Current Events > Why is it so hard to adopt a dog?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Trying to adopt a Shetland Sheepdog from a Sheltie-specific rescue organization, and they want the following:
*Mandatory $750 donation at time of pick up (if "passed"),
*In-person interview with myself,
*Phone interviews with at least two other references,
*Must have a backyard with a fence,
*Must submit to random audits for one year, where they can come onto my property without my knowledge and where I must allow them inside the house if asked, and
*They have the right to take the dog back (with no refund) for whatever reason.

I am seriously saying "fuck this" and just going to a breeder and buying the damn dog. They cost around $750 anyway, and don't have all these stupid rules.

To make sure that people who adopt them can actually afford to take care of them and aren't slackers, abusers, or idiots.
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Wow much work
So adopt Doge
Such worth
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I get they're trying to protect them but damn no way would I agree to that.
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RebelElite791 posted...

To make sure that people who adopt them can actually afford to take care of them and aren't slackers, abusers, or idiots.

If the price was lower, I would understand this. But at this price point, and lack of privacy (seriously wtf at allowing them to come into my property whenever they desire for a YEAR!), I am about 90% ready to say "fuck it" and buy a new puppy.

$65 mutt.

3 years she's been gone and I still miss her.

Damn. Find a humane society to adopt from. They have a form with some basic information to fill out, but they don't interview you (unless the dog is a "tough case") but they don't ask if you have a fenced yard or what you work.
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Mernardi posted...

Damn. Find a humane society to adopt from. They have a form with some basic information to fill out, but they don't interview you (unless the dog is a "tough case") but they don't ask if you have a fenced yard or what you work.

Oh yea, that's another thing. The application paper says they may contact my employer to ask about me. Like wtf; it's a fucking dog!

$750 donation for a dog?!

Just keep an eye on the local newspapers. You'll find one for free.
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Just get a "free puppies" box-dog from a walmart parking lot or something.

Go to a smaller shelter, volunteer once a week for a few weeks, donate a few bags of kibble, maybe some blankets, develop a bond with the dog you want, and ask about adopting it. They might wave the adoption fees.
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Blame the people who adopted shelter dogs then used them for fighting, neglected them, and/or abandoned them. They made it harder for decent people to adopt too.
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Questionmarktarius posted...

Just get a "free puppies" box-dog from a walmart parking lot or something.

This also works, but you can't be certain what breed they actually are, and they won't be fixed and have up-to-date vaccinations.
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littlebro07 posted...

Blame the people who adopted shelter dogs then used them for fighting, neglected them, and/or abandoned them. They made it harder for decent people to adopt too.

With those crazy requirements those dogs are just going to stay there till they die. The price tag alone is going to turn most people off.
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Nomadic View posted...

littlebro07 posted...

Blame the people who adopted shelter dogs then used them for fighting, neglected them, and/or abandoned them. They made it harder for decent people to adopt too.

With those crazy requirements those dogs are just going to stay there till they die. The price tag alone is going to turn most people off.

You'd be surprised. They're a bit extreme but people will do it.

My friends just went through a similar process for a German Shepherd but it was $200 and the whole random visit thing wasn't part of it.
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Nomadic View posted...

littlebro07 posted...

Blame the people who adopted shelter dogs then used them for fighting, neglected them, and/or abandoned them. They made it harder for decent people to adopt too.

With those crazy requirements those dogs are just going to stay there till they die. The price tag alone is going to turn most people off.

Especially for full grown shelties. They're asking average purebred puppy price for rescues.
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Uh, every dog I ever adopted I just had to pay for their shots and to have them spayed.

But you seem to want a particular breed, which is not really what adoption is about.... so just go buy a dog
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Solid Snake07 posted...

But you seem to want a particular breed, which is not really what adoption is about.... so just go buy a dog

I don't really want a puppy. I never owned a dog, and don't want to fuck up raising one. Would rather try for a young dog.

The price point is a bit high, but is not completely unreasonable I suppose. The in person interview and backyard with a fence I can also understand. And even the phone interviews with two references, while a bit much, I would personally be okay with.

But random visits for a year where you're forced to allow them onto the property and/or in the house, and the ability to take back the dog for ANY reason whatsoever? I'd draw the line at that. That's a bit ridiculous. I still wouldn't bother with a breeder and would go to a different shelter or rescue organization, but I would probably pass on this one if it were me.
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I submitted my application, and they called me. They said they will schedule at least two visits to my house within a year. They will not do random visits.

Yeah hate the way some adoption agencies treat it like you are adopting a human child.

I just went on craigslist and found someone who didn't know what to do with their dog. It was as easy as meeting them and giving them some cash in exchange for the dog and some papers.

I wanted to rescue but I feel like I sort of did my own rescue with the craigslist thing as the dog could have wound up with anyone and I really love my dog. I think they just get way too invasive and OCD with their contracts and approach to people at those dog adoption agencies. It really rubbed me the wrong way how I felt like I always had to sell myself to these people who were trying to judge me harshly.
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Nomadic View posted...

littlebro07 posted...

Blame the people who adopted shelter dogs then used them for fighting, neglected them, and/or abandoned them. They made it harder for decent people to adopt too.

With those crazy requirements those dogs are just going to stay there till they die. The price tag alone is going to turn most people off.

Yeah. This is one of those situations where you shouldn't let a few bad apples spoil the entire lot. By treating everyone like a criminal you wind up making it too hard and offputting for a lot of honest good people.

People don't like being treated like a criminal and having to sell themselves to somebody like they are going to a job interview.
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IdiotMachine posted...

*Must submit to random audits for one year, where they can come onto my property without my knowledge and where I must allow them inside the house if asked, and
*They have the right to take the dog back (with no refund) for whatever reason.

The other parts I can understand, except for this. This seems like overkill.
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"Mandatory donation" is an oxymoron.
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