The "rules" are totally ridiculous. One DC shelter wouldn't let us adopt cats because we both worked. WTF!!!

When we lived in DC we just went to a shelter in WV and walked out with pets. for 1/3 the price, too.

My vet says that when he dies he wants to come back as one of my pets, so I think I am a pretty competent owner.

Many of the breed specific rescues are really strict. Others are not. Don't let that be an excuse to use a breeder. Wolf trap animal rescue is bringing up 80+ dogs this weeend from the south. They don't require a fence.

We've had no problem adopting from a large northern VA rescue and the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. Yes, we had a fenced in yard. No one actually checked, though. We had three small kids both times. Those were the best two dogs we've ever had.

Anonymous wrote:What rescue is doing home interviews? We had a 5 minute "interview" at a persmart. We do have a fenced in backyard but I'd have no problem saying I did if I did not.

A Forever Home dog rescue requires home visits

Fencing requirements are VERY controversial among breeders and rescues alike.

Advantage: When the door opens, the dog doesn't escape or run into the street.

Disadvantage: Irresponsible dog owners may just use the fenced yard as an excuse never to walk/exercise their dog.

It also depends on the breed and personality of the dog - some are runners, and a fence would probably be better. The others are probably better off without a fence, because they're not runners and it ensures the dog will be walked.

From my rescue group, Dogs Deserve Better NOVA. Fence not required. Basically if you can demonstrate you are a responsible, functional adult with the time, organizational skils and resources to give a pet love and attention and needed care, you will likely be approved.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

?Must be at least 21
?All applicants who live in a rental property must provide contact information for their landlord, and have approval from the landlord to have a pet at the residence listed on the adoption application
?Applicants must allow Dogs Deserve Better to conduct a home visit to confirm that your home will be a good environment for a new dog
?All animals in the applicant’s household must be spayed/neutered and up to date on all vaccines before consideration
?All adults living in the home must meet the dog and be in agreement about adoption
?Applicants must be willing to keep their new dog and current family pets as indoor pets
?All adoptive families will provide all medical care and treatment needed for the dog including, but not limited to, yearly medical checkups, vaccines, and preventative heartworm medication
?Dogs will be adopted only as a personal companion and not as a gift, working animal, or guard dog
?A fenced yard is ideal for dogs, but is NOT a requirement for adoption unless specified
?Because young puppies require intensive training and care, we cannot place puppies younger than five months of age in a home where someone is consistently absent from the home for long periods of time
?In the event an adoption does not work out, applicants must agree to return the dog to Dogs Deserve Better rather than rehoming the dog themselves

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Op,

Rescues have rules because they know from experience that people adopt the dog and then find out how much time, work and money they are so they bring them back. Do you know how hard this is on the animal? How difficult do you think it would be to find a home for a dog that has been brought back a few times?

Look, we need to have rules so that rescues weed out the people who are not serious. It is the best for the animals. By all means go to a breeder but, the good ones will also have some rules too. After all, you get to know each animal wouldn't you want to give it to the best home?

It's a rule that cuts out an awful lot of families. And that's just one of the myriad rules they have. I'm a longtime dog owner and know what it takes.

Whatever. It's one more dog that will sit in a cage without a home.

So it is ok for the people to bring back the dog when it doesn't work out? There are lots of people willing to do what it takes to adopt a rescue dog. If it isn't for you, fine. But, don't go complaining about the rules because you don't like them. They are there for a reason. Would you say the same for adopting a child? I had to find homes for cats and believe me when you care for an animal you want them to go to a loving home and there needs to be standards. Sorry if you don't like it but, I think you are 100 percent wrong on this.

Putting in a fence for 15 grand is a ridiculous requirement. And adopting a child and adopting a dog are not remotely comparable.

So much for the whole "don't shop, adopt" spiel.

I don't know what you want me to say. There are lots of rules for everything. If you don't like this rule for whatever reason than don't adopt. But, just because you might be a good owner without a fence how are they supposed to know this? They are going on experience. Also, I know the kid example was totally correct but, I was trying to get you to see my point.

Then they can sit there with 100 dogs in their shelters, wondering why everyone is going to breeders instead.

That's not your problem, right? People can choose to complain just the same as you can choose not to listen. Look, as others have said rules are there for a reason and if you don't like it than don't adopt a dog from that organization. You complain about rescue organizations whining when the biggest whiner right now is YOU!

Some shelters and rescues have the "old fashioned" policies and others have moved on. Here is a blog discussing the difference.

http://www.aspcapro.org/blog/2015/09/23/policy-schmolicy

I work for a rescue group. A fenced in yard is preferred, not a must have. As long as you can demonstrate how you will take care of the dog's needs to pee/poop outside. We don't want dogs to be left out in the yard all day.

We adopted two dogs through a rescue and had no fenced in yard requirement and no home visit/interview.

We had a brief "interview" at Petsmart when we adopted each of our dogs. We included the name of our vet on the form, but there was no phone call made to the office or anything.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ Wow, the more I read, the more convinced I am that the OP and at least one other poster is definitely not fit for owning a dog. Heads are too far up their entitled asses to see reason.

Why, because I think their rules are ridiculous? Their business, their rules. Fine. But then don't whine -- like all the rescues do -- about people not adopting and turning to breeders instead.

I grew up on a farm and have owned dogs most of my life. While we don't currently have a fenced-in yard, we now have someone working from home full time, so the dog would never be alone.

The rescues aren't whining, and it is not their rules that drive most people to breeders--it is that most people want a certain kind of dog without a history. So don't pretend their rules are driving away hordes of potential adopters.

The rules are not ridiculous, no matter how many times you say they are. And like another PP said, most rescues are not doing home visits anyway, so your hasty generalization about all rescues is what is ridiculous.

Anonymous wrote:^ Wow, the more I read, the more convinced I am that the OP and at least one other poster is definitely not fit for owning a dog. Heads are too far up their entitled asses to see reason.

Why, because I think their rules are ridiculous? Their business, their rules. Fine. But then don't whine -- like all the rescues do -- about people not adopting and turning to breeders instead.

I grew up on a farm and have owned dogs most of my life. While we don't currently have a fenced-in yard, we now have someone working from home full time, so the dog would never be alone.

What rescue is doing home interviews? We had a 5 minute "interview" at a persmart. We do have a fenced in backyard but I'd have no problem saying I did if I did not.

I really wanted a lab puppy, but doubted any local rescues would give me a puppy since I'm pregnant. Don't have a fence either. Bought a little puppy from someone who couldn't handle the puppy she bought from a breeder about a month prior. Worked out well for me. Paid $800, which is what the lady spent buying the puppy from the breeder. Granted, training/taking care of my puppy would be a heck of a lot easier if I wasn't fat and pregnant, but we're making it work. Luckily, I have a few months till the baby comes, so I have some time to train the puppy. My puppy is a spoiled little princess

^ Wow, the more I read, the more convinced I am that the OP and at least one other poster is definitely not fit for owning a dog. Heads are too far up their entitled asses to see reason.