I just feel that a rescue, whether it is one person or 100 doing the work, should invest the same care and concern into their interactions with the public as they provide to their canine charges.
Yes, I can imagine it is a pain to get tons of emails and phone calls everyday, and I am sure that some folks who call to adopt or place an animal might lack knowledge, not be a good fit for a certain dog, etc... and I am sure that some members of the public expect "miracles", or an instant happy ending.
However, that comes with the territory. The word "rescue" implies an immediate need for help. I think that was what was so off-putting to me: an abandoned dog needed help. No, he was not dying. Yes, he was getting food, water, and attention (as best the neighborhood could). But none of us could give him a "forever" home, or even house him temporarily. So naturally, I searched for a place to "rescue" him- even if this meant waiting, and driving him to Birmingham, Huntsville, or Atlanta. While none of the rescues could help him, two of them instructed me not to "take him to the pound- they will kill him within a week." Not a good situation to put someone in-talk about guilt with a capital "G". I had enough sense to seek out my own resources, but I think that took a lot of gall to say, as it was definitely an "instruction", not a "please don't do that". I would have felt better if they had mentioned some options (one did, which was great). But to say: "We can't help you" and tell me that, in essence, that if I did the "last resort" option, I would be sending the dog off to an early grave, left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I have no idea about other rescues outside of the ones I contacted.
As I stated before: A RESCUE IMPLIES HELP IS NEEDED. If that help cannot be delivered due to too many animals, not enough volunteers, lack of money, etc... THAT IS OK. Just note this on the website or the phone. Most persons these days will either use the Internet or word of mouth to find out about what to do in a case like mine. Either way, if the refusal is done upfront (either for accepting or adoption) in a PROFESSIONAL MANNER (e.g. "I'm sorry, but we are full right now...have you tried ______ or ________?" or "I'm sorry, but this dog has this history, and a house with children would not be in their or your best interest due to ___________"), then it is all good.
Being tired, being inundated with calls or emails, or running low on patience with the public is not an acceptable excuse for being unprofessional.
I used to supervise a hotel front desk, so I have some experience with customer service. While rescues may or may not charge for adoptions or taking in an animal, it is still a "customer service" issue--and one needs good to excellent people skills.
Finally, I had a friend in New Orleans who did an informal rescue in her home. She had about 11 cats and a dog (the dog was her and her husband's). She would "snap" sometimes from all the stress, be tired after working all evening or day, or just get "fed up" temporarily. She would call me, and I would go next door, walk the dog or bring TJ to play with him, clean some litter pans, and play with the kitties. This seemed to help her state of mind immensely.
She needed to be "rescued"-- and I tried to be there as soon as I could.
I would be honored and pleased to help a local rescue group. But the ones here seem to want money. I can understand that. I cannot give right now, except by way of time.
Maybe I need to re-contact a rescue and see if they "really" don't need help- or are just struggling in how to ask.
Now that would be a novel idea!
Sorry for the ramble.

Ramble on, my friend.

I agree completely. :D

i think that she could've have been a bit nicer in the email.. the one she sent me said i would LOVE for you to take one off my hands..i do not have the time or room for them.. and it sounded like i was doing her a favor.. i really just wanted to save the dog and give her a good life. when i got out to her house she must've had at least 50 dogs. i don't know.. the way i look at it.. they choose to do rescue and take on that many animals.. one person can only do so much.. i would LOVE to save every animal in danger but there is no possible way.. i think they just get SO overwhelmed.. but that is something you have to realize BEFORE you go into that type of work

Well personally, I think it was kinda rude as well. I mean, fine, if they felt the dog didn't need a pup "bothering" it all the time, that's understandable, but they could have worded it a lot better, perhaps: Thank you for your interest, that's very kind and generous of you to want to help this girl, but we're really hoping to find her a home with an older dog or no other animals. If they're that unprofessional to you, I can just imagine how many others they may have responded to that way. Sad thing is, I'm sure their is a dog there or will be some day that would be a great fit for your home and life, but does this personal actually think you'll call back again to try and help a dog in need after she replied to you the way she did? Again, it's the furkids who suffer....

too exhaustive?
 

I think it was worded rudely, but I probably don't think they intended it that way. Who knows? But for anyone who thinks that it is too exhausting to word things in a nice way amazes me. This is what is wrong w/ society as a whole today. We can't be bothered to do the right thing, as it might take too much out of us!

My sister-in-law tried to get a Border Collie from several rescue groups on the east coast; she was really put off by how rude every single person was and holier than thou, etc.; their girls were 8 and 10. They ended up getting a border collie puppy from an Amish family (not a mill, but the last of a kitchen litter). They are exemplary dog owners, even with such a high-energy dog.

She had 50 dogs?? Where were they, in the house, kennel, outside????

I rescued a shih-tzu about a year and half ago. The rescue place I got her from knew nothing about shih-tzu. She was matted and not in good shape. When I got her the lady mentioned nothing about her not liking men. That is why I had to rehome her. I vowed I was not going take her back where I had got her from. The home she is in now is absolutely perfect for her and she is so happy. I feel if the are going to take a dog in they should educate themselves on the breed.

outside.. she had a lot of kennels.. she had a big big area where she had dogs.. then there were like 5 kennels that had lots of puppies.. then she had a little pen set up outside and had brought a weenie dog and her pups out for the day.. then there were about 6 dogs just roaming.. i didn't go inside or to the other side of the house..

.......and my home wouldn't be suitable........

Bless her little heart, (yorkie). Yea they were kinda rude. Alot of people think that have to be rude. What happen to kind, friendly words? . She has been adopted out I think already.

i honestly think she would've been FINE! my rescue LOVES the puppy... that's her favorite!

Wow that doesn't sound like they are in a quiet home there.....:(

Rude
 

I think she was really rude!!! RUDE!!!
she could have chosen her words with more TACT!

AND about her needing a quiet home where does it say that rescue workers
study dog behavior.
I believe they need just the opposite other wise she is just there to lay around bored until she dies??
they mean well but I don\'t think by any means they should be judging and turning away people without proper knowledge of canine psychology.