Another time, in another county, my FF hubby rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice. Beautiful German Shepherd that had obviously been trained. My husband stayed with him after his shift was over making sure he was warmed up, fed and made to feel safe. He fell asleep at the fire station. In swoops the humane society. They took the dog, and on the way out my husband said “he's such a good dog he obviously has an owner. I've had dogs my whole life and will adopt him if no one comes forward.” Two months later he was still sitting at the shelter and we went to visit. We began to fill out adoption paperwork until that director said my husband wanted him for the “wrong reasons”, he was “to attached” because he had saved the dog. Duh! My husband stormed off and began the search for the owners. He found them, they were elderly but the dog had been healthy so there was no reason not to return him. The couple had tried to find him. Even when they called him by name and he got all excited the “Humane” society acted like it might not be there dog. We made sure local media picked up the story at that point and he was returned. For the life of me I don't know why they didn't want these animals adopted or returned. We've never had any problem adopting an animal from other agencies.
I have rural property and all that ... trolley lines, etc and everything looked good for an adoption until they asked about my vet record.
Huh?
Your vet record ... the record of you taking your dog to the vet.
I've inoculated maybe one or two dogs in my life and never had any problems (usually start a distemper series and never finish, or I got one dog a rabies shot)
They were all mutts, healthy, fun and loyal until they died old.
Except Fuzzy ... he just quit after my first wife died in 2004.
Just stopped eating and being alive ... and willed his heart to stop.
I'm convinced of that.
Short version:
Tried to adopt a Basset Hound from a rescue. I have had several over the years and am quite aware of their needs.
The ‘Rescue” which is basically run by a couple people out of their house, wanted my live story, financial info and wanted to do an inspection of my home. And later, ‘random home visits’ once adopted. There was a legally binding contract...with penalties for refusal.
I did not adopt.
I learned later the dog was later put down due to the fact that “we couldn’t adopt it out.” I cannot imagine why.
I have heard similar stories from people dealing with “Rescues”. My advice...STAY AWAY. Many of these people are power tripping ALF style nuts. I feel bad for the animals, but that is insane.
Because they've got the mentality that:
1. No one is good enough; only they know enough to adequately care for an animal, or
2. No use of domestic animals - the animal is better off dead than "enslaved" to you.
The only way it even begins to make sense is if you think of it as religious fanaticism.
Some rescues and shelters are wonderful and amazing groups of people and others... Well, you know. They believe that only they can take care of animals and they think animals are exactly like people only better. Being involved in the dog world since the 1980s I have seen it all. I love animals, but large numbers of Americans are crazy. There, I said it.