Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - adopt from a shelter or an individual? [ ]

You are trying to adopt a pet, and you see an ad that someone is rehoming their family pet because of whatever reason (new baby, say). You can assume it's not a backyard breeder, because their pet is old. They are charging the same adoption fee as the local shelter/rescue. Should you adopt their pet and keep that animal out of the shelter system, or should you use your money to help out the shelter and get an animal that might be put down? The vet work/characteristics of both animals are the same, the only difference is the source.

This is a question that I struggle with and one I haven't been able to form a clear opinion about. I'd appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks!

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:20 pm Post subject:

I'd go with a rescue with a good reputation. Surrendering owners are not always honest- they just want a pet gone. For example, I was talking with a woman about a persian she was trying to give away. The reason she originally stated was that her other cats didn't like it. I talked to her for a minute, trying to get to the root of things. Turns out, kitty had a medical condition (stones) that the lady could not afford/ did not want to afford to treat. Unfortuneatly, I couldn't take it at the time. She ended up giving it away to someone without telling them about the medical problem. What a nice surprise for a new owner! I saw a man giving away a puppy in a store. He said it just needed a home. My friend (who fosters the breed, but rarely has room for another foster- they are not easy to place) began asking him questions- turns out that the puppy was deaf. He was told to leave the store by the employees. A few minutes later, we see a lady come through with the puppy. She asked her where it came from- man in the parking lot. She said 'Did that man tell you the puppy was deaf?'. Of course he hadn't. The woman had no idea what she was getting herself into (my friend did her best to steer the lady in the right direction with training a deafie). I've also seen surrendering owners fib on various other things- like a dog being spayed, but really it just hasn't gone into heat in a while, or being neutered, but it really just has two undescended testicles.

Good rescues also give you a support system- someone to call when you have questions, someone to reccomend a good vet clinic, groomer or food.

I don't think there is anything 'wrong' with paying a nominal fee to take a dog from a surrendering owner- just be prepared.

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:01 pm Post subject:

catlover pretty much summed it up already.

I would like to add that very rarely will a previous owner take an animal back if it for whatever reason doesn't work out. Reputable rescues always will. Whether it is 3 days later or 3 years later. Also, rescues will provide you with all the post-adoption support you could want - from giving you ideas about settling in with your new friend or support and referrals with behavior issues.

I'd say always go with a rescue, unless you know the owners quite well and have a history with the animal already.

One thing I struggle with myself is the following scenario: I am planning to adopt two cats within a year or so. I know I can go to the shelter or through a rescue group and it would be just perfect. However, I have a co-worker whose parents have barn cats. The cats have litter after litter and most kittens won't make it into adulthood. The cats are being fed, but no health care is provided. There is no talking to those people as they think it is normal and they like the kittens - and there is no nuisance issue as natural predatures keep the colony manageable. My thought is if I get two kittens of an upcoming litter, I'd at least enhance their life expectancy if not save their lifes. On the other hand - those kittens have a fair chance while shelter cats really have no options. So, I am not sure what I'll end up doing.....

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:23 pm Post subject:

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:01 am Post subject:

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 8:51 am Post subject:

I went through an individual. She had been looking for a home for her Iggy and I had posted a Iggy wanted ad on craigslist.

I tried to use Iggy rescue, but the one in my area is notorious for not being good on follow through.

But the end result is that I now have a great one year old Iggy girl that needed a new home very badly. She is underweight and was being left alone for 16 hours a day!!!

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:12 am Post subject:

I have adopted from both types of situations.

With both cats and dogs. All of them have worked out wonderfully.

But on the other hand I know people who have adopted from a shelter and an individual and neither of them turned out. An acquaintance of mine from another board drove 6 HOURS to adopt a dog from my local shelter and it had to be put down that night because it went into seizures on the way home and the vet couldn't figure out what had caused it and the SPCA had no idea and agreed to its being put down.

Basically, its whatever works for you.

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the responses and the voting! I really appreciate it!

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:04 pm Post subject:

I would; (JMHO)

1, Meet both dogs and while there, ask questions such as what will happen to the dog if a home is not found.

2, Learn as much about each dog's personality and quirks as possible during the visit.

3, Have Daisy meet each dog to see how they relate to each other.

Lets say I like both dogs equal, Daisy gets along with both, and neither dog is in danger of going to a bad home or being put down.

My choice is not between giving my money to a shelter/rescue or an individual.

The next question is, do I prevent a dog from ever going into a shelter/rescue or do I shorten the length of time the one that is already there will have to stay. My choice would be to prevent a dog from having to go through the stress and risk of illness in a shelter.

If the owner is going to keep the dog until a suitable home is found then and only then does it come down to the OP's question of where to spend my money and in that case then I would get the shelter dog.

Petfinder.com forums Forum Index -> Public Forums -> Animal Community -> adopt from a shelter or an individual?

	Petfinder.com forums Forum Index -> Public Forums -> Animal Community -> adopt from a shelter or an individual?	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1