why won't these rescue groups call me back?

Question

I have showed great interest in adopting a dog...well 3 to be exact from local and regional rescue groups. to make a long story short i have filled out one application to adopt one of them. I was told I would be emailed an application by another (yes, i gave them my email address) and haven't received it. The third still hasn't returned my call. These are all three different groups and i have been waiting for over a month on ALL of them to respond to me. I know these all are operated by volunteers but isn't a month a long time to be waiting for a response whether its a yes OR no? I am in the central missouri area (not sure if that helps at all) and if anyone can give me any info on the typical response time i should expect I would appreciate it. i am looking for a specific breed (cocker spaniel) thats why I won't just go to the local pound. thanks for any info and if you can recommend a local rescue group in this area that would be great too!!!

Answer 1

They should have responded by now. For the one you sent an application to, call them back and ask if they need additional information or if there is a problem.

Some rescues are very professional organizations and others are very small, one person operations. They all make their own rules and sometimes if they don't like someone, they just ignore them. Unprofessional, but that's the case.

I'd suggest contacting the national breed club and have them put you in touch with rescue organizations they are affiliated with. These will be more organized groups and shoudl be more professional. See below.

Answer 2

well this is why so many people just adopt from a dog shelter or place that is open to the public, it is also the reason so many people just go to the pet store, I work at a dog pound and the rescues can be weird some only take papered dogs, that are young while, but most only take a dog that is definitely prue breed and healthy and so many charge and application fee and never respond or deny the application, the dog pound i work at deals this dozens of rescues and I don't think i'd ever adopt from one after seeing how they do business. It seems no place is perfect if i were you i would go to a kill shelter a rescue a dog that really needs to be rescued, it is very common for kill shelters to have cockers, oddly enough the cocker rescue that is in the columbus area is one of the true rescues they will take any cocker no matter it's health age or temp, they even take mixes.

Answer 3

normally you should hear back within a couple of weeks about whether of not they will accept your applied if not they would call to in the majority of cases.

Exception would be if you had a proven recorded history of animal abuse or abandonment that was found in the reference check, in which case your name would be added to a black list and the fact you searching for a dog anotice would be sent to every rescue in the vicinity warning other rescues of their findings and that you are on the prowl and your application would be filed in the nearest trash can.

I am not saying this is the case at all , as others mentioned you applicantion could have got mislaid, it may be a small rescue and the person may have had a family crisis set aside the application and forgot about, or there was a puppymill bust and suddenly they are swamped with rescuing processing trying to find foster homes, trying to get dogs vetted and well so any applications get set on the back burners till the emergency is settled and the dogs are safe, it is a pretty crazy hectic period for them and they have to focus all their energies on saving as many of the dogs they can, do thier their are a lot of reasons why they may not have responded, so give a follow up phone call don't assume it is a rejection

Answer 4

Keep bugging them. Some rescue groups view persistance as a good thing - it means the person is serious and isn't just looking on a whim.

If the problem persists, contact the national rescue group and let them know about the problems you are having. Going over their heads may get your the results you need.

That area is LOADED with puppy mills, so it just sucks that the rescue group isn't more on top of it to help find homes for dumped puppy mill rejects.

Congrats on wanting to rescue!

Answer 5

They are often overwhelmed and may have lost your email. Go ahead and contact them again and keep copies of your emails.

Also go ahead and check your local shelter. I've pulled several purebreds out of pounds....Whippets, Boston Terrier,
Viszla, Rhodesian Ridgeback, etc....

Some shelters have a request form you can fill out to let them know you are looking for a certain breed.

http://www.geocities.com/petsburgh/haven/9862/dogs.html

http://tinyurl.com/25n63l

Missouri
Wigglebutt Express Cocker Rescue
Beth at 636-677-2615


Jopllin-
Okie Dokie Cocker Rescue
[e-mail]
417/529-8748 (Cell) = Evenings and Week-Ends Only

http://adopt-a-cocker-spaniel.1-800-save-a-pet.com/

National Club only has this list...not much in Missouri
http://www.asc-cockerspaniel.org/breed/rescuegroups.asp

I Googled Cocker Rescue Missouri....these are some of what I found.

Answer 6

You could google cocker spaniels, and look for groups, lists etc.. In the past I was on a bunch of my breed specific lists (not enough time any more). There are usually people, breeders, and pet owners that belong to rescue clubs/orgs and take in fosters, always looking for homes. Must be similar on Cocker spaniel lists.

Answer 7

From the NATIONAL BREED CLUB WEBSITE for rescue in Missouri::
Missouri
Dog Obedience Group, Ltd.
Jane and Al Boeck ([e-mail]), Blue Springs, MO
816-228-4567 REFERRAL Only

Referral – Joplin Area
Kelly Cruzan ([e-mail]), Joplin, MO

Answer 8

Are you contacting a rescue group of the breed you want or just a rescue group in general? A breed specific group will be best. they will alreaady have a dog for you and will not have to wait to find you one.

Let me thank you for getting a rescued dog! We have adopted one and are now a foster parent for another.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I can suspect it is because you are looking for a specific breed and they are waiting for one to come in for you. If you are worried you might want to call the first one you applied for and ask them how it works b/c you haven't heard either way and wanted to make sure they still had your application.

Answer 10

Try calling them. E-mail does not always get through.

I do rescue and we always get back to everyone. Usually within a couple of days.