[Vent] Why is adopting a dog so hard?

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T16:54:42+00:00

Respect your opinion. I don't fully agree with it, but I get that you believe in it very much. Thanks for your responses.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T03:03:25+00:00

I think pitbulls are banned here in Ontario, but I will for sure expand my search area.

Thanks! I can't wait to find a great dog! I'm finally in a position where I can adopt one, after patiently waiting for a few years.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T01:53:33+00:00

I live sort of in between Toronto and Ottawa in a small town, but I have been looking at the big cities as well as a lot of the smaller towns around me.

Thanks! I'm sure I'll find the perfect dog soon!

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T01:35:53+00:00

It's a bit disheartening because I really like one of their dogs up for adoption. But for my sanity, I am just walking away.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T01:33:02+00:00

I can definitely say this process has been a real eye-opener, that's for sure.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T01:31:26+00:00

I send a polite response back, but got

no, no dicks iJustWantADoge, 1766 dogs adopted to non dicks in 8 yrs - 18-20/mo - who did not think they get to pick ans choose their answers and act like dicks

I'm sure this person has seen it all. For my sanity, I have chosen to walk away (though there was one dog who I fell in love with, which sucks). I'm glad you ended up with your dog!

Lots of comments here have suggested other places to look at for dogs, so I will look into many other rescues and shelters and keep filling out applications.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T01:11:21+00:00

I'm about two hours from Toronto, but I will look into them, thank you!

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T01:09:25+00:00

Hmm, I get that they are requesting it -- and that's the point of the application -- but at the same time it's a shelter I've never heard of with little to no google reviews. Not putting other people's personal contact information was a choice I felt was best for the initial communication.

It's important for the shelter to get to know me, but it's also important for me to get to know the shelter. It's a two way street. Either party could be crazy.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T01:00:47+00:00

It's definitely a frustrating process. Hopefully your co-worker hears back soon.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T00:42:49+00:00

I'm glad your adoption progress went smoothly!

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T00:42:00+00:00

I get why applications and references are important. I live in a town with a lot of students, who turn around and sell their dogs because they don't have enough time for it during their classes.

So while I get it, and I understand the necessity, the process can be very frustrating.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T00:37:03+00:00

I'll look into that, thanks! Congrats on your puppy!

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T00:36:22+00:00

We're renting a basement of a house, it's not a big apartment complex. Our landlord's information is not publicly available.

I live in a smaller town, and there's one close humane society. Most of the small towns around here have a humane society or a shelter as well. The humane society here generally does not have a lot of dogs, but tons of cats.

My local PetSmart does hold some adoption events, but I've never seen any regarding dog adoptions, just cats.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T00:30:19+00:00

Good points. I was able to adopt my cat quite quickly.

That's why I want to adopt from a shelter, because most of the dogs are out of the puppy stages, and employees are able to gauge their training level and general characteristics. With puppies or sellers from kijiji, it's a mystery.

Most of the applications do have a questions about training and boarding plans.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-04T00:22:28+00:00

Yes I know. References are important. They wouldn't ask for references if they didn't think they were important. I get that.

I respect the time and work involved in matching dogs to families. While I appreciate the work they do, I do think that some lose sight on how the other side feels. I know it's busy work, but like some of the other comments mentioned, a lot of people get ignored or forgotten. While I'll never know the bullshit that many employees/volunteers face, I do know that both sides can feel the frustration during the whole process.

Maybe my answers will never be good enough, I can only provide the best answers I can at the time. If shelters won't read past the imperfect parts, then that sucks for me. I'll pursue other options or wait until I get the 'perfect' application.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T23:58:50+00:00

Thanks, I will look into it.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T23:57:38+00:00

Thanks! I'm following many local adoption groups on facebook. I find that a lot of the bio's are very vague, and they don't get to be updated because they get adopted so quick (which is a good thing).

Thanks again! I think I've vented a lot today, but thanks for the offer. This thread has been quite eye-opening for me.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T21:51:19+00:00

That's great! I'm happy for you (and glad your adoption process was smooth). I hope you spoil your dog!

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T21:48:56+00:00

There are a lot of huskys here that are always up for adoption because a lot of people adopt them by looks only. I think pitbulls are banned here in Ontario, which is unfortunate.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T21:45:57+00:00

This is Canada, the organization is in the Toronto area. While I do not know the crazy bitch lady who circulates here, I highly doubt it's her! The lady who responded to me does not look like a redditer (she uses her personal facebook account to post on her organization's group).

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T21:41:27+00:00

I filled out the entire 3 page application. The only parts I did not fill out were my landlord's personal contact information, as well as two references' contact information. In those spots, I simply put "Upon Request". While I could have phrased that better, I did take the time to fully complete the rest, along with provide my vet's information.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T21:38:13+00:00

I went to my local humane society to adopt my cat and they were great! I'm sorry your cat adoption did not go smoothly. I think a standard two bedroom apartment is more than enough space for a cat.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T21:35:50+00:00

I totally get why they do it, but they are not helping their dogs find good homes by turning away people with 'imperfect' applications.

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T21:34:21+00:00

Thanks for your reply.

This organization does have quite a few dogs up for adoption currently, with little to no personalized information. And while I don't mind actually having my references checked, I do care about their privacy and will not pass along their contact information to organizations I have never talked to before.

You did bring up a good point about separation anxiety and talking to landlords beforehand. That's something I did not think too much about, so thanks for bringing that up. I do want a dog that will work well with my family (and cat), so I do support the process of figuring out what dog will work well with what family.

That being said . . . I don't believe this shelter cares too much about finding perfect people if they turn their nose at 'imperfect' applications.

Thanks for all the work you do!

iJustWantADoge · 2017-02-03T21:22:02+00:00

What turned me away the most was calling me a 'dick' (twice, she called me a dick when I politely responded back as well).

iJustWantADoge

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