Rescue groups: your flaky, zealous ways have driven me into the arms of a breeder. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

I've been ghosted at the very last minute of the dog adoption process. I've been lectured and told I'm not good enough by people with a fraction of my cat experience. I've suffered the bait-and-switch (You can adopt Gizmo! [drives to pick up Gizmo]. Ok, you can still adopt Gizmo today BUT he must be adopted with a 2nd cat, which we totally neglected to mention until just now when you arrived here).

I'm not even going to get into the outright lies about breed — i.e., every pit bull is relabeled a "Lab mix" in the District.

For the past several years I have tried, genuinely tried, to adopt from a DC-area rescue. I even sought out elderly animals with known health issues! I'm done. And don't you dare try to shame me because I don't want to take in the 150-lb Husky-pit mix instead of the small decrepit terrier that works better with my existing pets. I will still donate to you all, though

Turns out I'm far from alone:

Everyone Wants a Rescue Dog. Not Everyone Can Have One.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/sunday-review/adopt-rescue-dog-south.html

[Anonymous]

We tried the same and we concluded those organizations are unreasonable. We found our awesome feral rescue kitty through Craig’s List from a farmer - not a breeder.

[Anonymous]

There are adoption events on and off at Germantown Petco. It seems pretty straight forward. They had a few border collie/not pit mixes that seemed lovely. The rest are a pain in the rear. I got my security clearance easier!

[Anonymous]

^^Petsmart, sorry.

[Anonymous]

Weird - not our experience at all - I think we had our cats the day after we applied. And our rescue group will even place them short term if we go out of town for a few days and need a sitter.

But it is even stupider and inhumane to go to a breeder for a cat than a dog as none of the asinine excuses offered up on here for why people need a purebred apply to cats and many more cats than dogs are euthanized every year.

So please try a little harder - it is not hard to get a cat or two.

[Anonymous]

It was a piece of cake to adopt my two dogs from a breed-specific rescue in Maryland. We filled out a form, had a home visit, met the dogs and took them home the following week. No drama and no pits either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weird - not our experience at all - I think we had our cats the day after we applied. And our rescue group will even place them short term if we go out of town for a few days and need a sitter.

But it is even stupider and inhumane to go to a breeder for a cat than a dog as none of the asinine excuses offered up on here for why people need a purebred apply to cats and many more cats than dogs are euthanized every year.

So please try a little harder - it is not hard to get a cat or two.

+1. So dramatic. I’ve adored cats & dogs easily from local shelters over the last 10 years with no problems whatsoever. It’s not hard. As in last year we walked into the Arlington shelter and out 30 minutes later with a kitten kind of easy. This is a reflection of YOU, frankly.

[Anonymous]

OP is talking about DOG adoptions, not cat adoptions. I have heard similar stories about how difficult some DOG rescue groups are. The "fenced yard" requirement and the surfeit of pits are common complaints.

[Anonymous]

OP is correct. We waited it out for a breed rescue and I learned to say exactly what the rescuers wanted. They didn't want an adopter who worked outside the home so I told them that my part-time job was primarily from home. They wanted someone who would never board their dog - who us? no, we'd never do that - our dogs are family, they always go with us on vacation!

One rescue told me that they prefer adopters who were willing to cook for their (large breed) dogs. Sure, I'd love to cook for a dog, I said!

The area's largest lab rescue won't adopt to families with kids under 8. I get why it could be problematic and risky for certain dogs - but seriously?

After 8 months of waiting, we got a pup who was formerly in a high kill shelter in a southern state. He lives a cushy life
in the suburbs, has at least 3 good walks per day, and gets tons of attention and love.

The dog rescue people are a bit overwrought in their quests to find the perfect homes for these animals.

[Anonymous]

Don't know about dogs but my experience with cats has been the same as 00:23 and 08:10--very easy. One was just recently via Petfinder.
The key in both cases was likely that I had a track record with a vet.

[Anonymous]

Found my dog on petfinder and then dealt with Lucky Dog Rescue. Yes we filled in a form and we had a home visit done, but it was worth it.

[Anonymous]

initially, I had a hard time getting a dog because my kids are under age 10. I did find a rescue that allowed it and it still had home visit, fence, vet reference, and meet and greet requirements. but that same rescue, like many others, does a same day adoption from Petsmart/Petco. I will never understand the discrepancy but I would just do that next time.

[Anonymous]

Why not just go to your county shelter?

[Anonymous]

What rescues have you been working with? Try Homeward Trails.

[Anonymous]

Kim Kavin
The Dog Merchants: Inside the Big Business of Breeders, Pet Stores, and Rescuers
I suggest anyone looking for a dog take a look at this book. Your “rescue” is merchandise just like all the rest of the dogs from puppy farms. They have figured out the “rescue” angle