I am all about rescuing and adopting. I bought my Merlot, but I don't want to buy another dog. Since then I have volunteered at various shelters and I have learned too much since then about shelters and dogs without homes to do so. I just wouldn't feel right about it.
Like many other people though, I have run into problems. I live in an apartment with a tiny yard and work full time, so I'm not seen as a good candidate. It doesn't seem to matter that I have a pet sitter and 90% of my free time is spent with my baby at home or various dog parks. I have tried several times and I will keep trying. It's frustrating, but I understand they need to be strict in finding new homes. If only they knew what a grand life Merlot has and my future furbaby will have! :animal36

Interesting question. I tried to adopt 6 times and was denied for the following reasons:

1) They didn't want the dog to be alone during the day while we worked
2) They wanted the dog to have another dog to be around

Therefore, we ended up getting a full breed yorkie who is happy as can be - he is the only dog and he is alone during the day and does just fine. He gets tons of love and affection.

I never could understand why the dog shelters in the SF Bay Area rejected us so many times just because we both work full time.

In today's world...how would they even expect you to take care of a dog if you don't work full time? And sometimes w/ some dogs it's NOT good to have another dog around.

I think they're just trying to find the best possible homes. Rescues usually take more time, and do not adapt as easily.

4dogs- you have gorgeous dogs!!!

Our SPCA is very strict. My brother wanted a lab type dog for his family of 2 boys ages 7 and 9. They wouldn't adopt to him because he had kids. My brother is a stay at home dad the dog would have so much attention from their family. ALL these dogs sitting in those cages familyless and they wouldn't let ONE go home with my brother. RIDICULOUS!

That's true, but w/ rescues having soo many restrictions, it's a very limited number of people who can adopt. Then people complain about overpopulated shelters. I think if they made acceptions here and there (like OK, you don't have a fenced in yard, but you ARE a stay at home mom, etc) then the problem wouldn't be probably half as bad. Also, for the dogs sake, I think they rather go to a family w/ no fence, or a family who works full time, or a family w/ kids instead of living in a shelter and being confined to a cage most of the time. I know shelters have the dogs interest in heart, but they need to realize that their being soo protective, that sometimes this can cause more harm than it does good.

Was it because of the labs tempermant? If it was known to be a biter, that's one thing..but if it wasn't then that's a real dumb excuse to NOT let your brother adopt it.

Do shelters get any sort of government aid, or tax breaks? I'm thinking, maybe they have to keep a certain number of dogs, and they get some sort of aid or something, therefore there real strict on who adopts just because they dont want anyone to adopt. The more I read about this, the more skeptical I'm becoming.

There was no particular dog in mind. They wouldn't adopt to him period. :mad:

He bought a beautiful golden retriever from a local breeder.

Wow...and don't most dogs love kids? Maybe theres been past issues w/ rescue dogs biting children, then the shelter getting sued :confused:

My family suggested that I lie just to get one (i.e. say I worked from home, etc.). I didn't want to lie so we guy are yorkie boy! I'm glad it ended up working out that way as I love him to death. Now that we have a dog, if we want another they might let us adopt! LOL! :D

Rescue
 

Hi there! I figured I'd post this in a rescue friendly thread. I've been looking for/researching yorkies for about 6 months. I'm pretty paticular about what I'm looking for - so it's been a while. Then - last Friday night I saw this guy on Petfinder. They said he was a Yorkshire Terrier. I've talked to them since and they said he's mixed with Papillon. He looks like he might be 25% yorkie - ears are definitely Papillon. I'm hoping I can still be a part of "the club" even if we end up getting this dog. Isn't he sweet??? I wonder what his coat will be like - when do yorkie coats typically get long??? He's 6 months. Let me know what you think.

Aw he's adorable!

He is a cutie pie!!! I have no idea what he would look like full grown, but keep us updated!

Megan, I agree with you completely. I think it's sad that we have such an overpopulation of dogs that any end up in a shelter for whatever the reason may be. I think it's sad that a lot of these dogs are there for bad temperament and cannot be adopted due to previous owners lack of knowledge, time, or inability to train. Or the people that so horribly mistreat their dogs that the dogs will never recover.

I think it's sad that people purchase dogs from breeders they don't research and when they find out they are not "perfect" leave them (that's how I got Simon) or people use babies for breeding and then abuse them (that's how I got Hallie). I suppose we are a site of extreme animal lovers so for us it's easy to see all of the destruction and unfairness in animal treatment. I will say though, selfishly, I would really like to have a puppy that was healthy because I have never had that experience. Please don't get me wrong I would NOT change a thing about my babies but I would consider buying from a breeder so I could assure a long, healthy life.

So, yes Megan, there is so much sadness going on and I agree with everything you said :) but I can also see the other side of the issue too.