Yeah, ah, I won't be taking home any shelter pets any time soon...

My 4 former shelter dogs wouldn't approve of me getting any more.  (2 directly from the pound, 2 from rescues that pulled them from the pound.)

Galadriel May 11th, 2009 12:58:14 PM

I adopted both my previous and my current dogs from a shelter. Why? Because I didn't want a puppy.

So I can't but wonder if educating people about the advantages of not getting puppies (and the dis-advantages of puppies ;-) ), and even the simple fact that not getting a puppy is even in option, will help drive up shelter adoptions?

Xslf May 11th, 2009 01:12:07 PM

Sorry, couldn't resist :)

It's disappointing to hear that apparently people don't start with the shelter when they adopt.  I do know that a lot of independent rescues take owner surrenders and then adopt these out; if it weren't for the rescue, these dogs would end up at the shelter.  Are there any stats on how many pets are adopted without ever going through a shelter?

Our family (my husband's & mine) have mostly been good about getting new pets from rescues or the shelter, particularly since they've seen how good our dogs are, though the one with severe dog allergies bought a dog from a breeder when he discovered her full sister didn't set off his allergies.  Reasonable.  Of people we know, we urge and even help with adopting rescued pets instead of buying them...the only exception being the person who bought a couple of puppymill yorkies and has been backyard breeding them, but she wasn't interested in *any*thing we had to say about responsible pet care, in any way.

So we know people *are* adopting from shelters, but people only acquire so many new pets at a time... In all seriousness, our next dogs will be from a shelter or a rescue, but it'll be years before we acquire another dog, and I hope it will be many years.  We'll encourage people  to and help them to find shelter/rescue dogs.  But there are only so many people, and only so many openings for dogs of any kind, whether they're bought, acquired from an oops, adopted from a rescue, or adopted from the pound.

Galadriel May 11th, 2009 01:12:31 PM

The ad campaign won't work on me.  For one thing, I probably won't see many of the ads if they run on TV or in popular magazines. 

I've had 4 dogs in my life.  The first and fourth were deliberate purchases from breeders.  The 2nd (my favorite to date for a variety of reasons) came from the local Humane Society.  The third is a retired show dog who was given to me because she got along well with my 2nd dog.  I don't consider #3 a rescue in any way although I suspect she received more personal time with me than she would've with her previous owner.

People ask me if dog #4 (still a puppy) is a rescue.  I say no, I knew what I wanted in a dog, found a breeder who breeds that type of dog, and bought what I wanted.  I don't feel guilty or that I've consigned some shelter dog to death by getting what I wanted from a breeder instead of gambling on a rescue.  My puppy is what I needed and wanted at this stage in my life.  I may very well have another shelter or rescue dog in the future, but I think/hope I'm years away from adding another dog to my family.

kabbage May 11th, 2009 01:12:46 PM

For so many people I know it's almost impossible for them to get approved to be adopted. I know of least 2 people that were told by vets that they should not have their old/sick/non-aethesia friendly dog spayed because of valid medical reasons and that household was turned down for adopting an already neutered/spayed dog. I know these shelters have the animal's wellbeing in mind but these were good households with good references, big fenced in yards.

I'm quite proud of my shelter dog, she went from well-trained but horribly skinny and shy to a healthy weight, bouncy husky even at the age of 6.

For me I would get a puppy from the shelter but with a dog that is already dog-aggressive towards certain breeds (from a breeder) I need to weigh my options carefully. He came first so it's either another dog that fits with him or he can be perfectly happy with his husky sister. I don't think I'm the one they're appealing to anyway, it's people who don't have any dogs or perhaps have just 1 or 2 cats.

Katrina May 11th, 2009 01:17:53 PM

I've got 14+ foster dogs right now, all available on Petfinder via a local rescue. Some came from Animal Control, but I'm not allowed to foster directly for them. (Politics.) Every animal I have has been pretty much rescued...except the two feeder piglets that I bought yesterday. (My mother's day present.)

For those who really care in the sheltering industry, the Ad Council campaign can help tremendously. But for those who are too busy playing politics and power struggles, I fear the public's "bad experiences" and the killing will continue. We'll see!

LynnO May 11th, 2009 01:20:09 PM

I have one shelter cat, one rescue org cat, and 2 cats who were dying as kittens on the streets when I took them. 

I stay out of shelters right now because I don't wanna bring home more pets.  At any time that I had fewer cats than I thought I wanted (NOT the case now) I would certainly go to a shelter. 

Stefani May 11th, 2009 01:24:59 PM

Like Galadriel, my lack of time and space is a barrier that no advertising campaign will over come. But the cat came directly from a shelter, and the pup went from stray to shelter to rescue to me. And my mom's dog, a years ago Mother's Day gift, was also a shelter pup. And all three are perfect for their homes. Because I'm a huge dog person, I get a lot of questions from people about how to pick a dog breed. I tell them you can get guidelines from breeds, but mixed breeds are often wonderful pets and the best way to chose a dog is to make a list of your musts and must-nots and then hit the local shelters, list in hand, until you find the one that fits. Since they have adult dogs, it eliminates some of the guess work.

Terrie May 11th, 2009 01:31:41 PM

The first criteria would be changes in limit laws. I participate in dog sports (conformation, agility, obedience, and field work). I have a breed I love and my ideal is a dog with titles on both ends of his/her name - a champion with performance titles. So the few dogs allowed by my county are taken by purebreds so I can pursue my chosen sport. This in spite of the fact I live on a two acre lot with a big fenced yard. If I was allowed more dogs, I would have room for a shelter dog, and maybe some fosters I could train and place. As it is my participation must be limited to a support role, both for my national breed rescue and local shelters

I have often seen statements saying "no one needs more than x dogs" in support of limit laws or that limit laws are needed to prevent hoarding.

1. Limit laws don't prevent hoarding, which seems to be a mental illness, probably a particular manifestation of OCD.

2. The number of dogs a person has do not correlate well with how well they care for them or what kind of neighbors they make. I ahve seen people with one chihuahua be neighborhood nuisances, and people with near a dozen Labradors whose neighbors were barely aware they had dogs. I have a breeder friend who usually has between 10 and 15 dogs with several litters a year. The dogs, of a fairly high maintenance breed grooming-wise, are happy, healthy, groomed, and trained. Her puppies are socialized and go to their new homes knowing basic obedience and well on their way to being house-trained.

People involved in performance dog sports usually have at least one or two competition -ready dogs, a youngster in training and a retired senior couch potato. If more than one person in the family is involved in the sport (which is highly desireable) then double the number of dogs. These dogs are all better cared for than most pets and much loved - the partnership developed between a handler and a performance dog is something to be cherished.

We don't need mandatory spay/neuter, breed-specific, anti-thetering, or puppy mill legislation. What we need is reasonable anti-cruelty laws, along with good nuisance laws and reasonable leash laws that are enforced. eash laws should allow for dogs in training and ideally include permits that allow dogs to be walked off-leash if a test of obedience is passed. What better way to encourage people to train their dogs and trined dogs are less likely to be turned over to shelters

Back to what it would take to get me to adopt a shelter dog. The next criteria that would reallyhelp is an improvement in the economy, in particular my own economic statis :-(.

I also think that what is just as important as encouraging adoption is programs taht help people keep their pets, from training classes, advice lines, and pet food banks, among others.

As an aside, an end to the demonization of breeders would improve my attitude a lot. Ideally all puppies would be knowledgeabley breed, skillfully nurtured, and carefully placed in good homes where their new owners are provided with mentoring and support. We will never approach this goal if the people who do it best, who are already doing it right, are harassed and legislated out of existence.

PS. I am not a breeder, and the least successful pet, health and temperament-wise, I have ever had was a random-bred shelter puppy.

Linda H May 11th, 2009 01:43:51 PM

 Gladriel wrote, "Are there any stats on how many pets are adopted without ever going through a shelter?" 

There are some statistics available on all dog acquisitions, both adopted and otherwise.

According to a study in Anthrozoos, about 7.3 million dogs are acquired each year, including 5.8 million puppies from pet stores, show breeders & backyard breeders; about one million dogs from animal shelters, and 500,000 "other" (strays picked up, etc.).  About 6.2 million U.S. dogs die each year, including accidents, voluntary/necessary veterinary euthanasias, and dogs killed in shelters (both owner surrenders for euthanasia and those not adopted/adoptable).

The study concludes approximately 4 million dogs enter U.S. shelters each year.  Owner surrenders are about 1.8 million (300,000 for euthanasia and 1.5 million for adoption).  One million of the estimated 3.1 million dogs available for adoption do get new homes, leaving 2.1 million shelter dogs killed. 

A study from Tufts also found 1.8 million to 2.1 million dogs are euthanized in U.S. shelters each year.

In short, 7.3 million dogs are acquired each year, and only about 2 million dogs are killed in shelters.  That leaves approximately 5 million homes that want, and find, dogs (or, to be picky, 4 million homes that want, and find, dogs from sources other than a shelter).

I know that doesn't specifically answer your question.  But I hope it helps. 

Marjorie May 11th, 2009 01:45:23 PM

Galadriel asked "Are there any stats on how many pets are adopted without ever going through a shelter?" Ithink that if a dog is kept from going into a shelter (especially those that were and are mainly about killing instead of adopting) in the first place, his second (or other)adoptionisbetter than if he'dhad to go to a shelter first.  As she also said, "...there are only so many people, and only so many openings for dogs of any kind, whether they're bought, acquired from an oops, adopted from a rescue, or adopted from the pound." 

When I was growing up our dogs where 'rescues' from breeders (dogs that breeders didn't want and would have been stuck in a basement or killed), or other owners who didn't want to keep them anymore, or the one Wolfhound puppy 'rescued' from a Dr.'s Pets (grown so big he could barely move in his cage), and one which actually did come from a city animal pound.  My own dogs either came from right from the streets (I picked them up or a friend did) or a (greyhound) rescue.  And this weekend, I finalized an owner surrender to me and the adoption to a better home of a sweet dog that would have gone to a shelter (where he probably wouldn't have made it out - their temperment tests are BS and their always crying they have no space and he's a big, black dog).  I know there are wonderful animals in shelters, and I would probably look at going that route, except dogs seem to find me without my having to search them out (only the first grey was a conscious effort - the rest, I was volunteering there, and the dogs sort of picked me).

KateH May 11th, 2009 01:48:52 PM

Why not spend some of that ad money on trainers?  I don't adopt dogs from shelters because I'm not experienced enough a dog person to pick the right one.  Without a lick of behavioral guidance, I'm not willing to chance the health of my not-afraid-of-dogs cats on a dog that has an aggressive streak.  Or prey drive.

I adopted my first puppy from a shelter because at 10 weeks, I figured I could learn along with him.  It worked, but when it came time for a second dog, my dog-skills were lacking again, so I adopted through a private rescuer (who pulls from shelters) and drove to the midwest from the southeast to pick him up.  Every freaking mile was worth it for a dog that I trusted.

Marisa May 11th, 2009 01:55:33 PM

BTW, while my dogs are purebreds, all my cats have been from shelters. Unfortunately, I can't have cats now because limit laws apply to the total number of pets.

As Katrina pointed out, many shelters have unreasonable requirements for adoption. My purebred boys are intact because I show in conformation (and because I think it is healthier for them). Not allowing an experienced dog person to adopt an already altered dog because they have intact dogs in their home is just plain stupid and hostile. There are other unreasonable criteria I hear often - requiring a fenced yard, or requiring someone be home all the time, are some of them.

Too many rescues seem to view every potential adopter as a potential abuser rather than a potential good home. I'm not saying homes shouldn't be screened - they should, but people need to be treated in a positive way.

Linda H May 11th, 2009 01:57:35 PM

We got our first three cats from shelters.  One passed away long in years and honors, and another far too young, of a condition she acquired as a stray baby kitten.  So ...

The first places I thought of when I wanted another cat was the shelters.

Including the shelter where I had logged a lot of volunteer hours working with problem dogs and fostering newborn kittens.

Turned down.

I am an unfit owner.

For one, I am so unseemly as to own an intact bitch.

Apparently, this is a risk for miscegenation with the neutered cat?

And since moving, I'm even more undesirable -- I will allow a cat outside on our 26 acres with no road frontage.

And I won't lie about either.

So I got my two kittens by asking on Craig's list.  As they were free and quite healthy, it cost me a little less to have them each vaccinated and neutered at the low-cost clinic than it would have to adopt a kitten from any of the shelters.  Thus far, no kippies or puttens have been born.

"Adopt a shelter pet -- unless you are the kind of lowlife scum that we vaguely disapprove of."

No, this has not made me "anti-shelter."  It just reinforces my default stance of being anti-asshat.  Two of the shelters that would not adopt a cat to me because I own an intact bitch are high-kill, especially for cats.  They willingly killed a cat in their care rather than allow me to pay them for it and give it a home.

An ad campaign that brings people into the shelters, only to be met with whimsical adoption disqualifications and holier-than-everybody 'tude can't increase adoptions in those places.

H. Houlahan May 11th, 2009 02:09:44 PM

I doubt any marketing team on earth can easily overcome the kind of obstacles this scenario presents in this economy.  It's going to have to be a long term effort focusing on virtue rather then trying to create "buzz" which could easily backfire and worsen the problem. It takes a hell of a lot longer to get out of a jam then it does to get into one.

Evet May 11th, 2009 02:23:01 PM

Like Katrina, I find that many rescue groups can be overparticular about who they will adopt to. While I'm glad that prospective adopters are screened to be sure they can provide a good home, too many times rescues seem to look for reasons to turn people away, or make the application process so onerous that people give up or become offended.

Example: my nephew and niece-in-law are wonderful dog owners. They own their own home with a fenced yard, have a good income, and take very good care of their pets (two dogs and two cats). Their first dog is a Shih Tzu mix, which they bought from a breeder. At my urging, when they decided to adopt another similar dog, they tried for months to get a dog from a rescue group, but were turned down by every group. Why? Because they will probably have children some day, and the groups wouldn't place a small dog into a home with children. The end result was that they bought a purebred Shih Tzu from a reputable breeder instead.

I could give many other examples: a group that refused to adopt out any animals between Thanksgiving and Christmas because they didn't want dogs given as gifts (and another that turned down a friend of mine, an awesome dog owner, because she was getting the dog at Christmastime partly to surprise her daughter); a very well-funded local rescue that won't talk to you or answer any questions except during very limited hours and only if you come to their facility; groups that take weeks to approve an adoption application because of the time it takes them to check out multiple personal references and get someone to do a home check; and many groups with other hard-and-fast rules that eliminate good adopters (such as the ones Katrina described).

There's a difference between being careful and driving people away.

Mary Straus May 11th, 2009 02:25:32 PM

I can't pretend to have an answer to this long-standing abhorrent issue. Low cost s/n availability in every state seems a start in the right direction.

Myself? Five years ago, I had a semi-plan of action based on my age and helping with this problem. Yesterday or today, I could acquire, at any time, a purebred "leftover" at zero to little cost based upon direct knowledge of breed club members on the type of home/care I would provide. I have no interest in doing so. 

Today's goal is to provide for my now (4) elderly dogs (I think 9 qualifies as senior, though I don't often think that way), and my 5 yr. middle-aged to the best possible care till death.

My previous mental plan/goal entailed providing foster care/rescue when needed, and this would satisfy my emotional companion needs, provide a needed service, and also free me from the long-term daily/monthly/yearly responsibilities to allow travel on day trips or occasional social engagements.

Today, that forethought has been dashed, obviously just based on my personal experience and emotions. I can not for-see myself placed in any type of need of professional care for a companion, especially as an elderly/retired individual. 

Rehomed Scottie & Sealy 4 year olds, one from a puppy mill

(1994)

Barbara A. Albright/NH May 11th, 2009 02:32:00 PM

I've heard several stories about the strict rules that shelters have against adoption-the worst being the friend of mine, the most loving dog owner I have ever come across IRL, who wasn't allowed to adopt a further two dogs as companions to her recently bereaved dog because she and her partner both work full-time.  I could understand if the dogs had separation anxiety, but otherwise?  And the dogs she wanted to adopt were 6 and 9 years-old (a mother and daughter pair they wouldn't separate)-so hardly the most desirable to many people who want young dogs/puppies.

I do understand that it must be hard for shelters to balance finding good forever homes, and being too strict. But it really puts people off.

Including me-I got my second rabbit from a rabbit that would've otherwise gone into a shelter so she's technically a rescue, but I was too scared to get audited by a shelter!

Sian May 11th, 2009 02:38:20 PM

Like Linda H. above, I am involved in the sport of dogs. I've had champion and obedience titled dogs in the past, but retired temporarily from the sport while raising my sons (keeping my retired show dogs as pets). Now that my sons are nearly grown and our last dog died at the age of 15, we recently acquired a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder that specializes in show and performance dogs in my preferred breed.

I did carefully consider getting a shelter dog, and searched petfinder for months before finally reaching the decision that I was ready to return to the sport of showing and training dogs. I returned to the breed that I love, which is ideally suited for my family as a pet, as well as a show/performance dog. This breed, and particular puppy, suits our family in size, temperament, behavior, trainability, willingness to please - in a multitude of ways. I got a puppy, because I wanted it to grow up in my family and to have the opportunity to socialize it myself to situations the dog would be exposed to.

We are thrilled with our choice. Our puppy was extremely well socialized by the breeder before we got it, and its parents & grandparents are successful in the show and performance rings, so it has the genetic makeup to be exactly what we want. At this point we are a one dog family for many reasons, both financial and time related, although I was a multiple dog owner in the past. This makes it essential that our ONE dog is right for our many needs.

If we decide to get another dog someday, I would likely consider a breed rescue from our national breed organization, which takes responsibility for fostering and placing EVERY dog of this breed that is abandoned anywhere in the U.S.

I would not totally rule out a shelter adoption, but it would have to be exactly the right dog. I've witnessed 2 close neighbors adopting 3 shelter dogs - 1 was a very young puppy & 1 was under a year of age at the time of adoption. None of these 3 have worked out very well in terms of trainability or socialization. 1 neighbor has not done the best job of socializing & training their dogs, but the other has worked relentlessly, attended training classes, and still has not overcome whatever happened in her puppy's past to create the anti-social behavior. This has not given me the best impression of the success rate with shelter dogs, although I have seen some super trainers succeed with shelter dogs.

Our purebred puppy is extremely well trained and well behaved for a 9 month old. We can (and do) take her anywhere in public and she is welcome everywhere, including hotels and outdoor restaurants, due to her friendly, sweet personality and good behavior. We can trust her with adults, children, cats (we have one), dogs, under any circumstances. This is essential for a dog that is a member of our family, not an animal that we leave behind in the yard every time we leave home.

I'm not saying its impossible to find this in a shelter dog, but it is much less likely in my experience.

Diane May 11th, 2009 03:02:04 PM

Fantastic post! I'm excited to see the ad campaign--it's been a long time coming!

JCB May 11th, 2009 03:04:16 PM

I have some anecdotes and some thoughts.

1) My brother heard that the local shelter requires a contract stating that the shelter can enter the home at any time to check on the animal.  This may not be true (I haven't checked), but the thought of that makes him say no, and he ended up going to a breeder.

2) My aunt and uncle were disqualified from adopting from their human society because their 100 year-old house (which they are painstakingly redoing) might have lead in the paint.  They ended up going to a rescue.

So, yeah, some shelters (and rescues) go way overboard.

The general problem I see with a lot of shelters is the type of dog that ends up in them - pit bulls and crazy labs.  I think the national Humane Society's canine-ality testing is a step in the right direction, but the pickings are often slim (at least in my area) if you don't want a "purple" dog.  Further, a number of the calmer dogs are older.  I think every dog should be loved, but I can't fall in love with an older dog -- their lives are short enough as it is.

Also, many apartments have size (often < 40lbs) and breed restrictions (no pit bulls, huskies, wolf-hybrids, german shepherds, etc) which further reduces the number of people who can adopt shelter dogs.

I have one cat and want to add a dog to the mix within the year.  I'll try for a shelter or rescue dog, but we'll see -- I'd prefer not to go the breeder route, but I will if need be.  I got the cat from the shelter and could never imagine getting one from a breeder.  I don't understand people buying cats and dogs from a pet store.

alh May 11th, 2009 03:36:32 PM

I was turned down to adopt a mix breed small dog at the local shelter.  They were concerned that my current Jack Russell might be dog aggressive because JRT's are "known" to be dog aggressive.  I understand that some are aggressive, but they turned us down without even asking anything about my male.  Apparently it does not matter that my boy has no history of aggression or that he has interacted well with other dogs in many different situations, they did not even want to hear about any of it.

Dani May 11th, 2009 03:36:37 PM

When the shelters clean up their own act so that animals leave without deadly diseases, that's when I'll adopt from them again and that ISN'T a PR issue.  Less focus on demanding overly qualified humans and under well pets.  AND they need to ensure a low/no cost spay neuter is reasonably available post adoption.

House closing Wed, moving starts Thurs.  See y'all soon :)

PJBoosinger May 11th, 2009 03:57:50 PM

Wow, I didn't realize that there were so many bad experiences with shelters and rescues.  My one and only experience with one was great, and I got an awesome dog out of it.  The only thing they really required out of the usual vetting process was that my existing dog meet the adoptee dog to ensure that they would get along prior to finalizing the paperwork. 

Shasta May 11th, 2009 04:14:17 PM

Both of our dogs came from shelters, both no-kill, in California and Florida respectively.

Renters, gainfully employed with full time jobs got dogs, both of the same breed - purebred btw.

I'm sure there are rescues that go overboard but its not been my direct experience.

I don't understand though why a fenced yard would be a requirement for adoption...a yard is way overrated as far as dog care and is certainly no guarantee of exercise, training or socialization.

Our first miniature pinscher passed away a couple of years ago and I compete in agility with the other one. He has issues and sometimes I wish I had an easier dog, less apt to go monkey-pants crazy, but its taught me a lot and been very rewarding. I think the craziness is mostly breed-related though combined with a winning lack of socialization.

In any case, that's why pet stores remain in business, they make it easy to get a pet. Since being bitten by the agility bug I want to get a pure bred puppy from a breeder once and then I've promised my boyfriend our next dog after that will be another rescue.

 If I were not doing agility there would be no question about getting another rescue right away.

Sheyna May 11th, 2009 04:18:17 PM

When I got my first 2 dogs a friend cautioned me not to go to the "pound" because I might make a mistake for emotional reasons, and instead I went to a rescue and adopted an older, bonded pair.  Now I'd get a shelter dog in a heartbeat - except that with the other older, bonded pair I took in from someone who died, I've got a full house.  But one day ...

Meanwhile I have spent a lot of time getting shelter dogs adopted as a volunteer, and here in Los Angeles I can tell you they have no criteria at all - except do you have a drivers license or other ID and can you pay the fee.  It's sad sometimes to see how little screening there is, but when people tell me their tales of woe about being turned down by rescue groups - and some fo them are doozies - I tell them to go to the shelter or an offsite adoption for shelter dogs if the place itself is too difficult

Anyway, my experience at the shelter and our adoption events has convinced me that my next dog (and cat) will be from the shelter, probably one of those good-natured, medium-sized mixed breed dogs.  And I also get the chance to talk through some of the hesitation that potential adopters feel.

I think the biggest message to convey is that there are a lot of cheerful, friendly, smart and very trainable dogs in the shelter - they're not there because they're bad dogs, but usually because their owner had to move or had health or financial problems.  They're not all abuse victims or aggression cases, they're family dogs who lost their family.  And there's nothing like saving a life.

Anne May 11th, 2009 04:23:14 PM

I am going to have to side with the statement that shelters and primarly rescues have absurd standards and even fees in many cases.

most rescues charge $100.00 to adopt a cat, many which have been pulled from kill shelters and already vetted. at least in my just moved from previous area. The pet limit/type/yard requirments are also silly at best in many cases.

I have double digit cats rescued from a euthanisia list from a shelter. The shelter was (and most likely is again) killing mothers and kittens because of out of room reasoning.

acc shelters are a nightmare and between the killing, the politics and everything else, they need all the good publicity they can get. I have no personal experience with "humane" societies. And no one I know in resuce couldn't by some standards (animal count alone) NOT be considered a hoarder by the uneducated.

LorriM May 11th, 2009 04:34:05 PM

Linda re:

"The number of dogs a person has do not correlate well with how well they care for them or what kind of neighbors they make"

Within reason, that's certainly true as far as I can see.  I have a neighbor who has 8 dogs -- 4 fox terriers, 4 yorkies.  They let them out in the yard several times a day, and I have to stop and gawk.  They are the most well groomed, happiest healthiest looking dogs in our neighborhood.  I have to tell the owners when I see them how much I admire the fabulous job they are doing with their dogs. (They are not breeding).

The largest fox terrier has jumped the fence a few times, so this weekend, the guy was out there erecting a new privacy type fence.  He said it is also to keep them from barking at people, even though no neighbors have yet complained.

:)

I just love to see people take SUCH good care of so many dogs.

Stefani May 11th, 2009 04:53:10 PM

We thought about rescuing a cocker spaniel (my husband's favorite breed) from a breed rescue. However, the rescue group in our area requires a promise that the dog will not be allowed outside off-leash.

We live on a 150 acre farm with fields and trails through the woods, that is surrounded by National Forest. Our house is at the end of a dead-end road. We have no near neighbors. Our dogs are never left outside off-leash and unattended, but we do excersize our dogs every day with walks through our property off-leash. Our dogs are physically in terrific shape, and I they are happy.

We couldn't promise not to let the dog out unleashed, and we didn't want to lie about our daily off-leash walking ritual. Of course we wouldn't take a newly rescued dog back to our house and let it off-leash right away, we would work up to it, but I don't think that would have been o.k. with the rescue. We got a puppy from a breeder.

The thing is, cocker spaniels were originally bred as hunting dogs, and some breeders still breed for this and people get titles on them in hunt tests. So the breed rescue's leash requirement would mean you couldn't even take the dog out into the field to be involved in the sport it was bred for. Strange.

FarmFashion May 11th, 2009 04:59:16 PM

i haven't been inside a dog pound/animal control/rescue in my life.  of the 8 running around the house and yard, one was bought out of the paper as a rehome from a GI being moved over seas.  the rest followed the princess home, from as far away as Chalmette, La in '05 (she failed at fostering, adopting the dog a month into the venture).

based on these 8, and those who came before, i have no desire to deal with the hassle of rescue organizations, or AC.  and know i don't need to.  not to say i haven't developed a better definition of what i would look for, if there was room to "look for" a next one.  chances are, a breeder will be the higher probability of finding that ideal dog.  just sayin'. 

on the other hand, a public service ad campaign might have the benefit of raising consumer expectations of the local AC/pound/rescue.  and ready to criticize/complain if what they see in real life doesn't look like teevee.  as in all things, mileage will vary from one place to the next.

eli May 11th, 2009 05:29:15 PM

My experience: I would say that the cats that members of my family adopted straight from the shelter were the cats that had real behavioral issues -- but each time it was for reasons that were either known and ignored, or could easily have been known if anyone had asked ahead of time (traumatized as a stray, undersized, untrusting, and slightly neurotic -- double check; separated from mom too young and poorly socialized -- triple check). I'm not counting kittens that were born in foster care and raised by their mother till they reached an appropriate age, which, together with healthy, top-of-the-food-chain suburban strays, and random (but not in-)bred BYB kittens raised in the same circumstances, form my baseline of healthy, normal, and well-adjusted feline companions.

My perspective: Fabulous animals can be found at shelters. When I was looking for cats, I was mystified at how some of them ended up there -- bright-eyed, friendly, calm, neat, healthy, cute. I think it's important for shelter adopters to know what they're looking for. If someone really wants and needs a well-behaved and well-adjusted pet of at least average health, but is led by emotion to choose the most miserable or helpless looking animal, or the most pushily needy one, s/he's more likely to have a bad experience later, whether the problems that arise are veterinary or behavioral. And then, if he hasn't thought through this, he's more likely to draw general conclusions about shelter pets (as are friends and family).

PS - I also was slightly scared away from rescues by the unannounced visits part!  Regrets: the very calm, engaging, and even-tempered house cat in the cage *next to* the handsomer but issue-ful cat my sister chose instead. Also, the wise old cat from a rescue group that had raised a generation of human children before losing her home -- she deserved a new one! I was afraid to get a older cat as my husband's and my first pet (and my husband's first mammalian housemate ever), but I was wrong. No harm done, as both animals found other homes, but I think about them all the time.

Sarah May 11th, 2009 05:53:19 PM

I'm thrilled the Ad Council is running this campaign! It's especially timely with folks having to relinquish their pets due to foreclosure/eviction.

By the way, I live with 3 cats, 2 of whom were adopted from shelters. The third was rescued as a stray (abandoned by my neighbors to spend the New England winter outside). Shelter pets seem to be especially loyal and loving -- they know what it's like to lose their home and are so appreciative of being given a 2nd chance.

karen May 11th, 2009 05:59:54 PM

I have my hands full at the moment, but if I were on the market, a shelter cat would not be an option because one of my three is FIV+, and mixing is frowned upon by our local shelters.

I did adopt one of my cats (now deceased) from a shelter, and it was a very positive experience. It was a rather dilapidated facility, (and I immediately wished I could have taken everybody home) but their policies were reasonable, and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. While A was with us, we used to make a yearly visit on her "birthday" to drop off an update and a box of goodies for the shelter pets. I would absolutely adopt from this organization again. They're neither large nor fancy, but I like the way they work. I'd be willing to make multiple trips there until Mr./Ms. Right made an appearance before I'd set foot in some of the bigger, less amenable shelters. (Some of our local shelters include the dreaded "home invasion clause" on their adoption contracts, and I'm just not comfortable with that.)

My present cats are all products of a feral colony, so adoption wasn't an issue. Upon graduation, I'd like to acquire a moderately active medium breed adult dog of mixed parentage, and s/he will most likely be a shelter find. What would it take to get me to adopt said dog? Graduation (permanent living arrangement, better schedule), a reasonable adoption fee, and nix the home invasion clause. (And, of course, the right dog.)

Ramen Connoisseur May 11th, 2009 06:24:31 PM

Our first dog was a shelter dog.  Grumpy picked us, not the other way around.  He was a great dog.  I have never purchased a pet (dog or cat) mutt or purebred from a pet shop or kennel.  Yet, I have owned several purebreds that were unwanted right along with the mutts.  Right now, I have 3 cats, one came from the Cat Network, the other two were strays.  One of my strays was abandoned by his family when they hit on hard times, moved out of the neighborhood and left him behind, to fend for himself.  Technically, the strays are not shelter pets, but they would have ended up at a shelter if I had not adopted them.  So, the way I see it, I have 3 shelter pets.  

When I shop for a dog, I actually prefer an older dog.  I will not go through the puppy stage ever again.  Been there, done that.  Since the older dogs are usually the ones everyone skips over, I usually have my pick.  

I have to say that some of the shelters have some very, very strict rules.  The Cat Network does not permit anyone to adopt if they don't promise to keep the cats indoors.  I keep 2 of my 3 indoors.  The one that was abandoned has not made all-indoor transition yet.  But we are working on it.  I agree, indoor is better, but if someone is willing to adopt a cat and the only objection is that they are going to permit the cat to go outdoors, which is worse, live in a cage or live in a household where they let the cat outside.  I also feel that some of the adoption fees are a bit steep.  I have paid over $200 in adoption fees for just one cat.  Not everyone can afford that.

Shelter pets make the best pets!!!!! 

MariaL May 11th, 2009 06:37:00 PM

The best "Free" publicity the shelter movement in the USA could have gotten is if President Obama had adopted a true "Heinz's 57" mutt. Maybe he should have talked to Senator Kerry rather than Senator Kennedy. Shelters have to take a good look at their adoption policies with the understanding that they are not the only show in town. The No Kill Movement is starting to address this in their literature by saying a good home even if it's not perfect is better than death.

Robert Garnett May 11th, 2009 06:53:54 PM

I'm responding to a number of comments above.

If you get a puppy from a breeder, you don't know *exactly* what you're getting, no.  You may be able to inspect the parents and hear all about other puppies and other ancestors, but a puppy *can* be unusual and not take after its parents.  (The dog bought from a breeder that I mentioned in an earlier comment is this way.  She is still puppy-hyper-energetic long after her first birthday, unlike all her siblings, and she DROOLS big time, also not in the family.) But if you adopt a slightly older dog, you *do* know what you're getting into in terms of adult temperament, size, shape, etc.

In terms of training and shelters: If you adopt from an independent rescue that has foster homes for the dogs, they often have a significant amount of training.  Just to live in the foster home, they will need to have some manners, be housetrained, and so on.  The foster home will also know the dog's personality well.

I agree that rescues can have unreasonable adoption standards, although when we fostered our primary goal was, "will this dog have a home at least as good as the one he has with us...as dog #7 in our busy household?"  Didn't have to be the same standard of care as my first dog got when she was my only dog, just at least as good as the dog would get if he *wasn't* adopted.  I think a lot of rescues feel this way; when you foster, you get to know the dog and you get to feel affection for him; you don't want him to be neglected or abused, and you don't want him to go and then be returned right away because he was a poor fit.  It's confusing to the dog and hurts his socialization. 

If you're concerned, most rescues have their adoption application and contract on their websites.  You can sometimes even be pre-approved before you come and meet any of the pets.  If one has unreasonable standards, another might be better.  The rescue we shared "our" Petsmart with never turned anyone down, whereas we would reject applicants for such reasons as planning to leave their dog on a tie-out, or make him an outside-only dog.  Then again we knew a rescue who refused to adopt to someone because his now-ex wife made his dog an outside-only dog while he was away in the military (??)  There are LOTS of independent rescues out there.

Every county animal control from which I've adopted or pulled dogs for a rescue had no standards at all; I just had to sign an agreement to get the dog fixed if he wasn't already, pay my $35 (or so, depending on the shelter) and go.  None ever checked up on the neutering agreement.  Many wouldn't allow any other pets on the premises, to meet prospective buddies.  They weren't working very hard to make adoption easier, but they didn't make it at all difficult, either.

Galadriel May 11th, 2009 06:58:04 PM

A responsible and well-funded organization, whether it's a shelter or rescue group, will make sure the dog is spayed or neutered, current with vaccinations, and has been treated for any necessary health care issues before he's allowed to go out the door with you. And all dogs deserve an occasional treat. Try this irresistible treats for your dog! http://dogtime.com/dogs-just-know-sweepstakes.html

Kate May 11th, 2009 07:04:27 PM

Growing up, all our cats were unplanned and so none came from shelters. They were either strays that wandered into our yard (or home) and never left, or were adopted from neighbours (one who had died with no will or provision made for the cat, and one who had adopted a kitten but had lost interest and had shut her in the garage - her mother forced her to give us the kitten.)

When it was finally time to get a cat for my own place, the humane society was the first place I looked. I spent a lot of time there getting to know the cats and ended up signing up to volunteer (now on the board of directors.) Between myself and my mother, we've taken four cats out of the shelter, plus one that I am fostering and who will be adopted as soon as her eye problems are cleared up. This includes one fat, grumpy, anti-social, mean cat who had been in one of the community cat rooms for 5 years and had been adopted and brought back several times (it took nearly a year, but she's grown into a sweet girl who loves her mother and asks for tummy rubs.)

I'm all about shelter cats, and I'm particularly attracted to cats with issues or that don't show well (my foster only has one eye and was full of medical issues when I brought her home, and the first cat I adopted from the shelter has a short tail and one stubby paw with no toes.) In the next few months I plan to take home two more long term residents, both who are extremely shy and don't show well - they both tend to hide and one is a biter and the other has a benign but ugly growth on her ear.)

I think there are a lot of barriers to shelter adoption. The Ad Council's research agrees with my personal impressions, though I think it goes beyond that, and gets into general lack of marketing and onerous shelter policies/practices.

For example, even though I'm an avid cat person, until I decided i was time to get a cat, I wasn't even aware that this city (which I'd lived in for five years) even had a humane society, never mind knowing where it was. Lack of money has made it difficult to undertake any significant marketing efforts to raise awareness of the fact that the HS even is an option (we get zero operational funding from any govt or other agencies, even though we're responsible for law enforcement & investigations - it's ridiculous - it's like if the police department ran entirely on public donations.)

I know the presentation of the shelter is another major issue. People find it depressing and sad and they just don't want to go. People simply don't want to be forced to confront the reality of animals in cages, and metal bars, fluorescent lighting, chipped linoleum and painted cinder block don't help the atmosphere at all. We're working on improving the overall feel of our shelter with a one-time infrastructure grant, which means puting windows into more rooms, fixing floors, improving ventilation and generally sprucing things up.

I also know our hours suck. We're open 7 days a week, but only from 11am - 4:30pm, which makes it impossible for anyone with a 9-5 job to visit during the week (and indeed, I only go into volunteer on the weekends, unless I have a special project cat that I'm working with that demands I be there more regularly.) We're expanding hours to 6pm this summer, which will hopefully make it more accessible to the public.

Thankfully our adoption process isn't too strict - we aim for reasonableness, though we do require references and landlord permission from renters, and the good judgement of individual staffers must be relied on when you're trying to be reasonable and not have blanket disqualifications. We try to provide a good adoption process, but I'm sure there are people who have been put off by it.

I'm sure there are other things that could be done to improve adoptions - better signage, more detailed information on the animals, more assistance matching animals to potential adopters, lower adoption fees etc.

It's a challenge making shelter adoption accessible and appealing.

Anlina Sheng - abnormalloveofcats.com May 11th, 2009 07:06:39 PM

I pondered over the enormity of the Ad Council campaign (100 mil), obviously needed now more than ever, because of increased relinquishment to shelters, but wonder if it is too little, too late.

Then again, apparently in the North East, adopt-a-puppy imports from the South & Mid-west is still strong. The web advertisement basically solicit a questionnaire form & $300 plus travel $100+ to  fulfill your puppy requirements.

I'm not sure how to view that.

Any potential Scottish Terrier interests: http://www.stca.biz/RescuePlacements/PlacementList.asp#RefA

Barb A./NH May 11th, 2009 07:33:03 PM

Wonderful post, and so many great comments!

Although I've adopted dogs from Rescue, I've never adopted a pet from a shelter.  The 2 main reasons for this:

1. Fear of disease

2. It's too depressing to go into a kill shelter.  I know, that's a pansy ass attitude but I'm not the only person who feels that way.  I want to clarify here - although I've never ADOPTED an animal from a kill shelter, I HAVE gone to these places to pull dogs for Rescue, and/or pick up dogs for transport to other areas.   But I can disinfect my vehicle (the dog usually stays in a plastic kennel anyway, if it's small enough) and the choice is often more or less an objective one.  I don't have to be thinking "I'll take YOU because you appeal to me, but YOU over there - so sorry, I won't take you and you'll probably be killed".

Pet limit laws are a big problem too - if not for the pet limit law in our area, we would currently be fostering a dog.  We could easily manage another dog on a temporary basis - and yes I know that "temporary" fosters can easily be here for months.  I've fostered nearly a hundred dogs over the past 20 years or so - but now if we have one more then we'll have to worry about the Animal Cops showing up and asking us to "get rid"* of one -even though everyone is happy, healthy, well exercised and no trouble to the neighbors.

*Of course, we would NEVER "get rid" of one of our family.  Economy be damned, we would just move!  If, that is, we could find any place left where the government ISN'T in the business of telling people how many animals they can keep.

Barb May 11th, 2009 07:44:43 PM

Speaking of pet limits (my personal pet peeve) - and I know I'm preaching to the choir here - but as long as the animals are healthy and happy and the neighbors are not disturbed it doesn't matter whether a person is keeping one pet, or caring for 30 or 40 animals.  As long as they are willing and able to PROVIDE THE CARE, that's all that should matter.

And of course, nearly every community nowadays has laws and ordinances that permit Animal Control officers to seize animals that are not being cared for adequately.  There are usually fines or other punishments for owners who allow their animals to bother the neighbors through noise, odor, getting loose, etc.  It doesn't matter how many animals a person has - either they are responsible or they aren't.

The ONLY advantage I see in imposing a pet limit is that if Animal Control suspects neglect, they don't have to collect any evidence.  All they have to do is count, and if there are more pets than the limit allows then they can confiscate some of them.

But any law that makes it EASIER for the government to deprive a citizen of their property (I know pets are more than that, but it's a very powerful Constitutional principal) is a BAD idea.  If Animal Control can't collect enough evidence to prove neglect, then they shouldn't be able to confiscate the animals!

Barb May 11th, 2009 07:57:43 PM

I read through this post and all the comments with great interest--I volunteer at my County Shelter and we get all sorts of dogs--purebreds, awesome crosses, pit bulls and even "crazy labs."  Right now I'm fostering a pudgy but purebred miniature pinscher who is heartworm postive.  She's a young dog, and from her extra padding, I'd say she was at least well-loved until she checked into the Shelter as a stray.  I live in South Texas, and heartworm is a problem (I've counted eight heartworm positve dogs among those I've worked with so far this year).

My dogs are both rescue dogs.  My miniature pinscher boy (nine years) has issues (like one poster mentioned--I think some of his are breed-related).  The rat terrier mix is a sweetheart who could have been adopted out a hundred times over--small, fluffy, cute and loyal.

I wish people would look at the grown up dogs. Our Shelter does put pit bulls and pit mixes into the adoption room, but its hard to find homes that work for these guys and gals. And the labs--oh, the gorgeous, lovable--and somentimes crazy labs. We ALWAYS have Labs. Anyone who wants their own Marley needn't go to a breeder--just go to a Shelter in the huntin'-strong south.

Puppies go out fast from the Shelter, but since most bitches haven't had any pre-natal care, and the after-care for puppies is often minimal for surrendered litters, these puppies have the cuteness but not the strong immune systems of puppies from reputable breeders.  Meanwhile, the adult dogs languish--the gorgeous Queensland Heelers, the rough-coated Jack Russells, the Walker Coon Hounds, the Blue Ticks and Beagles, the Huskies (and do we get Huskies--) often seem invivisible.

If I'd heard it once, I've heard it a dozen times: "We want a puppy so it can grow up with our kids."  What people don't realize is that a two-year-old dog can grow up with a child just as easily (and often without the need to housebreak) as any puppy.

What I wish our Shelter would do:  1.  Make our adoption areas more customer-friendly.  2.  Identify breed types more carefully on intake forms. 3.  Take better photos of animals for those who are searching for pets via the Internet.

What I wish our clients (those looking to adopt) would do:  1.  Do some basic research and planning before coming in to look at pets.  2.  Decide in advance who will be the primary care-giver for the animal (dog-walker, popper-scooper, vet chauffeur, groomer, etc.).  3. If you don't have a fenced yard, realize that you will need to walk the dog for both its exercise and elimination needs.  4.  Realize that a dog or cat requires some financial commitment and time.  5. Understand that puppyhood is a brief blip in the time-line of your dog.  6.  Consider taking on an older dog.  Just because they may give you only three or four--or six or seven--more years shouldn't be a deterrent.  That's more time than many marriages last!

Cathi Bruhn May 11th, 2009 09:28:39 PM

I've worked in a shelter and with rescue. Both my dogs are from the same breed rescue, which accepts owner surrenders and pulls from area shelters. My cat was gonna wind up at the pound if I didn't take him. Four of my five budgies were from people who were trying to get rid of them. So, even though I've never gone into a shelter to adopt, I figure that I've reduced the number of animals that shelters had to find homes for by seven. That said, it'll be a while before I can adopt more.

lindabcs May 11th, 2009 09:51:26 PM

"I pondered over the enormity of the Ad Council campaign (100 mil), obviously needed now more than ever, because of increased relinquishment toshelters, but wonder if it is too little, too late."

I don't understand why you feel it's 'too late' for this. The shelter death rate has been dropping every year consistently since the 1980s... so why, in the face of an almost constant improvement, would anyone feel things were so bad now that there is little reason to hope? It's actually never been better!

In other words, the problem is so much reduced now, that there is a very good chance that increasing adoption rates, even only a few percentage points, could almost completely solve the problem of shelter overpopulation. Of course, we also need more shelters that are willing to accept that reality and stop believing (contrary to reality) that killing homeless animals is the only option they have. The tradition of death has been accepted for too long in the shelter community, and the widespread unquestioning faith in that tradition is, in my mind, the next big hurdle that will have to be broken down to truly improve the lot of homeless animals in this country.

Pai May 11th, 2009 10:09:33 PM

@FarmFashion:  This is frequently true of greyhound rescues, also. Must Never Let Dog Off Leash! Sadly, some rescue orgs are so blind that they confuse amateur racing and lure coursing with greyhound racing. A sighthound unable to run off-leash is very sad; it's what they were bred to do.

I will probably stick with breed rescue or breeders for my dogs, for the simple fact that I research my dog breeds and match them with what my needs are. I want to make sure there are examples of functional, working dogs out there, and am happy to support breeders who share this goal. I don't think the typical stated reasons are what is holding me back... I just have a limit to the number of dogs I can handle (and I'm there!) and I want for them to serve a purpose more than just companionship. I also realize that Joe Pet Owner is not nearly as crazy as I am, and shelter pets are a great way to go.

Julie in OH May 11th, 2009 10:26:05 PM

Speakig of sticking to dictionary definitions and not letting human politics sway us, I sure wish we could stop using the word "euthanasia" to indicate killing for space in shelters.

Oh, and as for my dogs: two came directly from shelters, one was intercepted as she was about to be returned to the shelter by the original adopter, and the fourth was rescued from someone who was going to have her killed because he was moving.

Tina Clark May 11th, 2009 10:37:19 PM

Sorry, I meant "speaking"

Tina Clark May 11th, 2009 10:38:17 PM

Pai: That is hugely encouraging statistics! But are they accurate? I am not disagreeing, but wondering if success has been consistently "rising", why has so much "anti-breeder,  mandatory s/n legislation been proposed? Because when one views the AKC statistics, registered litters have also been steadily dropping. And up against bad economic times & job loss, it has been reported to increase pet surrenders in my area.

Cathi Bruhn: I hear ya, loud & clear. I, too, found it completely irritating to hear those puppy nonsense statements. And I too wonder & worry about the older pets languishing waiting for adoption. I remember walking through the kennel area of a large MA. shelter facility. Not a pretty sight at all, despite the facility being spotless, physical conditions above par....but oh, the toll on the dogs.

Barbara A. Albright/NH May 12th, 2009 12:04:59 AM

Barb: Because there is a large faction of people (with lots of advertising dollars) who have an issue with pets existing in the first place. PETA and their ilk, namely.

Also, I honestly believe that many shelter people are still stuck in the 1970s/80s (when there WAS an overbreeding problem) and believe that the problem STILL is 'too many being born, and not enough homes'. Despite the fact that 75% of all owned pets in the U.S. are already S/N. They just can't fathom there being any other reason for animals ending up in shelters. And they have not changed their mindsets or M/Os in 20 years.

Things are changing now, however, thanks in no small part to the internet helping spread accurate data to the masses. You can check out the sites for 'SpayUSA', the ASPCA, 'Maddie's Fund', and 'The National Council on Pet Population' to look at the latest shelter statistics and overall pet population numbers. The No-Kill Advocacy Center's website is also a good resource that takes a hard look at current sheltering practices and offers alternative programs to reduce shelter death tolls.

Pai May 12th, 2009 12:22:14 AM

Julie in OH - there are greyhound rescues that aren't against lure coursing/amateur racing, and jsut expect that when you have a dog off-leash, the course area is securely fenced, which is only reasonable, as runaways generally don't get caught easily.  One rescue even sponsors a 2-day event where dogs of all breeds are given a chance to course, so, if and when you have space, you might try them.

KateH May 12th, 2009 12:36:38 AM

Pai:  I checked your side. . .I now understand your anti-PETA rhetoric. 

Fotini May 12th, 2009 12:45:49 AM

I think this will be great for the animals. They deserve it. Look what Sarah Mclaughlin has done for the cause. I can't wait to see the ads!

beni May 12th, 2009 12:51:51 AM

Take a look at Craig's List in your city and see all the people listing dogs that are between one and three - they were cute as puppies but without training and left to their own devices, along in the house or yard all day, became unmanageable or inconvenient. So their humans "dump" them ... the key to successful adoption a realistic assessment of the pet so their new family knows what they are getting into; an adoption counselor that is in contact with the pet's new family to answer questions and advise on behaviors, food, getting along with other pets in the family, etc. and a certificate for a couple of complimentary obedience or socializing classes would be a good idea too. The more positive experiences people have with shelter pets the better. I'm three weeks into forming a forever bond with a 5 years young or so JRT from a shelter that has been great in helping me work thru some challenges that we had...and that we are overcoming. Love and patience, a controlled environment, positive reinforcement...

Michele May 12th, 2009 01:38:01 AM

Fotini: Yep, I don't agree with PETA's belief that owning pets is inhumane. Any AR group that openly admits they yearn for the extinction of domestic animals should have the true reason for their pro-mandatory S/N and anti-breeding lobbying exposed for what it is. Their hysteria against breeding and for forcing people to sterilize their animals is completely out of proportion to the actual scope of the shelter population problem, because they are using the issue to justify a bigger agenda that really has little to do with saving animals' lives, and everything to do with ensuring pets no longer exist, period. They say so themselves, with no need for any 'rhetoric' on my part.

Pai May 12th, 2009 01:43:12 AM

Having worked at a shelter briefly, I discovered that I'd had a few lazy asumptions about them that were wrong-and I've since discovered many others have the same asumptions:

1) all the animals have been 'abused' and therefore will act traumatised/untrained-most of the animals that I saw were well-trained and happy.  Owners start off with good intentions and then circumstances change/they get bored/etc.

2) it's all older dogs-you can get puppies from a shelter.  Or a six-month-old, or whatever you'd like.

3) it's all pitbulls-I won't lie, the shelter I was at did have a LOT of those sorts of breeds, but there was still so much choice of breed/mix.

4) A lot of people aren't aware you can get rabbits, guineapigs etc from shelters as well-you're even more likely to get baby animals from these species.

Many people could really benefit from getting a well-trained adult shelter dog instead of a puppy-all the house-breaking and training has already been done.  And you know what you're getting from a shelter dog more than you do from a puppy really-the dog's personality can already be seen so you can decide whether he matches your life.

Re: the 'prison visit' feel-the shelter I worked at didn't take people inside the dog house (which did give off that air) but brought dogs out individually.  The visitors were then allowed to take the dog on a walk in a small field that was part of the shelter.  I was amazed by the difference in character of the dogs inside the kennels and outside on their own-they sometimes showed negative behaviours inside the kennel out of stress from being surrounded by so many dogs.  When they got outside they were calm, quiet and happy.

Sian May 12th, 2009 05:30:53 AM

Fontini, this is the reason for Pai's "anti-PETA rhetoric": PETA's kill rate of animals taken in "for adoption"

Read their website. They really do want the extinction of all domestic animals, the complete elimination of any contact between humans and animals and the extinction of any species that isn't currently wild. This includes the "domestic" cat, which actually survives quite well in the wild (when judged by wild-animal standards and not domestic animal standards), being very little changed from the North African wild cat from which it descends. This is clear if you read their website instead of just looking at their ads and the propaganda they distribute to primary-school children.

Barb, PETA has put many millions of dollars into convincing you and me and everyone that there's a vast overpopulation of dogs and cats and that there's no way to end the suffering except to speuter both species into extinction and kill all the animals in shelters. Yes, it's possible the current economy may cause a blip this year--or not; many shelters all over the country have adopted No Kill policies and practices that involve actually reaching out to the community, making the shelters accessible and the pets adoptable, and helping people with the behavioral problems that would otherwise cause them to surrender their pets. There are even pet food pantries starting up, including at the Manchester (NH) Animal Shelter: Manchester pet food pantry

There are also, sadly, as Pai said, shelters and shelter workers that are stuck in the 1970s, and/or have swallowed the PETA propaganda, and regard the public as the Enemy, and killing as the only way to "help" healthy, adoptable animals--or animals who were healthy and adoptable when they came in--who are currently between homes.

Lis May 12th, 2009 07:59:40 AM

"...PETA has put many millions of dollars into convincing you and me and everyone that there's a vast overpopulation of dogs..."

And just to reiterate from my earlier post, there are actually 5 million more American homes that want, and find, dogs each year, than the number of dogs killed in shelters.  ...5 million more...  Shelters might have an overpopulation problem.  The United States doesn't....not by a long shot.

Marjorie May 12th, 2009 08:19:24 AM

i've been struggling with this lately. i believe in shelter adoptions. all of my family's pets have been from the pound/strays. yet i was rudely taken advantage of by a cocker rescue when i adopted my cocker-cavalier. apparently my responses highlighted that i am a high level of sucker so they immediately dropped off a super cute girl who had such a horrible case of separation anxiety that my VETERINARIAN said i wouldn't be a bad person if i gave daisy back (after we did the meds, the trainer, the BEGGING her to realize that i'm not that special ;) probably so she and her husband (also my landlord) would not be forced to consider kicking me out of my apartment. i would have given her back if i thought she'd get the ideal home (with a hermit of course ;) instead of being euthanized. fortunately, slowly but surely she improved greatly. i could close the bathroom door! i could go to work without hysterics! sadly, i only had her 2 yrs before she died of IMHA. i am just not prepared for another dog that stresses me to tears... i'm told that some shelters/rescues test for separation anxiety? and i certainly know now that if they say "why don't you take her in your bedroom and distract her so we can leave" that there is an issue! part of me wants to get a cavalier puppy and go to a bunch of training classes so in the future i am better prepared for such challenges. but another (likely bigger) part of me would feel awful about paying lots of money to a breeder when i could save a shelter dog's life! love has nothing to do with a fancy pedigree after all.

sarahMT May 12th, 2009 08:49:03 AM

Last summer, a friend of mine wanted to get a dog for her girls.  She searched high and low for just the right dog, worked with a couple rescue groups that yanked the rug out from under their feet several times, and eventually bought a dog off the net (based on the rest of the story, I'm positive the dog came from a puppy mill).  At one point, I asked if she had thought about looking at the shelter, since she's in Houston and I know Houston has an excellent SPCA shelter.  She dismissed the suggestion, saying shelter dogs have too many problems attached.  Which was quite ironic in hindsight since her dog has had unrelenting medical problems since the moment in walked through their front door; GI problems, chronic pancreatitis, and probable blind/deafness.  Yeah, a shelter dog would have so many more problems!

Meri May 12th, 2009 09:36:38 AM

Wow! Tons of responses, this is a popular topic - guess I'll join in.

What would it take for me to consider a pet from a shelter?  Ooh, let's see... me deciding that it was time and I had room for another pet?  :)  If I look at the list of pets I've had since moving away from home, we have:

Shredder (tuxedo cat), "free to good home" ad in paper. Most intelligent cat I know of. RIP baby, I swear if back then my vet had told me about FLV and that there was a vaccine you would have had it.

Cam (my housemate's tiny Burmese), from the RSPCA, formerly abused, became the most loving pet ever. Old age (16) and diabetes eventually took her from us.

Cen (my gorgeous black sook moggy), from the RSPCA, considered me her mommy. Cancer at 15, much too early for me to say goodbye.

Thang (the Thing with Fangs, a HUGE fluffy orange-and-white boy cat), a stray who decided we treated our cats well and he wanted in. Two years struggling with his auto-immune disorder and tendency to attempt suicide by various inventive means, eighteen happy months with his condition under control, sad proof that humans aren't the only species who can suffer Deep Vein Thrombosis... and proof that even cats with major health issues are worthwhile beloved pets.

Lilith (my similarly gorgeous white sook kitty), from the RSPCA, regards me as her Human Cushion. Still going strong at 14.

Sarge (my housemate's insane tuxedo cat) - from a pet store, but wasn't bought exactly; he hadn't sold and was no longer a cute kitten so the owner offered him to my housemate free with the purchase of a bag of kitten food and wormer; if they'd said no he would have been surrendered to the RSPCA.  He's certifiably insane from lack of socialisation between the ages of about 6 weeks and 5 months (you try living in a cage until you're a 'teenager' and see how you turn out), but cute with it. About 3 and finally settling down... a bit.

Zac (housemate's small fluffy dog of indeterminate ancestry, possibly Dandy Dinmont Terrier or similar), from the RSPCA, about 12 now, nearly blind, sweet and devoted to his 'mummy' and 'daddy'.

Budgies! First one plummeted out of the sky to land in front of my housemate (she recognised our status as "Sucker For Cute Animals Needing Help"), friend bought to keep her company; loud as heck but fun.

Rats! Dumped in a pet shop rubbish bin in a box, by someone who had presumably discovered that their kid's two girl rats were one girl, one boy, and fertile. We kept the parents and two daughters; nearly four years later we have mother and one daughter left. Curse people who indiscriminately breed pets from lines that are prone to cancer, it killed daddy rat and will eventually take the girls; both have recurring mammary tumors but treatment is keeping them under control for now.

And one bunny rabbit, passed on to us by an allergic owner who knew we have trouble saying no. *le sigh*

So yes... I will get a pet from a shelter any time. I'm laying plans now, in fact; I will be moving in with my fiance eventually, in a bigger house, with a better yard... I see a small dog in my future. From the RSPCA, or the rescue organisation a friend of mine fosters for.  :)

Mel Redcap May 12th, 2009 11:23:58 AM

@KateH -- You bet I know that.  =)  It will be from one of these greyt =) organizations that I will adopt my next dog.  But that's many years away.

Julie in OH May 12th, 2009 12:42:01 PM

Aww, shelter pets all the way.  I just dropped off some nifty stuff for the rescue I adopted my kitties from's annual auction.

It certainly wasn't a perfect experience:  no one noticed that one had been chewing her leg up pretty badly, or they forgotto mention it; ditto for the other's probably-herpes eye infection.  But overall I'd say it was good and I would definitely do it again.  It was nice to have someone say "hey, declawing is bad, you probably shouldn't do it."  And the most intrusive they got was a call to my apartment manager to make sure cats were OK.  Growing up one of our cats was from a pet store (still going strong at 17 but not the brightest bulb) and the other we got from an elderly neighbor.  And we got no guidance on how to care for them, even from the vet.  The rescue definitely got me off on the right foot and helped me find a great vet too.

But oooh how I want a doggie.  Stupid apartment living.  Stupid financial responsibility.  Arrg.  But soon (...ish, I found one place but it's $200 a month more than I pay now).  And it is so encouraging to hear about all the lovely older dogs.  My dad was bitten quite badly as a kid so we've never had dogs.  I know I couldn't possibly start with a puppy.  I think it's perfect that there are older dogs who are willing to train humans :D

AnneT May 12th, 2009 03:28:30 PM

I adopted my 2 from a cat shelter where the cats were not caged.  The experience was OK, I did have to provide references and proof that my condo association allowed cats, but everything else went pretty smoothly.  They weren't babies, but young 1-2 years old.  They are now 6-7 years old and still acting like kittens.  If I add any cats in the future, they probably will be older since 1) my arm hurts after 20 minutes of throwing a ball for my retriever-cat, 2) my tolerance for mayhem is decreasing with age, 3) I'd like to help out an older cat that has lost his home, and 4) I want to make sure that my life expectancy is longer than the cats.

BTW - Dr. K - I may have missed this, but what was the resolution for the elderly man who adopted the kitten and was being pressured by the daughter not to keep it?

2CatMom May 12th, 2009 04:43:09 PM

I can't imagine ever having to actually adopt an animal. However, if I were in the position to do so, I surely would. All ours have been found, or their former humans realized I was a sucker, etc. I have adopted a guinea pig from the shelter, and I've done lots of shelter pulls back when I worked rescue. But never had to adopt. But there is no reason not to so long as you choose carefully and wisely.

Myself, one day I hope to adopt a big black dog, as I know those are the ones that can be so hard to place. At the same time though, I know one day we'll have a dog named Oy (long story) but he'll be smaller and long bodied and totally not a big black dog. Hopefully I'll live long enough and be able to care for many more animals.

Brooke May 12th, 2009 06:08:17 PM

Pai: Thank you for responding. Obviously the problem to be solved is that "low cost s/n" in all states. Or perhaps even free/subsidized in areas of the country, along with some basic education.

Working with pure-bred rescue is an entirely different thing, all ages are relinquished for all kinds of reasons, and with patience , we've (club) adopted out from puppy to senior-seniors. The majority being former breed owners looking for another, but not necessarily wanting the puppy stage.

Lis: Hmmm, you know I was a supporter of FMAS for years, have/bought two bricks for their walkway...if not dug up by now...and suddenly they don't know me or my address to send their newsletter anymore. Ok, by me. Please email me if you should ever visit there, I'd love to know if my bricks are still there!

Me? I've wised up, and donate my limited funds to direct care of companions in need. No more middle "men/women", with the exception of certain organizations that have guiding principles for benefit of animals.

Barbara A. Albright/NH May 12th, 2009 08:21:04 PM

I've always wanted to be able to walk into a shelter, point at a kitty and say 'you're coming home with me'.  Alas that has just never worked out that way.

For one thing I'd never adopt from my closest shelter, that place is so overcrowded with long term residents and many times quarantiened with sickness.  However there is a nicer one a few miles over.

My first kitty showed up in my garden at about 5 years old.  She was slightly thin, but no fleas or earmites, fairly clean, and already spayed.  She didn't leave after 3 days and no one responded to my posters and calls reporting her found.  I had her until she was put to sleep at age 17.

The next oldest showed up in 2000 in my back yard 7 mo. old, emanciated, flea & ear mite infested.

After fostering a pair of cats for my cousin, the second cat was so lonely for them he wouldn't stop crying.  Of course by the time we realized he wasn't going to stop looking for them it was a Sunday and no shelters open, and no adoption days at the pet stores.  I went to a pet store known for a huge bulleten board of animals needing homes.  When I walked in the door they said 'do you want a kitten?'  Turns out on that frigid day in Feb. 2002 someone had left a litter of 8 kittens, only 4 weeks old, in an uncovered box outside their door before opening hours.  I thought it was a sign and got two of them so they'd have someone their own size to play with until they got big enough to play with the other lonely cat.  One of them bonded very closely with him and they're still best buddies, the other is more people oriented.

The next one was about a year old, and showed up in my driveway and presented herself to my hubby in 2005 who announced that I should bring out some food because there was a hungry cat out there.  She had a gash in her hind leg which I treated with salve, and treated her for the fleas and earmites.  She left for a week then returned again and this time we took her in.

The next 3 were 2 week old remaning siblings who's mother had abandon them.  The lady that showed them to me was at a loss how to care for kittens.  I talked hubby into 'fostering' them until they could eat on their own, but for lack of finding a home for them, and growing attatched to them, they stayed.

So I now have 7 cats, all sets 2 years apart in age from each other, and my house is full, my budget maxed.  It's going to be quite a while until I'm able to bring anyone else in.

Hopefully when I am able, I can walk into a shelter, point at the male orange tabby I've always wanted, and say 'you're coming home with me.'  Until then I've got a house full of furry love to care for.

cl May 12th, 2009 09:28:12 PM

Barb: You're right. The #1 reason people give for not spaying their pet is 'It's too expensive'. Affordable S/N programs are actually one of the cornerstones of the 'No-Kill Equation', a set of programs that has been shown to be very successful in reducing the number of animals being killed in shelters that implement them all.

Mandatory S/N laws, however, have only ever raised the shelter impound and death rate in every community that's tried them. You can't legislate responsibility -- only education and outreach can change people. The sharp decline in unwanted pets since the original S/N educational blitz that began in the 80s is proof that the average pet owner WILL do the right thing if they're given the tools and knowlege to do so. That's why this Ad Council campaign has a such great potential to make a difference!

Pai May 12th, 2009 10:05:13 PM

I am very fortunate to live by (and volunteer with) a shelter that is very clean, very well maintained, and who do care about providing a comfortable "non jail" place for the pets to wait out their time until their new owners come to get them.  I do realize that not all shelters are able - or willing - to do this.  While there are cages, there are courtyards for the dogs to roam, and there are large rooms with large windows for the cats to stay in.  They also have many satellite adoption centers, where cats and small animals go to stores with in the community so people don't have to make the drive to their remote location.  They have extended evening hours as well - which is a recent change that worked out very well.

Their medical budget is huge.  They do go above and beyond for a lot of the animals.  but this is an open admission shelter and illness comes to them and no one can ever ensure that every pet is 100% illness free unless they have very limited intake and very limited number of animals on the property.  Expecting shelters to ensure their pets aren't about to break with something is unreasonable.  You can't treat for what you don't see / know about.

As for the "unreasonable" adoption rules and the "unreasonable pet limits" that there have been so many posts about, I do agree with both the posts and the rules.  Odd hun?  but hear me out.  It is very hard to tell who has a 100 yr old house that has been restored and has no lead paint in it and who has a 100 yr old house that has lead paint in it and doesn't care.  While I will completely agree that many people can care for multiple pets and do right by all of them, the chances that a pet will receive less care the more there are of them is a valid fact.  How do you, as a rescue, draw that line?  How can you arbitrarily say to one adopting client (who may or may not be lying to you) that you think they might not be a good home if you don't have the rules behind you to back it up? with out something to enforce, you leave yourself open to having to adopt to people who will leave their pet unattended for long periods of time.  Who will let their pet off leash in an inappropriate environment.  For the most part, the people who work at the shelters screening adopters care about the pets and want the best possible homes for them.  (and yes, I do know that this isn't the case with every shelter)

And while those of us here care about our pets, we could be the exceptions to the rules that would work out, so many people are not.  I can only imagine that for each good home these rules excludes, it keeps a great deal of pets out of homes that are toxic for one reason or another.

and those who work at the shelters deal with those non exceptions all the time.  They see the cats turned in because of "allergies" by owners who show no emotion or worse contempt for the pet.  They see pets beaten, or abandoned in the worst possible way - like the cat thrown in a carrier that was put out in the trash.  It was rescued on the belt heading towards an incinerator.  They see the worst in humanity every day - and they keep going back and doing it the next day.  I don't have the strength to do that.  I give them so much credit for what they do.  And I give them the benefit of the doubt that the rules that seem unreasonable are there for a reason.

Connie May 13th, 2009 10:23:37 AM

I think I already adopted the only shelter Chow Chow in France.  Well, there was another one, but he was a biter and my cabinet-maker husband couldn't work for six weeks after their encounter.  But I'd get another if there were one.  My husband, for obvious reasons, isn't so keen.

Margot May 13th, 2009 11:31:37 AM

Whoops!  Forgot the cats.  I have had cats all my life and currently have 3.  They have all come from shelters and Oops! litters.  Or, But It's Cruel/Expensive/Whatever To Spay Your Cat litters.  Or They Have To Have One litters.  Or, I'll Find Home For Them litters.  Or We're Going to Drown Them litters.  (France, remember?  And in the country.)

Margot May 13th, 2009 11:35:50 AM

Pai: I agree 100%! How can the states that don't offer this, be lobbyied to do so? My state has funding through dog license fees and now (I think) a special car license plate.

Then there are the many shelters or groups that raise private donations for subsidies.

I witness first-hand, if the program is available, people are eager to comply! There are very few folks that deliberately "want" their companion to experience birth....

Place a reasonable fee on all companion pets to start up this fund...ok, 7 cats x $5=$30, it still irks me that the horse registration fee was defeated in my state (NH).."cited too unreasonable...$25".

Barb A./NH May 13th, 2009 03:49:46 PM

It is very hard to tell who has a 100 yr old house that has been restored and has no lead paint in it and who has a 100 yr old house that has lead paint in it and doesn't care.

Aw crap, another reason I'm an unfit owner.

Better bulldoze this ol' place and build a dwelling fit for a stray cat.

Meanwhile, we'll live in the barn.  It's old, too, but never painted.  Will that be acceptable?

H Houlahan May 14th, 2009 12:58:17 AM

Many shelters and rescues are way overboard on the requirements. I have intact or slightly altered animals so rescues dont like that. Sterilization isnt good enough for them it has to be s/n. Then they sit and plead for fosters,homes and help for the piles of dogs they have but their own requirements have eliminated a huge percentage of the possible homes. People then give up and go to the local byb,petstore or puppy farm. In some ways they are their own worst enemy despite noble intentions.  I ve got alot of dogs from shelters over the years but only ones who dont require it to be neutered before going out.  Many the small county and city shelters dont have the ability to deal with s/n programs and are just glad for a dog to go out alive as they have horrible kill rates. I havent had a s/n dog in around 15 years or any puppies either.

stan May 14th, 2009 01:20:54 AM

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http://myegy100.blogspot.com May 14th, 2009 09:16:32 AM

All it would take is a Sarah McLachlan song.  I mean have you seen the ASPCA commercial?  The Ad Council should definitely look into having her sing for them.  I cry every time that commercial comes on.

In all seriousness though, I think advertising is incredibly important.  I remember that when I was a kid I used to see all the cute puppies/kittens and dogs/cats available that the North Shore Animal League in their commercial.  I really wanted to go there for our family's next pet and I know of several friends who did go there for their pets.  And then I stopped seeing the commercials, and after a while I stopped thinking of them as the first place to check.  You have to keep in in the public's attention.

JP May 14th, 2009 06:25:56 PM

JP: See, from my POV, there's a difference between the sympathy that arises when you hear Sarah M. start to sing that song. That's very different from the concept of empathy, in which you feel called to action. After all, most of the US would say they sympathize with the plight of homeless pets. But there's a major series of hurdles before most people feel DRIVEN to adopt from one. A call to action is what's needed. And something that addresses all the misconceptions and removes the psychological obstacles so that the action can take place, freed of its cultural or personal constraints that currently encumber it. 

This is marketing-speak, for sure, but that's why Madison Ave has been so successful. They study what makes YOU tick. Scary, but it works.

Dr. Patty Khuly May 14th, 2009 06:42:36 PM

I agree with most of the comments regarding this article.  Most of us already have our fair share of shelter/rescue animals because we are animal lovers, aware of the plight of these pets and determined to help.  I don't disagree with the public perception of shelters stated in the article either.  What I do have concern about is the Ad Council getting involved with HSUS.  Have you checked out their agenda's?  Are you aware they are closely aligned with PETA who euthanized a sickening amount of animals compared to what little they claimed to have adopted out!  Also VERY little support, donations, etc funneled through HSUS actually went to help New Orleans pets during the disaster.  Beware of anything HSUS or Peta are involved in. 

Karen May 19th, 2009 12:54:06 AM

Just have to respond to this comment by Mary Straus.

<groups that take weeks to approve an adoption application because of the time it takes them to check out multiple personal references and get someone to do a home check>

One reason some rescue groups may take several weeks to approve adoption applications is that they are run by VOLUNTEERS!!!!!  Many of us have our own dogs as well as foster dogs and work full time as well, so fit rescue in as we can.  If you can't be patient in those circumstances then you don't need to adopt from me.  I also may not have a dog in at the time that would be a good fit for the applicant's home so they would need to wait anyway.

Tracy May 19th, 2009 09:44:42 PM

I'm getting ready to adopt a dog and will probably go the rescue route rather than the shelter route.  I would prefer to go through a shelter, but I already have two cats.  From what I've seen, shelters keep the cats & dogs separated; so, I don't feel comfortable that a shelter volunteer will really know if Fido is good with cats.  It would be totally unfair to the dog and to my kitties if I brought home a dog who terrorized the cats.  The rescue groups I'm looking at do in-home fostering and can tell you if the dog gets along with the resident kitties.

Do I have a misconception regarding shelters separating cats & dogs/ not having a way to judge compatibility?  Just curious as I've struggled with the decision not to adopt from a shelter.  I'd be curious to hear others' views on this.

Posey May 21st, 2009 08:04:44 PM

I've had 3 dogs in my lifetime - 2 pure breds and a mutt from the animal shelter (our current dog). While I loved all of them, our mutt is by far the best dog ever. She is the most loving and also the most patient. We have a (now 9 year old) son who was 5 when we first got Pandora (a shepherd / lab / boxer mix), and often treated her like a 5 year old would. But she was always patient and never bit him. She was also an adult dog when we got her, and I was GLAD to bypass the puppy stage. She's just the best! I highly recommend going to your local humane society and working with them to find a good match for your family.

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