she didn't ask for a lecture. Not to mention the fact, I *tried* the shelter!!!

But it killed me. I talked her into the Humane Society - and they snubbed her.

On that note - what's with all the "Poo" dogs. They had "Boxepoo" (Boxer/Poodles). Huh?? Boxepoo. LOL!

which is exactly why we couldn't rescue. Everyone talks up rescue and it's a wonderful thing but now it is very difficult for a family with small children with a non-fenced yard to rescue. We had our hearts broken several times when we were trying to rescue.
We ended up with a pet store dog. I didn't plan on it. But we walked in- she had just arrived. We took her home. She's a french bulldog and a sweetheart. It's not her fault where she may have been born. She needed a home.

 

[torinsmom]

I have learned you have to fudge a little with the animal shelters. The shelters are jam packed around here and they still are very picky. Some things I understand, but how about they will not let you adopt a dog if it will not be an indoor pet? Yes, I'm going to adopt 2 huge german shephards and keep them in my 1000 sf house all day while I am at work! My dog is outside in our fenced yard all day long and comes into our extra bathroom at night(otherwise he barks) He has total shade, lots of room to run, a screen porch for shelter, clean water and food, and neighbor dogs on each side to play with. Inside, he would be cramped up, sharing a house with 4 cats, with no room to run, or friends to play with.

I know several people who have been turned down for dogs because of this rule and I think its stupid! Yes, you should have to agree to provide sufficient food, water, shade, vet care, and LOVE!

Marsha

 

[donald&daisy]

I got our first dog, a shih tzu, at a pet store and although I love him more than life I have always felt guilty about it. When we got our new dog back in May we went to the city animal services place and picked out a dog, filled out an application (2 pages max). We waited until she was available but her owner came and got her before the end of the holding period--that's fine. We went back and picked out another one and she was available that day and we went home with her. No problems. We are a couple, own our own home, and it was a small dog so no need for a high fence. I think they were mainly concerned with the size of our other pets and if we had permission to have pets in our home. It was a relatively painless process.
I understand when some rescues are more selective, but only to a certain point. I would hate to know I turned down a home for a dog and then later it had to be put down b/c they couldn't keep it any longer. I think the main thing to do is check with the Vet. They'll know if the person is responsible. I guess it would be an issue if this were a first pet. I'm sorry you're friend was snubbed. My shih tzu has been perfectly healthy and well adjusted despite living the first 4 months of his life in a wire cage.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

We got our Dauschund at Petland, a pet store. I do not feel guilty.
I mean, they need a home too!
We got our other dog when living in Japan. Our neighbor got it from a friend who found her on the side of the road. She was like, 2 months old. But, 7 years later and she is still here!