Let me explain. The group required a pre-adoption fee and I did that. They said they'd get in touch soon and it took them forever and now they keep changing or delaying the appointment. I got irritated and somewhat yelled MILDLY at them but I kept my cool for the most part. I contacted them saying its unfortunate through my opinion, you deny me a dog but they will not listen or even engage in a conversation as to create a solution. Any suggestions?
2007-08-14 11:17:28 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
The staff have also been rude throughout. Hmm.
2007-08-14 11:18:27 · update #1
Actually, I think they have more compassion for the animals than people. It seems it runs their life for this group. All other shelters seem normal to me, but this one --- just an amazing dog though. I'm kind of picky in this field.
2007-08-14 11:22:23 · update #2
I'm not sure what path I desire to take on this so I am not going to name the group. But I will say that alot of the certain breed rescue groups DO require a pre-adoption fee which I do believe goes toward the adoption or at least part of it. RAGOM, is not this group but I have been very very happy with them in the past and they do a pre-adoption fee. Great group though, so it isn't all a scam in that view.
THEIR SITE IS RAGOM.org
2007-08-14 11:29:21 · update #3
No 501c(3) non-profit rescue group I know charges an upfront adoption fee unless there is a signed CONTRACT . This is fishy, if you ask me.
Did you fill out the application form ? Did they have any questions or approve you ? Did you put down a hold on a dog ?
What is 'forever." If they are all volunteers, it may be hard to get an appointment. Really.
If you cussed or yelled, they rightly have a worry about your temper...... no one wants a puppy kicked for peeing in the floor. I have stepped in puppy poo on the floor several times and yes, I say dmmm it and spray disinfectant on my foot and wipe several times.
However, you do realize the amount of abuse people see in rescue makes us more than a bit cautious. We deal already with neglect, starving, beating, and dog fighting.
Look at this site and wonder how someone can call themselves human beings. These people should not have a child or adopt any living creature.
http://www.pet-abuse.com/
Look over to the right at Recent Cases. Abuse happens right under your nose..... your own family, your neighbor, a person in a humane society !!! It happens. This is why rescuers are annoying sometimes.
Right now, I have an idiot 2 streets over not caring for 2 very friendly dogs he has CHAINED in the backyard. 1 dog's shade is the owner's black webbed satelite dish!!! The dog has dug a 3 foot hole trying to get away from the heat. He's been reported, puts the dogs in the carport with a fan and then throws them back out in 1 0 4 F. degree heat ~ !
Was there a certain dog or cat you want to see or have already visited ?
Yep, I'd be upset after all this time they let the pet go you have paid a pre-adoption fee on.
.............................................................................................
My suggestion:
Go in person to their building and don't tell them who you are. Check out the animals and maybe see if they'll let you play with a couple you pick out..... there is usually an area set aside for that.
If they ask you about an application, fill one out, or tell them you have.
Hope they don't ask screening questions.
Just look nice, smile, be pleasant, and tell them how much you want a cat or a dog.
Or answer 'the' questions with a pre-thought answer because you know what they have said to you.
Just so happen to have in your digital camera, photos of your house or apartment, the fenced yard, and perhaps a photo or 2 of the kitchen or den. Tell them you were hoping for a home check soon. Remind them you paid a fee.
See how that goes since they can see you in person.
Next bet ?
Call the Better Business Bureau
or
call and ask the local government,
maybe animal control if they are a good one,
they'll know who the rescue group is and
ask how to find out about their 501c(3) status.
File a complaint.
Geez, if this does not work, I'd find another rescue group..... MINE for instance !!!! I'm tying to place purebred Dalmatians and Australian Shepherds right now. LOL !
Nah, web search for groups in your region or state and PetFinder dot com again.
http://www.petfinder.com/
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
2007-08-14 11:54:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ask for your fee back and move on. All rescues are different and like anything, some are better than others. I have never heard of pre-adoption fee. That is bogus to me.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
It is not uncommon for small rescues to be comprised of one or a few people that do have a mindset that the animals are more important than people. It is a common mindset in the field and we have a few employees at our shelter who have needed some work in this department (we require customer service training). They lose sight of the fact that the animals need people and they need to provide good customer service to both. There has actually been research on this phenomenon. If you actually were able to complete the adoption and you had problems later, chances are they will blame all the problems on you and never assume that the dog had pre-existing issues. Again, I'd move on under these circumstances.
2007-08-14 18:23:40 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sorry you had this experience. Please keep in mind that the people you are dealing with are unpaid volunteers.
Most do it before and after regular full time jobs.
They get calls and requests from good potential pet owners as well as real morons who should not have a dog, but they have to deal with them all, regardless.
They are usually over worked and overwhelmed.
That said, I have never heard of a pre-adoption fee. What was it for? Are you sure this is a true rescue/
2007-08-14 18:28:54 · answer #3 · answered by maxmom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have checked out a lot of rescue groups and NEVER heard of a pre-adoption fee. Sounds like a scam to get money from people they would never adopt dogs to to me. You can threaten to report them if they don't give your money back, but I don't think there is any chance that you can get the dog at this point. Keep looking--there are tons of special dogs out there and plenty of respectable rescues too.
2007-08-14 18:27:01 · answer #4 · answered by M L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A "pre-adoption fee" is a HUGE red flag to me. Huge! I never discuss the fee before approving the home. Any adoption fee is only acepted when teh final papers are signed and the dog is going to its new home.
It pains me to say this, but in all honesty, there are now bogus groups posing as rescues that are no better than puppymillers or backyard breeders in that they are only interested in money. Always be sure to investigate a rescue as well as you would a breeder. It breaks my heart that our society is coming to this state of mistrust and dishonesty. Do what you can to get your money back, and go elsewhere. As a volunteer, I KNOW sometimes life throws you a few curves, and you ahve to rearrange appointments, or even forget one, but it sound slike you aren't dealing with the same type of situation.
2007-08-14 18:27:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
We have an adopted dog from a rescue and and adoptee from a shelter, and neither of those required a "pre-adoption" fee. The shelter required payment for spaying my one dog, and the rescue we got our great dane from bases their fee on the age of the dog (puppies are more expensive, as you can imagine). You should shop around more, and send a WRITTEN letter requesting your fee back. Seems fishy.... Good luck!
2007-08-14 18:55:19 · answer #6 · answered by rtforkids 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did they keep your money? If they did then I would say they are obligated to allow you to adopt a dog. Also if they do not allow you to adopt then I would tell them that you re going to notify your local News stations and see what legal action you can take against them. No one wants bad publicity and a court case. If that doesn't work then I would go threw with it cause think about how many other people they are scamming.
2007-08-14 18:26:20 · answer #7 · answered by It's Me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With these groups communication is key and unfortunatly when you yelled you blew it mildy or not the people at the shelter were extremly rude and don't even sound like they have proper credentials. So seems like all you can do is go there get a refund and find s place that will treat you well and not cause you to loose your cool, time and money.
good luck!
2007-08-14 18:25:15 · answer #8 · answered by Jordin<3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do rescue work and have NEVER heard of a pre-adoption fee. Something doesn't sound right here. What is the name of the rescue?
2007-08-14 18:26:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
okay write them an email and tell them you intend to hire an attorney and get your money back and you will spread the word about their rescue to the local news media and then do it . some rescues are frauds and you have to be carefull who you deal with . I fostered for a while for a rescue and some things they did I did not agree with . I quit for that very reason and I am gratefull for the few dogs I did save . But do see an attorney and make sure you do go to the media and tell them what is going on . good luck .
2007-08-14 18:23:30 · answer #10 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋