Orange County SPCA Rant (Tampa: job, homes, land)

[VaNative]

OK...I have a rant that I need to get off my chest...bear with me.

My neighbor and I went to the Orange County SPCA this morning to adopt a dog for me. It's a big step since I'm single but I really want a dog now. The dog I picked out and I clicked and thought everything was great.

We sit down with the adoption counseler and he asks me if the dog would ever be outside in the yard. I told him yes and explained that I have a fenced in back yard and the dog would be safe. I told him the dog would not be outside for hours and hours when I'm at work but maybe when I need to run to the store or something like that.

After going over the application and asking more questions, he looks me in the eye and said he would have to DENY the adoption. I was floored as was my neighbor. When I asked why, he said dogs should never be left outside due to the risk of running away, biting someone, neighbor complaint, etc. He then tells me it's their policy and I said I understood but the dog would be safe with me in my home. But since I had already said the dog would be in the back yard, I couldn't take it back. It's kind of like a job interview when you try so hard to impress them and you end up saying something wrong...and not knowing it. I remained calm, got up and walked out.

Karen (my neighbor) was really upset and I should go back in there and talk to a supervisor. I didn't want to do that but it really hurts when you find the right dog and they won't let you take them home due to a trick question..and it purely was a trick question. I would have NEVER thought saying the dog would be outside was grounds for denial. AND...I can't go to the other SPCA shelter because they put your driver's license # in the computer. I guess I'm tagged now that I was denied.

I'm trying to keep a calm head by saying maybe it wasn't meant to be but I'm still emotionally upset about it. She was such a sweet dog and I would have loved to have had her.

I hope someone who says all the right things comes and adopts her. She deserves a good home...one that I apparently can't provide...according to them.

So now I am rethinking the pet whole thing. I was so exciting to find a sweet, loving dog and to have her taken away from me is really hard.

Isn't the whole point of the SPCA to adopt out animals to good homes?

Has anyone else had this kind of experience?

[poodlestix]

I can't help but think I'd send in a decoy (friend) who says all the right things, "adopts" the dog, and then hands it over to me! What could they do? I doubt they follow up on the adoption like a case worker would with an abused child.

[NuName]

Sorry Va native. That stinks... hopefully you will be able to adopt a dog u like as much as that one soon.

[Sunnydee]

That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a long time - probably since the Ellen Degeneres dog fiasco. I have to tell you I'd send in my brother to adopt that dog and then have him give it to me or I'd go on Petfinder.com and find a dog of the same breed and adopt it or I'd just buy myself a dog.

I spent six months going to our local shelters looking for a small dog to adopt and finally the woman in charge of one shelter took me aside and told me people rarely relinquish small dogs and I should just go out and buy one - which is exactly what I did.

Good luck! I'm sure you will find a dog to love very soon without all this aggravation. (P.S. Nonshedding dogs are a lot less work than shedding dogs.)

[nickindependence]

What a lot of nonsense. Its as if they dont want these animales to get a chance at a good home. Its funny you brought this subject up because we have just adopted a cocker spaniel from a lady in Land o lakes, he wasnt free or cheap like the shelter animals are, and we had to go through a questionaire to be approved which took a week or maybe a week and a half, which annoyed me. but to be honest when we got there, this lady know everything about each dog, and she just wanted to make sure we were a good fit for the dogs. She brought out 7 or 8 dogs based on our answers and one we had fallen in love with online (called Sandy). Sadly he was cute as a button but a handful. He thought he was a cat jumping on the back of the sofa....lol. Then strolled out Buddy. Hes gorgeous and just wanted hugs. He first sat on our daughters lap, then my wifes and then mine. He is perfect. But in the questionaire she asked whether the dog would be left outside and we said no, although we expected there might be the odd occassion, but then her main concern was that the yard was fenced in like yours which it is. No problem. It sounds to me a bit odd to be honest.

I hope you find what you are looking for. If you want the link to where we got our dog i can send it to you, but they only deal in cockers. I think dogs 10yrs and older are free, but check their pricing.

Good luck and we hope you find a dog to warm your home.

Nick

[VaNative]

Thanks for all the support and replies. I have written the Executive Director and will wait to see when/if she responds. If not, I'll check out more rescue shelters in the area.

[Keeper]

I have adopted several dogs, 1 from rescue group, 1 from SPCA and 1 from the pound. I also work with wiemaraner rescue group.
I do hope you won't give up because of what happened. There are so many dogs that need a home and would love to have someone to love them.
Mia the rescue dog is the sweetest little dog, Gaby the weim is a big baby and Skeeter is the bossy one.

I know it isn't close but St. Francis in Tampa is a place that rescues dogs.

[Jim280]

Dog breeds available for adoption on Petfinder.com

Here is a link for many different breeds in most all states awaiting adoption, maybe you can find one here VaNative. Good Luck.

[AONE]

I can suggest taking a look at Ratbone rescues... There are many rescue groups for the various breed but this is one I am involved with. ( I'm a foster parent for rat terriers) There are several available and we look for good homes to place these animals with. The SPCA may have been having a bad day.... It can't be a really great job having to deal with so many animals in need. I'm glad they do what they do as I could not. But there are options for you.

Rat Terrier Rescue - Ratbone Rescues - Rat Terrier Rescue of North America

The ratties are a cute breed.. spunky and pretty smart. and can be really loving animals.

Ken Anderson

[doctorbrandi07]

wow thats horrible. I would go back to the pound and complain. Your going to give that dog a home, and what are they doing there? killing them if thier for so long. that really makes no since.
Dont give up on finding a dog! and good luck