How hard is it to get a puppy from a local rescue group?

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in getting a puppy (less than one year) from a local rescue, but some of the websites make it sound like the puppies go like hotcakes.

I want to take my kids to some of the rescue events, but they make it sound like there's a long line for puppies and we would come away empty-handed if we don't get there at dawn.

Is this a realistic assessment? What was your experience?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You don't walk out of an adoption fair with a dog. You can meet the animal to determine if it's a match, then the group will compare your application against other ones it receives. Many groups don't adopt puppies to families who don't have someone at home during the day. When my just-adopted dog turned out to be pregnant the group stopped taking applications for the puppies because they received so many. Groups are able to be choosy. You might not get picked. Check out Potcake Place if you are able to wait for a dog and don't have breed specifications. We couriered for them. It's a good organization. High season in the Caribbean starts in December (so more chances to bring a dog here).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: You don't walk out of an adoption fair with a dog. You can meet the animal to determine if it's a match, then the group will compare your application against other ones it receives. Many groups don't adopt puppies to families who don't have someone at home during the day. When my just-adopted dog turned out to be pregnant the group stopped taking applications for the puppies because they received so many. Groups are able to be choosy. You might not get picked. Check out Potcake Place if you are able to wait for a dog and don't have breed specifications. We couriered for them. It's a good organization. High season in the Caribbean starts in December (so more chances to bring a dog here).

This is not necessarily true. Wolf Trap Animal Rescue has big events at the Tysons Petsmart where you can get a dog same-day. Do you have to show up really early and wait in line? Yes. But it's one day of your weekend for a puppy! Check out their Instagram and if you see a dog you like you can do a meeting with the foster directly to see how you connect before you consider the adoption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't walk out of an adoption fair with a dog. You can meet the animal to determine if it's a match, then the group will compare your application against other ones it receives. Many groups don't adopt puppies to families who don't have someone at home during the day. When my just-adopted dog turned out to be pregnant the group stopped taking applications for the puppies because they received so many. Groups are able to be choosy. You might not get picked. Check out Potcake Place if you are able to wait for a dog and don't have breed specifications. We couriered for them. It's a good organization. High season in the Caribbean starts in December (so more chances to bring a dog here).

So one should apply for a bunch of dogs, like colleges?

[Anonymous]

OP - you make it sound like getting a dog is like getting a hotdog. it's a looooong-term commitment not unlike any other relationship. Think thru carefully. Make sure you don't end up returning the dog to the shelter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - you make it sound like getting a dog is like getting a hotdog. it's a looooong-term commitment not unlike any other relationship. Think thru carefully. Make sure you don't end up returning the dog to the shelter

Hi, what I am worried about is my kids getting attached to a dog they see online, and failing to get the dog over and over. I think I will probably just end up going by myself so that doesn't happen.

[Anonymous]

It's easy to Google how annoying and psychotic rescue groups are. I would never deal with one. It's easier to go to a breeder. Breeders have retired dogs to "rescue".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - you make it sound like getting a dog is like getting a hotdog. it's a looooong-term commitment not unlike any other relationship. Think thru carefully. Make sure you don't end up returning the dog to the shelter

Hi, what I am worried about is my kids getting attached to a dog they see online, and failing to get the dog over and over. I think I will probably just end up going by myself so that doesn't happen.

Hi, I'm the one who posted before about Wolf Trap. They're a great organization and while they definitely have rules, they are more laid-back than other rescues. They pretty much only have puppies, in large numbers, so if you want one badly enough you should be able to get one at one of their events or through one of their fosters. I would recommend contacting one of their foster coordinators to submit the paperwork and discuss what you are looking for so they can explain the process and point you in the right direction.

[Anonymous]

Also with Wolf Trap you can foster to adopt (i.e. have first priority of your foster). Even if you don't fall in love with THAT puppy, your kids get to have one around for practice.

[Anonymous]

NP here, and we just adopted our rescue a few weeks ago (granted, he was 2 YO, so not a puppy) through Lost Dog - this is our family's first dog.

I emailed the foster parent of the dog I was interested in (found him online), and they offered for us to come and meet the dog in their home, which I did, without the kids (didn't even tell the kids that I was going). Once I saw the dog and got some of his history, and seemed like a good fit size, energy, personality wise, etc., I filled out the adoption paperwork and took it to the next adoption event (the foster family told me when and where that would be, and that they would show up with the dog).

We did get there right at the beginning and were able to meet with someone from Lost Dog to do the in person interview before the 'main event' even started (they were waiting for a truck from the rescue to bring all their dogs in). Once the interviewer was done (took about 10 minutes or so, and our whole family was there at this point), we just needed to sign some forms and go over the paperwork, and we took the dog home. So it really wasn't that complicated or cumbersome. Not sure if it's any different with puppies, but wanted to share my experience. Good luck with your adoption OP - we love our dog!

[Anonymous]

we adopted a young dog through a rescue (homeward trails) - she was not quite a year old. we met her at he adoption event and ut in an application. they approved us, contingent on the home inspection that day. the home inspection was just a volunteer giving us advice about dog-proofing the place. we picked up the dog a couple of days later. i get the sense they get more applications for puppies. but it was not a pain, they were not crazy or intrusive or demanding and provided lots of useful information

[Anonymous]

I have rescued two dogs and I have two kids. Both dogs were under one year when we got them, but neither were much younger than that -- not new borns.

Because it is hard to get young dogs and because they go quickly and because you don't want to get pressured by your kids to take home a dog that doesn't work for you, I have not brought my kids either time to get the dogs.

I decide what will work best and my kids are thrilled when I arrive home with a new puppy. I highly recommend this approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't walk out of an adoption fair with a dog. You can meet the animal to determine if it's a match, then the group will compare your application against other ones it receives. Many groups don't adopt puppies to families who don't have someone at home during the day. When my just-adopted dog turned out to be pregnant the group stopped taking applications for the puppies because they received so many. Groups are able to be choosy. You might not get picked. Check out Potcake Place if you are able to wait for a dog and don't have breed specifications. We couriered for them. It's a good organization. High season in the Caribbean starts in December (so more chances to bring a dog here).

Our last 3 dogs have all been adoption fair rescues that we went home with that day.

If you're a first time pet owner, they do tend to take more time and actually call the references you must provide on the application, but you still go home with a dog that day.

Some groups are much more laid back than others. Wolf Trap is amazing! We've rescued two from there at adoption events. Also watch for 'clear the shelter' events where adoption fees are usually waived. We just adopted a dog in May during one such event and I can tell you, the puppies do go fast. We showed up about 20 mins. before the shelter opened and were #3 in line. The people in front and behind were all there for a puppy. We were there for a specific dog we'd seen online who was older and I know by the time we were finished with the adoption process, the puppies had already been adopted (about an hr in).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's easy to Google how annoying and psychotic rescue groups are. I would never deal with one. It's easier to go to a breeder. Breeders have retired dogs to "rescue".

Doing what is easy doesn't equate with doing what is right.
Breeders breed dogs for profit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's easy to Google how annoying and psychotic rescue groups are. I would never deal with one. It's easier to go to a breeder. Breeders have retired dogs to "rescue".

Doing what is easy doesn't equate with doing what is right.
Breeders breed dogs for profit.

It's always a great idea to rescue but there is nothing wrong with getting a dog from a reputable breeder.