Do you find animal shelter's adoption practices invasive?

Question

I want to adopt a cockapoo. I was thinking of going to a breeder but I thought maybe I should try a local shelter. I found out that I have to fill out a application and wait for it to be reviewed, then they will call my landlord, then a they have to do a home visit. Does anyone else think this is a little invasive? I understand the need to make sure the animals go to good homes, but what's next are they going to call my employer...oh wait they probably are.

Answer 1

I have to agree although I understand they mean well. I have tried to get a dog from a shelter before and decided just to go to a breeder for the simplicity of the process. Also - it is as though if the dog doesn't eat at your kitchen table and sleep under your sheets at night then they won't let you adopt.I would rather get my dog the day I want to get it rather than have to wait through all that. I am a good pet owner --- I have four spoiled cats, a dog, a two horses.

I also must add --- I realize that many animals in the united states need homes--- and need GOOD homes. I agree. BUT went to the domincan republic on a mission trip. Thousands of animals are near death and no one cares. The condition of those dogs is so tragic that it is hard to even look at them. The fact that animals in the US have a CHANCE at having a semi-happy life is SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T BE DENIED. An adoption fee is important though -- in response to the comment below.

Answer 2

Hi

I was going to do the same adopt a puppy or any loving animal .

Application , home visit , background check . I was told that they would make several visits after wards . I backed out . Yes they want to make sure the pet goes to a good home that is safe. Also they want to see where the pet will be sleeping and the other family members . Shelters prefer a house with a fenced in yard but to me the process is a headache .

Here is a link to a adoption site at Pet co and it is very reasonable without the headache too .

C

Answer 3

I would go thru a rescue league, or sites like pet-finder versus your local humane society. We just recently adopted from our local humane society and it wasn't til after talking to a few people that i found out 95% of the dogs come out of there sick with at least Kennel cough (no biggee typical virus) or an upper respiratory infection, this can be more alarming due to the fact my dogs, developed into Pneumonia. Him, having this also lead us to find out he had a collapsed/ aspirated part of his lungs. He is still on his meds for 3 weeks. Within in the first week of bringing him home, we spent more than $1000 on his health and vet visits, both normal hours and emergency ($75/visit).
Calling the landlord is normal, it's just checking to see if the dog doesn't violate any rules at the apt./home. The home check is to make sure you have a good safe home for the dog. It's worth the extra effort if you are getting a healthy dog, that you are not going to spend an extra $1000 in the first week of having her and still spending.
I would honestly think about the shelter, if you have the money and patience to deal with it. The dogs there need love, we have the best Lil dog, granted he's not out the woods yet. But he's so full of life he tries to eat steel toe boots while they are still on peoples feet!! :)

Answer 4

For some rescue organizations this is completely normal. Did you go to a local, government-owned shelter or a privately-owned shelter?

I've never had to do more than fill out an application and wait for a vet appointment before adopting from the shelter, but then it is a government funded one. The private shelters I ran into all sorts of invasive-ness. I think it is a little silly at times but generally understand why they have the rules that they do.

Answer 5

I don't. The shelter wants to make sure that they do not get this animal back and that the home they are placing him/her with will be a loving one and that care will be provided.

Calling your landlord is just to make sure that you are allowed to have animals in your apartment. Nothing worse than breaking the rules and then the dog comes back to the shelter.

They may even ask if you've ever had another animal, the name of the vet you used for that animal. They might contact the vet to see if the previous animal was up on their shots and if they are deceased, what they died from.

It's all for the best of the animal.

Answer 6

Yes, they are invasive. Actually, there is some variation from locality to locality. My wife and I have rescued a number of dogs over the years, moreso in the past, when we lived on a farm. I found some of the breed rescue groups even more invasive than the local shelters. There was one rescue facility that had over 100 dogs at the time that refused us the opportunity to help them out because our two hectacres was not enough by their standards. At the time, we had two other dogs and good fencing, were active in our local kennel club, and had made major contributions to the shelter in questionn in the past. Their 100 dogs were being warehoused in a kennel building made for 40 dogs, with only ten 2m x 5m outdoor runs. We don't support them anymore... Of course, all these agencies state that they are "...just looking out for the best interests of the dogs..."

Answer 7

Sorry, but this is all part of ensuring that the dog goes to a "forever" home. Many dogs end up in shelters in the first place because people find out they can't keep them in their rented house/apartment, or they end up moving and can't take the dog to the new place, etc.

So the rescue folks are just trying to ensure that you have a good home situation for the dog to begin with.

As for the application -- again, this is in the dog's best interest. I think it's perfectly fair to know as much about the person you're adopting to as possible.

I also ask my rescue people to fill out an application, and, yes, I do ask whether they rent or own, and I do require a home check. This is partially because the breed I rescue (Siberian huskies) is notoriously good at escaping, and I need to know that their yard is "Siberian Proof".

Think about it this way -- a dog is a living creature, not furniture. Its well-being is at the forefront of a rescue group's priorities (or should be).

Also, think about how frustrating it is to put all that work into finding a home for a dog, only to have it come back a week later because of an angry landlord. Frustrating for the rescue person, heartbreaking for the dog who just found a new home.

Good luck with your adoption, and thank you for considering rescue!

Answer 8

Sorry but no I do not. Any reputable shelter or rescue will check out any potential adopters application in full prior to committing to adopting a pet out. I fully understand why they do it, have you any idea how many dogs are relinquished to shelters because the landlord says no dog and someone gets one anyway? as far as home visits they just want to be sure that the home is the correct home for the pet they are adopting out. Please don't take it personally, but the shelter personnel and the rescue people and foster people put alot of time, love and effort into taking care of these dogs and cats and just want to be sure that they will not be returned, harmed, neglected, abused or unloved.

Answer 9

nope, they're doing their job. without checking with your landlord, they don't know if you're permitted to have a pet. Many pets have been returned just for that reason. I think the recent story of the woman who adopted and then drown over 600 animals is a good example. shelters can't make 100% sure that the home they're giving the pet to is a good one but they can sure try. It's their job to ensure the safety of that pet in it's new home and it's nice to see them do a good job. it's one of the reasons i still keep in contact with the rescue that i got my dog from. I still send them pictures and notices of his accomplishments. That way they know they did the right thing by sending this dog with me.

Answer 10

I think it shows a lot of responsibility for them to do all of that. I'm especially impressed by the home visit. Can you imagine what would happen if they didn't ask any questions? People who *enjoy* hurting animals would be able to just pick up a new animal whenever the urge struck. They have to call your landlord to make sure you are really allowed to have the animal because if you aren't then the animal will have to come back into their care eventually anyway. They want the placement to be good for the animal and good for you and permanent.