I’ve fostered a number of dogs, so I understand where rescue groups are coming from with specific adoption requirements.
But when the adoption application process for these dogs is as well difficult, it produces a bottleneck in the sheltering system.
Currently, 3 to 4 million healthy dogs as well as cats are killed every year in U.S. shelters, as well as I believe it’s a pity we aren’t trying harder to get them into great homes. They don’t even have to be best homes.
Today I am featuring three women who have discovered it tough to embrace a dog. (Two of the women asked me not to utilize their last names.)
Here’s what they had to state about the adoption process:
Adopted dogs can make fantastic pets
Jennifer P. stated it’s crucial to her to embrace a pet dog since she feels these dogs should have houses as well as can make fantastic pets. Her present pet dog was embraced from a humane society in Illinois as well as is “absolutely the very best dog.”
She has been attempting to embrace a second pet dog for the last six months as well as has dealt with a number of rejections.
“Getting rejected several times while trying to provide a loving house to a pet dog has been discouraging to state the least,” she said. “I want to be able to provide a house to a pet dog that doesn’t currently have one.”
She’s not alone.
Kristyn S. likewise tried to embrace a pet dog a bit over two years ago, as well as she stated that exact same pet dog is still offered for adoption with PetFinder.
“It’s so unfortunate to see that he might have had a loving house for two years, however instead they selected to keep him in a foster circumstance with great deals of other animals,” she said.
Kristyn had dogs growing up that were embraced with the ASPCA. She stated her parents always emphasized the “importance of providing rescued animals a possibility at a much better life.”
Not having a fenced lawn is a barrier
To Jennifer, one of the most discouraging challenges in the adoption process so far is that she does not have a yard. She currently lives in a two-story town home with a big patio area.
She stated she has used for a number of dogs as well as has been rejected each time based on her written application.
“I don’t even get to speak to any individual on the phone about my application or get to satisfy the dog,” she said. “This is the most discouraging part, not even being considered. I feel they are missing out on assisting a dog.”
She stated she is ready to hire a pet dog walker as well as will do anything to provide the pet dog the very best life.
Not having a fenced lawn was likewise a barrier for Kristyn.
She stated her previous pet dog Sis (pictured above) was completely fit to apartment or condo living as well as went for long morning as well as evening walks with a midday shower room break.
“She led a delighted as well as comfortable life, even though she didn’t have a fenced-in yard,” Kristyn said.
Lenore Hirsch had a similar experience getting rejected.
She “ended up with a terrific dog” (check out her dog’s memoir here), however very first she was turned down from adopting a border collie.
The humane society told her the border collie was not a great match for her apartment or condo way of life at the time as well as would requirement area for running.
“I was heartbroken,” stated Hirsch. “Talk about feeling that you’re not great enough!”
Home gos to are a barrier
Another barrier Jennifer has dealt with is the house visit, where a volunteer will go to your house to make sure it’s proper for a dog.
She stated she was rejected from adopting one pet dog since she lived a lot more than 2 hours from where the pet dog was located. This was as well far for the adoption organization to send somebody to total the house visit, even though Jennifer stated she was ready to make the drive to satisfy the dog.
“I was flabbergasted that this was the reason,” she said. She had even used to take a video of her house or to Skype.
Advice for others who hope to embrace a dog
The pet dog adoption process can be challenging, Jennifer said. “A few years back it was easier, however times have changed.”
She stated she wants adopters to understand it’s crucial to keep looking.
“The pet dog will pick you, as well as then it’s time to jump the adoption hurdles,” she said.
“While I have had a tough time, I do have a pet dog as well as a feline which adds a level of complexity. I am sure there are locations available that are much easier to embrace from.”
What might rescue groups do differently?
Jennifer stated she comprehends that a few of the adoption companies have a great deal of applications for every dog, making it extremely tough for volunteers to comply with up on every application. However, she believes every person must be thought about as well as should have a follow-up call.
“It is extremely difficult to judge a household based on a paper answer,” she said.
If the pet dog the household used for is not a great fit, then maybe a different pet dog might be a great match, she said. often you just don’t understand if the pet is ideal for you up until you satisfy the pet dog in person.
Hirsch likewise wonders if there is a much better method to match prospective adopters as well as pets. She suggested some kind of survey to hand out to prospective adopters. That way, each person can figure out the type of animal that would finest fit their household circumstance as well as lifestyle.
“Better to let the human policy out specific kinds of animals than to let the person autumn for an animal as well as then be turned down,” she said, which is what had occurred to her.
For example, if the pet is as well skittish, as well aggressive, needs as well much grooming or as well much exercise.
If you are a foster parent to a pet dog or a cat, Kristyn (above) suggested you ask yourself this question:
Would this animal be much better off in a loving house being used by this adopter, enabling me to take in one more animal that would otherwise be killed?
“Obviously there have to be standards,” she said. “Many of the animals were rescued from abuse. as well as the foster parents are extremely attached, as well as want them to have great homes.”
Still, a fenced lawn doesn’t make a great home, Kristyn said. “Good care makes a great home.”
What recommendations do the rest of you have for discovering the ideal balance on this issue?