I returned my dog to rescue org and they put her down

[Anonymous]

They killed a healthy dog, like they do for many others, OP.
This is what happens in many supposedly low-skill shelters or rescues. Some of them are staffed by stupid, careless or downright malevolent people. They fudge kill numbers to garner more donations and community support and fire whistleblowers within their ranks.

I've heard all kinds of stories, one of them involving the Humane Alliance in DC.
I've heard about lost pets and rescue pets with adoption papers already filed, being put down anyway.

When you take a good, hard, look at the dog industry, it's sometimes not the puppy mill people that are the worst human beings. Read The Dog Merchants, by Kim Kavin.

[Anonymous]

Let it go. Now be nice to humans. I command you. Go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're required by contract to return the rescue dog to the organization if re-homing is necessary.

And what can they do to you if you do not? Like if you give it to your sister or the kid down the street.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

It is an honor system agreement that does not carry the weight of the paler it is written on.

Besides, how would they know? Are they stalking people?

I would think that once the rescue gives away a dog THEY have no claim to it.

I am sorry OP. That is rotten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You gave up your rights to her. You should have found a home for her.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the OP, but don't most rescues have a "you have to return the animal to us if you can't keep it for whatever reason" clause?

I'd be very upset, OP. I'm sorry.

I think that's only for a certain amount of time after the adoption. A year? 18 months? Something like that.

[Anonymous]

Can't you read? The dog had cancer, she was not a "healthy" dog. I think they did the swiftest and kindest thing possible rather than have her suffer - or worse, adopt her out to some family who would then have to suffer with her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm so sorry and I'd be very sad, but I don't think the rescue organization is at fault here.

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't you read? The dog had cancer, she was not a "healthy" dog. I think they did the swiftest and kindest thing possible rather than have her suffer - or worse, adopt her out to some family who would then have to suffer with her.

OP said she had the area in question tested twice and the results were negative for cancer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't you read? The dog had cancer, she was not a "healthy" dog. I think they did the swiftest and kindest thing possible rather than have her suffer - or worse, adopt her out to some family who would then have to suffer with her.

Not cancer, a cyst. Very different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're required by contract to return the rescue dog to the organization if re-homing is necessary.

After 5 years? OP had the dog for 5 years and then returned her to the rescue.

I'd have to know more about the dog. How old was she? What exactly is the reason OP couldn't keep her? If the dog was over 8 years old, the chances of her actually getting adopted are actually slim, especially if there are health issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't you read? The dog had cancer, she was not a "healthy" dog. I think they did the swiftest and kindest thing possible rather than have her suffer - or worse, adopt her out to some family who would then have to suffer with her.

See? Rescues are staffed with people like PP.
Idiots and morons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, would you consider naming the rescue? We give money to several area groups. I would hate that we are supporting this group. OP did what she was supposed to do. It's in the contract--they want any new owner to have to go through hoops to verify the new home is a good one. I think it's awful they didn't respond to OP. It sounds like they were acting rashly. Sadly, I think that you become a little numb and that there are just so many animals that need help that you go through compassion fatigue when you rescue. But "rescue" is in the title, it's not a kill shelter.

OP wasn't a new owner. She had the dog for 5 years and then decided she couldn't care for the dog any longer. My suspicion is the dog is older, especially if it has fatty lumps. I highly doubt the dog would've been adopted. I don't know why people surrender older dogs to shelters. I actually think the more compassionate thing to do is to have the dog put to sleep yourself. That way, at least the dog doesn't spend his/her last day scared and in a strange place.

[Anonymous]

It's very sad, but try and let it go. You can't go back and change anything. Do what you can to let the people know what they may have done (saying it was cancer when you gave proof it was a cyst) then just let it go.
I don't believe anyone working at a rescue would put a dog down just because they wanted to. I know a PP said they do it for numbers, but I still find that hard to believe, personally. Most who work with animals are animal-lovers. They may have had different technology or different diagnosis than you. They may have had a different result, or a different reason. You'll never know and there's nothing you can do. Just try and grieve an accidental loss and remember the good times, and that your pup went pain-free rather than weeks in a facility to who knows what kind of a situation.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks again. I appreciate the compassion. I also understand those who disagree with my surrendering her. I think I'll keep the org name private, because they are quite big and do very good work, generally.

It is helpful to read your opinions (which is the reason I posted) about what could have been done differently or how others might feel in my shoes. I agree, in most situations, re-homing an older dog is wrong (she was 6 or so). In my case, I felt I had no other choice, and it was not a snap decision. I continue to donate to rescues, and hope one day I will rebound (health-wise) to the point where I can give a warm home to a pack of rescues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks again. I appreciate the compassion. I also understand those who disagree with my surrendering her. I think I'll keep the org name private, because they are quite big and do very good work, generally.

It is helpful to read your opinions (which is the reason I posted) about what could have been done differently or how others might feel in my shoes. I agree, in most situations, re-homing an older dog is wrong (she was 6 or so). In my case, I felt I had no other choice, and it was not a snap decision. I continue to donate to rescues, and hope one day I will rebound (health-wise) to the point where I can give a warm home to a pack of rescues.

And if you get sick again? Do you return those dogs too? These animals are not shoes, you can’t just return them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks again. I appreciate the compassion. I also understand those who disagree with my surrendering her. I think I'll keep the org name private, because they are quite big and do very good work, generally.

It is helpful to read your opinions (which is the reason I posted) about what could have been done differently or how others might feel in my shoes. I agree, in most situations, re-homing an older dog is wrong (she was 6 or so). In my case, I felt I had no other choice, and it was not a snap decision. I continue to donate to rescues, and hope one day I will rebound (health-wise) to the point where I can give a warm home to a pack of rescues.

And if you get sick again? Do you return those dogs too? These animals are not shoes, you can’t just return them.

+1

I am horrified.