Why aren't rescue dogs free?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dogs don’t come to shelters clean, groomed, spayed/neutered, free of worms, up to date on vaccinations. Shelters don’t give adopters dogs who are dirty, matted, flea and tick ridden, unspayed/neutered. How do you think these dogs get transformed? Where do you think the money comes from to provide their care? The cost to neuter my dog was greater than $400.

Adoption fees not only keep shelters solvent, but they discourage people from adopting on a whim, weed out people who couldn’t possibly afford veterinary care, and prevent shady people from adopting dogs to be used in dog fighting.

Except that some do. I adopted an 18 wk old Rottweiler that was surrendered by the previous owner becaues they were afraid of her (first time dog owners should NOT get Rottweilers, and definitely not buy them from Amish puppy mills). The dog had all of her shots, was well fed, everything but spayed as she was too young. The rescue agency contacted me as I've owned previous Rotties and it was on my application. They still charged me $500 for the dog, which I then still had to spay. We only ended up taking her because I was pretty sure she'd have ended up somewhere where she'd get passed around.

That is the very small minority. Surely that's pretty obvious to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rescues are a total scam. A bunch of bored people who want you to fund their hobby of fostering dogs.

I went to the south, walked into a shelter, paid a $50 fee, walked out with a dog — the fee covered the neuter too.

In DC, they wanted me to pay $500 for the privilege of an unannounced home visit and someone to judge my lifestyle and tell me my house isn’t good enough for a rescue dog. Then they didn’t even have as many dogs as cute as the pup I got from the shelter.

Do a road trip down south.

And I can buy a lot of things, like a house, cheaper in the south. So what? Absolutely do a road trip to save a $400-500 fee for transport if that works in your schedule. For most people, the road trip will cost more than that.

[Anonymous]

My free shelter dog fits our family and lifestyle so well, no other dog could ever come close. I didn't believe in angels but he makes me second guess myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rescues are a total scam. A bunch of bored people who want you to fund their hobby of fostering dogs.

I went to the south, walked into a shelter, paid a $50 fee, walked out with a dog — the fee covered the neuter too.

In DC, they wanted me to pay $500 for the privilege of an unannounced home visit and someone to judge my lifestyle and tell me my house isn’t good enough for a rescue dog. Then they didn’t even have as many dogs as cute as the pup I got from the shelter.

Do a road trip down south.

Imagine a guy walked into that shelter an hour before you did and paid $50 for your cute pup and then used it as a bait dog.

This does not happen. I keep reading about bait dogs, but it is not a widespread thing. How many dogfighting rings could there possibly be that they’re getting bait dogs from shelters?

It’s one of those things that has gotten blown up to the point where people think it’s happening on every block. It’s not a thing.

Here you go:
https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/dog-fighting-statistics/#:~:text=Dog%20fighting%20Statistics-,Almost%2040%2C000%20Americans%20Participate%20in%20Dog%20Fighting,(The%20Humane%20Society)

16,000 dogs die annually in the US due to dog fighting

40,000 Americans participate in the dog fighting industry annually

50% of police officers have encountered dog fighting at least once in their careers

Yet 57% of Americans think dog fighting doesn’t happen in their community

Because it doesn't. Per your stats above, only .01% of the population participates in dogfighting. So no, dog fighting does not happen in most of our communities and Americans are correct in their assumptions.

That’s one out of every 10,000 Americans participating in dog fighting. Statistically, that would be 549 people in the DC metropolitan area. Do you think it’s only happening in remote, sparsely populated areas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of money in animal rescue. You can look up the financial records of a lot of non-profits that are in the NOVA area and see how much money....

It is a business don't forget.

Are you saying the people who run rescues are making a nice living from it? (I just need to know how divorced from reality you are)

Just gonna leave this right here: https://www.lostdogrescue.org/about/finance/

This shows that the amount they "made" on adoptions was about the same as the amount they spent on direct animal care (a little more in '22, less in '21) not counting other expenses like insurance.

That is, they did not make a profit on adoption fees.

Is there something in the financial statement that you find objectionable? Just the fact they have assets (from donations) they are not using to make dogs free to adopt?

They pay their head $88K. I run a non-profit and don't get paid.

I assume that's the person's full time job, and $88k is not a high salary in this area. Being a non profit means you aren't making profit driven decisions: it doesn't mean you don't pay your staff.

This is an organization with real estate (kennels), vehicles, volunteers who need to be screened, and live animals that require care indefinitely and could bite. You expect someone to run all that for free on their evenings? Imagine the outcry if a person or animal was hurt from lack of oversight.

Look at their financials. That should not be a nonprofit.

I don't think you understand finances or nonprofits. There's nothing objectionable there. The last few years have been unusually good for fundraising at nearly all 501c3 organizations. What I see when I look at these is an org that has wisely used the windfall to build reserves vs raising expenses to an unsustainable level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rescues are a total scam. A bunch of bored people who want you to fund their hobby of fostering dogs.

I went to the south, walked into a shelter, paid a $50 fee, walked out with a dog — the fee covered the neuter too.

In DC, they wanted me to pay $500 for the privilege of an unannounced home visit and someone to judge my lifestyle and tell me my house isn’t good enough for a rescue dog. Then they didn’t even have as many dogs as cute as the pup I got from the shelter.

Do a road trip down south.

Imagine a guy walked into that shelter an hour before you did and paid $50 for your cute pup and then used it as a bait dog.

This does not happen. I keep reading about bait dogs, but it is not a widespread thing. How many dogfighting rings could there possibly be that they’re getting bait dogs from shelters?

It’s one of those things that has gotten blown up to the point where people think it’s happening on every block. It’s not a thing.

Here you go:
https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/dog-fighting-statistics/#:~:text=Dog%20fighting%20Statistics-,Almost%2040%2C000%20Americans%20Participate%20in%20Dog%20Fighting,(The%20Humane%20Society)

16,000 dogs die annually in the US due to dog fighting

40,000 Americans participate in the dog fighting industry annually

50% of police officers have encountered dog fighting at least once in their careers

Yet 57% of Americans think dog fighting doesn’t happen in their community

Because it doesn't. Per your stats above, only .01% of the population participates in dogfighting. So no, dog fighting does not happen in most of our communities and Americans are correct in their assumptions.

That’s one out of every 10,000 Americans participating in dog fighting. Statistically, that would be 549 people in the DC metropolitan area. Do you think it’s only happening in remote, sparsely populated areas?

Yes, don't be daft. There is no dogfighting in Georgetown, e.g., so it's a safe assumption that Georgetown residents are correct in their assumptions. Dogfighting happens in low income and/or rural areas. If you don't live there, you don't have to worry about it. We had a rescue from a fight camp. Those camps were on the Southside. I know exactly where they were. They were not in the wealthier, more affluent suburbs.

Stop making it out to be more pervasive than it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rescues are a total scam. A bunch of bored people who want you to fund their hobby of fostering dogs.

I went to the south, walked into a shelter, paid a $50 fee, walked out with a dog — the fee covered the neuter too.

In DC, they wanted me to pay $500 for the privilege of an unannounced home visit and someone to judge my lifestyle and tell me my house isn’t good enough for a rescue dog. Then they didn’t even have as many dogs as cute as the pup I got from the shelter.

Do a road trip down south.

Imagine a guy walked into that shelter an hour before you did and paid $50 for your cute pup and then used it as a bait dog.

This does not happen. I keep reading about bait dogs, but it is not a widespread thing. How many dogfighting rings could there possibly be that they’re getting bait dogs from shelters?

It’s one of those things that has gotten blown up to the point where people think it’s happening on every block. It’s not a thing.

Here you go:
https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/dog-fighting-statistics/#:~:text=Dog%20fighting%20Statistics-,Almost%2040%2C000%20Americans%20Participate%20in%20Dog%20Fighting,(The%20Humane%20Society)

16,000 dogs die annually in the US due to dog fighting

40,000 Americans participate in the dog fighting industry annually

50% of police officers have encountered dog fighting at least once in their careers

Yet 57% of Americans think dog fighting doesn’t happen in their community

Because it doesn't. Per your stats above, only .01% of the population participates in dogfighting. So no, dog fighting does not happen in most of our communities and Americans are correct in their assumptions.

That’s one out of every 10,000 Americans participating in dog fighting. Statistically, that would be 549 people in the DC metropolitan area. Do you think it’s only happening in remote, sparsely populated areas?

Yes, don't be daft. There is no dogfighting in Georgetown, e.g., so it's a safe assumption that Georgetown residents are correct in their assumptions. Dogfighting happens in low income and/or rural areas. If you don't live there, you don't have to worry about it. We had a rescue from a fight camp. Those camps were on the Southside. I know exactly where they were. They were not in the wealthier, more affluent suburbs.

Stop making it out to be more pervasive than it is.

Ah, so dog fighting in Kenilworth is too far away from Georgetown to be counted as happening in a Georgetown resident’s community? Even if a Georgetown resident bets money on a fight in Kenilworth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many people complain that there are too many dogs in shelters and people shouldn't buy purebreds when there are perfectly good dogs who may be euthanized.

But then it costs $400 and a home visit to make sure you have a fence to be allowed to adopt.

Wouldn't those shelters be less filled if it's actually easier to adopt?

I don't get it.

When things are free than they usually aren't valued. The national zoo charges $1 a map because they found if free people would liter. Dogs are expensive. If it was free than people who can NOT afford them will adopt and then most likely not be able to care for them.

[Anonymous]

I volunteer at a shelter, and the fees charged barely defray the costs of intake (parasite prevention, bathing, vet checkup, bloodwork for animals with health issues or over a certain age, etc.), spay/neuter surgery, microchipping and maintenance until they're adopted. In fact, without fundraising we'd be operating in the red. The goal is to keep fees reasonable while still trying to help cover costs and (hopefully) ensure that adopters are serious about the decision and the financial implications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of money in animal rescue. You can look up the financial records of a lot of non-profits that are in the NOVA area and see how much money....

It is a business don't forget.

Are you saying the people who run rescues are making a nice living from it? (I just need to know how divorced from reality you are)

Just gonna leave this right here: https://www.lostdogrescue.org/about/finance/

This shows that the amount they "made" on adoptions was about the same as the amount they spent on direct animal care (a little more in '22, less in '21) not counting other expenses like insurance.

That is, they did not make a profit on adoption fees.

Is there something in the financial statement that you find objectionable? Just the fact they have assets (from donations) they are not using to make dogs free to adopt?

They pay their head $88K. I run a non-profit and don't get paid.

Most people can’t afford to work for free. If they do a great job, $88k isn’t that high in this area. It’s admirable you work for free, but that’s not realistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rescues are a total scam. A bunch of bored people who want you to fund their hobby of fostering dogs.

I went to the south, walked into a shelter, paid a $50 fee, walked out with a dog — the fee covered the neuter too.

In DC, they wanted me to pay $500 for the privilege of an unannounced home visit and someone to judge my lifestyle and tell me my house isn’t good enough for a rescue dog. Then they didn’t even have as many dogs as cute as the pup I got from the shelter.

Do a road trip down south.

And I can buy a lot of things, like a house, cheaper in the south. So what? Absolutely do a road trip to save a $400-500 fee for transport if that works in your schedule. For most people, the road trip will cost more than that.

It’s not just saving $500. Rescues in DC only have less desirable breeds like pit bulls or chihuahuas and will guilt you if you say you have other preferences. Southern pounds have everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rescues are a total scam. A bunch of bored people who want you to fund their hobby of fostering dogs.

I went to the south, walked into a shelter, paid a $50 fee, walked out with a dog — the fee covered the neuter too.

In DC, they wanted me to pay $500 for the privilege of an unannounced home visit and someone to judge my lifestyle and tell me my house isn’t good enough for a rescue dog. Then they didn’t even have as many dogs as cute as the pup I got from the shelter.

Do a road trip down south.

And I can buy a lot of things, like a house, cheaper in the south. So what? Absolutely do a road trip to save a $400-500 fee for transport if that works in your schedule. For most people, the road trip will cost more than that.

It’s not just saving $500. Rescues in DC only have less desirable breeds like pit bulls or chihuahuas and will guilt you if you say you have other preferences. Southern pounds have everything.

Rescues in DC bring their dogs up from southern shelters lol. They’re full of pits but also a lot of hounds. I flat out told a rescue we wanted a hound and they were like “great, we’ve got plenty”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rescues are a total scam. A bunch of bored people who want you to fund their hobby of fostering dogs.

I went to the south, walked into a shelter, paid a $50 fee, walked out with a dog — the fee covered the neuter too.

In DC, they wanted me to pay $500 for the privilege of an unannounced home visit and someone to judge my lifestyle and tell me my house isn’t good enough for a rescue dog. Then they didn’t even have as many dogs as cute as the pup I got from the shelter.

Do a road trip down south.

And I can buy a lot of things, like a house, cheaper in the south. So what? Absolutely do a road trip to save a $400-500 fee for transport if that works in your schedule. For most people, the road trip will cost more than that.

It’s not just saving $500. Rescues in DC only have less desirable breeds like pit bulls or chihuahuas and will guilt you if you say you have other preferences. Southern pounds have everything.

Rescues in DC bring their dogs up from southern shelters lol. They’re full of pits but also a lot of hounds. I flat out told a rescue we wanted a hound and they were like “great, we’ve got plenty”

PP adding that a lot of those shelters are kill shelters. DC rescues take the dogs, get them spayed/neutered and give a first round of shots, then transport up here for adoption. All of this is what you are paying for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of money in animal rescue. You can look up the financial records of a lot of non-profits that are in the NOVA area and see how much money....

It is a business don't forget.

Are you saying the people who run rescues are making a nice living from it? (I just need to know how divorced from reality you are)

Just gonna leave this right here: https://www.lostdogrescue.org/about/finance/

This shows that the amount they "made" on adoptions was about the same as the amount they spent on direct animal care (a little more in '22, less in '21) not counting other expenses like insurance.

That is, they did not make a profit on adoption fees.

Is there something in the financial statement that you find objectionable? Just the fact they have assets (from donations) they are not using to make dogs free to adopt?

They pay their head $88K. I run a non-profit and don't get paid.

You have a wealthy spouse and a hobby job.

[Anonymous]

It's easier just to go further south and go to a shelter to find a dog.