Required Fencing

[Galathiel]

I was looking at the possibility of adopting a rescue perhaps and noticed that one of the rescue organizations requires 6 foot fencing. Is that typical? The reason I ask is I have almost an acre of yard with normal chain link fence that has always worked fine for my house dogs since they are not alone in the yard.. it's mainly to stop impulsive dashes due to sight of a squirrel or stray cat. I shudder to think what the cost would be to re-fence with 6 foot fencing.

In cases like mine, do rescues you know accept a 'kennel' area that is 6 foot fencing (with roof) as an alternative? Mainly would be used for .. hmm .. I dunno .. dog is outside goofing off and I need to run into the house to catch the phone (or some such). Also, could see using it because otherwise the dog would have to be crated a good part of the day since I work; however, I'm extremely uneasy about leaving a dog kenneled outside.

Would love to hear your views or the requirements of any rescues you work for or have in the past.

[Shaolin]

I have found fencing to be a typical request, but I've found that a lot are willing to work with you when it comes down to it, i.e. as long as you have a good, sturdy fence, they are willing to accept that as long as the pups aren't being left outside unattended. It just depends on the rescue and you'd have to speak with them to make sure.

I hope this helps

[MichaelE]

I never understood why GSD Rescues always ask that question along with several other questionable questions. For a couple of the rescues I contacted I thought I was being interrogated by a police detective.

I understand them wanting to be careful to whom they allow adoptions, but I'm not adopting a child for Christ sake, and this ain't my first visit to the GSD rodeo.

I slightly turned the tables on the last rescue I contacted when they started in on me and I started interviewing them.

[Shaolin]

I had a rescue refuse me because I had an un-altered male and I was looking at an already spayed female. They also didn't like me because I don't have a "real" GSD, but that's a story for another time.

I get a lot of the questions: it's their only chance to make sure the dog is going to a good home, but I think the interview has the potential to turn off well qualified "parents", especially when the list of "requirements" is longer than a lease contract. I like one of the rescues here that have a few simple weed-out requirements, but they do a TON of home visits. I like that atmosphere much better, IMO.

[KZoppa]

I've found that to be pretty typical. Our issue when we were looking into rescues was we were automatically denied because we're a military family despite having had our own dogs with no problems. I understand their reasoning but should be a case by case basis. Its possible the rescue may be willing to work with you on the fencing.

[Gharrissc]

I know of a few rescues in my 'rescue circle' who do interrogate adopters like they are a convicted felon. Their motto is 'guilty until proven innocent.' I've heard some of them say this. One of the rescues in our area has a 12 page (you read right) application. I've heard how they talk to a lot of people and can see why they have turned off many.

Whenever someone comes to adopt from me,I talk to them like they are a person and make it very casual. Nobody is 'guilty' with me unless I find something on them. I don't automatically deny those who are in an apartment or without a fence.I do my best to make sure that my dogs are going to good homes,and have denied plenty of people who don't want to provide references or have a home visit because of 'privacy issues',etc. I have twice adopted out to families who didnt have their male GSD altered, and I still see them from time to time.

It's important for rescues to make sure the animals are going to a good home,but adopters shouldn't be made to feel as if you are on trial either.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Originally Posted by Galathiel

I was looking at the possibility of adopting a rescue perhaps and noticed that one of the rescue organizations requires 6 foot fencing. Is that typical? The reason I ask is I have almost an acre of yard with normal chain link fence that has always worked fine for my house dogs since they are not alone in the yard.. it's mainly to stop impulsive dashes due to sight of a squirrel or stray cat. I shudder to think what the cost would be to re-fence with 6 foot fencing.

In cases like mine, do rescues you know accept a 'kennel' area that is 6 foot fencing (with roof) as an alternative? Mainly would be used for .. hmm .. I dunno .. dog is outside goofing off and I need to run into the house to catch the phone (or some such). Also, could see using it because otherwise the dog would have to be crated a good part of the day since I work; however, I'm extremely uneasy about leaving a dog kenneled outside.

Would love to hear your views or the requirements of any rescues you work for or have in the past.

How high is your chain link? That would probably be an important factor. Rescues develop their policies over time, due to experiences they have with adopters. Some start out adopting to homes with children under 5, as an example, then have enough negative experiences to end the practice. So it is likely that this rescue has a reason for the current requirement but could still be willing to work with you.

Contacting them and letting them know what you do have could help. Some will not budge, and that is their prerogative.

In the rescues I have volunteered with, it is up to the foster family, and depends on the dog. Because we do so much talking with potential adopters, we get an idea of how the fence is to be used (park the dog out back, see ya later or safe monitored containment for potties and play) or in the case of no fence, what will they do when windchill today is 0 and dog has diarrhea.

I wish you good luck! There may even be some members on here who volunteer for the rescues you are looking at. Many rescue volunteers were applicants first, so understand the process from both sides, have gone through everything you are going through.

[Galathiel]

Our fence is not that high .. just a normal chain link fence. At least one side probably belongs to my neighbor (she has her yard completely enclosed in chain link as well). I plan to use the yard for just potty and play time and obedience work, but I wouldn't leave a GSD unsupervised in a fence like that. Like I said, IF I were going to let him stay out for a bit, I would more than likely have to put in a escape proof kennel (i.e., covered and dig proof floor).

[wolfy dog]

Originally Posted by Shaolin

I had a rescue refuse me because I had an un-altered male and I was looking at an already spayed female. They also didn't like me because I don't have a "real" GSD, but that's a story for another time.

Same happened to me. As if they think your intact male will sire puppies with their spayed female. They missed out on a good home and I went to a breeder and got WD.
This rescue was hard core and over the top.

[Shaolin]

Originally Posted by wolfy dog

Same happened to me. As if they think your intact male will sire puppies with their spayed female. They missed out on a good home and I went to a breeder and got WD.
This rescue was hard core and over the top.

Yeah. The head of the rescue told me that Finn would be aggressive and wild because he was un-altered and that he would constantly try to hump her. Mind you, we had a spayed girl in the house already and we had no problems with random humping. He brought the dog to the house a few times and they all played beautifully together.

I chalked it up to experience and moved on. I'm associated with a rescue now that would kill for me to take one of their pups, so if they get a girl in that I like, she'll have a forever home.