I want to help a dog out and adopt one but i dont have a vet reference that most animal shelters want. What should i do?
2006-11-08 10:42:40 · 11 answers · asked by Melissa J 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Great for you to want to help a homeless dog out!
The shelter has very valid reasons for asking for a veterinary reference, however. Shelters that don't do that are plagued by animals returning to them in even worse shape than they were when they left. And that is just inexcusably irresponsible and negligent of them to do that (adopt out without references.) Sometimes people actually adopt them specifically intending to abuse them. But regardless of that, it is actually much more caring and humane to euthanzie an animal than to adopt it out to a home where it will not get the basic healthcare that it needs, as well as to make sure any medical issues that might arise will be properly addressed by the adopting individual/family.
*If you've had pets before, you have a vet reference if you are a suitable home to take in another pet.
*If you've had pets before that didn't receive even basic veterinary care, then you are not a suitable home to take in another pet...plain and simple.
*If you've never had pets before, you might indeed be a good candidate. Simply explain the situation (that you've never had pets before) to the shelter, and they'll help you find a veterinarian so you can make an appointment to learn about the basic healthcare needs involved with dogs, prior to the adoption. Everyone has to start somewhere, and the shelter people understand that. They WANT to help you. They WANT to find suitable homes for their animals. They DON'T want to put them to sleep. But they'd (rightfully so) rather see an animal put to sleep than to go to a home where its needs will be neglected.
Pets are not necessities nor entitlements in life. They are a luxury, and with them comes certain responsibilites and obligations that must be met. Anyone who can't do that has no business keeping another lifeform of any type as a pet.
Good luck. I hope it all works out for you both. :-)
2006-11-08 11:30:42 · answer #1 · answered by A Veterinarian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you had pets before??????
Chances are that you said you have had pets. Our shelter asks the same questions. If someone has not had pets before, we allow them to contact a vet and get an appointment to go to when they take the pet from the shelter. That is all we can do to assure that the animals get a good home. You would be suprised at how many people do not take their pets to a vet, but claim they do.
2006-11-08 10:44:19 · answer #2 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be upfront with the rescue/shelter. If you don't have a vet reference because you haven't had a pet, let them know and tell them the vet you plan to use.
If you don't have a vet reference because you don't take pets you have to the vet, then you probably are not in a position to offer the best home to a pet.
2006-11-08 10:46:17 · answer #3 · answered by wyomingJoan 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you have never had pets before you research the care of them, the cost, the grooming, the activities needed to keep them healthy, like how much they need to be walked, but if you have had a pet you should go to your local vet and tell him you are responsible and would like to help a dog
Hope you get a new best friend
:)
2006-11-08 10:48:17 · answer #4 · answered by xxkaitsogreatxx 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard that it's a requirement. I know that some places ask for it, but if you can prove that you can provide for the animal and that you'll be a good home, they usually don't care if you have a vet's reference. They usually won't punish you for never having an animal before.
Congrats on wanting to save a life! : )
2006-11-08 10:46:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The veterinary clinic I used to work at adopted out pets. Check if any of your local vets are adopting out pets. Then you wont need a reference.
2006-11-08 10:46:30 · answer #6 · answered by shootingstar0212 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just tell them that. Really, they want you to adopt the pet, and as long as you pick a vet, they will give you the dog.
It's not a big deal, and if it is, there are plenty of other dogs that need homes. Ones that don't have such anal retentive control freaks holding their leashes.
Cheers.
2006-11-08 10:49:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
get references from family and friends, then go talk to a local
vetanarian about your interest in adopting a pet from the local
shelter, I'm sure they will be glad to help you.
2006-11-08 10:47:23 · answer #8 · answered by caesarsmom2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have got a dog from Houston SPCA i did not have to have avet saying i could they check animals health also they will see if u ever had a animal abuse charge against you if so u cant adopt
hope you get a new family member
2006-11-08 14:55:50 · answer #9 · answered by purple_puma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call a vet and talk to them. This will be your dog's new vet
2006-11-08 10:46:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋