trials and tribulations of rescuing!

[shannonNJ]

So I've been on the hunt to look for a rescue pup via shelters and groups before I even try to commit to a breeder. I like the idea of rescuing a baby who has started out with an unsure future and welcoming him/her into my home with all the love left behind by my Max.

Here I am. Seven adoption applications completed & approved and no baby.

All were little Yorkie mixes, one, a Maltese/JRT mix however, all the shelters/organizations came back with several excuses, requirements, and/or "listed the dog as permanent foster". I've received, "you're a perfect candidate but so&so should go to a home with another dog" or "this puppy may be too small for your household"

Is it really this difficult?? I thought the point of rescues were to get these babies to great homes with lots of love. I wasn't even allowed to come see a few of the dogs or chat with the placement folks about my love of animals and my experience with my last dog.

It's so disheartening.

One was really a doll, too. One of six, the smallest, and he is the last of his siblings to be placed...he's still available too but they refuse to fully approve me because I don't have another dog.

[Sammy Mommy]

I'm so sorry about your Max. Have you tried any of the rescues on Petfinders? I see you are in NJ. Have you tried PLUTO in Staten Island? It sounds like you have a wonderful and loving home ready for a lucky pup. Good luck in your search!

[shannonNJ]

Originally Posted by Sammy Mommy

I'm so sorry about your Max. Have you tried any of the rescues on Petfinders? I see you are in NJ. Have you tried PLUTO in Staten Island? It sounds like you have a wonderful and loving home ready for a lucky pup. Good luck in your search!

Yes, I've searched high and low on Petfinder. My father even made a visit to the shelter in Richmond on Staten Island; no dogs currently available there.

I understand that most of these places are volunteered and have limited time, but I wish they'd hear me out at least. Especially on the socialization part. All my pets are very well socialized and have plenty of playtime with other animals/dogs & people!

Sigh. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

& Thank you, by the way!

[heapslp]

My husband and I rescued our girl (Korra) from Rescue Me Yorkie based in Whiting NJ. We found the rescue because of another pup that they listed. We fell in love with his cute picture, passed the online application, phone interview, and home visit. But, they didn't let us have the pup we had seen online. It was definitely hard hearing that.

However, a couple of weeks later a pup came in that they suspected would be a good fit for our family, they reached out to us first before posting her info online. I am so happy they waited until the right dog came along for us. She was a puppymill breeder, so there were some hurdles to get over, but really she has been the best pup that I could ever ask for and now I know the other little guy really wouldn't have been the right fit for us. He was so terrified of people that it really wouldn't have worked unless we did have another dog.

If you haven't reached out to Rescue Me Yorkie, I would suggest trying. They approve you to adopt from them, rather than just for a specific dog, so if any of their current dogs aren't a good fit, they will let you know when the right one comes along. It's hard to wait, but trust me it's worth it.

- Lauren

[Britster]

I'm sorry. I've noticed quite a few rescues who have very strict rules, and it's completely understandable, but it often makes it hard to adopt and then people end up getting a dog from elsewhere. I just don't like how it's often so black and white. 'No fence, no dog' 'over 25yrs old' 'no unaltered animals' 'no kids under 13' etc. My dog gets more exercise and socialization because of the fact that I don't have a fence. Some people have unaltered pets for medical reasons. I just think it should be on a case-by-case basis and not always so cut & dry.

Someone like me would probably never be approved and it's a shame because I provide an amazing home for my Jackson and would another. I have 2 breeders from 2 different breeds that I've narrowed it down to, and that I've already contacted and spoken with in depth, even though I won't be getting another dog for most likely 2 years. Going to a reputable breeder is not a 'bad' thing! Don't feel guilty if you can't find yourself the 'right' rescue pup.

[shannonNJ]

Originally Posted by Britster

I'm sorry. I've noticed quite a few rescues who have very strict rules, and it's completely understandable, but it often makes it hard to adopt and then people end up getting a dog from elsewhere. I just don't like how it's often so black and white. 'No fence, no dog' 'over 25yrs old' 'no unaltered animals' 'no kids under 13' etc. My dog gets more exercise and socialization because of the fact that I don't have a fence. Some people have unaltered pets for medical reasons. I just think it should be on a case-by-case basis and not always so cut & dry.

Someone like me would probably never be approved and it's a shame because I provide an amazing home for my Jackson and would another. I have 2 breeders from 2 different breeds that I've narrowed it down to, and that I've already contacted and spoken with in depth, even though I won't be getting another dog for most likely 2 years. Going to a reputable breeder is not a 'bad' thing! Don't feel guilty if you can't find yourself the 'right' rescue pup.

Thank you for that! You're completely right, too. I fit perfectly with all their requirements; have a very lard fenced in yard on almost an acre, fix all my pets, never given a pet up, great vet and groomer references..but no older dogs in the home. Just my cat. And she's playful!

I mean, to reject someone for not having another dog is crazy to me. All my friends and relatives have dogs..who's to say that because there wouldn't be two in my home, that the dog wouldn't be socialized daily elsewhere? There's even a sweet puppy next door!

I don't know. Someone has just responded to my dismay on the shelter's FB page so maybe the foster will hear me out. I really feel so bad for this little guy. He's all alone and his mother was just adopted out last week along with his 5 siblings.

Who can pass up a face like this???

[LoveNeverDies]

I am SO sorry. Working with rescues can be very difficult and frustrating. Please try to keep in mind that they are doing what they think is best for the dog. The goal in rescue/shelters is to never have that poor baby back in those conditions. Eventually they will find a dog that will meet both of your wants. Thank you so much for doing the work to rescue before buying!

[Ellie May]

It is fristrating. I appreciate all thatrescues do, but rules ae soeties aken to the extreme. I have ound yorkie specific rescues (for the most part) to have ridiculous rules (jmo).

I undersand not wantingto have to rehomeyet again, but that can happen with the perfect fit anyway. I ave volunteered with rescues and have a rescue dog and still feel this way.

I personally won't just take rejection after rejection. If within a reasoable amount of time nobody woud adopt out to me I'd just purchase.

The rescue we got our boy from is actually a bet hosp that does this on the side. They are literally pulling dogs off of death row constantly and the choices are to adopt out quickly or let them die. Easy choice... Anyway, they have told us that they can request certain breeds from the place that pulls these dogs for them. Maybe thereis something like that near you? We were approved, met pup, and allowed to adopt same day. Got him the next day. They do have a rew rules, butit is mostly agreeing o certain things in their contract.

[MyDearSam]

While I appreciate and respect the work that rescues do to keep animals alive, I can't say I'm a fan of them based on my own experience. The arbitrary rules can be totally ridiculous.

Here's an article that I recently found regarding the rules of rescue:

http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/adoption...oo-strict.html

[seastheday]

Interesting. After we lost our Yorkie we also checked all the Yorkie rescues. NJ has a ton of them. One Yorkie was being fostered in the next town. I called and emailed and nothing ever happened. No return call or emails. One of my colleagues told me about a Yorkie that was being fostered. Her friend called and the foster mom said her son fell in love with him and they were keeping him. It just seems to me that it's who you know and that these pups are spoken for before they are posted. So, after looking for several months (our first 3 dogs were rescues) I had no qualms about checking out breeders and finding my new puppies. Sorry for your disappointment. Sometimes we try to do the right thing and it just doesn't work out....or maybe it really is "who you know"

[shannonNJ]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

It is fristrating. I appreciate all thatrescues do, but rules ae soeties aken to the extreme. I have ound yorkie specific rescues (for the most part) to have ridiculous rules (jmo).

I undersand not wantingto have to rehomeyet again, but that can happen with the perfect fit anyway. I ave volunteered with rescues and have a rescue dog and still feel this way.

I personally won't just take rejection after rejection. If within a reasoable amount of time nobody woud adopt out to me I'd just purchase.

The rescue we got our boy from is actually a bet hosp that does this on the side. They are literally pulling dogs off of death row constantly and the choices are to adopt out quickly or let them die. Easy choice... Anyway, they have told us that they can request certain breeds from the place that pulls these dogs for them. Maybe thereis something like that near you? We were approved, met pup, and allowed to adopt same day. Got him the next day. They do have a rew rules, butit is mostly agreeing o certain things in their contract.

It is ridiculously frustrating! I feel bad in a way, going back and forth with this woman about just wanting to adopt this little baby. Just a feeling I have about him..I don't know.

If I don't get him, I hope they do adopt him to a loving, deserving home very soon. It's terrible he's been all by himself for almost two weeks!

You're totally right as well, seastheday! The way she's responding is giving me the hunch that they're attempting to "hold" him for a friend or something. She keeps telling me, "well we'll see if a qualified person adopts him soon. if not we'll let you know."

Sounds like a dumb excuse to me. I find it hard to believe a fluffy little pup like him isn't getting any requests for adoption

[shannonNJ]

Originally Posted by seastheday

Interesting. After we lost our Yorkie we also checked all the Yorkie rescues. NJ has a ton of them. One Yorkie was being fostered in the next town. I called and emailed and nothing ever happened. No return call or emails. One of my colleagues told me about a Yorkie that was being fostered. Her friend called and the foster mom said her son fell in love with him and they were keeping him. It just seems to me that it's who you know and that these pups are spoken for before they are posted. So, after looking for several months (our first 3 dogs were rescues) I had no qualms about checking out breeders and finding my new puppies. Sorry for your disappointment. Sometimes we try to do the right thing and it just doesn't work out....or maybe it really is "who you know"

By the way, if I may ask, what breeder did you end up getting your pups from?

[DBlain]

Shannon, have you spoken to anyone at yorkie 911, they are based in NY but I know people from NJ that have adopted dogs from them. One gal I know just got a 12 week old morkie male. They are a large size organization and seem to have many pups.

I know your pain though because I went through the same hoops you did twice, first time I was turned down over the fence and living on the water issue. The second time after searching like you did for about 3 months I gave up and bought a puppy. I will say had a wanted an older dog or one with issues I could have probably found something, I was not opposed to a dog up to the age of around 2, but most were pushing 9 or or had issues, by all means I felt bad for them but I know myself and I do not have what it takes for that. I am truly grateful to those that do because that is really where the need is. Good luck and if you need any help with Yorkie 911 let me know, I know both the founders and several other people there.

[Pookie1w]

Wow. I'm actually going to see a rescue on Saturday. My vet told me he had treated the little fellow. He's a mix, not sure what mix but he's small (7lbs), 1.5 years old and supposedly a snugglemuffin. If I dont think he's a good fit for us, I'll pm you as the shelter is in Franklin and not that far from you.

[capt_noonie]

Sometimes it can be easy to get a dog from rescue, sometimes it can be really difficult. But let's face it, not everyone is cut out for a dog, or a yorkie, or a rescue yorkie. I think most people like the idea of rescuing, but in reality, most people who first look into rescue want a small, female, under 2 years old yorkie with no health issues and potty trained. There are not many that come into rescue that fit that criteria. Bc if they did, why would they be in rescue in the first place?

However, it's not unheard of that there are young, small, no medical issue dogs that come into rescue. I have been fostering for only 5 years (actually come to think of it, I think a bit less than 5 years) and all have been under 9 years old, the youngest being Lily who is 2 1/2. Adopting a rescue is all about timing. Sometimes all you can do is put in apps and wait. Even though you are a great owner, doesn't necessarily mean you would make a great match for a particular dog.

One of the hardest parts of fostering is telling a family that there was another family that was a better fit. It doesn't mean they are better than you, it just means they were a better fit for the dog. When placing a rescue into a forever home, it's about what's best for the dog.

It's true that if a foster mom wanted to adopt their foster dog, they could do it easily. However I am choosy even for myself, maybe even moreso. I haven't come across a dog yet that fits in perfectly for our family forever. But the reason I foster is to help the dogs, not to look for my next dog. If I adopted all the dogs I fostered, then i wouldn't be able to help save anymore.