A rant about breed rescues!

TxHorseMom · #1 04/12/11, 03:47 PM

This is a rant about breed rescues in general! Do you REALLY think your helping this dog by being ridiculously picky!? I understand you want to find a good home for the dogs you rescue, but there are very, very few "perfect" homes. How is being in a kennel better than being in a home? I had one rescue I was looking at that had to approve the dog food you fed. REALLY? I understand references, home checks etc but wow. I was recently looking at a breed rescue, that in almost every dog, they said great with kids, but would not adopt to anyone who had a child under 12 y/o. Yes, it was a large breed, but many families have large breed dogs and they are great with kids. Usually better than some of the small breeds.

And another thing, I think it's unfair for breed rescues snatch the purebred dogs from the shelters. I don't mean, giving it a fair chance to be adopted out, then taking them instead of euthanizing them. No, many (out here anyway) have the shelters call them FIRST THING and don't give the public a chance at a purebred. Yes, I know that mutts make great pets too. I have had many throughout the years that I got from shelters, but that's not the point. I recently (this last weekend) was looking at the shelters dog list, saw a breed that I have been wanting to get and by the time I got down there, they (the rescues) had already grabbed the 2 that they had. I prefer to adopt adult dogs since they are harder to adopt than puppies, and I prefer large breeds, which are usually the hardest to adopt. Instead, I put down a deposit of $400 on a puppy who is yet to be born.

Now, I don't want you thinking that I was turned down as an adopter by anyone, shelter or rescue. As a matter of fact, when I rescued my last dog, a 40# adult boxer I found on craigslist by an ex-animal control officer, who had been searching for several weeks for an owner and couldn't find one, and couldn't keep the dog, my vet, after examining, bloodwork, shots, etc and a bill of over $200 for a "free" dog, said to me, "This guy doesn't know it, but he just hit the jackpot when he came to your family." So, yes, I have excellent references. But the rescues are so prohibitive, that I don't want to bother with them. It's a shame, really.

bluefish · #2 04/12/11, 03:54 PM

I know. When I have to go through more BS to adopt a dog than to adopt a child, it ain't happening. And that's sad, for everybody involved.

bluemoonluck · #3 04/12/11, 03:59 PM

I do a bit of breed rescue for my breed....I believe if we are going to be breeders than we need to do rescue to help those who were unfortunate enough to be purchased from irresponsible byb's.

I worked in an animal shelter for a few years and believe me when I say that the sooner the dog is removed from that environment, the better it is for the dog. I can see how frustrating that would be if you went out there for a specific dog and it was gone by the time you arrived, but personally I have taken an emergency day off of work and driven 6+ hours both ways to remove a Mini Bull from a shelter because that is what is in the best interest of the dog.

IDK how picky our breed rescue is, we have a new coordinator and I think the world of her...never asked to see the application or anything though. I do know that they require potential adoptors to travel in person to Ohio, where she is located, to pick the dog up - we don't ship them anywhere because she wants the person to meet the dog to ensure that its going to be a good match for both the human and the dog.

I know that some rescues - even mixed breed rescues - are totally unreasonable, I'll give you that without hesitation.

There are usually multiple rescue organizations for a given breed......are all of them for your chosen breed this bad?

olivehill · #4 04/12/11, 04:02 PM

Maybe its just me but I find the closer any given person is to the "dog world" the less likely they are to have any common sense at all when it comes to the actual life of a dog. I've had the *eh, hem* pleasure of meeting far too many <insert dog pro of your choice here> who was sure she (why is it almost always a she?) knew the ONLY way a dog should be kept, trained, fed, etc. Ever. Anywhere. Any dog. IN THE WORLD.

I have come to avoid shelter and rescue front desk personnel, shelter foster "moms", etc if at all possible. And like you said, that's too bad. I can't possibly be the only person and there are a lot of perfectly good dogs and cats missing out on homes because of it. I would have to be hard up for a dog or cat to adopt at this point. You really just can't pay me enough to go in there and deal with their drivel during the adoption process -- and nope, I've never been turned down for an adoption either. Always pass with flying colors, but it's just the negative experience with the people. Life is short.

TxHorseMom · #5 04/12/11, 04:05 PM

Well, the biggest thing is that they won't adopt to anyone with children under 12. (I've searched several, and that is the aprox age, if any children at all.) We have our 2 y/o granddaughter temp living with us so it is out of the question. And I refuse to lie to anyone. I have exp with Boxers, GSD's, Am Bulldogs etc. I have rescued dogs, horses, and cats in the past. I certainly wouldn't put my granddaughters safety at risk for anything. But why advertise that the dog is great with kids but wont adopt to them? Frustrating.

bluemoonluck · #6 04/12/11, 04:07 PM

I know some breeders who require pictures of a potential puppy buyer's entire house, 3 character references, vet recommendation, and 6-page applications before they will allow someone to purchase one of their puppies (NOT rescues, puppies).

I also know some rescues who require only a brief interview and a signature on a written contract to take an animal home.

Not all breed rescues are overly strict, and not all breeders are lenient about who they let their pups go to. Generalizing is generally bad

bluemoonluck · #7 04/12/11, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxHorseMom

But why advertise that the dog is great with kids but wont adopt to them? Frustrating.

I can answer your question in one simple word: LIABILITY

If the dog they adopt to you bites your grandchild, you can sue them. My guess is that their legal counsel told them that, and with people being lawsuit happy these days that legal advice drives their contract.

TxHorseMom · #8 04/12/11, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluemoonluck

I can answer your question in one simple word: LIABILITY

If the dog they adopt to you bites your grandchild, you can sue them. My guess is that their legal counsel told them that, and with people being lawsuit happy these days that legal advice drives their contract.

Yeah, you're right. I guess that is why this is a rant. I know it won't change anything, but it does blow off steam. That's why I didn't name the breed(s) rescue, because I hope they are not all that way, but they sure are in my area.

bluemoonluck · #9 04/12/11, 04:15 PM

I understand your frustration, wish there was an easy solution!

Rant on!!

longshadowfarms · #10 04/12/11, 04:34 PM

Interesting. I see so many of these rescue rants, but I had 5 great experiences with 4 different Pyr rescues. In two cases I was "rescuing", in two cases I was fostering and in the first case I had a problem Pyr. I confess I did stop working with one rescue because I was hearing rumblings, seeing stuff that I didn't like, but that was one out of the 4, and I've also had great experiences with some others that I worked with just a little. I wonder if part of it is the breed of dog. Pyrs were meant to be working dogs and there are so many that work that it would be virtually impossible to ignore the needs of those dogs. I do realize that there are Pyr rescues that do manage that, but I HOPE they are not the majority. I do agree that some of the requirements are restrictive and it would be nice if they lightened up, did more educating than bashing. Yeah, no where near a perfect world yet.

oregon woodsmok · #11 04/12/11, 04:38 PM

Speaking as someone who used to breed dogs, you'd better believe I was darn picky about where my puppies went. I was looking for a safe home where the dog wouldn't be considered to be disposable, where vet care was actually paid for, and the diet was good enough to be healthy.

So, yeah, any buyer had to submit to interviews and provide information about how they cared for a dog and what their facilities were like.

I have refused to sell to a family with no fence. (Had a family actually install a fence just so they could have the puppy; great home, that one)

There are lots of bad, indifferent, careless, self-centered people out there. The world is full of people who will dump a dog when it is no longer a cute puppy; when it has bad manners because they never trained it; refuse to fence their yard and just get another dog every time theirs gets hit by a car.

So the good homes have to jump through hoops to show they aren't one of the irresponsible ones. Don't like it, you can always take a puppy out of a cardboard box in front of Safeway, or go to a pet store and buy a poorly bred, unhealthy, mixed breed, expensive, "registered" pup where they don't care anything about the dog except whether or not your credit card goes through.

A dog is a living being and deserves a good home.

oregon woodsmok · #12 04/12/11, 04:41 PM

On that Animal Shelter thing, many shelters keep a waiting list and if you have a pure breed that you really want, get on the waiting list. They will call you before they call Breed rescue, if you are on the list and have passed their home screening.

TxHorseMom · #13 04/12/11, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregon woodsmok

On that Animal Shelter thing, many shelters keep a waiting list and if you have a pure breed that you really want, get on the waiting list. They will call you before they call Breed rescue, if you are on the list and have passed their home screening.

I did that. Then one day I walked in just to give a donation of food. I always have to look (don't know why I torture myself that way, I wish I could take them ALL home.) They had my breed choice there. I was so excited! Went to talk to the adopter and they said, "Oh, the (local) breed rescue already claimed her. We always call them first."

bluemoonluck · #14 04/12/11, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxHorseMom

I did that. Then one day I walked in just to give a donation of food. I always have to look (don't know why I torture myself that way, I wish I could take them ALL home.) They had my breed choice there. I was so excited! Went to talk to the adopter and they said, "Oh, the (local) breed rescue already claimed her. We always call them first."

If you regularly donate food to the local shelter, is there any way you can speak to the director and plead your case? Mabye if the higher-ups know that you are interested they can make an exception, especially since you donate to them? Might be worth a try......

TxHorseMom · #15 04/12/11, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregon woodsmok

Speaking as someone who used to breed dogs, you'd better believe I was darn picky about where my puppies went. I was looking for a safe home where the dog wouldn't be considered to be disposable, where vet care was actually paid for, and the diet was good enough to be healthy.

So, yeah, any buyer had to submit to interviews and provide information about how they cared for a dog and what their facilities were like.

I have refused to sell to a family with no fence. (Had a family actually install a fence just so they could have the puppy; great home, that one)

There are lots of bad, indifferent, careless, self-centered people out there. The world is full of people who will dump a dog when it is no longer a cute puppy; when it has bad manners because they never trained it; refuse to fence their yard and just get another dog every time theirs gets hit by a car.

So the good homes have to jump through hoops to show they aren't one of the irresponsible ones. Don't like it, you can always take a puppy out of a cardboard box in front of Safeway, or go to a pet store and buy a poorly bred, unhealthy, mixed breed, expensive, "registered" pup where they don't care anything about the dog except whether or not your credit card goes through.

A dog is a living being and deserves a good home.

Well, lets see.....We have 35acres with a fenced backyard that is aprox 180'x80' we have a doggy door so the dogs can go in and out as they please. Each dog has a "person" that he/she sleeps with. (although we all love all the dogs) They see a vet regularly, probably more so, because I am a nurse and I worry about things. (my vet couldn't believe I took my goat to see him because he wasn't acting right) As a matter of fact, before I had to put my boxer down, he not only saw my vet, we went to Tx A&M (a VERY good vet school) and saw a board certified internst (for dogs) and spent thousands of $$ and ended up putting him down because I believe in quality of life and WILL put down an animal even though it's painful for me because I won't let an animal suffer needlessly. ALL of my pets are spayed/neutered, I'm not a breeder of dogs and don't want to be. ALL of my dogs/cats have died of old age, or a disease that was not curable and then was put down with myself and hubby at their side. I will check YOU out as a breeder very carefully before I buy and I expect health checks on the male & female before they are bred, along with xrays, dna, etc. I can provide personal and professional references from vets, farriers, and anyone else you might need. I feed a decent dog food, (the Nutro brand) although we are currently looking for a better food right now. Can't afford the TOP brands, due to the large breeds and amount we feed, but we don't feed junk either. Soooooo, would you sell/adopt to me?

eta all my dogs are obedient trained too.

SFM in KY · #16 04/12/11, 05:27 PM

I am not impressed by the breed rescue groups I've had any contact with. I owned, bred,trained and showed Rottweilers (very successfully) for 30 years. Quit breeding and showing after 20 some years because of a lifestyle change but after I lost my last homebred Rott, contacted a couple of breed rescues as I was no longer familiar with current bloodlines and wanted an adult dog rather than a puppy.

Would not have been allowed to adopt ... didn't have a fenced yard "X" high ... even though the dog would have been a full time house dog and allowed out only with me, never alone.

And they were posting all the time about being in such desperate need of adopters that were familiar with the breed.

All of the years I owned Rottweilers I lived in a rural area and never had a fenced yard, though when I was breeding I did have kennels and kennel runs. I never had a dog that ran loose unattended in all those years but in spite of my experience with the breed, would not have been allowed to adopt because I didn't have a fenced yard.

I have a "dog" friend who has bred and showed dogs all of the nearly 40 years I've known her. She has worked with breed rescues for 'her' breeds all of that time though there have been a number of times she's quit a particular rescue in absolute disgust over the irrational behavior of some of the management and gone back to just "rescuing" dogs that she had bred ... something I had always done as well.

No ... can't say I have a lot of respect for the breed rescues.

TxHorseMom · #17 04/12/11, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluemoonluck

If you regularly donate food to the local shelter, is there any way you can speak to the director and plead your case? Mabye if the higher-ups know that you are interested they can make an exception, especially since you donate to them? Might be worth a try......

It's on a semi-regular basis. If I have some extra $$ handy. And it's usually basically anonymous I go in, drop off the food, look and the dogs and go. I don't worry about a tax receipt or anything like that.

TxHorseMom · #18 04/12/11, 05:34 PM

SFM,
I know what you mean. Although I do have a fenced yard, all of my dogs are trained to be off leash at my side. I feel that is a must with any dog even if you have a yard. If you dog gets out (it happens sometimes people, be realistic) then I expect to be able to call them back and have them respond, not run away and get hurt/killed. I obedience train all my dogs. I'm not going to have a large dog running rampant through my house.

SFM in KY · #19 04/12/11, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxHorseMom

SFM,I obedience train all my dogs. I'm not going to have a large dog running rampant through my house.

Definitely ... all of my 'breeding dogs' rotated in and out of the house on occasion, all were leash trained, crate trained and had basic obediance ... if not more.

TxHorseMom · #20 04/12/11, 05:46 PM

Crate training is a must IMO. My house can get noisy on occasion with a 2 y/o running around. When the dogs get tired of it, they just walk into their crates for some peace. I also teach my kids/grandkids that when they are in the crate that is the dogs "quiet time" or "nap time" and they are to leave them alone.