Why do dog rescue groups and the SPCA have this "rule"?

[Papa Deuce]

I was at the SPCA last week. I saw a dog that I had some interest in adopting. I asked if we could have our dog meet that dog. The lady at the SPCA sad that we could not, and it was a policy of the SPCA.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Rules like this are there to protect the health and safety of the pets up for adoption. They have no way of knowing if your dog is carrying some disease or is prone to fighting with other dogs. So they err on the side of health and safety for "their" pets and yours.

 

[agotta]

Wow, really? We have a local rescue shelter that allows people to bring home their prospective new pets for a day (overnight) to make sure other dogs in the house will get along with it. I can understand the health thing, but isn't it important to make sure the pet has a good home?

 

[SC Minnie]

I was watching one of those animal cop shows on Animal Planet and they let a women bring her dog (that she has adopted from there) in to meet another dog she was interested in adopting. She wanted to see if they would mix well.

I wonder if they are concerned of disease? Your dog picking up something from there?

 

[kdibattista]

Wow, really? We have a local rescue shelter that allows people to bring home their prospective new pets for a day (overnight) to make sure other dogs in the house will get along with it. I can understand the health thing, but isn't it important to make sure the pet has a good home?

Agreed... if the dog comes home and doesn't get along with the other pet, they are right back at the SPCA. It doesn't make sense to me

 

[tiggger1]

most shelters around here, MAKE you bring your dog to meet the dog you plan to adopt. Its easier and less work for everyone to have them meet before hand instead of having to return them if they dont get along

 

[Papa Deuce]

Rules like this are there to protect the health and safety of the pets up for adoption. They have no way of knowing if your dog is carrying some disease or is prone to fighting with other dogs. So they err on the side of health and safety for "their" pets and yours.

I "kinda" buy the disease thing, but not the safety. I mean, my dog would have been on a leash. If he was a problem --- and mine would not be, he LOVES other dogs --- I could just pull him away.

As far as disease, I would think that as long as your dog was up to date on shots, what more could they want? At least they get to see your dog. Once you take a dog home they have NO IDEA what sickness might be in your home.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I think its more for disease.

We just brought home an almost 2 year old collie and we have a 3 year old collie. They got along just fine the first week. In the second week, they had 2 fights, and I mean show your teeth , growling fights. Trying to determine dominance I guess, 2 intact females. Haven't had a run-in since. They're best buddies now.

I'm just saying an initial meeting at the pound may not be a good indication. That is not "your" dogs home. Once you would bring the pound or rescue dog home into "your" dogs territory it might be a different story.

We brought our now 3 year old collie home when my other 2 were 11 and 13. The 13 yo loved the new pup the 11 yo wasn't happy with her. But they adapted, most dogs will. They may never be friends, but they'll tolerate each other.

 

[Amy]

most shelters around here, MAKE you bring your dog to meet the dog you plan to adopt. Its easier and less work for everyone to have them meet before hand instead of having to return them if they dont get along

That's the way our shelters in Pittsburgh work, too. We got Sheba about 9 years ago from the Animal Rescue League; when we went to get Charlie 3 years ago, we had 2 dogs we were interested in. They had us bring Sheba in to meet both dogs to see how she got along with each one. Good thing, too; the one dog that my DS really wanted made Sheba hide under the chair! She and Charlie got along great and still do!

 

[pearlieq]

most shelters around here, MAKE you bring your dog to meet the dog you plan to adopt. Its easier and less work for everyone to have them meet before hand instead of having to return them if they dont get along

That's how it works around here too. If your dog is up to date on his shots and appears healthy, I don't see to much of an infection risk.

 

[laurajetter]

Rules like this are there to protect the health and safety of the pets up for adoption. They have no way of knowing if your dog is carrying some disease or is prone to fighting with other dogs. So they err on the side of health and safety for "their" pets and yours.

This doesn't make sense to me... what about dog kennels? We just reserved a week for our dog in August and they required to see proof of all different kinds of things like rabies shot, bordatella shot, distemper shot, etc. As long as you show proof that the dog is up to date on shots (and if they are really worried about it, have the dog go to see a vet for a checkup on his current health) I don't see what the big deal is.

If they are worried about fighting, why can't they initially be put in side by side kennels to see how they react to each other. Then, if they seem friendly with each other, put them together in the same cage. Even if they don't want to do that last step, at least sniffing each other through the wire mesh would give some indication to the owner if the pets would be compatible or not.

Laura

 

[kilee]

The shelters around here are complete opposite. The SPCA will not allow it-- but the Humane Society and City Shelter will allow it.

Like someone else mentioned though it's not always the best indicator. I know my little guy usually needs a "warm-up" period at a new place. He's a whole other little dog at home.

 

[mrsstats]

The last 2 times I adopted I was able to bring my dog with me. It was encouraged by the shelters. We did it to judge the size of the dogs together. tempermanent. We also experienced the fights on the last match up we brought home. They will never be best buds but my Kallie would never be that way with any dog we brought home.

 

[airhead]

...There are alot of "bugs" out there that a kennel dog can give to your dog too. Coccidia is just one of the parasites that can make your dog really sick. Once he catches this,he has it for life. It can be managed,but you really can't ever get rid of it. Most people aren't aware that dogs can also transmit
venereal diseases. Mycoplasms are organisms that will cause a pregnant ***** to lose her unborn pups,or even sadder,they will slowly die after they are born. Mycoplasms can survive in your dog causing immune disorders without you even knowing until your dog suddenly is sick.Can you imagine sending a rescue to a home only to return to the kennel with a parasite that will quickly infect every dog in the kennel!

 

[mom2rb]

The last time we went to the SPCA they let us bring our dog. On Saturday, we went and narrowed it down to two dogs. One was 7 months old ( the same as the dog we had ) The other was 8 weeks old. We wanted to get the older one because we thought an 8 week old lab would get adopted pretty easily.So we took our dog on Sunday. Well my dog was terrified. She needed a small puppy. We would have been bringing a dog back quick. How horrible would that be? My kids would have been devastated.