Dog Rescue question???

Question

I have been on petfinders and found a dog that I would love to adopt....I had to fill out this intensive application and it could take up to 4 weeks. I have adopted in the past from the SPCA and they make you fill out a application and I took the dog home that day.
Why the long process??

JR,
Thank you so much for you answer....That was a question on the application and I have also seen rescue's that will not allow a dog to be adopted with out a fence....I am a animal lover and do not want to get a dog from a pet store or a breeder I have had SPCA dogs all my life. I did fill out the application and plan to go to the SPCA this weekend.

Answer 1

I would really love to see some answers to this. I do rescue and we do deny people but in no way should it take this long. I have seen people denied from rescues for the most ignorant reasons. Several rescues have that you must have a fence or no children under 3 for any dog. Dogs and kids should have each other. I understand if some dogs are not good with kids but most are. And the fence issue. I can't tell you how many dogs Ive had jump over my 6 ft privacy fence. I would rather them go to a home without a fence verses a new owner having a false sense of security. Or how many dogs that go out do their business and want back in immediately. These dogs don't need a fence. I work with a guy that was denied by schnauzer rescue for not having a fence. They have had schanauzers all their life. I gave him a border terri. Schnauzer rescue doesn't realized they let a schnauzer die somewhere because they wouldn't let him adopt a dog. Im telling you our dog made out like a bandit and I get to see him at the office all the time.

Rescues are so anal and ignorant they don't realize they push people to the breeders. They make people support Back yard breeders and puppy mills. The one thing they say they want to stop. They are too stupid to realize anybody can put anything on an application. Our group is a little different. We don't have set rules. Whoever is fostering the dog (especially those of us that have been doing these forever) knows what the dog needs.

I have five dogs of my own and five fosters and a litter of 7 4 week old puppies (Election day babies) Most of them don't want other dogs in the house even though they are okay with all of mine and the fosters I know the way the act they don't want it. I know the ones that will tolerate it. Some need a fence som e don't We cater to each animal not people that want to control the situations. Often some dogs I will let go with people I know don't really want a dog but I let them learn their lesson and return the dog to me. Not all can do this but if you have done your job as a foster they can go and do whatever and come back. I like it I think it really lets them know they always have my house no matter what happens in their life. But that person doesn't go to a petstore or a BYB and buy a pet then dump it in a kill shelter.

And while you got me going what really pisses me off is rescues that charge an application fee. There should never be an application fee. Our adoption fee is 100$ and it barely covers the vetting but we get donations from people that see us every weekend and help us. We have one older couple that actually goes to yard sales and buys things we could use. WE let outsiders get involved to see everything we do for the pets and they help us. We have one little old lady that brings us coupons every week from the newspaper.

I do belive they are killing other pets in shelters while they make people wait for "approval"

I am so sorry to vent and I think you made me more aggravated than you were. I bust my hump to get dogs out of shelters before they die. No one else can help and most of the time its because they are trying to be too controlling of a situation and not letting a dog get adopted. So they have no room to save another one.

Answer 2

A lot of these dogs have been through several homes and not so great pet owners. They just want to be sure that these animals are really going to a good forever home. A lot of rescue organizations actually do home visits as well to decide if your home is suitable for dog ownership. They do this to cut down on the amount of pet returns and to make sure that people are really willing to make their homes a safe place for their new dog or cat. Don't take it personally, they are just doing it because they have the pets best interest at heart. Good luck with your new dog. You are doing a really great thing adopting from a rescue organization. Plus these usually make the best pets because they are so appreciative of their chance to have a family of their own. Merry Christmas!

Answer 3

I know it seems like a long time, but my own rescue wants to be sure that the dog and adopter will be a good match. There is nothing worse than a dog coming back to us because some problem has occured.
We check personal references, vet references, do a home check, etc. All this takes time, specially if the adopter lives some distance away. Also, all of us are volunteers, and we really do have lives of our own and family committments, not to mention jobs etc.
Also, the dog must be checked by a vet, and we sometimes have to wait to get an appointment. They will be spayed or neutered, have any medical problems attended to, and have their rabies and other shots administered.
We really have the dog's best interests at heart, and we want to be sure that you will be happy with each other, and that they have really found their forever home.

Answer 4

Different animal rescue groups have different policies. The idea is to make sure that they make a good and lasting match between the pet and the person. So many times animals are returned to shelters for various reasons, and they really try to avoid that. They do need to check up on parts of your application, for example, if you are a renter, they want to make sure your landlord allows pets.
Thank you for adopting a homeless dog, I hope you will be patient and understand that the process is in the dog's best interests.

Answer 5

I foster with Second Chance Rescue (secondchancerescue.org) and we have an application that is filled out, and along with a fee, you can then take the dog home right away. We do stipulate if you don't want to keep the dog for any reason, we get the dog back.

One other stipulation is that the dog will be an inside dog..housed inside.

Answer 6

Dog rescues are usually more careful about who gets the dog because they can be. they typically rescue the dogs and keep them in foster care until the right match can be made. They want to be certain that you are prepared for the new addition.

Shelters are often high volume and are not as reigorous in the screening process. It is not that they care less-it is just the sad truth that so many pets are "dumped" that they need the space and can't do home screens, interviews, test visits.

Answer 7

Different rescue operations have different "requirements" of the people adopting. It could take them that long to check your references or verify that dogs are allowed by your lease (if you live in a rental). I've even heard of some rescues that make you wait until the check clears. I'd suggest calling this particular organization and finding out why they take up to 4 weeks.

Answer 8

AWW! yay you! I also rescue along with my family and it does take soo long! They call vets and do home visits and all kinds of stuff. Don't worry though, they are just checking to make sure it will go to a good home. It took me forever too and then only to find out the dog i adopted didn't work out for me! I was devastated but now am looking into getting another one from them! Good Luck and God bless!

Answer 9

They have to do a home inspection and they also have to check out the environment of the dog's neighborhood . They have to do extensive background checks on you and whoever else is in the home it is almost has intense as adopting a child when you adopt from a shelter or a rescue. good luck and god bless and happy holidays.

Answer 10

It has been my experience that all Rescue Organizations want to make sure that you are the correct person for the dog, as they really want to find a forever home for a pet. Good Luck.