Thought provoking article from Pet Connection - are high adoption fees putting people off adopting pets from rescues? Are there better ways of encouraging people to adopt shelter dogs?
Re: Interesting article on the subject of pet adoption/rescue Hmmm...interesting. I've been a bit taken aback by how difficult it seems to be to volunteer to foster dogs from a few large shelters now. Plus Kate's experience with Millie's spay. Starting to wonder if some of these animal "rescues" are a bit out of touch.
Re: Interesting article on the subject of pet adoption/rescue The average adoption fee seems to be between £100 and £150 , depending on the type, pedigree of not and age of the dog , the younger seem to be more expensive . I dont think its so much the cost of adopting as most will be vaccinated and neutered , I think its more to do with the terms and conditions which are, to my mind ,often too harsh . I can understand the " No young children " especially if, like Millie, the dog was a former stray with no history, but the blanket " someone must be home all day " is to me unreasonable and will deter many good owners . I do worry about some of the smaller shelter owners who appear to have little experience in assessing dogs as to suitability and, due to rising cost of kennels , will ship them out to any eager new owner who hasnt really thought through what adopting a dog means , which is often damned hard work and patience by the bucket load . I cant say too much , but am also appalled that some shelters will release an unspayed bitch with the excuse that they dont know if the bitch has been spayed or not . OK , so scars will fade rapidly , but from my work with the Blue Cross, I know that if there is any cause for doubt , the bitch will be opened up to check , no bitch is ever released unspayed . I am also concerned at shelters who boast to having a No Kill Policy . To my mind , this means that either they cherry pick those dogs that they take in the first place, or that they run the risk of rehoming an aggressive dog which may be returned over and over again , each time making the dog worse . Dogs that spend a long time in shelters often develop Shut Down Syndrome or become aggressive out of frustration and anxiety . I get cross at the Adopt dont Buy brigade too , I chose to buy Sam and will not be made to feel guilty about it .Adopting Millie was also our choice and choice it should be too, not guilt .
Re: Interesting article on the subject of pet adoption/rescue Sorry if my post turned into a bit of an essay, just a subject I feel strongly about .
Re: Interesting article on the subject of pet adoption/rescue It seems that shelters vary widely in the standards that they maintain, and in the protocols they set for the rehoming of dogs in their care. Many of them do a wonderful job, and I'm sure all are set up with the best of intentions. But do you know Kate if there is any 'governing body' to which rescue organisations are answerable and that issues guidelines to its members?
Re: Interesting article on the subject of pet adoption/rescue Am currently looking into this with some of my contacts Pippa , will let you know my findings You are right, very many do sterling work and adhere to responsible guidlines , but sadly, a few do let the side down
Re: Interesting article on the subject of pet adoption/rescue we have been searching the shelters and rescue centers for months now, to no avail. its proven extremely difficult to find a suitable dog for adoption. most shelters like woodgreen and battersea have very reasonable adoption fees, however, there is a privately run 'shelter' near me who has extortionate fees. the attitude is (and i've almost taken this verbatim off their website) is that if you can't afford to pay the fee (which is £380) then you shouldnt be adopting in the first place. now woodgreen charges approx. £120 - the private shelter charges £380 - who are you more likely to adopt from? also, i think that many, myself included, feel that if i am going to pay £380 for a rescued dog, why not get a puppy and start from fresh?
