Mr. Tan Man spent two years in a South Carolina “no kill” shelter - most of it living outdoors. Located on a dirt road with farm animals wandering around, it wasn’t like a typical shelter. The folks running it were very passionate about animal rescue and had taken good care of him, but they required vet references and a home visit before we could become his “guardians.” Requirements like this - or that adopters have fenced yards, be home during the day, etc. - are why dogs languish. #DogsOfCoSo
A local dog rescue group wouldn’t allow my veterinarian to adopt a dog because she worked during the day, even though she could bring her dog to work. Some of the dogs at that establishment had been there for years. People running some of these “no kill” shelters are very rigorous. Perhaps they should just refer to these establishments as “no adopt” shelters rather than “no kill.”
@cassandra17lina
Denying a veterinarian an adoption is cuckoo banana-pants insane.
Lots of rescuers fall into this unhealthy mindset that conflates a regular screening with "your living situation must be exactly like mine." It's so narrow-minded. 😩
@TomeReader There are plenty of people who love dogs and can take excellent care of them but who don’t fit the extremely narrow (and socioeconomically judgmental) profile of the “ideal” no-kill shelter client. Fortunately, thousands of “pawsome” dogs can be found at public shelters for much less money and no lifestyle restrictions. I got Little Miss Attitude at our county shelter where I volunteered for four years. I was her “handler” at an adoption event. #DogsOfCoSo
@cassandra17lina
Aw! ❤️
Our Dargo came from the municipal shelter. All they asked for was a vet reference and, if you were renting, written permission from the landlord.
Where I live now, there is no municipal shelter. Animal control partners with an ASPCA. The costs to adopt are so high, there's less incentive for people to choose adoption.
@Smccune55 @TomeReader @cassandra17lina Free adoptions may sound good but it encourages irresponsible adoption and even exploitation (bait dogs.)
A reasonable fee is one way to insure people are serious. One shelter waives the fee for special needs adoptions and for seniors adopting senior pets.
@S_r_stone @TomeReader @cassandra17lina
Of course, for private adoptions, ie rehoming. But in this case, the ASPCA is functioning as a shelter, and they are responsible for vetting the adopter.
@TomeReader @cassandra17lina
The ASPCA rakes in millions of dollars, they should offer free or low cost adoptions.