Comments: Rescue groups so picky!

“Breeders SHOULD be picky!!! But sadly, many people just want their money and get rid of the pups. One ad I saw said "I want my garage back." They aren't interested in the long term of the pups' lives like rescues are. ” — cherha01, Oct 29 2008

“So what if the rescues are picky? If you had been through what these dogs have been, you would want to be checked up on for years too, trust after abuse can be very hard to come by, whether for abused dogs or abused people.
I did an independent rescue to save my APBT from a trip to Death Row...It's a year and a half later people and I run into tell me that she "just exudes health".I would be proud to have folks from a rescue stop in for coffee and check on the dog...but alas, she only has me..Rescued dog owners should be glad there are others who still care about the dog, plus God forbid some family disaster occurs, the dog will have some familiar humans to take her (back).
Think of it like getting remarried and having your child's biological other parent have visitation...It's all in the kid's(dog's)best interest.” — Snoep's Human, Oct 29 2008

“Rescues are picky and do follow up checks because they don't pour out their heart and soul to a dog in need - not to mention every penny it needs, to send it to a home that thinks they can throw them in the back yard, never provide vet care, or ever give the dog any attention - and I could go on and on. Not every rescue is the same - And YES - you guessed it - I am a rescue!! All to often we pull dogs out of bad situations, adopt them to someone who meets all the criteria we look for - to have the dog picked up by animal control as a stray - and the owners have moved away. Or checked in a dog to find it is extremely underweight, but yet they never cared enough to take it to the vet. Or flea and tick infested etc..... It is those people, those that decide to not be responsible pet owners that give rescues the reason to have all their rules and regulations. So rather than taking it so personal for being denied or complaining about the follow ups, or the length of the application - give it some thought and understanding, we see on a daily basis - what you occasionally hear about or read about. Our application is very lengthy, but a lot of it is to help match the proper personalities together, just because a dog LOOKS cute to someone, doesn't mean it will be the proper fit for that family - we strive to find a life long family for our dogs and not just a quick fix family. I do agree that some go above and beyond sometimes with childrens age restriction, or the part time work thing??? But wouldn't you rather know you are getting a dog from someone that not only really cares about the dog, but knows it's personality, makes sure it's healthy before adopting it out, and is always there for any help you may need in the future? You may want to go to a city shelter that has "less restrictions", you don't need any one to check up on you, or tell you how to take care of your dog - and you have every right to do so - But I sit back and wonder - why? If you are such a good pet owner, what does it matter to you then if someone checks up? What do you have to hide??” — skig, Oct 22 2008

“I agree with Luna; some organizations also reserve the right to do spot checks on your home for several years after you adopt and remove the dog if you don't meet some criteria. Some applications are so daunting, I didn't bother to fill them out because they were so judgmental.

Wouldn't it be a better use of time to teach people to be better caretakers? ” — Loves Dogs, Sep 11 2008

“I hear you, Luna. I certainly agree with screening adopters, but it can get kind of ridiculous.

You might want to check out your local Animal Care & Control, they tend to be less picky. ” — PuppyPants, Apr 02 2008

“We tried adopting a rabbit from a shelter, we really tried but all places we tried denied us the opportunity because my son was 3 at the time (young kids are cruel to animal, they said). Now my kids are 7 and 9, so we were OK for adopting a dog from a shelter but no, we could not adopt a dog because I work part time and the dog would be alone too much. I'm sorry, but the reason why shelters are so crowded is because they don't give families a chance to own one of their dogs unless they are "perfect" dog owners (I have yet to meet one).” — Luna, Apr 02 2008

“I agree with Hattrick on this one. Our breeder has a very extensive screening process and it is not easy to get one of her puppies. I intend to be just as picky when we breed our conformation future champion girl. I only intend to breed her once and the families who are lucky enough to have one of her pups will live close enough for me to keep an eye on them. Most reputable breeders feel the same way, we take great care in placing the puppies and make sure that if for some unforseen reason the puppy should need to be rehomed we have it returned to us so that we can go through that same screening process with the next family. Unfortunately most people do not wish to pay the costs for a quality puppy that it takes from a reputable breeder so they choose to go with a lesser quality and lower priced puppy from a not so reputable breeder and therein lies the problem. Going with a reputable breeder may also mean they have to wait for an available puppy, and since reputable breeders do not just breed unless they have a specific purpose for the breeding most are not willing to wait. We have become too much of a "I need it now" society that they just go with the first pup they can find. ” — smitte21, Feb 05 2008

“I found Jamie's comments against breeders to be incorrect. Good breeders do screen as throughly as shelters and rescues. They also take back any dog they have produced. Just becuase someone has a litter so puppies does not make them a "breeder".

Reputable breeders involved in show or performance events and those who are members of all breed and speciality clubs tend to "police" each other. They don't contribute to animals in rescues and shelters. The members force other members to do pre breeding and post breeding testing and place puppies or adults on spay/neuter contracts. Long time breeders are also aware of personalities and know how to screen homes for the appropriate placing of their dogs and puppies.

A few poor breeders in your area does not make all breeders bad. Maybe the ones you encounter are back yard breeders out to make a quick buck.

We have had many people come to us for puppies or an adult dog with a "known history", after they have had bad experiences with rescues or shelter dogs. ” — hattrick-dals, Jan 30 2008

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