A question for people who volunteer ..?

Question

Did you ever have someone walk in and practically demand cat/dog UNDER 8 weeks old?

Today I wanted to ring this lady's neck that came in. I volunteer at a mostly cat shelter (dogs get put into foster) and kittens are in foster care until 9 weeks old with their siblings. This lady came in and basically TOLD us what she wanted like she was buying a new purse. She was like 'I want a baby female, in black' .. are you serious?

I wanted to scream! Does she even know that its illegal in most states to give a person a cat/dog under 8 weeks!?!?

We have a beautiful 9 month old staffie in foster care that she could have looked at. Still a puppy. And we have almost 50 full grown cats walking around the shelter and we have 15-20 kittens 9 weeks and up that she could have got that were in the shelter when she came in.

Then people wonder why their dog/cat they cat at 6 weeks old doesnt listen, plays rough and bites all the time! Cause mom and littermates couldnt teach them the basics.

I needed to let that out LOL

Other than that, I love volunteering :] I cant have cats (sister is allergic) so this is great for me.

On a good mood note, how do you like volunteering?

Answer 1

I know exactly what you mean. I worked an adopt-a-thon event this weekend for the cats-only shelter I volunteer with and the first woman that walked up goes "I want a cat I can keep outside and can I get one already declawed?" WTF? I immediately told all the other volunteers AND the volunteers for the other shelters that were there NOT to adopt out to her. I wish we could stamp "DO NOT ADOPT TO ME" on people's foreheads lol

I love volunteering! I used to volunteer with a shelter in Florida and up here in Washington I've done fundraising and events for a ferret shelter. I started working with this cat shelter shortly after adopting my cat Spooky from them (a five year old Persian who's an absolute DOLL!) I love being able to help out the shelter kitties. This was my first adopt-a-thon and I adopted out a nine year old cat :) I love being able to connect homeless pets with their forever homes - it's VERY rewarding!!

Answer 2

Some people are idiots and self centered, these are the
ones that think of pets as a fashion accessory.
Don't let them get to you, instead have a little fun-
act as if they are talking a foreign language and
use really short simple words....or pretend you don't
speak english and just repeat their last word in a
funny accent.

I love fostering, I have fostered 4 dogs for RocketDog
Rescue in San Francisco. Its so cool to get a dog that
was under a death sentence and find it a good home.
One dog I had was a mess, he had been badly abused
and had a lot of issues. I was the 3rd foster for him, and
the first thing he did to me was try to run away. Fortunately
he still had the leash on him and someone grabbed him,
I was almost ready to give up too but decided to work with
him and see what happened. He took a while to open up,
but turned out to be a fun, mischevious dog , pretty smart.
About 6 weeks we found him a great home with a retired
doctor, I get to see him at the dog park every so often and
he is doing soooo well, just a happy little dog. Just seeing
him makes me smile.
So let the bad stuff slide and remember the good....

Answer 3

Last year. I volunteered to help fill in for a classmate at a college open evening because she had to go to a rehearsal for a play. I don't volunteer much because I'm a bit shy but will volunteer if no one else takes the job.

Answer 4

Glad to listen. I've been there, done that. And as the kennel manager at our local shelter, I got the difficult people handed to me. I hope you asked her to fill out an application and explained why you don't allow animals that young to be adopted. If you did, and she was still rude and adamant about getting an underage animal, I'd nit pick that application until there was no way they'd get a pet from me. If they are that unreasonable about the welfare of the animal being foremost, I can't imagine what they'd do over housetraining accidents.

Answer 5

I can totally relate to you... most people consider adopting pets like adopting kids, I'm sure you know that, and they'd rather have them as young as possible because they think they can have more influence over who they wind up being...please don't be offended, some older kids/dogs/cats are totally trained... better than babes.
Ask the person to be honest about the housetrained level of the pet she or he is interested in.. and if he or she cannot handle an occasional accident, they don't belong in your doorstep...wish to god I could do what you do.. wish I had the space the knowledge, the money to feed... I so envy you and bless you...

Answer 6

Im a lady in my 60's and have been taking care of animals for years. No "baby" should be taken away from their mommy for a minimum of 8 weeks. 10 weeks is better. Don't let anyone intimidate you. Making sure these babies get the proper care is a big responsibility and should never be taken lightly. Tell her to go fly a kite.

Answer 7

Yes it's very frustrating to deal with people who shouldn't even have a pet rock, come into a place filled with animals begging for good homes! Do your best to educate the ignorant and inform them of age limitations. Try to recommend a pet that's appropriate to potential adopters. Most importantly, know and take solace in the fact that you are not alone and WE are working to make the world a better place for the furry critters we love!

Answer 8

Bless your heart for volunteering.

Unfortunately people can be rude and inconsiderate. I'm lucky, being a private rescue I can turn them down. Sadly these people seem to think pets are disposable.

I rescue Bloodhounds. Because they are big dogs, irresponsible breeders sell them at 4-5 weeks. People buy them because they are cute. The dogs then get dumped in rescue because they can't deal with a 100# dog with issues. Then we have to try and turn them around. I have a big Alpha female who thinks she's the boss of everyone.

You are extremely observant that staying with Mom and littermates until at LEAST 8 weeks is VITAL to puppie's developement.

Again my thanks for helping the animals.

Answer 9

I am 16 and would love to volunteer but no one is calling me or emailing me back. I'm desperate!! I am curious, where are you located at? I am in Dallas, TX. (maybe I could volunteer where you volunteer at)

Answer 10

I can't be on my feet so I can't volunteer, but I do adopt strays, who usually end up back out doors by their choice. Yes I do spay and neuter.