Why is it so hard to adopt a dog in the DC area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having worked for rescues, if you're not willing to fill out some paperwork, then you're not ready to have a dog. People really bristle about the home visits, but I have done them. It's mainly to make sure it's not a hoarding, dog bait or anything else that's crazy. Please don't clean your home for me or get stressed about it. The only thing that may possibly get checked is the fence, depending on the rescue. So, from my perspective, it's not really a bunch of hoops to jump through given the time commitment.
I'm always surprised people say it's hard to adopt. I could have brought home 200 animals by now. I have multiple kids and no fence and no issue finding people to adopt to me. The breed specific rescues are often more stringent. k9 lifesavers, Wolf Trap (mostly puppies), Lost Dog - the ones who bring up dogs from the south and have mutts or various breeds - are usually more relaxed.
Good luck! Please stick with it.If you are more specific about what breed or size of dog, maybe we can help you.

I work in animal welfare - and honestly, that justification gets real old. Putting up barriers to adoption, then telling people they aren't committed enough for not jumping those barriers, is why we still have so many pets dying in shelters. And those barriers by and large do not lead to better outcomes. It really turns people off adoption, too.

I have 6 kids, 2 dogs, a ton of extracurricular activities and still find time to do the home visits as a volunteer. The excuses get old, too. If you really can't find a half hour to do a home visit, then a dog isn't right for you. Organizations aren't trying to waste their own time, either. They are trying to look out for the best interest of the animals and prevent them from being shuffled around. Whether or not you think home visits help is only up to you if you are in charge of a rescue organization. In the time you've spent on this thread, you probably could have filled out the paperwork required to adopt a dog. Just sayin.

I really do understand what you're saying. This happens to be my field, and I've read all the research - which shows that home visits don't really predict who will be a good pet owner. I'm not going to fight with you about it, though (we fight about this enough in our field, don't we? I'm sure you have opinions about Clear The Shelters, too - and it's probably different from my opinion). Anyway, thank you for volunteering - it makes a big difference.

^ also I am not the OP so I was responding to the thread and it did not take away time from filling out an application (it took time away from my paid job, which I am very good at procrastinating on).

[Anonymous]

People say this over and over again, and yet I have adopted dogs easily from two area shelters - the Animal Welfare Leagues of Arlington and Alexandria. They WANT to help you find an animal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not all of the shelters and rescues in the area make it difficult! Humane Rescue Alliance prides itself on being friendly to adopters - and so do the other local shelters:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2018/02/02/millions-of-dogs-need-homes-why-is-it-sometimes-hard-to-adopt-one/?utm_term=.a9e30d118973

I last adopted a dog more than 14 years ago from WARL (before they merged with the Humane Society) and it was tough to get a dog from them. You had to have a home visit before you could be approved and no one took an animal home the same day. I would not have called them "adopter friendly" back then. I had no idea that they had loosened the process after the merger.

Having said that, I adopted two dogs through them despite the hurdles and it was totally worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having worked for rescues, if you're not willing to fill out some paperwork, then you're not ready to have a dog. People really bristle about the home visits, but I have done them. It's mainly to make sure it's not a hoarding, dog bait or anything else that's crazy. Please don't clean your home for me or get stressed about it. The only thing that may possibly get checked is the fence, depending on the rescue. So, from my perspective, it's not really a bunch of hoops to jump through given the time commitment.
I'm always surprised people say it's hard to adopt. I could have brought home 200 animals by now. I have multiple kids and no fence and no issue finding people to adopt to me. The breed specific rescues are often more stringent. k9 lifesavers, Wolf Trap (mostly puppies), Lost Dog - the ones who bring up dogs from the south and have mutts or various breeds - are usually more relaxed.
Good luck! Please stick with it.If you are more specific about what breed or size of dog, maybe we can help you.

I work in animal welfare - and honestly, that justification gets real old. Putting up barriers to adoption, then telling people they aren't committed enough for not jumping those barriers, is why we still have so many pets dying in shelters. And those barriers by and large do not lead to better outcomes. It really turns people off adoption, too.

I have 6 kids, 2 dogs, a ton of extracurricular activities and still find time to do the home visits as a volunteer. The excuses get old, too. If you really can't find a half hour to do a home visit, then a dog isn't right for you. Organizations aren't trying to waste their own time, either. They are trying to look out for the best interest of the animals and prevent them from being shuffled around. Whether or not you think home visits help is only up to you if you are in charge of a rescue organization. In the time you've spent on this thread, you probably could have filled out the paperwork required to adopt a dog. Just sayin.

I really do understand what you're saying. This happens to be my field, and I've read all the research - which shows that home visits don't really predict who will be a good pet owner. I'm not going to fight with you about it, though (we fight about this enough in our field, don't we? I'm sure you have opinions about Clear The Shelters, too - and it's probably different from my opinion). Anyway, thank you for volunteering - it makes a big difference.

My policy is i don't criticize volunteers unless it's egregious - whether it be animal rescues or youth soccer coaches. If someone in this area can't adopt a dog, either they aren't trying hard enough or there is a good reason they've been turned down. If you don't like one rescue's policies, then there are literally hundreds of other options.
Also OP, you probably would not balk at providing your DL # to the vet for payment. I personally know of one dog who was reunited because they were able to track through the extra info provided. The microchip that was implanted never got changed from the rescue organization, dog got lost, scanned the microchip and the rescue was contacted, address on owner wasn't current as they'd moved and they were able to find the owner through alternate contacts provided. I'm not sure why it bothers you to provide this info, but most people give it out for lesser reasons.
Anyways, rescues get bashed on here all the time for being crazy. Please stick with it - it's for your furry family member. I've worked with a crappy rescue organization, but the vast majority are good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not all of the shelters and rescues in the area make it difficult! Humane Rescue Alliance prides itself on being friendly to adopters - and so do the other local shelters:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2018/02/02/millions-of-dogs-need-homes-why-is-it-sometimes-hard-to-adopt-one/?utm_term=.a9e30d118973

I last adopted a dog more than 14 years ago from WARL (before they merged with the Humane Society) and it was tough to get a dog from them. You had to have a home visit before you could be approved and no one took an animal home the same day. I would not have called them "adopter friendly" back then. I had no idea that they had loosened the process after the merger.

Having said that, I adopted two dogs through them despite the hurdles and it was totally worth it.

Things have changed a lot in the last decade and a half. Very few shelters do home visits anymore - even private nonprofit shelters don't really do them now. They just aren't best practices. Some rescue groups still do. I'm sure WARL would not do home visits now, if they still existed as a separate entity from HRA.

[Anonymous]

OP - I just revisited the thread and LOL. When did animals become so PC. The KILL aka Clear shelters seemed like a good idea because they might let us visit, choose a dog and leave with animal.

I want this experience to be fun. We should be able to show up somewhere, choose a dog that fits well with the kids, then take the dog home. Disappointing the kids because we need to fix a latch on our fence or will not be home every two hours to socialize the dog is ridiculous.

It's sad we have all these unwanted animals, and a great suburban family like ours will probably go with a breeder.

As for the home visits. Besides 30 minutes being unrealistic because I will have to completely rearrange my already over-booked schedule, I do not want you in my house, period.

[Anonymous]

OP, again, but I do appreciate the information and will look further south for the breed (a family compromise) that we are looking for.

[Anonymous]

I lied for a friend during a reference interview and said her previous dog had been well trained. He was very loved but he was a wanton vandal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I just revisited the thread and LOL. When did animals become so PC. The KILL aka Clear shelters seemed like a good idea because they might let us visit, choose a dog and leave with animal.

I want this experience to be fun. We should be able to show up somewhere, choose a dog that fits well with the kids, then take the dog home. Disappointing the kids because we need to fix a latch on our fence or will not be home every two hours to socialize the dog is ridiculous.

It's sad we have all these unwanted animals, and a great suburban family like ours will probably go with a breeder.

As for the home visits. Besides 30 minutes being unrealistic because I will have to completely rearrange my already over-booked schedule, I do not want you in my house, period.

I'm the person who recommended going to a kill shelter. Just want to say that a breeder is not your only option for what you're looking for -- in fact you will not be able to show up, look, and leave the same day with a dog from a breeder. That's a long process too, and likely more expensive. Just keep an eye on shelter "available dogs" pages (maybe bookmark several within a reasonable drive), and stop by when you see one that might fit what you're looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not all of the shelters and rescues in the area make it difficult! Humane Rescue Alliance prides itself on being friendly to adopters - and so do the other local shelters:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2018/02/02/millions-of-dogs-need-homes-why-is-it-sometimes-hard-to-adopt-one/?utm_term=.a9e30d118973

I last adopted a dog more than 14 years ago from WARL (before they merged with the Humane Society) and it was tough to get a dog from them. You had to have a home visit before you could be approved and no one took an animal home the same day. I would not have called them "adopter friendly" back then. I had no idea that they had loosened the process after the merger.

Having said that, I adopted two dogs through them despite the hurdles and it was totally worth it.

Things have changed a lot in the last decade and a half. Very few shelters do home visits anymore - even private nonprofit shelters don't really do them now. They just aren't best practices. Some rescue groups still do. I'm sure WARL would not do home visits now, if they still existed as a separate entity from HRA.

It sounds like it has! Both of our dogs lived in to their late teens (one is still with us!), so we haven't looked at adoption practices in years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I just revisited the thread and LOL. When did animals become so PC. The KILL aka Clear shelters seemed like a good idea because they might let us visit, choose a dog and leave with animal.

I want this experience to be fun. We should be able to show up somewhere, choose a dog that fits well with the kids, then take the dog home. Disappointing the kids because we need to fix a latch on our fence or will not be home every two hours to socialize the dog is ridiculous.

It's sad we have all these unwanted animals, and a great suburban family like ours will probably go with a breeder.

As for the home visits. Besides 30 minutes being unrealistic because I will have to completely rearrange my already over-booked schedule, I do not want you in my house, period.

Any reputable breeder will have you do much of the same. I’m sorry, but you’re looking for excuses. If you can’t clear your schedule for thirty minutes, the fact you want to get a dog is terrifying. You seem to be more about this being a fun experience. It’s not shopping. I hope you think it through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I just revisited the thread and LOL. When did animals become so PC. The KILL aka Clear shelters seemed like a good idea because they might let us visit, choose a dog and leave with animal.

I want this experience to be fun. We should be able to show up somewhere, choose a dog that fits well with the kids, then take the dog home. Disappointing the kids because we need to fix a latch on our fence or will not be home every two hours to socialize the dog is ridiculous.

It's sad we have all these unwanted animals, and a great suburban family like ours will probably go with a breeder.

As for the home visits. Besides 30 minutes being unrealistic because I will have to completely rearrange my already over-booked schedule, I do not want you in my house, period.

I can't even. Please for the love of god, don't get a dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I just revisited the thread and LOL. When did animals become so PC. The KILL aka Clear shelters seemed like a good idea because they might let us visit, choose a dog and leave with animal.

I want this experience to be fun. We should be able to show up somewhere, choose a dog that fits well with the kids, then take the dog home. Disappointing the kids because we need to fix a latch on our fence or will not be home every two hours to socialize the dog is ridiculous.

It's sad we have all these unwanted animals, and a great suburban family like ours will probably go with a breeder.

As for the home visits. Besides 30 minutes being unrealistic because I will have to completely rearrange my already over-booked schedule, I do not want you in my house, period.

I can't even. Please for the love of god, don't get a dog.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, here. I am looking for a 2-4 year old (40-60 lbs). While we are open to a mix, I would prefer it to favor the sporting group with short hair. Think, English Pointer, Weimaraner, Vizsla.

These are awesome breeds. IF you have 3-5 hours per day for them to run and preferably a job for them to do. I grew up in the South and knew tons of gun dogs like this. Once they were tired out from chasing birds all day they were great family dogs. On the days they weren't hunting they were running free on the back 40.

These arent breeds for your average suburban home where the family is gone for 8-10 hrs per day. Maybe for a distance runner who can do 7 miles in the AM before work. They can be very destructive if not given enough activity and prancing in the postage stamp behind a house in Arlington and two 10 minute walks won't cut it.

So if you don't have 30 minutes for a home visit....how are you going to exercise a dog like this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's ridiculous. My friend was turned down because she had never had a dog before, and because she worked out of the home. She wasn't trying to adopt a puppy and she would have been a good pet owner, and it's just life that most people have to work during the day.

Meh, I didn't get a dog until I could afford a dog walker. It's really not fair to leave a dog home along all day.

Yeah much better that they get put down at a kill shelter, right?