Katy's 8th Gotcha Day!!!

We made Mom prepost mine when she posted Annie's so she wouldn't forget.

Now Katy how could I forget you my little Sheltie Princess. You were such a special delight when we picked you up all those Labor Day weekends ago. Bailey wasn't sure what to make of the situation until he knew you were leaving with us. Annie has thought the sun rose and set with you since she first met you. You are one special girl and we love you very much. We feel very blessed that you came to us from Sheltie Rescue.

How Much Information Does Your Vet Need to Give a Rescue?

As you may have guessed we spent a considerable amount of time with our Vet over the last few months. We'd also consulted with her regarding our quest for our next rescue and was surprised to discover that some Vets are becoming increasingly concerned with the amount of information rescues are requesting from Vets about their patients and their owners. For our Vet it is starting to cross the privacy lines. Based on her comments I also think that it is also starting to take valuable time away from the patients that need her.

When I've filled out forms in the past that request my Vet information for rescue adoption, my feeling was that rescues wanted confirmation that my dogs were receiving regular checkups, medications, and adequate care. However, during our last rescue attempt I felt there was far more pressure to conform to personal beliefs about care, not just suggestions. The person pushing those beliefs was not a Vet, but felt very strongly that her beliefs were equal to those of my Vet's and I had a problem with that because I do think medical training counts for something. My conversation with the Vet confirmed she too is experiencing this and it is not siting well.

I don't think she or any other Vet objects to providing confirmation that a rescue dog will be going into a home that provides regular vet care. From a humane and let's be honest business perspective this is just common sense. Vets care about dogs and don't want them neglected. It's hard to keep a Vet practice running if people aren't seeking regular Vet care for their pets.

The problem seems to be the level of information rescues want and how they seek this information. It isn't enough to know that the dogs are receiving care, but what choices are the owners making and do those conform to the philosophy of care the shelter promotes. That is a very ugly place to put a Vet.

We all have choices to make about our dogs' health. Many of us make different choices. As long as those choices don't constitute abuse or neglect those decisions should be ours to make. Just because we chose to rescue a dog instead of using a breeder shouldn't mean we lose our freedom to make medical decisions for the dogs we adopt.

There are a range of controversies regarding dog health today. It is difficult for pet parents to negotiate through those waters and I rely on my Vet to help me work through the constantly changing research, opinions, and fads to chart a course for our dogs. The fact Bailey made it 13 years I think is a sign she's steered us well. I don't want to be second guessed and judged by people reviewing an application who have different views on dog health than I do. I wouldn't tell them not to pursue their path with their animals. I'm merely asking for the same respect regarding my animals. Since I can provide proof my animals are receiving regular medical care, medications, and all Vet, State, and local requested treatments I don't feel the fact we have different treatment philosophies should matter.

The second issue is the way the information is requested. I have a great deal of respect for the volunteers who work with the shelter system. It is a tough unpaid job. Those who have the additional task of reviewing applications, checking references, and Vet calls have additional burdens. However, the Vet checks put an undue burden on the Vets that could be simplified with a little thought.

Most of us have had the experience of a sick dog and had to make a call to the Vet to get help. Our Vet is a single practitioner so for her to answer calls it interrupts the patients she is seeing during the day. She willingly does what she can for emergencies and calls back those who can wait. However, shelter volunteers are also placing calls to Vets during office hours and they often want a response then. It's understandable, they are volunteers and have limited time to give to the cause. The animals are waiting for placement. However, what if there was another way?

How about having a basic checklist of important information that a Vet needs to verify that can be downloaded from your website or given to potential adopters that their Vet fills out and either emails, faxes, or mails back to the shelter? If there are any specific concerns raised from the form, the shelter than would reduce the number of calls needing to be made. This actually reduces the time the volunteers have to make calls and the time Vets are pulled from the work they need to do. Most of the relevant information is in the current animals charts and could be tasked to a clerk just requiring the Vet to sign and add any additional info that might not be in the chart. This is a win/win for all parties concerned.

However, BASIC is the key. The questions should be based on animals receiving adequate care, not on personal preferences. Preventing animals from going into an abusive or neglectful home is essential. A shelter volunteers personal dislike of a medicine or preventative shouldn't be a matter of discussion when it comes to finding a qualified home for a homeless dog. Additionally, valid medical choices people make that differ from those a volunteer might make for their own dog shouldn't disqualify someone from adopting.

It is time we make choices based on the best interests of dogs, not personal philosophies of how dogs should be raised, fed, or medically treated. There are far too many homeless dogs to be rejecting people because they make valid decisions that differ from those who have the power to choose homes for those dogs. The focus needs to be on screening for applicants who have a history of abuse, neglect, or demonstrate an inability to care for an animal. We may not always agree on specifics, but as long as we aren't drifting into abuse or neglect we need to be a bit more open minded.

I am some what eclectic when it comes to my dog family. Medically in most ways we are probably more traditional when it comes to medical care. However, both dogs experienced chiro and recently massage as ways of improving their health. That comes from listening and deciding what we feel is in the best interests of our dogs. We try to find the path that will provide them with a high quality of life for as long as possible.

I can respect those feel their dogs need a different path to have that same quality of life option. While I don't always agree with the choices, I've found it interesting to read about the paths others take medically and when you are open to listening you can learn. I think that attitude is even more important in rescue. Rescues may not have the same philosophy as those who apply to rescue, however it is important to be open minded and listen. Not everyone who is different is dangerous. The right person may make different choices, but those may be the right choices for that dog.

Responsible Breeders are Part of the Puppy Mill Solution

Realistically rescues don't serve everyone's needs. If you want to end puppy mills, you need to provide that group with the means to find a responsible, ethical breeder to meet that need. Shaming people so that nobody does more than whisper they got their dog from a breeder or only discusses it in closed areas where they know they won't be harassed is short sighted. If the goal is to end puppy mills than teach people how to avoid them. How do they find that reputable breeder? What questions does one ask? How do you research, check references, understand the health information you are getting, etc. I'm not qualified to write those articles, but there are plenty of people out there in our community who are, but avoid doing so because of the heat they get in return from those who believe rescue is the only way to legitimately acquire a dog.

Rescue is a great option for many people. It isn't for everyone. In today's post I'm going to discuss three of reasons the rules rescues and shelters have for adoption create a need for responsible breeders. The focus of dog rescues should be finding the best forever home for a dog. I'm not disputing that. Nor am I even arguing with the most of the rules. Their experience and resources have made them create the rules. However, these rules often leave a large percentage of people looking for dogs. This means these people will be looking for breeders. You can leave them swinging in the wind and hope they don't end up with a puppy mill or you can choose to educate them and hope they choose a ethical, responsible breeder.

The Rules:

Age restrictions:

Many, not all, shelters restrict adoptions to families with children. The ages I've seen at which they will start adopting to families with children range from 6-12. Recently as I've been researching adoption options I've even noticed restrictions for people who have grandchildren or those who even have children who visit. I get that rescues have their reasons for restricting adoptions with children. This can be a reason for failed adoptions and surrenders. However, most people aren't going to wait until the youngest child reaches middle school to adopt a dog. They will search for an alternative. We can teach people how to find a responsible breeder or risk them finding a puppy mill. I won't argue with the shelters/rescues that want to keep age restrictions in place, but with those restrictions comes a need to educate those families who don't qualify to adopt on how to find a dog from a breeder. Don't assume they will wait because shelters/rescues don't feel comfortable sending their dogs into homes with children.

I was raised in a large family and I don't ever remember not having a dog in the house. Having a dog was a huge part of my childhood and teen years. My brothers and sisters would have been long gone from home, some with families of their own before we'd have qualified to adopt a dog under these restrictions. While it may make sense for the shelters to have these restrictions, if the goal is to end puppy mills, we have to help families who can't meet shelter's age requirements to find a breeder who can help.

Fenced in Yard

I will always be grateful that Bailey's foster Mom agreed to letting us adopt him while we worked on finishing our fenced in yard. It is not a cheap process and while we wanted it done because it is a much easier method for getting our dogs out and exercised, it wasn't something we could do all at once. In fact it was several years before we were able to afford the fence we wanted and now have in place. We started with what we could afford and replaced it as we had more money. However, if she'd been firm on the rule, we'd have missed 13 amazing years with Bailey.

Again I won't argue with the restrictions shelters/rescues place. They have the right to restrict as they choose. However, there are plenty of very happy dogs who are walked, go to dog parks, compete in agility, sports, and lots of other activities that don't have a fenced in yard. These dogs are loved and provide important companionship and support to their owners. The dogs often improve their owner's health because both need to get out and walk. You can't assume dogs are let roam free because a fenced yard is not available. Many responsible pet owners find ways to make it work. This is another group that need education on how to find a responsible breeder to avoid the puppy mill trap.

The other point, rescues don't need to be snarky. I was visiting one site the other day that was rather rude about the whole fence issue. I get it you have limited time to respond to people and you want them to read the directions. However, even having a fenced in yard, with that attitude I didn't want to deal with them. You can be firm and polite. Rudeness doesn't just chase away the people you want to leave it sends away qualified people, too.

Accept if you are going to restrict adoption to people who have fences, these people will search for alternatives.

Own Your Home

In this area I can understand this restriction. It is hard to find dog friendly apartments. It is the reason I waited to get dogs until DH and I had a house. You can find one great landlord, have to move and be stuck. However, even places that will adopt to apartments can make the hoops ridiculous. A pet friendly lease and a letter from the landlord is not always enough. Some want an interview with the landlord. Honestly, I've had landlords I never spoke with during my entire lease and it was a blessing. While some landlords are fine with pets, not all want the hassle of dealing with an in depth interview from a shelter regarding the tenant, the building, etc. Again this is why people in apartments do turn to getting dogs from breeders. Sometimes it is much easier than the hassle of dealing with a shelter.

I restricted this to my top three because it already makes for a long post. Feel free to post your own. I'm not done with this topic. It is time we were honest about promoting rescue where it works, but recognizing that even rescues acknowledge they can't service everyone's needs, thus they create a need for responsible breeders. That is why if we are serious about ending puppy mills we need to have more open discussions about what makes for an ethical healthy breeder.

Wordy Wednesday: Adopt a Dog Month

October is the Humane Society's Adopt a Dog Month and as Bloggers we've been asked to promote adoption. What better advertisement do we have than our own beautiful dogs.

I encourage those of you who have specific needs or interests in a breed or type of dog to look into breed rescue. There are many valid reasons for wanting a specific type of dog and that doesn't necessarily exclude you from rescuing a dog. My goal for this post is to get people who have those needs or interests to consider breed adoption. There are many already advocating for local shelters. However, there is a place for breed rescue, too. It opens the door to those who have a desire for a specific breed and are willing to consider adoption over working with a breeder. Those potential adopters shouldn't be discouraged, shamed, or pushed into considering animals that may not be what they want or need. It is great for people to consider their options, however for those who are committed to finding a certain breed, providing a homeless purebred dog with a home is better than turning people away from adoption and having them seek out a breeder instead.

One thing I'd like to offer as we go through this month is that we find positive, healthy ways to discuss pet adoption. The choice to adopt a homeless pet is an important one. Setting one group against the other is not a great way to encourage people to make new choices. I find all too often when I bring up the topic of breed adoptions I get lots of resistance from those advocating for mixed breed adoptions. There is a place for everyone at the table. However, when you push people to do something they aren't going to do, you just shove them towards finding a breeder. You aren't converting them to consider a mixed breed adoption. There are ways to have a healthy discussion about what people are willing to do. However, in my experience it all to often becomes a hostile discussion that ends with you aren't a real advocate of rescue.

Recently, we were faced with the hard choice of needing to consider bringing another pet into our home as we watch another heading to the Rainbow Bridge. I spoke with a family member who has been a pet owner for years thinking that of all people in my family I could discuss the issue with, she'd be the most open to me working with a breed rescue. After all she has a specific breed of cat that she has used a breeder to get because she likes to raise her cats from kittens. She will not consider another breed of cat. It has to be this specific cat or nothing. I don't judge, we each have our needs. However, when it came time to get a dog, she adopted a mixed breed from a local rescue. I respected that choice, too. Again we all make the choices that work for us. However, when I told her our plan to return to Bailey and Katy's breed rescue she let loose with what to me sounded like a script that comes all to often from people who preach mixed breed rescue. Pure breds aren't rescues. You only rescue when you take a mutt. I should just go to the local rescue and get what they have.

This is just not a productive reaction to people who are choosing adoption over breeders. We are supposed to be advocating adoption. As long as we are using a reputable adoption source that is what should matter. What type of animal the person chooses to adopt is personal. Hopefully if the person is using a reputable rescue that group should help he/she make a choice that is a good fit. There are times when the rescue isn't doing due diligence and then it can help to have a friend who can look with honest eyes and ask the questions a rescue should ask about how this dog fits into the family. However, that needs to be done with respect and sensitivity. The best interest of dog and family should be the point, not your personal feelings about the choice the owner is making.

I do hope breed rescues continue to grow and expand across this country. I know they are not available in all states and regions. Our rescue is a regional breed rescue that covers three states. It would be great if the American Kennel and other dog breed groups would work towards organizing and supporting individual breed rescues across the country. It would provide more opportunities for animals and adopters to connect. People who have specific interests in the breed often find it challenging to find available dogs as they sift through lists of dogs in the area. Breed rescues provide ways for people interested in dogs with specific qualities, characteristics, and abilities to connect. When we go to fundraising events I always enjoy visiting with the breed specific groups to find out more about their groups and how they are advocating for their breeds. The local Dachshund group has the best fundraising booth of any of them at the events we attend twice a year.

Blog Paws is hosting the Hop here.

Beaglemania Book Review

Mom is a obsessive interested reader of mysteries. She reads all kinds including the themed one she took out from the library that she wanted to write about here.

Beaglemania (A Pet Rescue Mystery) gives you the idea that this is the idealized version of what pet rescue should be from the author's perspective. A very wealthy donor funds the rescue. This allows it to have paid employees and unpaid volunteers. The death and mystery is of course thrown in to keep the reader engaged.

Having two rescue dogs, I was interested in a series that educated and entertained at the same time. However, what really bothered me about this book is what is bothering me about a segment of the rescue/shelter movement in general lately, the attitude and the message. There is a wonderful movement out there to educate and inform the public about the need and the benefits of adopting shelter/rescue animals and I fully support it. However, there is a problem in the movement that is doing more harm to the positive message than good. It has to do with control and attitude. I've said it many times, if this message is louder than the positive one about the benefits of adoption, than it will harm the rescue movement in the long run.

In this book, the director Lauren Vancouver is at the heart of shutting down one of the demons of the rescue movement a puppy mill. This should be a no brainer in terms of writing a sympathetic piece. Nobody who loves dogs thinks puppy mills are a good idea. She goes for the obvious victim in murdering a person suspected of abuse associated with a puppy mill, but that still wasn't my main issue with the author's story. This was predictable and made for a rather dull mystery. However, I've read plenty of dull mysteries and walked away thinking perhaps the author might do better on a second try. The problem I had was her idealized vision of a rescue.

I had no problem with the rich donor. Wouldn't we all like to have unlimited pockets so fundraising wasn't a huge problem. It was the attitude about the potential adopters and this is the problem I have with some of the real shelters and rescues. I strongly believe that the welfare and safety of the dogs being placed should ALWAYS be at the heart of the decision made by the rescue/shelter when a dog is adopted. Making a solid placement is important. As much as people may want a dog they are not always financially, physically, mentally, or emotionally able to handle a dog. It is not easy or comfortable to deliver that message to people, but it is a reality that the dog's needs must be first when making a placement. However, there is a difference between meeting the dog's needs and liking the people you place the dog with during an adoption.

Now I'm not talking about a person who is potentially abusive or neglectful. Those issues again fall under the best interests of the dog. I'm talking about the person to person feelings between the applicant and the rescue/shelter. This person has to be a good dog owner, they don't have to be someone you want to have dinner with be best friends with for the rest of your lives. If you have a legitimate concern that the dog will be abused or neglected than that is a real reason to refuse an adoption. If you don't think the dog is a good fit that is a reason to prevent an adoption. However, if the dog is a good fit and there are no barriers to the adoption other than you don't think you'd be friends with the person that is a problem with the shelter/rescue personnel, not the adopter. This is about finding a forever home for the dog where it will be safe, happy, and have its needs met. This is not about finding a new friend for the shelter personnel. This is an issue I have a huge problem with as I listen to people discuss placements. If I know the animal is going to be happy, safe, and well cared for, I don't have to be best friends with the person who is taking the dog. I've seen people make emotional decisions when it comes to placing dogs that have no basis in the best interests of the dogs and it continues to bother me.

I am constantly reading posts or hearing the issue discussed while at rescue events of why people use breeders over adoption. Folks the attitude is one of the problems. When you treat people badly, they aren't comfortable coming back. There is a line between respectfully investigating someone's background to ensure they are going to be a good fit for an adoption and making them feel like they are back in Junior High being judged by the popular kids and being found wanting. We need to examine very carefully what we are asking and why we are asking. Are we uncomfortable with something that will be an issue for the dogs, or would it only be an issue if this adopter was suddenly going to be hanging out at our house every Friday night?

I can think of pet owners I've met over the years that I didn't particularly like on a personal level for a variety of reasons. However, if asked to honestly testify as to the quality of life for the pets, I can think of only a few that I would say based on specific knowledge of how they behave towards the animals in their lives I would not recommend them to have animals. In fact, some people who have made my life miserable are incredibly loving and attentive to their animals. I can think of one person in particular whom I would have to say if called to testify hasn't been terribly nice to most people, but the dog lives a very nice, comfortable life that any rescue should respect. If you judged the adoption solely on how well you got along with this person, they'd likely be a homeless dog right now. Thankfully, someone was able to see beyond the personality issues and make a solid adoption.

This is where I get back to the book. One of the things that struck me and actually made me decide to write the review was the arrogance, which the author actually sees as a positive trait. The rescue in this story is fortunate to have paid and unpaid staff working to evaluate potential adoptions. After an adoption event several adoptions are pending based on the reviews of the staff. However, nothing can be done while Lucy is off solving the mystery, because she has to approve all adoptions. Despite her qualified staff, she has to "feel" the adoptions are right. This was a huge problem for me. She's off and about and people are left hanging because she can't surrender control to people she clearly stated are qualified and able to make these decisions. Ultimately her decisions aren't about the best interests of the dogs, all that has been reviewed by her employees. This is a personal control problem.

While fiction, this isn't a problem stuck in the pages of a book. If we want to encourage more shelter/rescue adoptions, we do have to start being more user friendly. There will be people who aren't qualified. Some will have the resources, but want a dog that is not appropriate for the family or living situation. Those are always frustrating and challenging conversations to have with potential adopters.

However, there are also people who are ready and able to adopt, pass the screenings, and then have problems with a staff member’s personal feelings rather than practical reasons for why an adoption should not happen. There is a big difference between making a decision based on the qualifications of the adopter, the interaction between the dog and the adopter, or the situation of the adopter and personal feelings. The first set are about the best interests of the dog. Forever homes are about making sure an adopter has the resources to care for a dog, the home is an appropriate setting for the dog, and that the dog is a good fit for the adopter. However, the personal issues you have with the adopter should only be an issue IF you can honestly make a case it will damage the potential for a safe, happy, forever home.

As I've said many times the best interests of the dog or any animal should be the primary factor for any placement. It is time we stop using personal feelings as an excuse that prevents viable adoptions.

I want to thank those who are out there and do the hard work. We have had amazing experiences with wonderful people during our two adoptions. That is why it breaks my heart when I do hear people moving rescue in the wrong direction. We want to encourage people to come forward to adopt from shelter/rescues. To do that, we need to help them to understand the process. Making our expectations clear and explaining why we ask the questions we do is a first step forward to making the process more open and user friendly. I fully understand the work is exhausting and it can be hard to focus on customer service when the need is so overwhelming.

Realistically, you can't campaign that people are evil if they don't adopt and then tell them to suck it up and deal with however they are treated when they go to a shelter/rescue because that is the price they pay for doing the right thing. That's just not working.

If you want more participation, you have to become more user friendly. That doesn't mean you change the standards for adoption, but you can clarify your policies in a polite way. I've been to a number of rescue/shelter sites and some are very user friendly and others have a very negative attitude. If you aren't willing to jump through our hoops, well we don't want to deal with you. Well, that might be great if you have a situation where you have lots of adopters and very few animals. Sadly, I remember talking to a woman from a rescue at an event a few years ago and she had a similar attitude. Oddly she was one also was angrily preaching that she couldn't understand why people would use breeders instead of adopting. Somehow, she didn't see a connection between her attitude and people's unwillingness to deal with her to get to the dogs she was trying to help. It doesn't take much to change a website's language from a very unwelcoming, intimidating attitude towards visitors, to having the same standards and requirements explained in a more user friendly, welcoming way. Explaining why you have certain requirements is not unreasonable and it actually may encourage more adoptions if people understand why you are asking and how that makes for a better adoption.

This is a long Blog post, but it is a topic that I feel strongly about fixing.

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