We’ve been talking about getting a dog for a while, and one shelter I called told me we weren’t suitable because we could only be with the dog 23 hours a day. That would be in Earth days, so yes, you read that right: 23 hours out of 24 wasn’t good enough for them.
Monday the Washington Post ran a sad article, “Shelters Keep Tight Leash on Adoptions – D.C. Animal Group Says It’s Time to Be More People-Friendly”. The article is pretty balanced, it does acknowledge that there are very good reasons to screen applicants, but also highlights places in the process where things can be improved.
I ran into this sort of uber critical adoptee screening process – was turned down flat over the phone by some organizations because I wasn’t home 24 hours a day. (long time dog owner and lover, huge fenced in yard, glowing report from my vet, and what I thought were obvious reports of my ability to spoil a dog rotten with treats, sleeping on the couches, and general affection and love.)
While I have seen first hand the incredible # of dogs that get returned to shelters because they are just “too much trouble” or the people got bored I also see lots of dogs living in cages because the Absolute Perfect Home hasn’t been found yet. I understand their rules but the goal should be finding the creature a new home, not being so strict/by the book. Case by case basis. A person can be the best dog owner ever and also have a job – while a stay-at-home person might just suck completely as a dog owner. That shouldn’t be the deciding point.
They obviously were looking for a reason to turn us away. They wouldn’t even let me have the application. Even seeing eye dogs in training are not required to be under 24 hour supervision their entire lives. *sigh*
My friends (dog owners all their lives) just went to adopt a dog. 4 hour initial interview. The actually checked 5 references — asked me if I thought my friend would “throw a dog out the window” — I kid you not. After approval, they had to meet with some specialized dog trainer for another few hours, and then at least another hour of paperwork and a 48 hour waiting period after that.
All this for a dog that the person who dropped if off lied about it’s age, had some serious health issues, and is afraid of her own shadow for now.
Seriously, it’s insane.
I think that “J.C. Crist” guy must have some sort of complex related to his name. ;)