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Adoption Limitations?

3K views 36 replies 12 participants last post by  Chesa 
#1 ·
Morning ya'll.

So I have sent in an application to a prominent Doberman Rescue in my area, that I frequently see mentioned here on this forum. Ace is two, and we are ready to add another to the home eventually, and very much want to adopt. We feel as though we could provide a quite cushy life for another doberman, and want to spread the love.

We are only interested in bringing in a spayed female. So when a 6yr old spayed female appeared, it triggered my application to them. From our side it seemed like it had potential to be a good fit to our life.

I was honest on the forms about Ace being intact, and gave them an honest explanation when asked. That I had intentions of doing WAY more showing than we currently have, including potentially confirmation shows. I explained his allergy issues that have stalled the training/showing, and etc. I just received word back on my application that the Rescue requires ANY/ALL animals in the house to be spayed/neutered.

Ace is not neutered, and honestly we haven't really had big talks on this. My fiance isn't interested in neutering him, and I just don't really feel a certain way about it. I'd do it if I had to, but I don't really see the immediate need. Honestly maybe its just how we have been raised, but neither of us have ever taken a dog to be neutered. Dogs stay under constant supervision and on property's that are secluded from most everyone.

I'm not ranting and saying how unreasonable this is, but is this normal? Will every rescue I reach out to have this stipulation? I don't really want to take Ace to go get a surgical procedure done for a seemingly selfish reason of us wanting another dog. Our vet has never mentioned the need or idea, and its just not a pressing matter in our house right now. However, it seems like it would prevent us from trying to adopt?
 
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#2 ·
I ran into the same thing a few years ago when my old lhasa died and I wanted to adopt another small dog to be a pal with Bacchus. I saw the perfect dog up for adoption (Tucker). He was 9 years old, shih tzu X and neutered. Perfect manners and would be a perfect fit. The rescue said I was an unacceptable home because of Bacc (he was intact). I explained to them that I compete with him, liked the way he was and had no intention of neutering him unless it was a medical necessity. I explained EVERYTHING about my life with Bacc and yet they still told me "no". Long story short after they met Bacc they allowed me adopt Tucker. Sometimes you have to be persistent.
 
#4 ·
Unfortunately many people who have intact dogs will breed intentionally or by accident thereby adding to the population that shelters and rescues have to deal with. I think it's a way for the rescue to make sure you're not adding to the problem with your intact dog. I can understand that.....but sometimes you have to be a little flexible or a dog misses out on a great home.
 
#5 ·
I volunteer at my local humane society and they do not require that. As long as the animal that is being adopted out is spayed/neutered, they do not hold it against anyone if their current animal is not. On the flip side, the shelter I got my male malamute/husky mix from required that my current dog be spayed. She was five at the time and I had gotten her spayed when she was 11 months (looking back, I wish I didn't get her spayed so early. Severely stunted her growth) so there was no issue.

I think it honestly depends on the rescue but I do find it odd. At the humane society, there are several people with intact pets and pets that have been spayed/neutered living in the same household and they don't have any issue.
 
#16 ·
She was five at the time and I had gotten her spayed when she was 11 months (looking back, I wish I didn't get her spayed so early. Severely stunted her growth) so there was no issue.
Early spaying should not have stunted her growth. If anything, they say that early sterilization causes dogs to grow an inch or more taller because the growth plates stay open later. Probably her particular genetics made her look like she did - that makes more sense to me.
 
#6 ·
I've even heard of rescue's not letting people foster if they have an intact dog. I don't really get it, especially if the foster dog has already been altered. It's not like their intactness (yes, I just made up a word) is going to rub off on them!
 
#10 ·
Frankly, I'm not a fan of a lot of the inflexibility in rescue, and the "adopt don't shop" mentality...

Don't get me wrong, there ARE good rescues out there. But I'm seeing more and more things in rescue that...disturb me. Taking in dogs with very questionable temperaments. Adopting out dogs with bite histories. Adopting out dogs without being truthful about their temperaments. Retail rescue. In my opinion, the goal of rescue should be...to no longer need rescue. A GOOD rescue should want to partner with the local breed club, to learn as much about the breed as possible, to connect with ethical breeders. To always reach out when they get a dog in if they can identify the breeder, and try to get the breeder to take the dog back. I see way too much that makes me upset.

Enough venting, lol.

I hope you can work with the rescue and get them to understand your reasons for keeping your dog intact (there are VERY good health reasons!). Perhaps a letter from your veterinarian? There's zero reason that placing a spayed bitch in your house would be questionable with an intact male if you are a good home that meets their other qualifications.
 
#17 ·
MeadowCat;4109201In my opinion said:
Although I generally agree with your post, this is exactly why rescues often have the rule of wanting all dogs in the household to be neutered. Although we understand about competing and responsibility and whatnot, some rescue people are kind of zealous about sterilization because they really, really want dogs to no longer need rescuing no matter what. And they are kind of singularly focused on thinking that's the only way.
 
#18 ·
While I agree that it seems to be the purported goal, many also seem to vehemently believe that adoption/rescue is the only ethical choice, and that all breeding is horrible. I'm not sure where they think dogs should come from...these are the same types of rescues that often almost actively solicit puppies from backyard breeders, buy dogs at auction, etc. But I digress. This isn't that type of thread :)
 
#19 ·
I could only imagine what it takes to operate a rescue in this day. These are non-profit organization relying on donated funds and associates who donate their time. A firm set of standards would be a must. Yes these rules would eliminate some great homes but in the long run make poor homes better.

I personally would never be able to get a rescue just because of the invasion of privacy. I will always pay money for a doberman but the rest have always come free(ly).
 
#20 ·
I personally would push the rescue a bit more - ask if they would be willing to meet with you and your boy. There really is no need for all animals to be spayed/neutered if the rescue is already fixed..... I truly don't understand that being a hard and fast rule. It should truly depend on the individual home.
 
#21 ·
Yes I invited them to meet him, and asked if there was any flexibility in this requirement. I hope to hear a reply, because honestly DAR&E seems like the most reputable rescue in our area, and I have been donating to them over the past few years because I truly believe in the work they do. I do hope we could come to some sort of agreement.
 
#23 ·
If the rescue fails to be understanding about you, a clearly educated and invested owner with dog experience, then I don't think they deserve your patronage. Like the others said, there are plenty of folks out there with purportedly hard and fast rules that can make exceptions.

Personally, I should not have had luck fostering with any rescues (no backyard, renting condo dweller, FT student) but those I contacted were happy to accommodate with a home visit and backstory. It's one thing to be jaded and write these rules with the avg dog naive owner in mind but another to not even budge when faced with evidence to the contrary.
 
#24 · (Edited)
Got the confirmation email this morning. They are not budging, and will not consider our application, nor do a home visit in order for us to adopt from them. She told me to go to DPCA's website and find another rescue to talk to. According to this rule, even if I had an unaltered cat, they wouldn't adopt to us. :grumpy:

Even as frustrating as this is, I don't want to appear to be bashing this rescue. Although the outcome has not been favorable, they have still be professional and courteous. Not rude and snobby. If that is their rule, then that is their rule. I've only ever heard good things about this rescue before, and I do believe they believe they are doing whats best.

I just will not be continuing my donations with them for the time being, because of my petty frustrations.
 
#26 ·
That's really frustrating. I'm sorry.
 
#30 ·
I was going to suggest DVDPA - They are generally pretty good about working with show people with intact animals. One of my puppy owners fosters for them sometimes, and they never had a issue before her girl from me was spayed (still showing at the time). Sharon has been running DVDPA for a lot of years - she is pretty wise. I give to them every year.
 
#33 ·
I’m sorry, that’s so frustrating. Like others have said they’re robbing her of a great home for policy.

I agree with the others, rescue is a really tough job, but they need to be more flexible. I’ve had my share of issues with rescues, first instance was I emailed to inquire about a specific dog, I was told to fill out an application and they would advise me of what dog they would consider placing with me, okay thanks but no thanks. Another rescue would not get back to me after repeated attempts. Two turned me down for lack of a physical fence, even though I explained my success with an invisible fence and not letting dogs out unsupervised and my willingness to put in a physical fence if the situation warranted. Last one was willing to work with me, told them that my only stipulation was I would not take a dog that is aggressive, adopted a dog, she lasted over the weekend before I took her back, long story short she went after my dogs on several occasions for no reason and came very close to attacking my mom, thankfully I was right there and caught the slight warning signs, stopping her mid lunge towards her face, mom was just sitting there not paying any attention to her and she went after her out of the blue. Found out later she had similar issues in a foster home, was adopted out twice more, came back with a long list of household requirements and then just disappeared off of their site. Really turned me off fof rescue.

The right dog will come at the right time for you.
 
#34 ·
To no one in particular - the dog is NOT missing out on a great home, is not being robbed of a great home. If they are looking for a different great home for her, so be it. They will do their best to get her into the great home that they think is right. Just because it's not this one doesn't mean she's going to a crappy home. It just means she waits a little longer. Presumably, she's in a foster home that is taking great care of her and will go to a screened home and there is nothing wrong with that. Let's not throw rocks just because you don't agree with their policy. If you want to rescue and foster dogs and have what you think are better policies, you're free to do so.
 
#35 ·
Thanks for posting Mary - I see your point . It did get me to thinking ( sorry :2smile: ) I don't know much on how a rescue works or fostering , but from what I read - it's all volunteer -- right ? Which does take time , so by setting a set of rules , it's either your in , or your out , cut and dry . If they were to look at each case one on one , then that adds lots of time to somebody already donating lots of time . I can see there point there . Yet by doing that , To me , it does add time to finding that forever home , as you stated .

I think a happy medium could be worked out - someway , I'm still lost as to why they can only be placed with in a home with all other animals altered .

Thanks again Mary - enjoy reading your posts - replies :2smile:
 
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