DeGeneres Under Fire for Giving Away Dog
 

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ellen DeGeneres is in the doghouse with a pet rescue agency after giving a pooch away to her hairdresser because it didn't get along with her cats.

The talk show hostess and her partner Portia de Rossi adopted Iggy, a Brussels Griffon mix, on Sept. 20. But when things didn't work out, DeGeneres gave the dog to her hairdresser.

In doing so, DeGeneres violated an agreement with the Mutts and Moms dog rescue agency by not informing them of the handoff.

When the agency called DeGeneres to ask about Iggy, she said she found another home for the dog. The agency sent a representative to the hairdresser's home Sunday and took the dog away.

DeGeneres went public about the situation Monday while taping an episode of her show to air Tuesday. She admitted she didn't read all the paperwork involving the adoption.

DeGeneres said she spent $3,000 having the dog neutered and trained to be with her cats. But the dog had too much energy and was too rambunctious, she told her television audience.

"I guess I signed a piece of paper that says if I can't keep Iggy, it goes back to the rescue organization, which is not someone's home, which is not a family," she said in a show transcript provided to The Associated Press.

"I thought I did a good thing. I tried to find a loving home for the dog because I couldn't keep it."

DeGeneres said her hairdresser's daughters, ages 11 and 12, had bonded with Iggy and were heartbroken when the dog was taken away.

"Because I did it wrong, those people went and took that dog out of their home, and took it away from those kids," a sobbing DeGeneres said on her show.

"I feel totally responsible for it and I'm so sorry. I'm begging them to give that dog back to that family," she said. "It's not their fault. It's my fault. I shouldn't have given the dog away. Just please give the dog back to those little girls."

Mutts and Moms, a volunteer nonprofit organization in Pasadena, does not have a listed phone number and didn't immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...nUJcwD8SA5NBO1

I heard this today and it's so sad. I think they should have left the dog with the kids and their family unless the situation was bad or dangerous for the dog.

While it might not have been the smartest thing for Ellen to give the dog away, this is a prime example of why people don't like to do adopt from shelters. Often times, they are TO STRICT.

I know.. I've been REJECTED from a rescue because I didn't have a fenced in yard for a tiny dog that I was trying to adopt (I guess Britney and Brooklyn must be extremely deprived and mistreated). :rolleyes:

You can rebuttal by saying "they have to be," but I don't believe that. How many people that adopt to do because they want a loving pet as opposed to those who harm the animal?

Wow... you would think that the most important thing, is that the dog goes to a loving home. I think the agency should have "interviewed" the hairdresser & family (whatever process Ellen had to do) and let the dog remain in their home... Thats kinda crazy that they would just take the dog back without taking the situation into consideration.... Hmmm

It is sad that a Rescue wouldn't at least look at the new home and if it met their standards let them keep the dog.

I watched the show and she was so upset, crying and pleading for the rescue to give the dog back to the family. She feels responsible for causing all the heartache to the family and the dog.

They have two little girls who had totally bonded with it and the dog was so happy there.:(

I understand the rules are for reasons.

They should be able to looked at on a "by case" basis though.

How were they able to go into someones home and get a dog without a court order. The people who had the dog should not have been the ones punished at all. It should have been Ellen. Maybe a fine or something, but NEVER should have been allowed to take a dog out of someones home like that. Where's the law in this???

The family who Ellen gave the dog to said the main person at the rescue lied and told the family they were coming in to their home to do a home check.

That is so horrible. I can understand the rescue agencies obligation to protect the animal, but the way they went about it was pretty rude.

And, not related to the Ellen situation, but I also find the fence situation that rescues require somewhat ridiculous. In my experience, *most* people with yards don't take their dogs out for proper exercise or walks... so it seems weird that a rescue requires that.

We installed a fence at our house, but I have to say we rarely use the backyard for exercise... we still mostly do walks!

http://www.tmz.com/2007/10/15/ellen-...one-nightmare/

Here's Ellen's monologue:

http://www.tmz.com/2007/10/16/ellen-...n-on-her-show/

This is all so unnecessary. The rescue organization should have just had the new owners submit a formal application, done a home check and required periodic home checks if they are so concerned with the dog's well being.

This makes me sick. Not only are the kids heartbroken, but what about this poor dog who finally found a family to love him and take care of him! That poor dog didn't deserve to be taken away! Rules are made to be broken and this is one time they should have been. That was dirty to tell the family they were doing a home check, and then taking the dog. I feel so bad for Ellen, the family, and that poor dog! Shame on that rescue!

yorkie rescue
 

Gee I guess people that heard that story, and I am sure it is out there for lots to read, or saw on telelvision. I would say that this will not reflect good on people taking in rescues. I would think that animals that have gone to a good home would be more important. Then people wonder why people do not go to rescue places.

I have a brother who lost his yorkie, his wife went and rescued one for him.
To this day I cannot understand why this dog was not put down, came from a puppy mill and all the dog doesis go around in circles in the yard. It looks like a mini horse racing track. After 5 years the yorkie still has a hard time being in a house with humans. Will not go near anyone. So there are cases where it is more human to put the dog down, then let him live in fear and never trust. My brother has tried for years, and has not given up. Many would have long ago.

I guess this just hit a wrong cord in me..sorry but had to express!!!!!

pooh's mum

pawboutique@yahoo.com

Listed about is their email address (I guess they are affiliated with a dog store hence the name in the email address) if you'd like to voice your opinion, which I definitely think I'll be doing. :)

They actually removed it from their website but, of course, Google found it. ;)

I too was turned down by rescue because I have no fence.

Shouldn't they at least look at everything and then do a home visit before it's just a flat no?

:confused: