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No Pet For You
Slate ^ | January 26, 2012 | Emily Yoffe

Posted on 01/29/2012 7:56:10 PM PST by Altariel

No Pet For You Want to adopt a dog or cat? Prepare for an inquisition at the animal rescue.

eople who rescue animals can be reluctant to believe anyone deserves the furry creatures. Some rescue groups think potential owners shouldn’t have full-time jobs. Others reject families with children. Some rescuers think apartment dwelling is OK for humans but not for dogs, or object to a cat’s litter box being placed in a basement. Some say no to people who would let a dog run around the fenced backyard “unsupervised,” or allow a cat outside, ever.

It used to be that people who wanted to get an abandoned or abused animal went to the local pound, saw one they liked, paid a small fee, and drove home with a new pet. Since the 1990s, however, the movement to reduce animal euthanasia and the arrival of the Internet have given rise to a new breed of rescuer. These are private groups, or even individuals, who create networks of volunteers to care for needy animals.

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: cat; dog; doggieping; kittyping
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To: Altariel
I adopted two kittens last year from a rescue group after seeing them in a Petsmart. I handled the kittens, and then filled out an application. They also gave me a phone interview, but they didn't ask anything I would not have asked of someone taking a kitten from me.

In return for $75, each kitteh was healthy, spayed, and chipped. They had spent weeks in a home with a family and were thoroughly socialized and friendly; they only needed to build trust in me.

I can understand their concern for how they place their animals. People do impulsive things, and not everybody has any business with a pet.
41 posted on 01/29/2012 8:58:09 PM PST by Nepeta
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To: Grizzled Bear

Oh, my . . . you wanted to adopt a puppy and someone turned you down. Meanwhile, I’m busting my ass every day to keep animals away from people like you.


42 posted on 01/29/2012 8:59:33 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: packrat35

Excellent point, just how I feel about it. It’s a fine line between verifying ability and being an intrusive ass. If they could verify through a few questions and maybe a reference that you are a responsible pet owner that should be enough.

That’s the best way I think. Though I have suffered their intrusion at least once (Franklin was worth it ;-))


43 posted on 01/29/2012 9:01:57 PM PST by free me (heartless=no humanity)
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To: free me
I wish they would focus on the person seeking the adoption. A few questions is all it takes to know if someone is capable of the adoption. Likewise, those not obviously capable can be educated on what’s needed.

That's true. I could see that. But the idea to pay them in some case $150 and they INVITE themselves to inspect your home I will never agree too. I would pay the $150 or more for a pet I wanted.

I can even give them the name of my Vet to vouch that I do get my pets required shots and a lot more as well. Our two Rattys live like queens. Friends and family jokingly ask us too adopt them also.

44 posted on 01/29/2012 9:03:06 PM PST by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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To: packrat35

I am the same way. I have 4 cats, all very well cared for. If someone gave me the 3rd degree and threatened to visit my home to check up on me, I would walk. Sad too, as they would be very well cared for.

This has gone from finding animals a good home to some kind of big brotherish inquisition, and I wont tolerate that invasion of my privacy.


45 posted on 01/29/2012 9:05:22 PM PST by eXe (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: packrat35

I now get my pets from other sources also. The last time I went to a shelter to adopt a kitten, they asked if I was going to have it declawed. That was a deal breaker for them. They also wanted to check my home. A deal breaker for me. My question is, would they rather have a declawed kitten (which is minor surgery for a kitten) or a dead kitten because no one adopts it?


46 posted on 01/29/2012 9:06:18 PM PST by My hearts in London - Everett (Still searching for the new tagline!)
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To: 1rudeboy

Not sure how that question applies to anything I said. I don’t mind answering a few questions and paying some cost, but I would NEVER allow someone to inspect my home or allow other intrusions to my life just to get a dog or cat.

Like I said, I feel I am doing THEM a favor by adopting the dog or cat, not the other way around. I have had dogs or cats or both all my life and I never had to put up with that crap and I sure as hell ain’t going to start now.


47 posted on 01/29/2012 9:08:01 PM PST by packrat35 (When will we admit we are now almost a police state?)
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To: My hearts in London - Everett

Uh, dead kitten.


48 posted on 01/29/2012 9:08:01 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: packrat35
Well, there ya' go--the immovable object meets the irrestible force. In my opinion, there is no point in taking an animal from an (arguably) abusive environment and placing them in a (potentially) abusive environment.

But what do I know? I only save animals from rescue shelters. /s

49 posted on 01/29/2012 9:11:52 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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irrestible = irresistible


50 posted on 01/29/2012 9:13:34 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: Secret Agent Man

Humane society turned me down so I went to animal control and got my beautiful German shephard beau.


51 posted on 01/29/2012 9:15:13 PM PST by Donnafrflorida (Thru HIM all things are possible.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

Humane society turned me down so I went to animal control and got my beautiful German shephard beau.


52 posted on 01/29/2012 9:15:28 PM PST by Donnafrflorida (Thru HIM all things are possible.)
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To: cva66snipe

Oh I agree, I was very much put off the one time I agreed to it. (for my wife’s sake, we had just put down a stray that we had adopted, it had a BB in it’s head, she lasted 1 year with us before succumbing to cancer.)

I stick with local volunteer animal rescue groups now. Get to know them and they will beg you to adopt, they will know just which cat or dog might just love you and they don’t charge though they do insist on sterilization and offer a certificate for a discount for that.

Yet I’m a sucker for an animal in need and may again prostrate myself before the zealots. their heart is in the right place after all.


53 posted on 01/29/2012 9:16:03 PM PST by free me (heartless=no humanity)
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To: free me

I feel the same way about Housing Assoc also. Somewhere along the line, we have given up our freedom to almost everybody for a variety of reasons. I like my pets but I am not going to go for the 3rd degree to get one.

I also do not tolerate anyone to abuse my animals either.


54 posted on 01/29/2012 9:16:43 PM PST by packrat35 (When will we admit we are now almost a police state?)
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To: Altariel

Some keep referring to “shelters”. These are not shelters but rescues. People who volunteer to “rescue” animals or foster them for (what should be) a short time.

They are definitely not cheap to rent an animal from (they can take it from you if you violate their contract) usually costing several hundred dollars in adoption fees. And this is after you pass their bend over and cough exam to determine if your are suitable for the animal.

The article went on to say that 25% of all pet hoarders turn out to be rescues. That does not surprise me in the least.

Unless one can get a referral to a rescue org that is reasonable in their screening process, the best bet is the local pound or a breeder.


55 posted on 01/29/2012 9:19:56 PM PST by VeniVidiVici (Obama's War on Prosperity is killing me)
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To: packrat35

Thanks, I am with you! Some here don’t understand that when agreeing to the “home inspection” we are authorizing the government to enter and inspect our homes.

Bless you for finding a way to help and love these poor creatures despite the folly of some of these shelters.

We do what we can.


56 posted on 01/29/2012 9:24:59 PM PST by free me (heartless=no humanity)
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To: free me

Whoa, wait a minute. When did the government come into this discussion?


57 posted on 01/29/2012 9:31:06 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: Grizzled Bear

WOW! 1rudeboy really gets around! I “had words” with him earlier tonight...


58 posted on 01/29/2012 9:59:24 PM PST by lyby ("Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe." ~ Galileo Galilei)
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To: 1rudeboy

You will see in an earlier post on this thread by me that I adopted from a government shelter. Wayne (Mount View) NJ.

I also adopted from a private volunteer rescue group. They knew me, asked a few questions to be sure I knew what I faced, required NO paper work and assisted me in treating the cat for fleas and having her fixed. They were awesome.(Enya was 18 months old when we got her, she lived to be 20 years old).

Their focus was on making sure the person doing the adopting was capable, not on getting me to sign over access to my home at their whim.

I understand the motives involved and am stating my preference for the most effective way.

I know people who answered all the questions of the shelter correctly, but lied. I know them because I raised the cat they adopted while they were lying to the shelter. (Toby, Maine Coon Mix, Most awesome cat ever, Lived to 13, Vet dropped him and broke his back, died 6 weeks later).

Good people can disagree, I know it’s not easy, seen too many liars adopt and abandon. I just think focusing on character over any other detail is the best predictor of a good home.

Your results may vary but thank you for taking the time to give a care to some of God’s creatures who have given us so much joy and comfort.


59 posted on 01/29/2012 10:00:09 PM PST by free me (heartless=no humanity)
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To: lyby

I will also inform you that it is bad form to make things personal without letting the other party know. Just a heads up, for a newb.


60 posted on 01/29/2012 10:02:24 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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