Offering Alternatives To Would-be Adopters

[Korrigan]

I'm posting here full of trepidation, because I'm sure a lot of people will misconstrue what I'm saying, will yell, disagree...whatever, here goes.

Recently my attention was caught by a special needs puppy on PetRescue. I do not need another dog, however reading about this puppy and how one of his siblings was doing once rehomed I was moved to fill in an application. I asked to be able to discuss the puppy's needs fully before proceeding, since I knew this puppy would be a full time job. I thought we could offer this puppy a lot, two young(ish) retirees who were home full time, a house with two dog savvy cats in residence, two kind dogs, time and resources to devote to the puppy and so on. We were turned down. Our geographical location was described as a problem - rural NSW, too far if anything went wrong, the fact we were on an acreage was a problem too. The reply ended with good luck finding your new best friend - or something along those lines.

Now, as I said, I didn't need another dog and if the puppy had better options that's great. However, it got me thinking how a reply like this might have appeared to someone else in the same country area, with no experience of rescue, and just having tried to do the right thing by applying through Pet.Rescue for a rescue as their next dog. I think the impression it would have made would be very negative indeed.

If the reply had ended with sorry, we can't make a pet available to you due to where you live, because we cannot support you or the dog there, but there are several rescues in your area that you might want to contact, and here are their details. Or would you like us to forward your application to rescues in your area to save you the trouble of filling out another form?

Yes, I know rescue is time poor, and not everyone gets on. Still, surely it is worth thinking about how to make things easier for the would-be adopter?

Here I am, Joe Bloggs, I've just been turned down after trying to apply for my first rescue dog. I tried going for a Rescue, that didn't work, apparently hicks in the country like me can't adopt dogs, that's for fancy city folk... Maybe I get back on PetRescue, maybe I get the same treatment again. Hey, I don't need this - I remember that Farmer Fred had some crossbred puppies he wanted to get rid of, or I go on Gumtree and get a free to good home dog, or a cute puppy from the local markets or pet shop. And *they* won't treat me as if I'm a second class citizen because of where I live.

Here was a perfect opportunty to grab a would-be adopter, and in marketing terms you slammed the door in the customer's face. Instead of taking someone who had already stepped into the virtual store of adoption by the hand and leading them to other alternatives, such as a local rescue. Or saying: While because of your geographical location this puppy would not be suitable for you, we would love it if you followed his journey and perhaps help with his recovery by donating... Okay maybe nine out of ten people will not donate a thing, maybe the tenth will - I would have. Someone has just put their hand up to help a rescue dog - don't throw away their goodwill. Don't slam the door in their face.

You just lost the chance to chance to embrace and educate a would-be adopter.

Okay, Joe Bloggs goes back to Pet.Rescue, fills in another form, gets turned down... If Joe Bloggs persists maybe eventually he stumbles over a local rescue dog, maybe he doesn't. So instead of Joe Bloggs going back and filling in yet another form, and maybe getting turned down again because of where he lives, he is asked if his form can be shared with rescues in his area. If a yard check is required, a local rescue could be asked to do it, and if suitable, that's marked on his form and Joe Bloggs doesn't have to get turned down again. If everything is in place, good fences, good home, he gets offered suitable dogs from rescues in his area. This is bolded because, natually, the last thing I am advocating is handing a dog to an unsuitable home. How much better for the dogs, and rescue as a whole if we try to bring people with something to offer (such as a great home) into the rescue world and not shut them out. We embrace and educate the would-be adopter and bring them into the dog rescue world. We don't just say, nope, not where *you* live, you're not getting one of our dogs - good luck.

So, in brief, sharing intelligence such as would-be adopters' forms, with their permission, a united state-wide approach to home checks, not filling out heaps of forms, just one that will be shared among selected rescues (with permission). I keep saying this because some one will quote the Privacy Act at me, I'm sure. Maybe a form with a disclaimer on it that asks for permission to share the form with other rescues? Also making it clear on your form what you will not do: i.e. we do not do interstate adoptions, we do not allow adoptions in rural NSW, adopters must be with a hundred kilometres of Sydney - or whatever the requirement may be. This saves the rescue and the would-be adopter time and trouble. Do not slam doors in the faces of suitable would-be adopters, please, find ways to facillitate their applications and help them find rescue dogs.

Okay, let the blood bath begin.

Korrigan - who apprently lives in Outer Mongolia lol

[minimax]

What special needs did the puppy have? Not having easy access to medical care for a special needs puppy sounds like a logical reason to knock someone back to me.

Can't see where they said you weren't suitable for any dog though?

Edited January 2, 2013 by minimax

[mixeduppup]

Perhaps you're taking this too personally? I live in what is considered a pretty rural community and have two rescue dogs. Perhaps you should try a more local rescue. Many rescues work together and do premise checks for other rescues.

[Korrigan]

It was not on medical grounds, we listed the vets we use, it was purely geographical. Needs were that the pup needed intense socialisation.

[minimax]

It was not on medical grounds, we listed the vets we use, it was purely geographical. Needs were that the pup needed intense socialisation.

And could you provide that? On paper, could it look like someone else could provide that better?

[Korrigan]

LOL Mixeduppup - It's Carole who has volunteered to work with you at Coota. Not taking it personally, just thinking about how this might play with other people in the country, and came to the conclusion it would not be good.

[mixeduppup]

If the pup was in need of intense socialisation then a rural community possibly isn't the best suit. I live ina rural community and socialisation is difficult here in locating puppy schools, obedience schools etc, within sensible driving distance.

ETA: Hey Carole. I know you! I would agree that for our area a pup that needs intense socialisation may not be a good choice, unless you're up for big drives.

Edited January 2, 2013 by mixeduppup

[minimax]

If the pup was in need of intense socialisation then a rural community possibly isn't the best suit. I live ina rural community and socialisation is difficult here in locating puppy schools, obedience schools etc, within sensible driving distance.

ETA: Hey Carole. I know you! I would agree that for our area a pup that needs intense socialisation may not be a good choice, unless you're up for big drives.

In which case, someone else probably offered a better fit for that requirement and their concern is the pup, not your feelings.

Edited January 2, 2013 by minimax

[mixeduppup]

I think there would be a lot of legal ramifications with sharing information with other rescues and a lot of other rescues would have different questions etc. I understand you must be disappointed though.

[Loving my Oldies]

On the face of it, it sounds as though this rescue group could have done a bit more in terms of making and keeping good relations. However, it is not easy to make an assessment when hearing only one side of the story.

Some people are vey shocked when they apply to adopt a dog and the rescuer eventually turns them down. It is not easy for the rescuer either. I had to turn down people last year and it was vey hard as I know they were very loving and a very close family. They weren't turned down because of anything "wrong" with them; quite the opposite. I felt the dog wasn't suitable, too quiet and a little timid. I felt with 5 children they would be happier with a lively sturdy dog who would delight in racing and playing around the yard.

All that said, your situation does sound ideal for a dog with special needs and you must be very disappointed.

[Guest Ams]

A lot of us do utilise each other's networks to organise yard checks, etc. I have rehomed dogs interstate and had some lovely DOLers conduct yard checks on my behalf. Interstate dogs are placed with a special contract that states they must be returned to me if the trial does not work out. I recently sent a dog to Townsville and it presented some behaviours it had not done at any time during his recovery with me. I worked with the adopter with long telephone calls and email advice with links on medical and behavioural assistance. The trial period was extended a few times and the dog is now permanently adopted.

Good rescues know their dogs and will carefully choose potential homes. I will point potential adopters towards other rescues that may have a suitable dog for them and I'm sure others do to.

Having said all of the above, catch me when I've had less than 5 hours sleep in a week and I may be a tad short and possibly overly rude as well. Context and timing is everything in communication.

[megan_]

I think corrigama suggestion is avgood one. If someone is to far fro

Choir rescue, suggest some local reputable ones. How hard is that? Might stop them from going to pound rounds instead who'll give anyone any dog.

[Korrigan]

Okay, as I said let the bloodbath begin.

1. Puppy classes and plenty of opportunities for socialisation exist here. The question was not even asked.

2. If just one rescue considers how their reply would sound to a would be adopter I would be happy

3. Covered the shring of information question with the diclaimer and asking permission.

4. Knock yourselves out, absenting mjyself fomr this forum - should have known better

[minimax]

Okay, as I said let the bloodbath begin.

1. Puppy classes and plenty of opportunities for socialisation exist here. The question was not even asked.

2. If just one rescue considers how their reply would sound to a would be adopter I would be happy

3. Covered the shring of information question with the diclaimer and asking permission.

4. Knock yourselves out, absenting mjyself fomr this forum - should have known better

I'm not sure what you want from us, sounds like you wanted drama?

[Guest Ams]

Now I'm confused as well.

[BDJ]

I understand that not all dogs will fit in every situation - but totally agree with the OP's question.

I think sometimes those who are passionate about dogs (rescue, ethical breeders etc) forget that Joe Public can be a very nice guy, but not savvy with the latest info. Therefore Joe Public will buy the petshop puppy thinking they are doing the right thing because the shop assistant said it was a healthy well bred (insert breed name here) puppy.

At the same time Joe Public takes the time to fill in a form for a rescue (probably thinking that some of the questions are weird or not relevant, but still does it) and then gets a response that said puppy would not be suitable. Yep many would go 'will that didnt work, what is wrong with me I look after my other dogs fine, not sure why they dont think I am suitable' and then would go somewhere else.

Sharing info could be problamatic (some people dont want there info shared, some rescues can be quite zealous with their follow up/requests for donations etc) and Joe Public may not appreciate the 'help'.

But perhaps the response could have suggested other dogs which were similar and may fit the bill.

Something along the lines of ' ........... thank you for your enquiry, and for giving us so much information about your situation. Unfortunately due to ZXY we dont believe that little rover would be suitable, however, we do think that we may have something/someone who would suit your family. Please check out the below profiles, and if you would like to know more about anyone, please let us know.

That way the door is still open

[Salukifan]

I think corrigama suggestion is avgood one. If someone is to far fro

Choir rescue, suggest some local reputable ones. How hard is that? Might stop them from going to pound rounds instead who'll give anyone any dog.

That assumes, of course, that the rescue knows of a reputable rescue in the adopters area. That won't always be the case.

Korrigan:

Here I am, Joe Bloggs, I've just been turned down after trying to apply for my first rescue dog. I tried going for a Rescue, that didn't work, apparently hicks in the country like me can't adopt dogs, that's for fancy city folk... Maybe I get back on PetRescue, maybe I get the same treatment again. Hey, I don't need this - I remember that Farmer Fred had some crossbred puppies he wanted to get rid of, or I go on Gumtree and get a free to good home dog, or a cute puppy from the local markets or pet shop. And *they* won't treat me as if I'm a second class citizen because of where I live.

All I can say Korrigan is I sincerely hope you're joking. How someone considering adopting a rescue dog could simply trot down to the markets or a pet shop and buy one seems incongruous to me. I agree, I think you're taking the knock back too hard. I appreciate that you thought you'd be able to offer the ideal home to this pup but sadly, the rescue didn't agree. There are plenty of other rescues out there and perhaps a less 'special needs' dog would be more confidently adopted out of the rescue's immediate area.

Edited January 2, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[garnali]

I can understand your disappointment.. Sometimes the rescue groups dont have magic mirrors that tell us who you are or what commitment you have for your current animals..

Any 'special needs' dogs would have a more intense criteria.. Maybe the group wanted the dog close by where it is already receiving medical support.. I keep regular contact with my specials just to make sure things are going ok.. Even have regular visits with some..

Sounds like you have the commitment for a special dog and please dont give up on rescue groups.. Most have the dog's needs as their priority and may not have explained themselves clearly..

I have had people with their heart set on a dog only to visit and have another dog 'claim' them.. It's all about the overall experience..

Maybe you could help with fostering in your local area.. I'm sure any group would love to have you working with them :)

[Guest Ams]

I can understand your disappointment.. Sometimes the rescue groups dont have magic mirrors that tell us who you are or what commitment you have for your current animals..

Any 'special needs' dogs would have a more intense criteria.. Maybe the group wanted the dog close by where it is already receiving medical support.. I keep regular contact with my specials just to make sure things are going ok.. Even have regular visits with some..

Sounds like you have the commitment for a special dog and please dont give up on rescue groups.. Most have the dog's needs as their priority and may not have explained themselves clearly..

I have had people with their heart set on a dog only to visit and have another dog 'claim' them.. It's all about the overall experience..

Maybe you could help with fostering in your local area.. I'm sure any group would love to have you working with them :)

This!

[mixeduppup]

Don't be too upset please. I know that when I applied for a dog to rescue and got turned down I was devastated. I thought for sure I was the best home for that dog but the rescue had prerequisites and sadly I didn't meet them, location was a big factor as well. I rescued a dog earlier this year and she had social issues and even thought there are local training groups, it didn't have everything she needed to fully socialise her. I ended up going on trips to Wagga and Canberra. Perhaps you could put in your next application that you are able to and willing to do regular runs to Canberra and Wagga? I know you must be upset but know that there is a dog out there for you and a rescue willing to adopt it to you (might even be one in Coota pound :D). Don't let one rejection get you too upset, just trust that the rescue is doing what is best for the dog's interest and probably has very specific prerequisites for such a case and a lot of other people have probably been knocked back as well. *hugs* If you need dog cuddles you're welcome to visit and be bombarded by fur and slobber. :)