I hate the Humane Society

[netmilsmom]

Having volunteered at the Humane Society of Collier County, FL for more than three years, 20 hours a week. Many of the policies mentioned here are enforced at many shelters. The shelters I am most familiar with make a supreme effort to place a dog (I never worked with cats) in a home that will be permanent. This included being sure that the lifestyle of the family suited a particular breed. Everyone loves a cute little puppy, the kids want it, and the parents get it with the attitude, many times, of we can bring it back if it doesn’t work out.

It is always good to remember that dogs are turned in at a shelter for many different reasons. Not every dog can be rehomed. As many of you know, I have bred and shown dogs for more than 35 years, and I pride myself in knowing quite a lot about dogs in general and breeds in particular. Many good shelters have temperament testing to assess the temperament of the dog. Liability wise, they cannot afford to place a dog with a suspect temperament in a family. You would not believe the reasons why dogs are surrendered: it got too big, it nipped the kids. These are perfectly good reasons to carefully select a new home for a dog. Some dogs do get big–you should know that before you adopt. Some dogs nip, generally they are herding dogs that were bred to corral the sheep.

I’m sorry the OP had a bad experience at a shelter, but I hope she understands that the shelter is looking out for the welfare of the animal. You’d be surprised how many dogs get adopted by one member of the family and it comes back two days later because some other family member did not want it.

The shelter is looking so far out for the welfare of the animals in their care that they are perpetuating home breeding, puppy mills and petshops. That’s where they are driving me. But what do they care? Those unwanted animals come to them at 25 bucks a pop to be resold to those that have jumped through enough hoops for 100.

This is a major scam. Period.

Our puppy is going to come from a nice home, where they have been well loved by a family that I can meet hopefully with a bunch of kids, never hit a cold dark cage and have a forever home with us. And while I really would prefer not to buy a pure bred, I will go for a rescue and I don’t care how much I pay. They will never get my money after changing the rules in midstream. I somehow know that, my hubby could have come in, with cash and the documentation they wanted and there still would have been some reason that we couldn’t have her.

 

[netmilsmom]

We went to that same Humane Society (the one on 22 right?) .

Yup, that’s the one.
Where is the county shelter?

 

[mary_bobo]

The shelter is looking so far out for the welfare of the animals in their care that they are perpetuating home breeding, puppy mills and petshops. That’s where they are driving me. But what do they care? Those unwanted animals come to them at 25 bucks a pop to be resold to those that have jumped through enough hoops for 100.

This is a major scam. Period.

Our puppy is going to come from a nice home, where they have been well loved by a family that I can meet hopefully with a bunch of kids, never hit a cold dark cage and have a forever home with us. And while I really would prefer not to buy a pure bred, I will go for a rescue and I don’t care how much I pay. They will never get my money after changing the rules in midstream. I somehow know that, my hubby could have come in, with cash and the documentation they wanted and there still would have been some reason that we couldn’t have her.

I can understand how you feel. I am not familiar with shelters that pay for dogs and then “sell” them. The shelters that I know about enough to speak with some authority do not pay for dogs. The fee they charge includes a vet exam, bring the dog up to date on vaccinations, test for heartworms and finally, spaying or neutering. I am sorry you had a bad experience, but please do not condemn all shelters. Believe me, they are not all alike.

And don’t ever buy a puppy from a pet shop. They are raised in puppy mills and are often in very poor health. There are lots of breed rescues that are looking for appropriate homes for dogs. I know the parent club in my breed has a very active rescue. The dogs that come to us live with a club member so that the temperament can be assessed. This is done in order to put it in the right hands. Some dogs have been so traumatized that they become fear biters and I’m sure you don’t want one of those.

Many wonderful pets come from shelters. I could only caution that you do your homework about their rules and regulations and the reason for them before you condemn them. I don’t know whether this applies to the shelter you went to–so just a thought.

 

[rayne89]

Yup, that’s the one.
Where is the county shelter?

macombcountymi.gov/publichealth/map_animal.htm

 

[Faith1960]

Okay, my good friend was on officer with the Humane Soc for many years… so, I can give you what I’ve seen/heard.

The volunteers at the HS have seen more neglect and abuse of animals than you can imagine. Things that would make you so angry or ill or both - I’ve seen my friend sit up for days with rescued animals, I’ve seen photos that give me nightmares. Those people have seen everything, I promise you, everything.

For the puropse of putting these creatures in a good loving forever home, they are very strict when it comes for placement. Some rescue agencies require you to bring in a letter from your vet, references and will come and inspect your home. They tend to discourage “impulse” adoptions, and when someone walks in and decides to walk out with a puppy AND a kitten it threw up a red flag that this might be such. Then, when it looks like your husband was not aware, that threw up another red flag.

Those volunteers have seen many animals either returned or neglected because once fluffy came home, daddy was not welcoming.

Think of this as an adpotion agency, and the agency works in the best interest of the adoptee based on the evidence they have in front of them.

Call back and see what you can arrange about adopting that puppy/kitty. If they are gone, believe me, there is never a shortage of adoptable puppies and kitties in this world!

My advice, if you have your heart set on a pet, pick out the vet you will use - go to that vet and tell them you are considerng adopting and that he/she will be your family vet. Ask if they could write you a letter that you have arranged veternairy care for the new pet (in fact, by asking, you should be able to find out which of your local vets work with the humane society).

Next, get the supplies you will need (collar, lease, training book and pet carrier). When you go back to the humane society, bring your letter and your supplies with you. This assures those people that you are prepared to take on the responsibility of being “forever” families to a new pet, or two

That’s all very good advice. I agree with you, I think the OPs Humane Society were just being cautious due to the horrible things they’ve seen. Since they didn’t know the OP, there’s no way they’d know she and her family love animals and would be a loving family to their newest members. Your advice is good but I’d also suggest placing a call ASAP, asking them to hold the puppy and kitten, maybe paying for the adoption until she can obtain and bring a letter of recommendation from her vet.

 

[whatevergirl]

Okay everyone, I have to vent and this is the place I’ve come.
I really hope that someone can talk some sense into me but right at this moment I would be willing to say I will NEVER donate another penny to the Humane Society and I hope that no one else will either.

We have been thinking about a puppy. We want a nice little doggie to be a friend to my kids and a companion when the world gets rough. I’ve had animals all my adult life. I had a kitty for 19 years and a dog for 14. We had a set of cats in our marriage and my girls loved them. Now they are gone, sadly.

So we thought it might be a good time to look. After Spanish class today we stopped at the Humane Society. We had been there on Saturday as they closed so decided to stop today.
One lady was very nice and discussed price with us then pointed us to the animals. The kitties were lovely and one little white one was perfect. As we talked to her, a woman walked by with a little brown puppy. I asked if that puppy was up for adoption and she ignored me.

We socialized with another lady and actually talked her into a small cat. In the meantime, a gentleman was washing the floors and we asked him if the puppy was going to be available. He said yes! and that we should wait, so we did.

After seeing the darling, we decided that we would take her. My girls were in love!!! The puppy was from a home with a small girl but the dad lost custody of the girl and gave up the dog. How perfect!

So, out to the front we go, charge card in hand. After being told by the staff that they would take the card, another woman gave me a paper to fill out and said, cash only. Fair enough. Then she asked if my hubby knew that we were getting the dog. Well no because he didn’t know we were going there. They asked about other animals and such.

Well to make a long story even longer, she heard me call my hubby who was surprised that we had stopped but said to get the dog and also the white kitten so they could grow up together.

We walked back in and the woman pulled me into another room. She said that because I called my husband and they weren’t sure I convinced him, he would have to come in BUT they closed at 3:00 so he would not be out of work. THEN they wanted proof that I had my cats neutered. From 1999! In another city!

Needless to say, this puppy will be gone by Saturday when my hubby can get back. I walked out with two hysterical kids. I even volunteered to pay the fee if they would hold the puppy. No go.

They may call themselves the humane society, but that is just for animals and not for humans.
THANKS “Humane” Society.

Perhaps, since the dog had to leave its home already, the woman at the HS didn’t want to see you bringing the dog back, should your husband not fully want the dog…like he wasn’t there to fully experience the moment,bla bla…but, I can see where you’d be upset. (and your kids, too) But, I think their main concern is for animals, because that’s what they do…people that have either dumped their animals…or ‘humane’ people who have given them up willingly for whatever reason…this organization wants to ensure their stability. I understand all sides of this…I didn’t read through your entire thread. But, what is going to happen next?

What I don’t get, is why they couldn’t hold the dog if you paid the fee?? That’s kinda strange. I bought a few cats from the HS, and come to think of it…I didn’t have to ‘buy’ them…as long as I gave a donation that was fine. Things have changed there I see!

 

[Faith1960]

I used to think, well they are doing wonderful things, but now I think, so is the rescue up the street. I’m going to probably get a “rescued” dog and forget the puppy idea.

We currrently have two purebreds but my husband and I have been talking about adopting our next furbaby from either the Humane Society, ASPCA or a rescure group. Our Humane Society and ASPCA seem to be very good. The more I’ve been thinking about this, the more I think we should save a dog or puppy who’s been abandoned or in need of a home rather than adopt from people who try to profit from breeding dogs.

 

[Viki59]

We got a wonderful one year old dog from a woman who cares for dogs for a rescue organization. He had been taken to the pound by his owner, escaped, and was hit by a car, but made his way back to his owner. She thought it was funny and was going to return him to the pound, when her neighbor intervened, took him to a vet, and turned him over to a rescue woman. (God bless her!)
We found him on the internet, had to drive 40 miles to pick him up but he has been the best dog ever. When they are a little older, and have lived in someone’s home for awhile so their personality can be assessed, and have reached their adult size, it seems to make it work out better. No surprises.

Re: adoption –
I don’t like calling it adoption when it’s a pet. You can, if all else fails, return a pet, but you would never (hopefully) return a child. Even if things go terribly wrong and the child has to live in a special facility, he remains part of your family. I don’t want my kids to think their adoptions could be temporary.

 

[netmilsmom]

That’s all very good advice. I agree with you, I think the OPs Humane Society were just being cautious due to the horrible things they’ve seen. Since they didn’t know the OP, there’s no way they’d know she and her family love animals and would be a loving family to their newest members. Your advice is good but I’d also suggest placing a call ASAP, asking them to hold the puppy and kitten, maybe paying for the adoption until she can obtain and bring a letter of recommendation from her vet.

I told them I was willing to pay for the puppy immediately and if they didn’t like the way my husband looked or something, they could keep the 30 dollars.

No holds, no way.

This whole thing would have been fine if they were willing to hold the puppy until Saturday. They had only two puppies. I think that’s why.

 

[TrishaW]

The Humane Society is a non-profit shelter, that strives for non-kill (that is the reason, through private donations, they try to save mangled legs and heartworm infected animals). hsus.org/.

There is also the ASPCA www.aspca.org. Not sure if they kill or not.

If I’m not mistaken, it is up to each individual ASPCA whether to euthanize or not.

The girls still want the puppy but knowing that this was one of two puppies in the shelter, when Dad goes on Saturday, she will be gone.

We are going to try, but there is a reason why this pup didn’t work out for us. God will work it out or we will get a better pup.

As I tell my girls, God doesn’t give you what you want, He gives you what you need.
and maybe a little old lady, much more in need of a friend than us, is meant to get her.

I think you have the right attitude, and I firmly agree that everything happens for a reason.

I think your idea of getting a pet fromr rescue is wonderful. It probably won’t be a puppy, but you’ll never find a more loving animal than one who finally finds a loving home to be in.

Good luck!

Trish

 

[Jennifer_J]

Having volunteered at the Humane Society of Collier County, FL for more than three years, 20 hours a week. Many of the policies mentioned here are enforced at many shelters. The shelters I am most familiar with make a supreme effort to place a dog (I never worked with cats) in a home that will be permanent. This included being sure that the lifestyle of the family suited a particular breed. Everyone loves a cute little puppy, the kids want it, and the parents get it with the attitude, many times, of we can bring it back if it doesn’t work out.

It is always good to remember that dogs are turned in at a shelter for many different reasons. Not every dog can be rehomed. As many of you know, I have bred and shown dogs for more than 35 years, and I pride myself in knowing quite a lot about dogs in general and breeds in particular. Many good shelters have temperament testing to assess the temperament of the dog. Liability wise, they cannot afford to place a dog with a suspect temperament in a family. You would not believe the reasons why dogs are surrendered: it got too big, it nipped the kids. These are perfectly good reasons to carefully select a new home for a dog. Some dogs do get big–you should know that before you adopt. Some dogs nip, generally they are herding dogs that were bred to corral the sheep.

I’m sorry the OP had a bad experience at a shelter, but I hope she understands that the shelter is looking out for the welfare of the animal. You’d be surprised how many dogs get adopted by one member of the family and it comes back two days later because some other family member did not want it.

This jumped out at me, since I just posted that’s why we had to surrender or much beloved dog. I sat in the parking lot and cried, I took him in and cried, I went back out and cried and the children cried for days, even though he scared them. I also will tell you we did obedience classes (puppy kindergarten and obedience level 2) so that this dog would be well trained. When I was at the end of my rope the HS trainer said, maybe he’s not the right dog for your family. Even if you do the research, do the training, sometimes you just don’t know about a puppy from the Humane Society. You don’t know its parents, you don’t know it’s early experience and you don’t know that it’s going to want to constantly want to be head puppy of your 5 children (thus knocking them down, humping them, biting them, etc). To a certain extent I blame the HS for telling me the puppy wouldn’t be bigger than 50 lbs (the vet laughed when we suggested this), tops, that the breed would be great for us (black lab, coon hound mix, he was beautiful!!!) and we took the puppy without much effort. I’m thankful the trainer from the HS recommended we bring him back. She made sure he went to a wonderful home with a older, active couple with no children on land. Just what he needed. I’ll admit to doing more research this time around and we got a puppy much more suited to our family. So please don’t put all the blame on those of us who NEEDED to surrender a dog we thought was perfect for us–we put alot of time and money into our Hilo and I still miss him. There are TONS of things you don’t know about the circumstances and I don’t think putting my children in danger was a good choice. Finding him a good home was important. The HS does us all a disservice when they make it too easy or too hard to get a pet. There needs to be balance and honesty on the part of everyone involved.

Jennifer

 

[masondoggy]

And don’t ever buy a puppy from a pet shop. They are raised in puppy mills and are often in very poor health. There are lots of breed rescues that are looking for appropriate homes for dogs. I know the parent club in my breed has a very active rescue. The dogs that come to us live with a club member so that the temperament can be assessed. This is done in order to put it in the right hands. Some dogs have been so traumatized that they become fear biters and I’m sure you don’t want one of those.

I agree with the other posts who said that rescue/shelter organization’s strict rules are really pushing people to buy from backyard breeders and pet shops instead. It’s becoming common for (especially breed rescue groups) to want to do extremely intrusive background checks like credit checks, banking info. etc. Most people will just walk away. I will not give out my financial info. in order to get a dog. Period.

Although I would never buy from a pet shop, I won’t think twice about getting a pet from a “backyard breeder”. I’m not about to be put under a microscope and run through the ringer and then told I’m not “fit” to be a pet owner, in order to get a dog or cat.

I think if these organizations ever want to put a stop to puppy mills backyard breeding, they might want to lax their rules a little bit. All they are doing is sending the business in the wrong direction.

 

[masondoggy]

This jumped out at me, since I just posted that’s why we had to surrender or much beloved dog. I sat in the parking lot and cried, I took him in and cried, I went back out and cried and the children cried for days, even though he scared them. I also will tell you we did obedience classes (puppy kindergarten and obedience level 2) so that this dog would be well trained. When I was at the end of my rope the HS trainer said, maybe he’s not the right dog for your family. Even if you do the research, do the training, sometimes you just don’t know about a puppy from the Humane Society. You don’t know its parents, you don’t know it’s early experience and you don’t know that it’s going to want to constantly want to be head puppy of your 5 children (thus knocking them down, humping them, biting them, etc). To a certain extent I blame the HS for telling me the puppy wouldn’t be bigger than 50 lbs (the vet laughed when we suggested this), tops, that the breed would be great for us (black lab, coon hound mix, he was beautiful!!!) and we took the puppy without much effort. I’m thankful the trainer from the HS recommended we bring him back. She made sure he went to a wonderful home with a older, active couple with no children on land. Just what he needed. I’ll admit to doing more research this time around and we got a puppy much more suited to our family. So please don’t put all the blame on those of us who NEEDED to surrender a dog we thought was perfect for us–we put alot of time and money into our Hilo and I still miss him. There are TONS of things you don’t know about the circumstances and I don’t think putting my children in danger was a good choice. Finding him a good home was important. The HS does us all a disservice when they make it too easy or too hard to get a pet. There needs to be balance and honesty on the part of everyone involved.

Jennifer

I know exactly what you mean. I had to surrender my German Shepherd ( Mason) because of stranger aggression issues. He got out one day and attacked my neighbor. It was devastating for me but I had no choice. Not only could we not keep a dog like that, but if we had kept him she would have sued us. We’re lucky that we had a good relationship with her and she didn’t want to sue us. But we could not expect her to continue living next door to the dog that attacked her.

At the time I participated on a German Shepherd messageboard and when I posted on there what happened and that we had made the decision to put him to sleep, you would not believe the flames that came my way! As far as those people were concerned, that dog should have come first before the well-being of my family, before my kids, before my neighbors safety and I was a horrible person for even considering putting him to sleep.

(We ended up finding a trainer to take him and didn’t have to put him to sleep.)

So, not everybody surrenders their pet because they just don’t care. Some people have no choice and it is a devastating experience for them. Unfortunately, sometimes it just doesn’t work out and we must move on and stop judging people.

 

[newf]

I know exactly what you mean. I had to surrender my German Shepherd ( Mason) because of stranger aggression issues. He got out one day and attacked my neighbor.

So, not everybody surrenders their pet because they just don’t care. Some people have no choice and it is a devastating experience for them.

You did exactly the right thing, masondoggy.

Because you don’t exactly know what you are getting from the humane society, I recommend getting a dog from a breeder. I was interviewed by my breeder, she wanted to be sure I knew what I was getting myself into acquiring a dog that weighs more than me. And she has always been available for me to call and ask how to handle certain situations. I have a contract with her that says she will accept my dog back if there is any reason I can’t live with him anymore. See, she is as committed to the well being of the dog as I am. It is a pleasure to work with a good breeder.

 

[Faith1960]

I told them I was willing to pay for the puppy immediately and if they didn’t like the way my husband looked or something, they could keep the 30 dollars.

No holds, no way.

This whole thing would have been fine if they were willing to hold the puppy until Saturday. They had only two puppies. I think that’s why.

Then maybe it wasn’t meant to be. You’ll find another wonderful pet who needs a good home elsewhere. There’s a puppy out there just waiting for you and your family to walk in and take him or her home. :bounce:

 

[Faith1960]

You did exactly the right thing, masondoggy.

Because you don’t exactly know what you are getting from the humane society, I recommend getting a dog from a breeder. I was interviewed by my breeder, she wanted to be sure I knew what I was getting myself into acquiring a dog that weighs more than me. And she has always been available for me to call and ask how to handle certain situations. I have a contract with her that says she will accept my dog back if there is any reason I can’t live with him anymore. See, she is as committed to the well being of the dog as I am. It is a pleasure to work with a good breeder.

We’ve done both; gotten puppies from the Humane Society and from breeders. Both have advantages and disadvantages but I feel that there are so many puppies out there who need good homes that the next time we want to help one of them.

 

[Faith1960]

We got a wonderful one year old dog from a woman who cares for dogs for a rescue organization. He had been taken to the pound by his owner, escaped, and was hit by a car, but made his way back to his owner. She thought it was funny and was going to return him to the pound, when her neighbor intervened, took him to a vet, and turned him over to a rescue woman. (God bless her!)
We found him on the internet, had to drive 40 miles to pick him up but he has been the best dog ever. When they are a little older, and have lived in someone’s home for awhile so their personality can be assessed, and have reached their adult size, it seems to make it work out better. No surprises.
.

What kind of dog is he?

 

[Faith1960]

At the risk of sounding a little overly sensitive, it bothers me to compare the Humane Society or shelters to “adoption agencies”. When I was a kid we “got” a pet, not “adopted” one. It’s probably just me being a teeny, weeny bit defensive—being an adoptive mom and all…

I’m sorry if calling it “adopting” upsets you but I really don’t know of anything else to call it. I feel that calling the addition of a loving pet into our home as “buying” him or her is too harsh and likens the pet to an inanimate object to be bought or sold, which they aren’t. They’re loving, interactive beings that bring so much to our home that there’s no other way to describe it besides “adopting.”

 

[TrishaW]

I agree with the other posts who said that rescue/shelter organization’s strict rules are really pushing people to buy from backyard breeders and pet shops instead. It’s becoming common for (especially breed rescue groups) to want to do extremely intrusive background checks like credit checks, banking info. etc. Most people will just walk away. I will not give out my financial info. in order to get a dog. Period.

Although I would never buy from a pet shop, I won’t think twice about getting a pet from a “backyard breeder”. I’m not about to be put under a microscope and run through the ringer and then told I’m not “fit” to be a pet owner, in order to get a dog or cat.

I think if these organizations ever want to put a stop to puppy mills backyard breeding, they might want to lax their rules a little bit. All they are doing is sending the business in the wrong direction.

I know it can be frustrating and intrusive being checked out so much, but you have to look at it from their point of view as well.

I can only speak for the pug rescue group here because I’ve worked with them in the past. When they take in a dog with medical problems, they incur the costs. They also take a lot of time to assess behavior. Many times they actually lose a lot of money taking these dogs in. So handing the dog over to someone who is unwilling or unable to take the responsibility of pet ownership/vet bills/housetraining, etc. just to have that person turn around and bring the dog back only adds to the problem.

I’m not saying that pet adoptions should be as rigorous as child adoptions, but they should definitely not be handed out to anyone who happens to think they’re ready for a dog. Certain breeds have quirks that people think they can deal with, but then find out they can’t once they’re home.

Pugs, for example (since that’s what I have ) shed A LOT all year round. They are also like having a 2 year old in the house because they CONTSTANTLY want attention. They are also notoriously difficult to housetrain. People hear things like that and think that it’s no big deal, but if you’re not ready for a full-time responsibility, it just won’t work.

OK, I’m off the soap box now. I just adore dogs!!!

God bless,

Trish

 

[mary_bobo]

I agree with the other posts who said that rescue/shelter organization’s strict rules are really pushing people to buy from backyard breeders and pet shops instead. It’s becoming common for (especially breed rescue groups) to want to do extremely intrusive background checks like credit checks, banking info. etc. Most people will just walk away. I will not give out my financial info. in order to get a dog. Period.

Although I would never buy from a pet shop, I won’t think twice about getting a pet from a “backyard breeder”. I’m not about to be put under a microscope and run through the ringer and then told I’m not “fit” to be a pet owner, in order to get a dog or cat.

I think if these organizations ever want to put a stop to puppy mills backyard breeding, they might want to lax their rules a little bit. All they are doing is sending the business in the wrong direction.

Here, again, I do not know of any breed rescue, sponsored by the parent club of the breed, who ask for any financial info. If one did from you, was it a national breed rescue? I have bred and shown dogs for forty years and have placed some beautiful puppies with wonderful families. As someone else mentioned, I am always available to my “puppy people” to answer questions and give advice. I stay in touch by sending Christmas cards and more often than not I get a card back with an update on the dog as well pictures. I would never tell anyone they are not fit to have a dog, but I do screen my buyers carefully. My breed is not for everyone, lots of people could not live with their personalities. I always meet the prospective buyers before I sell a dog and suggest different breeds if I don’t feel they are not ready for a terrier.

You can’t educate people about puppy mills and back yard breeders if they don’t want to be educated. Most BYB are doing so to make money. They frequently do not know anything about the background of the parents and they do not know of any health issues that may be there. They do not have a contract with a buyer that offers a reasonable out for the buyer should the dog not work out. 9i.e. I have flown as far as 1200 miles to buy back a dog that I bred because the family did not want it anymore. I bred it, I am responsible for it throughout its life) That is not the case with honest breeders who care about the breed, about keeping it healthy, maintaining the integrety of the breed, etc. Most carefully choose the dogs they breed to get the best temperaments and health that they can get.

I think many of the rescue groups just want to know that the dog will have a good forever home, and that they can afford the health care involved in owning a dog. There may be groups that ask for financial info, but I don’t know any. The HS I am most familiar with asks if you have owned a dog before, and what happened to it. The ask how many other pets they have and how long a time will the dog be left by itself. I don’t think those are unreasonable questions. They absolutely do not ask for personal financial info.

Finally, to the poster who is offended by the term “adoption” with respect to a dog, no insult was intended and no intent to marginalize the adoption of a child. That is just the way the shelters refer to it and if you see adds for getting a dog, you will see that many of them tell you to adopt a dog. Bob Barker has been doing it for years. Sorry if I offended.