Animal shelter workers are on a power trip..

[rubytue]

I can really see both sides of this. I understand why they are picky about where they place animals, because they have seen the dog be returned and/or mistreated. On the other hand, it makes some of us very shy of going to a shelter or rescue. We adopted our dog from a pound, and about 6 years ago, I went with a roommate to adopt her dog from a pound.

When my roommate and I were looking, we went to several shelters. Most were very hesitant to adopt to us, or wanted our parents permission (dare I mention we were 24 and 27, and living away from home for 6 to 8 years!). We finally ended up at the local animal control office and found the best dog ever! And the guy who ran the place was so happy we wanted to take on of his dogs. It was so different than the other 3 shelters we went to.

What I took from this expierence is that if you want a dog with few questions asked, go to a kill shelter. And sure enough, when DH and I were looking, we ended up at a local animal control. We found Zoe and fell in love. She was $65 including vetting, first shots, and $30 off the spay. No vet checks, no asking us about our house (other than rent/own). The local no-kill shelter we tried first wanted vet references, home visits, etc. We had just lost a cat (through no fault of us), had no fence, and let our cats out. We weren't formally denied, but the look in their eyes said we weren't getting a dog. And heaven forbid you are ever turned down, every other rescue application asks if you have been turned down before.

So we now have Zoe. We have had her for about 2 months now. She is spayed, healthy, and a great dog (except its rained for 3 days straight and she is going stir crazy!). We have our fence half built (see bit about rain). Our remaining cat still goes out some, but is getting along as well as can be expected in the house. Plus, I know that we saved a life in the process I still tear up thinking that if we hadn't come along, she might not be walking the earth anymore.

[miu]

I have seen the other side of this. For instance, my tenant was able to adopt a dog and I was never asked by anyone if it was okay for him to get a dog. I'm very surprised that no one called me or emailed me to ask for my permission. And he is a lousy dog parent. Maybe he orders organic food for her and buys her lots of toys, but she gets loose sometimes and digs holes in my neighbors yard. I also end up picking up her poop. I keep talking to my tenant, things get better for a day, and then go back to bad. I am not very happy with the situation.

[gardener34]

I agree with the power trip thing. Ours is a kill shelter that asks too many questions. Most pit bull mixes in there. AND they don't let you in to see the dogs in the kennel. You have to look at the pics outside the shelter. Then decide which one you want them to bring out to you.

I don't like this because I could be passing over a good dog this way. Is that standard protocol?