Shelter Auctioning off a yorkie?????
 

Sorry guys, but I just had to vent!
Earlier last month I found that a local shelter here in Los Angeles had 5 yorkie pups, 3 boys and 2 girls. I was so excited that I called them to find out more info. I was told they wouldn't be available until today at 8. I was so excited that I got up early, woke up my brothers (we're at my parents house today) and ran off to the shelter. When I got there, I was shocked to find out
1) the puppies weren't there,
2) they weren't available until the 20th, and
3) which is the worst....they were going to be auctioned off!!!
I can't beleive a shelter is auctioning off puppies! What is this a mill???????
I thought the point was to find them good homes and that $$$ was not an issue!! I was prepared to give a higher adoption donation than what they were asking for thinking it would help the shelter out a bit. But when I walked in and saw that.........:eek:
Let's just say I'm so disappointed. I thought shelters would be happy to find them a good home.
Sorry it's so long, but I'm soooo MAD!!!!

Oh, I forgot to add, the shelter is also trying to get the press to go to their auction. I don't know what for, but they're hoping to be on the news with the yorkies and a few maltese they have.

Hi There,
I live in Oxnard Ca. and I know that when our Ventura County Animal Shelter
says that they're having an auction they just mean that they put the name of
everyone interested in a jar and whomevers name is pulled out gets to
adopt the animal.
Are you absolutely sure they auction puppies to the highest bidder? I know
that my friend called about a pug that was at Downey shelter and they told
her they had a lot of interest and that they were having a drawing.

Sorry you didn't get one of the pups, if you want to drive to Oxnard you can
have my Archie [he's being a pill today] ;)

ours too
 

Our local shelter does the same thing after they approve all the applications they do a drawing and call it an auction

I'm sure it's not a drawing. It really is an auction and whoever the highest bidder is gets one of the yorkie or maltese puppies they had. I was surprised and thought that maybe they meant a drawing so I asked again and they explained the pups will go home with the highest bidder.
Maybe I'm over-reacting and shelters do this all the time. I was just so surprised to hear when they said, "You can come back on the 20th and place a bid on one of the puppies." It's the first time I've ever heard a shelter do this so...... I don't know....
Thanks for offering Archie, if he's really being rowdy send him my way!! :D

:eek:

I completely aggree with you. I know they are puppies and I thought of giving a higher donation than what is said on their websites and what they told me over the phone ($91). Volunteering at a different shelter that usually handles big dogs, I know money is always needed for the care of older and sicker dogs.
To me, it seems that there will be no pre-screening of potential adoptees, but I could be wrong. When I called to ask, all I was told was "show up, and place a bid, it will be a silent auction so things don't get to crazy and out of hand."

So, am I right to beleive this isn't normal shelter behavior? My reaction was like zoeybear's, my jaw was on the floor too. One person I did speak to at the shelter did say
"it's pretty stupid since this is one of the things we are trying to stop, but the manager and the other higher ups decided this is how they wanted to handle the adoptions...personally I don't completely agree."

Actually, if this is done right (where every bidder is completely screened and approved) this would be a great fund raiser for the shelter. It would also be good publicity for them to teach people proper care and purchasing of pets. That is, IF they do this right.:animal-pa

not once in all of my conversations with the shelters or the shelter's administration did they mention any type of screening, but I honestlly hope you're right. I would hate to think that they could potentially go to un-prepared homes just to be returned to the shelter.
Now that I think about it, I was told they were going to try to get the media's attention, it worries me that they might be sending the wrong message to the public. I still think it's wrong to auction these puppies off like antiques. If they do screen potential homes before the auction begins, then I have less of a problem with the auction. But only slightly.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to investigate further.

wow!! i've never heard of a shelter holding an auction!!!

You really should get all the info, and if its truly as bad as it seems, I would rally all friends, family and LA dog lovers to make a huge fuss and make the shelter think twice before they put money over the well being of the animals they are trying to save.

Update!
 

I would have done this sooner but, I had finals week.:(
Anyway, I have links for the press release and the code that allows these 10 puppy mill pups to be auctioned off (5 yorkies, 5 maltese). BUT the information I found is vague at most.
While I think they did a great job at intercepting these Korean puppy mill pups, I don't think silent auction with no background check is the best way to go. And I have yet to find any proof that they will make sure these little guys go to good homes, they're just going to hold a silent auction because of high interest in the pups. According to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 53.11 they are allowed to place an animal up for public auction before placing the animal with private citizens, humane organizations and participant shelters. (Which means adoption fees can be waived if transfered.)

Here's a note from the General Manager of LA Animal Services:
From the Desk of Ed Boks: LA Animal Services Makes Overseas Puppy Mill Survivors Available for Adoption But Cautions "Buyer Beware"

The official press release.
http://www.laanimalservices.com/PDF/...vivors%20A.pdf

Unless this is normal procedure for shelters, then....I guess I have to keep my mouth shut. I'm not complaining about them letting the pups go to the first good homes offered, the saying goes "the early bird gets the worm" right? (I've lucked out before and am ok with that) But an auction? Not a raffle, but a silent auction? If I'm just wasting my "breath" let me know and I'll just let it go.

I beleive it is legal, I tried googling Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 53.11, and what I posted above is to the best of my knowledge. It is legal, it is allowed. Even if the own shelter employees think its wrong (which 2 verbally expressed their opinions to me in person) the shelter manager gets to decide. I don't want to take away from the fact that they intercepted and disrupted the puppy mill's plans, I'm not sure if this is the best way for those pups to find homes.
Any one else have an opinion on this????

I have an opinion, but I doubt it would matter to those people. They clearly are not thinking about what is best for those puppies.

Interesting they got them from a mill...and yet, they now auction them off to the highest bidder which could actually land the poor things back into another awful situation.

This whole story is just so disgusting. I thought that some of the shelters here had some issues...that one you are dealing with takes the cake in my opinion. They are acting like breeders rather than rescuers. It is so hard for me to understand how they could let those puppies go without any background checks on the bidders.

Just tragic.

In the first article, last paragraph, there is a buyer beware comment. It reminds those interested that these are puppymill puppies, and the buyer should know that health issues due to this can occur. It mentions a financial check on the purchaser to make sure they can afford the medical bills that could come up. I would be careful about purchasing one of these pups.

Dvlshangel, You have a very kind heart,and I admire you greatly, but perhaps these are not the right puppies for you. Tricia

This is just disturbing! :mad:

Same, unfortunately, could be said about many that are purchased from breeders. Now..please...no jumping on me. There are reputable breeders, but sadly not as many as those who are not.

:thumbup: Very true post. Elaine

I'm assuming that the 'winner' would have to prove they could provide an adequate home and proper care of the dogs in that same manner as anyone else adopting, either before being eligible to bid or afterwards, but before the pup is placed with them. Assuming that is the case, the situation doesn't seem so bad.

They say that they will ascertain that the adopters will be able to afford any medical issues these pups have.....I am not sure why they told people to just show up. Why not just say exactly what the qualifications are...why not have people apply and prescreen them?...and then, yes, I agree that auctioning is a great way to raise money for other pups.
The thing that concerns me is that it is very difficult to find a lot of good applicants at one time. They have a lot of interest because it is a popular breed. That does not mean the people expressing interest are great homes.
I do hope these pups find wonderful homes!

Well that is good that they are screening potential owners. Yes, it is hard to find a good applicants and lots will be interested simply because they ARE Yorkies....but think of how many MORE interested parties there would be if they were releasing them for the normal adoption rate. People tend to give more serious though to matters that involve higher prices.

I"m going to guess the publicity will be greater because of the "auction". A Silent auction is different, and they probably will check references and notify later. How does this rescue usually adopt?

Oh that is so true...the people would be coming out of the woodwork. Yikes!

Well, I showed up 2 Saturdays ago because I was told by the Admin Office that was when they would be available. I guess there was misinformation and the pups were not there. But, by showing up to the shelter (which in my book is a sign of showing interest in the pups right?) all I was told was "show up on the 20th and place your bid." I was never asked to fill out a pre-adoption application or anything similar.
Just incase anyone thinks I'm some mad-disgruntled person trying to throw mud on this shelter's name because I didn't get the pup, this is not true. I have lost out on trying to adopt other dogs (not in the right place at the right time) and I'm just putting this in the same category. I know that at this time I cannot affor a $1000 puppy and still have money on reserve for unforseen vet care, so I'm trying to rescue.
HOWEVER... I don't agree with what they are doing. As the shelter rep said in front of me when commenting on the auction. "this is bull *stuff*, we're suppose to be better than this." I am grateful that they saved these furbutts from having god knows what kind of life. But putting them up for any type of auction is only putting them in harms way once again. Can't they just raise the adoption donation? Even if it's out of my price range, it still guarantees the shelter a little more money since they are popular dogs and it helps weed out people who just want to get a "cheap" dog.
I don't agree with the auction and will not be returning for tomorrow's auction. I'll just spend the day with my roommate's dog and when my time comes I will be able to bring home a playmate for him.

I could be that they will screen applicants there, or after the bids have been placed. I'm not saying that's the case, just trying to think of all the possibilites.
However, I understand that you are upset because you have your heart set on one, as do others apparently and are not assured that you will get one because you will not have the highest bid. It seems like you were given bad information and they probably should have just said that they were not taking reserve or applications at this time or something to that affect. As far as the shelter worker's comment...they obviously weren't in the loop enough to give you accurate information when you called, there is no assurance that they have all the facts strait about this situation either. Not exactly the most reliable source.
I'm just saying that without knowing if they will be screening potential owners in some form or fashion, as I would assume would be done, it's kind of hard to judge if their decision will have adverse effects. It seems to me like this route accomplishes just what you have voiced a concern over--weeding out those just looking for a "cheap" dog. A young litter of Yorkie pups ready to be placed right before Christmas...yeah, I would be trying to find a way to find them homes but reduce the number of those demanding them too if I were in that position. Seems like they are accomplishing their goal. Point in case--you are one person who is no longer interested and I'm sure you are not alone.

If this is a Shelter and not a Rescue there will probably Not be any Screening. Shelters usually only get general info ( Name, address etc )
You give them your money and the dog is yours see ya later, Bye. Sad but that's how they work.