What do you think about rescue/adoption regulations?

[Schnauzer]

What do you think about shelters that won't let you adopt an animal unless you're within the city limits of that animal's location? 2-3 hours away? Does that matter? I don't think it should. The rescue can get another rescue near you to do the home check and then let you drive to pick up the animal if you're approved. What happens to those poor animals without that option? For example... I saw a dog with restrictions similar to this online:

*no other dogs
*no cats
*no children
*must live within an hour of city limits
*must have experience with this breed
*must have perfect vet records
*must have owned a dog within the past 7 years "or you won't need to contact us"

Tell me... what is that poor dog to do but live out the rest of its life in a shelter? What are the odds of that dog finding his/her forever home? I think this is a little over the top... mainly the city limit perspective. What do you think?

[JACQUE]

*must live within an hour of city limits = Does this mean any city limits or does it have to be that particular city?

[Schnauzer]

That particular city. It was either Austin or Houston, Texas.

JACQUE said:

*must live within an hour of city limits = Does this mean any city limits or does it have to be that particular city?

[Brianna Henson]

if i had a free choice of adoption, it would be the high kill shelter close to my house. I see lots of friendly pit bulls there, and they want love so bad. It makes me cry. they roll over so i can rub his tummy, wag their tails and look at me with their cute/sad faces. And i have no idea if that pittie will be euthenized today or tomorrow. Theres a lot of great homeless pets there, and the regulations take away lots of potention adopters away.  D:

[Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen]

They have their reasons for those restrictions. I have restrictions because there is nothing worse than having placed a dog or hound in a home where their needs are not mett. I have seen that a few times enough to know that it is crucial to do homechecks and do follow up on each and every case. Therefore it is something that adopters must understand. I find my own hounds in the classifieds and I have a lot of realy good contacts aside from being a member of the sighthound club where i can find hounds needing homes. There is a never ending supply of greyhounds no matter where I look. So its not difficult to find a greyhound or other sighthound that needs a home.However when the dogs come from Spain and the adopters live here it becomes crucial to find the right owners for the right dog as we can´t just send the dog back to hell that would not be fair on the dog.

[Kathi]

I understand the home checks and certain other stipulations like fenced area to keep a dog when necessary.  I don't agree with placing restrictions as to living within a certain distance of city limits.  I personaly think this is a deterrent to many people adopting a dog.  What is with you have to have owned a dog within the past 7 years or don't contact us?  This is ridiculous.  Many people are so busy with their work and families that there are years go by when they might feel they can't give the dog the attention it needs and deserves, but then they get to a point in their lives that they feel it would be right for them to have a pet, so then they are just passed by because they have not had a dog?  That to me is way out in left field and I don't think any caring rescue should put such restrictions on adopting a pet.  I personaly would go to a high kill shelter and adopt.  We went to a Boxer rescue and they turned us down because our 5 + acres in the country a half mile from the main road was not fenced in!!!!  I sometimes think these rescues go overboard with their restrictions and that leaves many animals in limbo with no chance of finding a good home.

[Marina Trofin]

It is like selling/renting a....house! A lot of restrisction! For God sake, he is a baby who needs a home and love! If they have all these restriction, what happenes if nobody fits to the requests? Will this baby be on a death row? Some people are stupid, and I am disgusted!

[Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen]

Kathi I agree some of those restrictions were and are ridiculous. What I look at when placing a greyhound is this are people aware of their needs and their temperament as well as their preydrive. Do they have small todlers and or babies other small furries is there an alcohol abuse or drugabuser in that family setting do they have a heart for the greyhound in question are they aware just how long greyhounds live will they keep the greyhound for life ectect those are kinds of restrictions I set based on experience as well as being reasonabel it has to be otherwise the greyhounds don´t stand a chance of a new home. The things about people currently owning a dog or within th past 7 years is ludicrous the same rule as city limitsflat or house depend on the breed activity level and stimuli the dog or greyhound will have in its future home. I do not like to place a greyhound with a family with todlers or babies bigger sensible kids and adults is better for everyone concerned.This is the restrictions I work with before allowing someone to adopt a greyhound through my organisation. 

Kathi said:

I understand the home checks and certain other stipulations like fenced area to keep a dog when necessary.  I don't agree with placing restrictions as to living within a certain distance of city limits.  I personaly think this is a deterrent to many people adopting a dog.  What is with you have to have owned a dog within the past 7 years or don't contact us?  This is ridiculous.  Many people are so busy with their work and families that there are years go by when they might feel they can't give the dog the attention it needs and deserves, but then they get to a point in their lives that they feel it would be right for them to have a pet, so then they are just passed by because they have not had a dog?  That to me is way out in left field and I don't think any caring rescue should put such restrictions on adopting a pet.  I personaly would go to a high kill shelter and adopt.  We went to a Boxer rescue and they turned us down because our 5 + acres in the country a half mile from the main road was not fenced in!!!!  I sometimes think these rescues go overboard with their restrictions and that leaves many animals in limbo with no chance of finding a good home.

[Kathi]

I can well understand your restrictions where the Greyhounds are concerned and agree completely considering how people have treated them.  Also, any dog with a strong prey drive should have a family that is well aware of this and able to accept and deal with it.  There are some breeds of dogs that just don't need to be around small children and some small children don't need to be around dogs until they learn proper treatment of them.  I think all rescues should do a background check to some degree to be sure the placement is a good and safe one for the animal.  I just don't think it should be taken to the extreme as was first posted.  I know at the SPCA where I volunteer they do background checks and also will follow up under some circumstances.  I am not a part of the background checks but I do know they are thorough and they also require references before the adoption is completed.  Whatever is best for placing a dog or cat or any other animal I am all for, but not to such an extent that the pet will stay in rescue forever because the orginization has place prohibitive restrictions on adoption.

[Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen]

I agree Kathi 100% I would most likely be rejected by some adoption agencies and rescues but I am not concerned since I have my own organisation and know my prefered breed well and love them to bits they will have all their needs mett here as long as they live as I know it to be the case in your home as well.

Kathi said:

I can well understand your restrictions where the Greyhounds are concerned and agree completely considering how people have treated them.  Also, any dog with a strong prey drive should have a family that is well aware of this and able to accept and deal with it.  There are some breeds of dogs that just don't need to be around small children and some small children don't need to be around dogs until they learn proper treatment of them.  I think all rescues should do a background check to some degree to be sure the placement is a good and safe one for the animal.  I just don't think it should be taken to the extreme as was first posted.  I know at the SPCA where I volunteer they do background checks and also will follow up under some circumstances.  I am not a part of the background checks but I do know they are thorough and they also require references before the adoption is completed.  Whatever is best for placing a dog or cat or any other animal I am all for, but not to such an extent that the pet will stay in rescue forever because the orginization has place prohibitive restrictions on adoption.

[Brianna Henson]

I belive that the restrictions are for the safety of the pet and adopter, but some are crazy.  All dogs can be rehabilitated, iv seen it tons of times. My dog steel, wanted to eat the cats the first time he came to the house, now he lives with the cats in peace. None of my cats dont really like steel, exept shakespear he hates him. They dont sleep by each other but can sleep in each others presence.  Maybe in the future, they will cuddle and groom each other.  So the "no other dogs" or "not good with cats" restrictions i dont agree with.

[sharon wiggins]

IN A WAY I AGREE THAT MAYBE  SOME OF THE REGUATIONS  MAY BE A BIT TOO MUCH  , BUT ON THE OTHERHAND ITS GOOD THAT THESE RESCUE CENTRES TAKE SO MUCH CARE TOFIND THE DOG THE RIGHT OWNER THE BEST LOVING FAMILY ETC, IF RESTRICTIONS LIKE THIS ARE PUT FORWARD AND THE RESCUE CENTRES POLICY IS THE SAME AS THE DOGS TRUST   WHICH IS  THAT THEY NEVER PUT A HEALTHY DOG TO SLEEP , THEN OBVIOUSLY  THEYRE PREARED TO HOUSE THE PET AND LOOOK AFTER HIM/HER  TILL THE RIGHT FOREVER HOME IS FOUND