why are dog rescue groups so crazy?

Question

I want to adopt a rescue dog and they have forms that fall under the "catch 22" category. You can't have one of their dogs UNLESS you've owned a dog before! What if you're a first timer?

Answer 1

Keep in mind that rescue groups get the dogs that have come from the worst situations. A rescue worker has seen the worst of what people are capable of and want to spare the dog going through that again at all costs. An abusive or neglectful home is not better than no home. They are just trying to do what is best for the dog.
A lot of times rescues will have very strict policies but are willing to make exceptions for the right circumstances. For instance, my rescue group will not allow someone without a fenced yard to adopt, BUT if someone is willing to provide a proper solution and show that due care will be given, we will usually make an exception. You just need to be willing to talk to them and work out a win-win situation.

Answer 2

Are you dealing with a breed specific rescue? There are some breeds that are better suited for experienced owners than others. If you're talking about a large, powerful breed of dog that tends to be very dominant, those are not a good choice for a first time dog owner. Often, the reason that dog may have come into rescue in the first place is because someone without the experience to manage the dog properly found that they could not control it, so it winds up in the shelter or in a rescue. Our rescue group has a dog like this at present. The owner didn't know what they were doing, the dog took over, and the result was some dominance based aggressive behavior. He's actually a pretty good dog that just needed a lot of training and the right owner. Because of his history, however, we will not place him with someone that doesn't have considerable experience with this breed, or one similar. It would be irresponsible to do otherwise. On the other hand, I'm fostering one that could possibly go to someone with little experience, if they were willing to do the self-education needed to be a successful owner.

As a couple of others have mentioned, dogs in rescue often come from abusive or neglectful environments. In some cases, this leaves them with behavioral issues that a first time owner is unlikely to be prepared to deal with.

A responsible rescue group will try to make the best match possible between owner and dog, for the well-being and safety of both. Mismatch between dog and owner is one reason why so many dogs get dumped at the pound.

If it's a breed rescue, the members cumulatively represent many years of experience with that breed, and they try to use that experience to make the best placements they can. But believe me, every rescue has more dogs than homes, so placing qualifying criteria on prospective owners is not because they want to be exclusive or hard to deal with. Rescues are eager to place dogs, but if they're responsible, they will not do it willy-nilly. Expecting experience may be a criterion that they feel is vital.

Answer 3

A lot of times dogs that fall into the care of a rescue group don't have a very pretty past and may have a lot of issues because of it, ranging from behavioral issues to fears and health problems. They aren't trying to exclude you, they just want to make sure the dog ends up in a forever home and wat to make sure that the future dog owner knows what they are getting into. If you've never had a dog befor even a well behaved dog can be frustrating with it's doggy antics from time to time, so a dog that has problems can be even harder to deal with if you don't have dog experience.

It's good that you want to rescue a dog, but I understand your frustration. If you have any local shelters try volunteering there for a while, getting used to troubled dogs. Maybe you will find your new dogs there, maybe not, but you will be ableto say that you have experience with troubled dogs and having a shelter back up your claims will only help you. Just be patient, it'll work out.

Answer 4

I believe that most rescue groups wouldn't have a problem with a 1st timer under the right circumstances.
Remember ... rescue groups are trying to find a good home for a dog that might already come from a bad situation. They don't want the dog to endure another bad situation, and they don't want the dog back. Above all, they try to find the best match of people and their dogs.
Good luck.

Answer 5

The previous answers are correct... if you only knew how many unsuitable people there are out there.

My suggestion is to talk to the rescue group and see if they would be willing to include in the adoption contract a condition that you and your dog successfully attend obedience and/or dog care classes.

If no classes are available, then you might offer to contribute a certain number of hours at the rescue before you adopt... they are always in need of help, and you'll get a valuable education in dog care (not mention how people abuse their dogs).

Just remember, the contract is a legally binding agreement... just ask Ellen Degeneres. Be sure that you fulfill all requirements.

Good luck... I hope things work out.

Answer 6

Rescue Groups want experienced owners to take their dogs. Many rescued dogs were in horrible conditions, or on death row at the local shelters and pounds.

If you're a newbie, rescue a dog or puppy from a shelter and pound first. The rescue groups have already saved the dogs in their care, and have made lifelong commitments of taking the dog back if you can't care for it. If they won't let you adopt one, then go rescue one yourself from the shelter.

Answer 7

All I can say is thank you to the dozens of rescues I've been too looking for a pup that A) needed them to be shipped from the deep south, B) already found them a home but left the post up for me to fill out yet another application and C) wanted nothing short of a limb to prove my family's worthiness. Without you folks I never would have found my beautiful husky puppy who is happy, healthy and full of life...on Ebay. She enjoys our children, our 3.5 acres of land. My first dog died in dec 2014, he was 15 yrs old, my best friend and yes a rescue. I never wanted to do anything but the right thing for an animal/friend and now I find myself, like many others, to get a pup in the private sector. It's a shame it's come to this.

Answer 8

Not all rescues are like that. My neighbor does foster care for a rescue group and they have given dogs/puppies to first-time owners. Some rescues may be taking dogs that are not suitable for inexperienced(first-time) dog owners. Just look around plenty of rescues are more than willing to adopt out to first time owners.

Answer 9

There's no reason to not adopt to a first-time dog owner, unless the dog is not suited for a first-time owner (some dogs require a more knowledgeable home).

The rescue I volunteer for requires the basics for dog owners:
- Home check
- Fully fenced yard

We may also contact your vet for references, and will take into consideration your previous pets and what happened to them (if you have a past of dogs that get hit by cars, cats who 'disappear' and never return, etc, you may get denied adoption).

We are a no-kill shelter, with all our animals in foster care, so we have all the time we need to find the right home for the animals we have.

Answer 10

I am a volunteer with an animal rescue group and we don't have that in our contract. Try a different rescue group.