Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - Hi All! Newbie wants to know about the pet adoption process [ ]

I found Petfinders while researching info on adopting the right dog for me. I've seen a couple of puppies I'd like to adopt but something doesn't seem right unless the adoption process takes a really long time.

There are puppies that are highly sought after that a "rescue" groups has had posted for months with the statement 'just fill out the application and don't contact us or it will slow the process down.

How does Petfinders know if these are actual rescue groups? I filled out one application and asked a couple of questions of the foster care provided who said she would get back to me and...nothing.

I know they are volunteers with regular jobs and lives and that I am anxious so any help on how this process works would be greatly appreciated.

post script: The dog I wanted has been adopted (great) but with no word to me from the rescue group. What an AWFUL experience.

Thanks!

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject:

Hi, lurchipoo. I am new here too, but I saw that no one has responded to your post so I thought I would share my comparatively little experience with rescue groups.

I have adopted 3 dogs from rescues over the years and both of those experiences were different. One rescue required several visits and interviews in addition to the application, while another was more about just applications and calls to verify my vet, landlord and personal references but I did not have to have so many in person interviews/meetings with the dog & the rescue staff.

As with any type of organization, it just seems to vary based on the person or people running the rescue organization. Most non-profits are overworked and understaffed so that adds to the issue of how to prioritize tasks.

With my last adoption, I was very persistent with calling and emailing, because I know they are busy. I just wanted to make sure I was someone who stood out and really wanted to adopt her. I was very polite, just sent messages like "It's me again. Please update me when you get a chance."

I would think it would depend on the popularity of the breed too. For example, yorkies are super popular so I would think there are so many applicants to choose from for one of those puppies, or any small/toy sized puppies, that it would be hard to reply to everyone you inquired about the dog.

I have always had 50 - 70 lb female black lab mixes, so I think it is maybe less popular than the little dogs.

One of my friends is trying to adopt a 2nd yorkie/shih tzu mix and she is having a hard time finding any. When she does, they are usually gone by the time she gets a hold of them. But, she knows she has to be patient because her criteria are so narrow. At least half the time, she does not get a response and the other half so far have been responses that the dog has already been adopted.

As far as the rescues answering you back, I think it is like applying for a job. Some companies have a policy of contacting every applicant whether they got the job or not, while others only contact the person they want to hire. In a way it is a lot like applying for a job where you do not always know why they don't pick you. You know you are qualified, etc.. Does that analogy make any sense?

Don't give up. I know it can be frustrating when you are really interested in a pet and you do not hear back right away. Just keep an open mind and keep looking!

Good luck!

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:41 am Post subject: Thank you!

I really appreciate you're taking the time to write. Currently I don't have any dogs and so I though I would try to adopt a rescued dog and it seems like, to use another analogy, getting your first job. "We're looking for someone with experience, but you can't get experience without getting a job. I will get a dog, but probably not through a rescue group.

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

I also have found that it varies by organization. When we adopted our first two pups, we began to learn about the process. Our first pup came from the humane society. They did reference, and vet checks, and if your application was approved you could come in and adopt any pup they had. They allowed you to spend some time with the dog, and to view the information and notes the staff had written, including the temperament test. But that was about it.

For our second dog, we looked at both shelters and rescues. One rescue never replied to the adoption application or any phone calls. we ended up letting that one go. The other rescue, called back right away, checked out application out, and had us up to meet the dog within a few days. That experience was a good one, even thought we did not adopt that dog as she did not seem to like our dog.

Our final experience was with a kill shelter, they charged $20 for the dog, and required that you get the dog spay/neutered within the month. They did no background checks, and did not really evaluate you as candidates, but also could not tell you about the dog, it's behaviors, and/or personality. This is where we got a female from, her and our male got along great, and we liked the idea that we were saving her from euthanasia.

Now we are a dog fosters, having volunteered with both the Humane Society and a Lab Rescue (our process seems to take up to two weeks, depending on the schedule of the foster, the home visit, and the adopters). If you choose to go through a shelter, which can definitely be a faster dog adoption process, I would recommend trying to find a dog who has been fostered, as this can give you lots more information about the dog, this is especially nice is you have children. But there are good rescues out there, so please don't get discouraged by a bad one. They are a worthy cause as well. Ultimately it is all about the dogs, in my opinion, and whichever route you choose thank you for adopting.

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject: Hi stillmoretolearn

Thank you for sharing your adoption experience. I'm not against checking out the local Humane Society but fortunately there really aren't many dogs there. I did go to the I Love My Dog Expo and let's just say the "rescue" groups were more about themselves than the dogs (except for the SD Boxers & the Big Dawgs...who were AWESOME, just too big for me.)

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:56 pm Post subject:

Hi Lurch, well I have to apologize for whatever groups left you holding. With so many dogs needing homes, there's no excuse for it. I had a freind who was just the best home for any dog, she filled out 10 applications from various groups and not one person got back to her in a matter of weeks. She was devastated and since I suggested she go to a rescue, I was mad. There are many groups like that, but just as many that are not. Your doing the exact right thing going to a rescue or shelter. Dont let the rudeness of some rescues change your mind about rescueing. If you would like to tell me what area your in and what your looking for I would be glad to help you. I'm so sorry this has happened to you.

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:48 am Post subject:

Hi lurchipoo-

I'm pretty new here myself and I just wanted to let you know I feel your pain! But hang in there...I know it's hard to believe but when you find the dog that is meant to be yours, it will all work out!

My husband and I just went through a similar situation. We had been looking for a dog for over 3 months. We had filled out dozens of applications, sometimes we would hear nothing back until we noticed the dog was not longer on PF or we'd get a call, go through a long phone interview & then AGAIN hear nothing back until the dog was no longer on PF. It was BEYOND frustrating. I actually posted a long drawn out vent on here I was so upset. I had one rescue turn us down because we were going to have the dog start out in a crate in our room at night and not on our bed (we have a high bed and this was a tiny dog, safety first). Another wouldn't even give us the time of day at an adoption event.

Well 3 weeks ago we went through the same process for like the 20th time and now we have the BEST dog in the world. I guess the stars aligned and we were meant to be his people.

Just hang in there, rescue dogs are completely worth it, and there really are some wonderful rescue groups that will be there to support you even after you take the dog home! And those are the kind of people and dogs you want in your life. We now have 2 adopted cats and an adopted dog and they give the best love ever. I guarantee there is a dog out there meant to be yours. Please don't try BYB or any of those stores.

If you need any support or just someone to vent to I'm here & I understand your situation.

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject:

We had so many problems trying to adopt too (our story is on here somewhere) and ended up adopting a very expensive, sick, thin puppy from a "rescue" that is not very good! We didn't know they were bad or that the puppy was sick at the time though we knew she wasn't being cared for properly. When our vet asked where we got her the response from the entire staff was "Oh, them" with a sigh and an eye roll! Yes, they are still doing business.

We ended up with the best dog (just like everyone else's best dog Laughing

). She was my husband's 1st non-pedigreed dog (his mother would NEVER get a dog that didn't have papers and come from a very expensive breeder - usually one where the dog has to be shipped halfway across the country - and she would never allow a family member living under her roof to get one without papers).

She was my 1st dog from a rescue but my 2nd adopted dog - the 1st was a stray from a humane society.

I've even had trouble trying to volunteer with a local rescue with several months going by before they got back to me to see if I was still interested in volunteering. I start volunteering with a different rescue at the end of the month.

For us it was like Sage&Bella says: When you and a dog are meant for each other, it will work out!

We always tell people we didn't adopt a puppy - she adopted us!

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

Hi
We got our dog Lucy from a rescue almost 2 months ago. She is the cutest, friendliest puppy (just like all of yours). She is definitely the most "outgoing" dog I have ever owned. Everywhere we go people just want to pat her and she loves all the attention.
It sounds like alot of you have had really frustrating experiences when trying to adopt a dog. We had the opposite thing happen too us. It was actually a little too easy.
I started searching on Petfinder for another dog after we lost our lab to cancer. I felt so sad and miserable. We all felt like there was something missing in our home without a dog. I saw Lucy's picture and contacted the rescue that had her. They got back to me in less than 24 hours. The coordinator and I emailed back and forth quite a bit for several days and we spoke once on the phone. I had Lucy a little more than a week later. We literally met the rescue people in a parking lot and took her home with us. They handed her to me, gave me her health certificate and that was it.
I knew very little about her except the person who fostered her said she was a great little dog and that she was taken from a kill shelter and had been "sitting on death row". The rescue really didn't know anything about me. They never contacted any of the references i gave them.
Once we got her home we found that she wasn't in the best shape, ear infections, worms, giardia, and the incision from where she was spayed was infected. We are still trying to sort out some of the health issues weeks later. $$$ in vet bills.
Looking back it may have all gone too fast and that is my fault. I think I was just so saddened by the loss of our other dog, I just wasn't thinking straight. I know the rescue only wanted to find a home for a dog in need and I know Lucy was just such a dog. I can't fault them. I knew it was aleap of faith. But I should have asked more questions, done more checking and they probably should have done the same. I know there are many rescues who seemed to have found that happy medium so don't give up if you are still looking. Just be sure to check their reputation as closely as they are checking yours.
Lucy IS a great little dog. I've gotten one dog from a breeder and 2 from the HS and she, so far, has the easiest temperment of all of them. Even though it's been an "unusual" experience, I would not hesitate to rescue again. I don't regret getting her for a moment. She is such a sweetheart!
Good luck

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:07 am Post subject:

Hi - I am new here as well! I just wanted to say that after inquiring and looking at puppies for awhile here - I think that if a dog is already adopted the organizations often times won't contact you because they are so busy with placing other dogs. Frustrating - yes. But, I'm trying to keep in mind that many of the people are volunteer and I'm sure they're all doing their best. I do wish there was a way to find out quickly if a dog is still availabe but have learned that just might not be the case.

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:15 pm Post subject:

Hi, I'm new here too but would like to share my experience with 2 rescues, one in GA and one in OH, done about 12 months apart and both 12 week old pups. I live in Ontario Canada and the breed(s) I was interested in adopting were not common in the north, hence my search on PF.
They were both very good experiences and I would do it again in a heartbeat. It can however, be a little time consuming, but agree with the other posts regarding the volunteers and the amount of applicants. Being cross border, it was a even still a little more difficult because some allow cross border adoptions and others will not, however again, if it was meant to be....My suggestion would be to try and narrow down the searches to type of breed, size and age and watch for the newest listings,daily, and reply asap as the popular ones are adopted quickly. It is also a good idea to provide as much information upfront, leaving them little to question or followup, likely putting your application to the top.
In both cases the rescues I dealt with "went the extra mile" and I am greatful and can only say it was well worth the wait. They are both wonderful pets and everything I was looking for.
I think rescues are the best way to go.
Best of luck in your search for your forever friend.

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

Here is how my adoption process works. First they must fill out the adoption application. Then they must pass a vet reference check. After that they must pass a home visit. My dogs choose their family. Very Happy

Then they must complete a 1 week trial period and sign the trial agreement that goes with it. If all works out then I finalize the adoption. A lot do not make it pass the application process, or the vet reference is not a good one. I even had one get as far as the home visit and fail due to old poo in the yard...I do not mean a few days worth we are talking can not walk in the yard. YUK!!. I am picky about where my dogs go. If you have any other questions just ask.

Thanks
Lori aka pomfostermom Mr. Green

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject:

You might want to try going to some local "adoption days". You can get to know your local rescue groups and let them know what you are looking for. If they don't have the type of dog you are looking for they might know of a rescue that does. Some rescue dogs never make it to PFs so you never know what you will find at an adoption event.

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject:

As good as the Internet is, it sometimes is that bad. What I mean is a lot of things that are sent are never received by the intended recipient. If you send an application and do not get an acknowledgment within a few days, inquire if they got it. Also while in correspondence between email providers. I am MSN and I have a 50/50 shot of getting email through to AOL addresses.

Make sure when filling out an application, You FILL it out completely. I received 5 applications within the past 2 weeks that left out their vet, or contact # for the vet. Or they put the name of their references and no contact #. It shows carelessness. If you don't care enough to fill out the information needed, do you honestly think, I'll think you will take care of a pet much better? Leaving out important info makes a rescuer feel that you are hiding something.

As a foster mom, I want the best for my foster pup. Remember, I really care about this animal. I am the one that has probably nursed it back to health. Has gotten up in the middle of the night to clean up because it has been sick. Stood out in the rain and snow to make sure the diarrhea is gone. Has worried about it a lot. Yes that foster has gotten into my heart and I want to make sure it gets in to it new mom and dads heart. We really want to make sure as much as humanly possible that the animal never winds up in the bad situation it came from again.

Not all rescues are created equal nor are all rescuers. Be leery of the ones that adopt fast with few questions. You should receive the courtesy of an acknowledgment to your application and you should receive a decision, as long as you filled out the application competely.

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject:

I submitted my first application to a foster home. They responded very quickly, but denied my application because they won't adopt out to a home where the 4 month old pup would be left alone for more than 4 hours on any given day.

I am sorry, but with the economy the way it is, most families have a double income.

I may have made the mistake with responding with long term answers - ie, he would have the run of the house. Well, of course that won't happen until he has matured and been trained.

Was that my mistake?

Help for future applications.

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