Globalpaw.com Dog Forum » General Dog Discussion » Dog Debate Forum

[KennelMom]

Do rescues reject you automatically if you don't have a fenced in yard?

Rescues are all going to have their own policies regarding a fence requirement. I know many, many, many greyhound adoption groups that will adopt to people who don't have a fenced yard. I don't know of any, however, that will adopt to someone who admits they will not keep the dog on a leash when not in a fenced yard.

[CdnRottieMom]

The one adoption clause or rule that I don't get is the not adopting out of their area. From time to time, I like to look at the Ontario and Michigan Rottweiler Rescue sites. I live close to the Michigan border, 45 minutes away from the The Michigan Rottweiler Rescue and 4 hours away from the Ontario Rottweiler Rescue. The Michigan Rottweiler Rescue recently posted on their website that they do not adopt out of state or to Canada. Not that I am looking to adopt another dog, but what if someone from Canada or out of state who lived not far away was willing to pay the foster's gas and border toll fees for them to do their check up on the dog. Though I kind of understand their reason why, I just think that adopting to a good forever home no matter what the location would make it easier for them to take in another dog from an irresponsible owner.

[GreyhoundGirl]

Yes! Very good point. I've run into a similar thing when I was in Ontario. Only with Ontario and New York. It makes sense that they want to check up from time to time on the dog without warning, but you'd think they'd be able to verify you were a good owner before adopting the dog to you. Or have someone closer to you check up on you. Or phone call you.

But I agree that that is mostly unneeded that rule.

[borzoimom]

As far as food they are just asking if you feed a good quality food. Put down your chicken lovers for dogs food in that spot. ( anyone would know its a good food)
As far as a fence- well knowing the sighthounds all the books say a fence etc- you can expect that one. I would just explain that you can exercise the dog on a leash. Remember- a retired racer has a stronger chase drive that uh Jenny would have.. That is all they have done.. Especially the greyhound- the history goes back 6000 years to chase.. ( which I know you already know..)
I would just have a resonable conversation with them, and let them do a house check. Femka came from a rescue, but they let me adopt her because I was an experienced owner, and they could see I was dedicated to make sure she would not get lost etc.
As far as adoption contracts, the one I always disagreed with was if not spay/neutered when adopted ( greys are by the way ..) but must be done in 30 days. I had rescued and by 30 days, the dogs health was not up to having surgery yet..

[GreyhoundGirl]

lol why is everyone talking about greayhounds? That was just my example. For fences, even certain shelters and dogs homes require a fence. I disagree with that one too. You don't have to have a fence to take care of a dog.

[borzoimom]

There are two thoughts in requiring fencing. One is that with a fence the dog could be stuck outside without people. Then second without a fence the person has to have the dedication to spend time with the dog in a walk.. etc.

[k9capture16]

Thats why I do not adopt. Way to may questions and "rules". All that should matter is that the dog gets a loving home. Heres two short stories

I wanted to adopt a Neutered male Great Dane from a shelter here. They wouldnt allow me because I owned a dog that was not neutered...w/e.

My friend adopted a spayed female husky from the one shelter here. The dog gave birth two 7 puppies week later. The SPCA tried to seize the puppies because they were still considered their property. My freind ended up rehoming them because she threatened to go to the media and saying they adopted her out a spayed dog who a week later had puppies and now they want them back...

I will buy before I adopt. Im not one to follow dumb adoption rules.

When I adopt out puppies from a ltiter I have...the only rules are do not breed and the dog must be retured to me if you cannot keep it. Spay/neuter is and option for the new owners but I tell them not to bother. Then I have all the health stuff on their too...thats all.

[Carrie]

What do you do when you disagree with adoption clauses?

Get a dog from a back yard breeder, of course.

[Muttzrule]

I've been denied a dog from Sheltie rescue because I don't have a fenced yard. I walk my dog on a leash every day, three times a day. Its not like I open the back door and let her roam the neighborhood. Besides that, how many people just put their dog out in the backyard and never watch them while they eliminate. Then, when their dog comes up sick, you can't answer the questions your vet has like what have the dogs stools been like, any vomiting, eating anything in the yard, etc. Unsupervised yard time is dangerous too. So....

But they won't even talk to me if I don't have a fence. Ridiculous!

Oh, and here is the kicker. IF I lived in an apartment, they WOULD adopt to me. Apartments don't have fences. I find this to be a double standard.

[calgal]

I have two stupid reports to share. First I was turned down on an adoption simply because I don't give my dogs those horrible flea and tick chemical's that can cause cancer or early death. My dogs have never had a flea or tick and I just use the holistic approach with is safer and better.

Next, I paid $50.00 and my Chihuahua passed all her tests to become a therapy dog. On the form it states if your dog is not receiving annual shots then let the Vet. fill out the area giving reason. She was extremely allergic to shots and nearly died, and my Vet. wrote on the paper why she isn't getting them. She was 15 years old and had not had a shot in almost 15 years. She was fine without them. They turned her down anyway and wouldn't even give me my money back! Shame on them!!

[Joy van Veen]

I think many rules should be adjustable on a case by case basis.

I've also been turned down over fencing issues. In my case I was living on several acres, but had a fenced in portion (yard) off my back door. This area was larger than most fenced yards were in the suburbs. Because my entire acreage wasn't fenced, I was turned down.

Another thing, I train guide and service dogs (GDs and SDs). Many rescues and shelters are against dogs being "put to work" and say it is slavery. There is an effort being promoted by the HSUS to make using dogs for guides illegal. Which dog is happier, the dog that sits around all day waiting for their human to come home from work, or the SD or GD who gets to be with their person close to 24/7. And the breeds that make the best GDs and SDs are breeds that were bred to work and love to work.

On that same line, I had a client who I had provided a GSD SD to. She wound up hospitalized when she was found unconcuos. The hospital social worker took her SD to a GSD rescue. The resue contacted me, as my info was on the dog's certification card attached to the harness. They wanted to know if I wanted the harness back. I said yes, along with the dog. They said that owner releases were final. I told them that I was the owner (I had the documented proof.), and that the dog's partner was in the hospital. They didn't like the idea of the dog being worked. They then told me the dog had already been adopted and I couldn't know to who. I got the harness back, but not the dog; who btw was valued at $35,000. Another SD trainer who lived in the area said that that rescue had been known to take and sell an SD in the past, as they are so valuable.

[BetterDog4U]

When i signed the papers for Neka there were several things on it like the HQ food thing.

I actually caught THEM with one of my answers.

The question was: If adopted, will this dog spend most of the time inside or outside?

My answer was: Both

During the interview I explained that because i worked from home (that was also mentioned in the application) and that i would be home most of the time (I mentioned that I would be in the home 12-20 hrs a day) she would be able to spend as much time outside as she liked. I have a 110' cable run out the back door. The shelter director said, "Oh, I see what you mean!!!

One other point was that they said Neka would not be suitable for a home with more than just her as she had issues sharing close quarters. I agreed that she would be the olny dog but I would be working to socialize her as most of my friends and family all had dogs.

About a year later, I saw the director in public and I was with Neka. She was shocked to see that Neka had NO issues with other dogs, and offered to adopted me another dog for our home!!!

IMHO, adoption guidelines are designed for a "worst case senero". If proven not to be an issue, they should be reviewed and waved.