I've read a lot of rescue frustration on this site lately and wanted to give you something to think about. These aren't my words because frankly I'm not that eloquent a writer. It does speak volumes and I hope you take the time to read it fully. An educated person whether or not you agree with what is stated at least takes to time to hear both sides of an issue.

http://taysiablue.blogspot.com/2011/12/letter-to-frustrated-applicant.html

One more thing, if you live in the Omaha, Nebraska area this is a wonderful rescue that like most all rescues can use help.

I have nothing against rescues. But its very frustrating to be a good person with a home full of love and be immediately turned away because we live in an apartment. Or because we work. Or because of this that or the other. I know what it's like to sift through hundreds of idiotic emails, but when you're not an idiot, and present yourself appropriately... To be automatically denied because you don't live in a certain kind of house or work a certain schedule... It's frustrating and turns a lot of people off.

Without people like Claudia who try and fight for potential adopters, people get screwed out of ever having a chance to own such a great breed. I wish someone had done that for us.

Kristina - Here's the bottom line for me on apartments or any other rental situation. Are you (generically speaking) willing to move or do anything else for that matter to keep your dog if something goes wrong? A rescue knows you are at the mercy of another individual, a landlord.

A few things they consider. Chance of someone complaining about your dog is higher, chance of your landlord changing to a new one affecting your rental agreement, people who rent are more nomadic in nature.

I agree it's not fair to do any kind of judgement automatically and that's not what this article is saying. They call landlords, vets and do visits. That turns a lot of people off, so what.

It is up to the applicant to sell themselves and show why they are the best home for a particular dog.

People on both sides of the adoption process are going to get frustrated, plain and simple. I've been denied by rescues in the past and it is very upsetting and discouraging to be turned down when you are committed and a great potential home but rescues won't look past their list of requirements. I get that there are reasons for the restrictions but not all rescues are created equal and many don't look at individual circumstances to give potential adopters a chance. I appreciate what is said in the letter but it hardly takes away from how discouraging rescue turn downs can be for genuinely good owners. I had to go the shelter route for my sibe because no rescue would approve me. I lived in an apartment at the time with no fenced yard, but I did have written landlord approval for a sibe.

Today I have a house and fully fenced in large yard with 6 ft fencing all the way around. I bet I still might have an issue with trying to rescue even now because we have 2 small dogs and guinea pigs.

I can appreciate everyone's thoughts and frustrations but I've worked for a rescue (technically a humane society) that had a very liberal adoption policy. a few questions, pay your money and take home a dog. Lots of returns and so the cycle never ends. I have one of those dogs in my pack now Blaze. Adopted to a lady with no fence, lived in a trailer, in the country, with cats. Returned to the shelter for killing a cat, in bad condition I might add. I have tons more examples but that one is personal.

So just as people are soured on rescues adoption restrictions I'm soured on people not holding up their end of the bargain. I guess there is no good solution.

Especially with attitudes like this...

Quote:

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. If an applicant is not willing to go through our process, we’re sorry, there are plenty of other families out there willing to endure our scrutiny in order to save a life so we will move on.

That blog post assumes you've gotten through the initial contact firewall to begin the process. Putting the dogs' well being and future first makes sense, but I sometimes think rescues get blinded by their emotions and prejudices.

Couple of videos.

I got denied by a GSD rescue, did a phone interview, application was approved, we had all the requirements covered, but she said I sounded like i was 14 on the phone (i was 21), and then proceeded to email me saying that she didn't want to drive to do the home inspection (it was only 40 mins away), so she said to get one at the pound. I was beyond furious. It is one of the more respected GSD rescues in my area....

The rescues in Florida must have problems. Most fosters I've had for multiple rescues here have not been in rescue for more than a few weeks unless they have medical issues.

I'm sorry everyone seems to be having such difficulty adopting. It is about communication and selling yourself. Did you know a lot of the apps include cover letters describing the applicants situation. Don't just assume the application should be the end or follow up with other communication. People want the instant easy solution.

Same issue here - rescues in LA are very difficult to deal with. I've been on both sides and I completely understand wanting to find a responsible home for a dog that you've spent the time, effort and money rescuing. And some rescues don't have the time to go through applications thoroughly. I also see the same rescues with the same dogs - year after year. Only adopting out to families with stay at home family member or retired folks, or to those that agree to adopt 2 at a time. I also see those same rescues turn away genuine offers of help from volunteers to help the rescue adopt out more dogs.

We're lucky that Husky Camp took the time to get to know us and our lifestyles, steered us to the right dogs and offered post-adoption support. I monitor their website all the time and very rarely see dogs come back into rescue, other than for financial reasons (foreclosure, etc).

Rescues needs to learn some customer service skills and how to delegate. I know it's tough work and the work never ends. Ask for help! The rescue I volunteer with now is so incredibly well organized and is good at asking for help nicely! You can be choosy in picking adopters while still being nice about it and evaluating each on a case by case basis.

Myself I had a negative experience and damn was I pissed with a Husky rescue but enough of that. Just want to thank you Claudia, Brian and all the other rescue people out there for the work they do. As much as I'd love to be a volunteer, work and time agendas just don't allow me to do it as well as I'd like to. I continue to contribute what I can and hope it helps.

Ditto what Len said. Despite the aggravations I have experienced, I have hopes of becoming a foster one day. I will be putting in my application once I get to move where I will have a fenced in yard. I think it's awesome what you all do for these dogs and I hope to be able to contribute when the time comes.