[TeresaP]

Thanks everyone, for your stories and support. It seems that right now may not be the best time to adopt - I keep getting shot down at every turn. I found two (gorgeous) young GSDs and sent an e-mail. No call or e-mail after 48 hours, so I called the listed number. Both are from the same rescue.

I started my conversation with, "Hi! This is Teresa ____ from ____, IN. I'm calling in regards to _____ that I saw on petfinder.com. I had a couple of questions; is this a good time to talk?" I figure that gives them a little informationi about me, and also the option to say that they really are busy and from there, I could ask to call another time or simply leave my contact information.

The lady on the other end of the phone seemed not only irritated, but disinterested in anything I had to ask or say. She spoke in such a rushed tone, I said it sounded like she was really busy and said that I would be happy to call at a different time should that be better - she said no.

Everything I asked, she had the very best answer UNTIL I asked about the adoption application. She told me to click the link and ask for an application (which I had done two days prior.) When I told her that, she said, "Nope. Got nothing from you." I said I would be happy to resend the request when she said, "Oh, are you ______ @ ____ .net?

Yes, that's me!

She said, "Yeah, I got it. Fine. I'll get back with you eventually, but we're already looking over applications for her." That was it. Now, why didn't she tell me that earlier? She knew exactly who I was calling about, yet told me only what I asked her, and didn't ask me a thing!

I'm tired of getting "doors slammed in my face" and I don't know what i'm doing wrong. I need to stay off petfinder.com for a while...

Thanks again everyone - really!!! I appreciate all the advice and tips and will use them when the time comes. AND I'll keep everyone posted...

 

[Jessiewessie99]

Sometimes its good and go see the people, the facility and the dogs. That way they can match a face with the potential adopter.

 

[selzer]

Teresa, is it possible, that there is something about your application they are balking on. Do you have a dog that is not spayed or neutered, do you not have a fenced yard, do you work full time -- single adult household, do you have small kids -- I think maybe you mentioned that.

It is possible, some rescues, will not adopt to someone who does not fit a rather narrow set of guidelines. I am wondering if this is the case for you.

 

[horsegirl]

If you like certain lines, contact reputable breeders and start talking with them about adopting an adult dog of their breeding that might need a new home. Good breeders will stay in touch with their puppy buyers and are often the first to know of an adult dog of their breeding that needs a new home.


I was hoping someone would get around to this option! thanks!

 

[TeresaP]

Teresa, is it possible, that there is something about your application they are balking on. Do you have a dog that is not spayed or neutered, do you not have a fenced yard, do you work full time -- single adult household, do you have small kids -- I think maybe you mentioned that.

It is possible, some rescues, will not adopt to someone who does not fit a rather narrow set of guidelines. I am wondering if this is the case for you.

I've been going over that as well:
2 cockers - one male, one female, both UTD on shots, neutered/spayed
2 cats - both rescues - both neutered
Braska - rescue, deceased
2 vet references - one general vet - one specialized vet
Hubby and I - married 20+ years
4 kids (19, 15, 11, & 8) - been raised with dogs - good "dog" manners
Hubby works full-time
I work part-time
Fenced-in yard
Left at home no more than 2 hours per day, but only twice a week
Have crates for him/her to grow
Will obedience train
Have fostered with a cocker spaniel rescue
etc...

The ONLY thing I see that might be a "bad thing" is that Braska died last month... is that enough to deny my application? Is there something I'm not seeing? One application did ask my age - maybe I'm "too old?" (just turned 40) I really don't know.

Yes, some of the rescue organizations ask that if you have babies/toddlers to please not apply, but at 8 years old... I would think that would be old enough, but perhaps not. I just wish they would TALK to me... I would understand it if they said, "Oh, well, you need a 6 ft fence." or "We don't adopt to anyone with children under ___ years of age." Etc.

Is there someone out there who can look at this and tell me if I'm getting flagged for some reason? Would an applicant be denied at YOUR rescue for the things listed above? I really would love to know. Thanks! Oh, and I called both vet offices - no one has called them for a reference, but I did let them know to expect it.

 

[TeresaP]

If you like certain lines, contact reputable breeders and start talking with them about adopting an adult dog of their breeding that might need a new home. Good breeders will stay in touch with their puppy buyers and are often the first to know of an adult dog of their breeding that needs a new home.


I was hoping someone would get around to this option! thanks!

Thanks! That's a very good option!

 

[TeresaP]

Sometimes its good and go see the people, the facility and the dogs. That way they can match a face with the potential adopter.

The few select that I have applied to, only one had a facility and the others were fostered in people's homes, therefore you had to apply, be selected, and THEN you were offered the opportunity to visit.

I *think* for the first two or three I applied for, it came down to who got there first - I was #2 on the list and should the adoption not work out for the first applicant, then I would be given the chance to meet the dog. Apparently, it worked out for the first one.

It has really just been this current rescue that brushed me off... and perhaps she was having a bad day - perhaps she really was rushed and just didn't have the heart to tell me otherwise - OR perhaps I'm not what they are looking for in a potential adopter... I know it's all for a reason - I just have to remind myself to be patient (and that is SO hard for me...)

 

[gsdraven]

I'm sorry that you are having a tough time adopting. It is a process and it's not perfect since most rescue are run by volunteers with full time jobs, kids and their own dogs. I know a lot of adopters starte to get frustrated. If you keep at it and don't get discouraged, it will pay off big time in the end. I'll suggest again to try and get pre-approved with a rescue if it's possible.

From what you posted here, there is nothing I can see that would be a red mark on your application. For some rescues, the 8yr old may be but not all.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

All rescues have different ways of doing things.

I think it's better to research the rescues, not the dogs, find one with policies and people you work well with and then build the relationship with them.

Rescue volunteers ARE generally very busy - think about it - they have not only their own dogs, families, jobs, but other peoples' dogs that they are taking care of. It is not an ideal situation at all and if there were enough volunteers to go around, it would be great to have someone fielding all the inquiries (I know a rescue that does that - the rescue director cannot foster, so she does the inquiries for all the dogs). But most don't have that luxury.

MVGSDR
Norma used to be on this board. I don't know if she would be able to help if you made contact - sometimes it helps to know someone who knows the rescue groups in your area. I know we have helped adopters find dogs elsewhere and that has worked really well for them.

Also - when we have a dog that is good with kids, social, etc, we may have a list of already approved adopters who are waiting to see that dog. I never adopt out to people with kids as my fosters do not have the 24-7 exposure that I think is needed to see if they have the nerve to live with children. So that's another factor - rescues want to place dogs in situations that they are experienced with. And that may limit the pool of available dogs. (I typed poop first!)

 

[vomlittlehaus]

I see lots of shelter dogs posted on Facebook from my friends and rescues I have friended. One person is flying a dog from California to Indiana today. There are a lot of great dogs in shelters. Some are from German Import bloodlines. So you can get a fantastic dog from a shelter. There are also retired working dogs posted places too. Give them a retirement home. It sounds like you have room in your heart and home for a rescue and a puppy, if you cant decide. I just wouldnt get them too close together.

 

[selzer]

Slightly off topic. But we were discussing this at dinner after our last club meeting -- the fact that some rescues will not adopt to anyone without a fenced in yard, to the point that the rescues are holding onto dogs beyond their capabilities to care for them.

There are no standards for dog rescues. They are all run by volunteers and have no government money or government controls, which while I agree with, I think that it might be beneficial for there to be some type of standardized system, maybe a group of rescues that have agreed on certain rules, certain policies, certain minimums for care, etc.

And I really get frustrated, when there is always such a demand for funds, and such vehemence against breeding, while people who want dogs are turned down. But then, why have a screening process if you are going to approve of everyone?

If Braska ran out in front of a car and died, I would say the rescue should probably think twice before putting another pet in your care. Or if the dog died in a hot car. Did they ask how Braska died?

 

[gsdraven]

There are no standards for dog rescues. They are all run by volunteers and have no government money or government controls, which while I agree with, I think that it might be beneficial for there to be some type of standardized system, maybe a group of rescues that have agreed on certain rules, certain policies, certain minimums for care, etc.

Would you be in favor of that for your breeding?

Usually a rescue that has blanket policies for no fence has put that policy in place because they were burned at some point by allowing it. The great (or not so great depending on the situation) thing is that if one rescues is that if one doesn't agree with you, another one probably will.

It is why myself and so many others say over and over again that you need to research the rescue the same way you would research a breeder and find the one that fits your goals and mission.

ETA: There are many more rescues that I don't consider reputable than ones that I do. (same with breeders) So, I would worry that the majority would overrule the few and the set of standards enforced wouldn't necessarily be the correct set (or at least the correct set of standards as I want them to be).

 

[TeresaP]

Did they ask how Braska died?

No, they didn't ask specificially, but there was room on three of the five applications to give some details, which I gave an overview of his life/death and encouraged them to contact our specialized vet for confirmation.

 

[mychance]

I'm sorry that you are having a tough time adopting. It is a process and it's not perfect since most rescue are run by volunteers with full time jobs, kids and their own dogs. I know a lot of adopters starte to get frustrated. If you keep at it and don't get discouraged, it will pay off big time in the end. I'll suggest again to try and get pre-approved with a rescue if it's possible.

From what you posted here, there is nothing I can see that would be a red mark on your application. For some rescues, the 8yr old may be but not all.

Ditto - especially with the bolded sections. I can only imagine how frustrating this process can feel and, as a long-time GSD rescue volunteer, wish your interactions with rescues were all positive and supportive. I know in our group we can't always get back to applicants as quickly as they (or we) would like and some of our volunteers can give off a gruff vibe. Our Board tries to tackle some of those issues, but with volunteers there's not much leverage to make people change.

Thank you so much! for hanging in there and exploring all your options. A well run responsible rescue is somewhat like a responsible breeder . . . we want our dogs to go to the right home and stay there. We'll love them forever, but we really don't want them back. Sometimes that goal gets in the way of making potential adopters feel "welcomed".

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Teresa - not sure if you saw my post - I seem to type in invisible ink, or post things that are not exciting, emotional, controversial or something (Spock was my favorite so pardon my logic) but have you looked into any of that?

 

[Rerun]

I get so tired of the "rescue volunteers are so busy, they have their own lives, it may take days or a week to get back to you, etc etc etc..."

blah blah blah!

I am a rescue volunteer and I've been doing this for MANY years to varying extents. fostering, going to organized events, handling adoptions, etc. And I'm sorry but if you are so busy you don't have time to talk to a potential adopter or meet with them so they can meet the dog in question, you shouldn't be volunteering in that capacity.

I get so tired of seeing this excuse over and over. It's an excuse, plain and simple. Make time to talk to someone for 5 or 10 minutes. Set aside an hour one afternoon or evening so they can come meet the dog. Why is this so difficult for people? I do this all the time, and have never once not had time to talk to someone or take 60 seconds to be polite and kind and tell them I'm really sorry but I can't talk right that second, could I call them back in an hr, etc.

JMHO!

to the OP - I'm sorry you are getting the shoulder from the people you have contacted! I see we're both in Indiana. If you have any questions about anyone in the area or some suggestions, shoot me a PM with what you're looking for and I'll see what I can do to help.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

You know, I don't see where anyone said it should take days or a week to get back to you. But, people do tend to like to react to things.

I also have seen many people say that not all rescues are equal. When you send out lots of inquiries and apps, you find this out.

I suggested that developing a relationship with one rescue is a great way for applicants to get hooked in so that when a kid friendly dog comes in, she will be in the forefront of that rescue's mind for that dog.

It's a system, and there are logical ways to work in a system. Or you can randomly do things and get random results.

 

[Lin]

Jean, Im all about the specific dog when I'm rescuing... So I would never want to wait with one rescue for the right dog to come in. Because what if the right dog comes in much sooner in a different rescue? The 2 rescues I went to for Tessa and Logan were great, and I would definitely recommend them. The shelter where I got Emma from wasn't so great, but then it was in the middle of nowhere and probably had no funding. But each of these dogs were PERFECT for me. Staying with a breeder you picked is one thing, because you know what they're producing and it should be somewhat stable. But rescue dogs are all over the map*. I would never want to narrow my net to a single one. I've driven across Indiana into Chicago, and across Indiana into Kentucky for my guys.

*uh, no pun intended!

 

[duttlyn]

In my opinion, somebody with kids really can't take the chance of buying an inexpensive puppy from a less-than-stellar breeder. In that case, you're much much better off going with an adult dog whose temperament you can evaluate.

I'm sorta totally freaked out now. I can guarantee my Berghoff wasn't dumped on the side of the road by a reputable breeder and I have 3 kids under 6. I guess I sorta was worried about this initially but I let "the love" take over and overlooked the potential for problems later. He just needed help and we fell in love with him. Sigh.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Jean, Im all about the specific dog when I'm rescuing... So I would never want to wait with one rescue for the right dog to come in. Because what if the right dog comes in much sooner in a different rescue? The 2 rescues I went to for Tessa and Logan were great, and I would definitely recommend them. The shelter where I got Emma from wasn't so great, but then it was in the middle of nowhere and probably had no funding. But each of these dogs were PERFECT for me. Staying with a breeder you picked is one thing, because you know what they're producing and it should be somewhat stable. But rescue dogs are all over the map*. I would never want to narrow my net to a single one. I've driven across Indiana into Chicago, and across Indiana into Kentucky for my guys.

*uh, no pun intended!

Well, the number of good dogs out there needing help is so high - that, and good rescues who have apps on hand for good applicants will look for the dogs for them. The only limitation is the number of volunteers and fosters and that is sadly definitely limited, which then limits the number of dogs a rescue can help.

You can definitely work with more than one rescue - but from what I am reading, sending out apps and then not seeing results, sending out more apps, rinse, lather, repeat, isn't the best system so why not slow down, research the rescues, find ones that you can work well with, and then get the right dog might be more effective.

It would be like applying to colleges by picking them by their mascot - and hoping something comes of it. You probably could get a good match college that way, but why do it that way when there are better ways to do it?