Question about adoption from an Animal Shelter

[Planogirl]

Our local Humane Society has dog adoption events on Saturdays at our Petsmart. DS and I stopped to pick up a few things and we looked at the dogs while we were there. All over, they had signs up that they would be checking out the homes of applicants before allowing them to adopt one of the dogs.

This seems a little odd to me. I don't know if I'd like being scrutinized by people in this manner.

What do you think? What are they looking for? Does it seem like overkill?

 

[kidzmom3]

Shelters get a lot of people who take a puppy, only to turn around and return it a few months latter. This makes it twice as difficult to find that animal a home. So what they look for are families that are ready to take on an animal. Will someone be home with the animal during the day? Do you have a fenced in yard? If you do not what are your plans for walking the animal. Do you have children? Some animals are not good with children. Are there any other animals that could cause dissention and a reason to return the dog? Will you neglect or abuse the animal? If its a no kill shelter they want every dog they place to find a permanent home. I personally do not think its overkill.

 

[Marseeya]

I think it IS overkill, especially coming from a kill shelter!

Our local Humane Society is extremely difficult to get a pet from. You need to provide references, proof of income (they WILL call your work), and practically have to sign over your first born child to get an animal. I think at one time they were talking about doing credit checks, but nixed that. I got my cat from there, but never again. They're to the point of being accusatory and suspicious, turning what should be a fun and wonderful event of bringing home a new family member into an inquisition.

I felt like I was doing a wonderful thing by saving an animal from a kill shelter, but next time I'll go through a breeder or different shelter.

 

[janette]

Their rules vary but honestly I've gotten to where I'd rather get a dog from a breeder than most rescue groups.

If you are looking for a mixed breed check the local city shelters. They almost always have dogs available for adoption and unlike the dogs in rescue their days are numbered. Depends on the facility but most will only keep dogs so many days or a little longer if spaces allow. We've adopted dogs from the Carrollton & Plano pounds. Very easy, there is a small fee. It should say on their websites. One difference I've found is that dogs from the pound do need to be checked out by a vet so the savings in the adoption fee usually goes to the vet fees. Really not much difference in the cost.

Check out www.petfinder.com , the shelters usually have their dogs listed.

edited to add: One of our pound puppies is a purebreed - Bichon. You can find almost any breed at the pound too just takes longer. I watched petfinder for a long time when I was looking to add another Bichon to our house

 

[swilphil]

There are some extreme circumstances that they may be trying to avoid. I remember reading a terrible story where people would steal or adopt dogs and then sell them to laboratories that do animal testing. There's also people who take dogs and train them to fight one another while people bet on them. Needless to say, the dogs aren't treated very well.

 

[Planogirl]

Janette, every time I plan to adopt a dog SOMETHING happens and we end up putting it off. I think that I've been looking into this for a few years now. Thanks for mentioning the Plano Animal Shelter. I need to look into that too, if we are ever ready.

I'm really wondering about how strict the Humane Society is. And they are pricey, $125 for a dog and $95 for a cat. I want to someday hopefully get a pair but wow the cost!!!

As for medical costs, I would take them to the vet even if they came from the Humane Society. I always remember a darling puppy that my mother adopted from the Houston SPCA dying of both Parvo and distemper not too long after she brought him home. It was so sad and the SPCA's attitude about it was pretty awful.

I guess that I can understand that they are cautious but inspecting someone's home is no guarantee that the animal will end up in a good home. It's a crapshoot either way.

 

[janette]

Worst part of actually going to look at them is it is so hard not to come home with one. Plano seems to have more dogs then most of the other city shelters, it's a pretty large facility. Good luck - maybe someday you'll have a dog

 

[BrerLizzie]

i think it's a little dumb..

our shelter pratically shoves you out the door with the cat though! when we go in to the vet office their the animal control officer usually asks us if we want another, even though they know we are at the city limit!

 

[DVCCarrie]

I adopted from a rescue foundation. I had to fill out a long application and then a representative came for a home visit. I showed her around and she asked some questions i.e. any poisonous plants, whose my vet. She was actually very nice and it took about 45 minutes. They did ask for 3 references and they did call. Overall, it was a positive experience. She told me they do this to avoid all the things that were mentioned above (experimenting on dogs, trying to reduce animals going back to rescue etc..) Now I have a lovely Doxie who is so appreciative of her home!

 

[kellyla]

We adpoted our dog in March from the SPCA.We had to fill out a long application form(asked questions like how much do you expect to spend on the dog per year,if you have ever had pets before and what kind,etc) and when I handed it back I was asked when I wanted to take the dog home.I asked Dont you come and look around the property anymore(they did this when we adopted another dog 10 years ago)They looked at me kinda surprised and said no.So we forked over our $304(including taxes)for him.That included being fixed,upto date shots,micro chipped,licenced and 6 weeks of insurance.

 

[Planogirl]

It sounds like experiences vary a lot. It just gets more and more confusing.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Assuming this humane society is like most those prices are not bad at all. In most cases the animal will be spayed or neutered, have all current shots, and be microchipped in case of loss. You couldn't do all of that yourself at the vet for those prices. I don't think it's overkill but I'm admittedly passionate about this cause. I volunteer at my local Humane Society and you can rest assured that they aren't trying to be annoying to you but just looking out for the best interest of this animal. If they let just anybody adopt the animal they end up with the animal either returned, sold to a lab for research, or neglected. The policies are all there for a purpose, their goal is to take care of the animal first and foremost. Best of luck - I hope you continue to consider to adopt from a humane society or shelter as opposed to purchasing from a breeder.

 

[dixipixi]

Around here, you can also have your vet "vouch" for you. If you have other animals and regularly take them to the vet, they will often be glad to call the shelter and speak up for you.

The main reason they are "checking people out" around here is because of the overwhelming amount of "dog fighting" going on. Some people adopt puppies and kittens for no other purpose than to train these fighting dogs with. Sad but true.

 

[Planogirl]

I would not adopt from a breeder or purchase from a pet shop. But I don't think that I will adopt from a humane society that's as rigid as some of these either. I'm not going to ask a veterinarian or anyone else to vouch for me, I don't want someone checking my credit and I don't want to allow some stranger in my home. I'll just visit the pounds who desperately need their animals to be adopted too. I can still donate to the humane societies because I believe that they do good things.

I just don't believe that all of this is necessary and it's no wonder that so many people shy away from adoption. After all, anyone can still go to them, tell them what they want to hear and mistreat the poor animals once they get them. These measures aren't going to stop that. JMO.

 

[kayeandjim00]

It might not stop those persistent in obtaining an animal for bad reasons but it certainly helps deter some of them so that makes it worth it. You are correct though there are shelters that aren't that picky they just want the animals placed in a home. I'm sure you will take great care of the animal so best of luck!

 

[CookieGVB]

We adopted our beagle through our local shelter. I filled out an application, but it wasn't too intrusive, and I only paid $25 for a dog that was up-to-date on shots.

See, everyone does have a different experience.

 

[alliecats]

Well, they might act like suspicious ***** in some cases BUT I would not let that deter me from adopting one from a shelter every time, you know? I wouldn't like being treated like that, and might call and say so (AFTER I got the pet I wanted) but the big picture is, you are saving a life. Puts the rest in perspective, doesn't it? ug:

 

[Planogirl]

I would agree alliecats but there are slews of shelters that DON'T act like this. I guess that's why it surprised me so much. But to each their own.

 

[katerkat]

I got my cats at the ASPCA and they threw them at me. I know for a fact they didn't call my landlord because I was only allowed one kitty.

I understand wanting to be cautious, but a home visit seems a bit much.

 

[graygables]

OUr local shelter doesn't do any checks. We got our first dog from there, but he had some serious problems and had to be put down. I highly recommend Petfinder. I found our current dog there. She's a Jindo, bought from a pet shop originally, and I got her from her college-student owner. I paid her $100, but this dog had all her records/shots and came with 2 crates and tons of supplies, easily more than $100 worth.

While I was looking for a new dog, I refused to deal with anyone who wanted to background check me just on principal.