K9 Rescue Rant

[Broke Hoss]

Excuse my rant, but this has me disappointed & frustrated. I know from other posts that there are plenty forum members who treasure the company of a good dog.

After several months w/o a K9 companion (1st time in 32 years), I've decided I'm ready for another running buddy. We've always had GSD's & want another. But because of other situations, we don't want a puppy this time. We do want 1 that is still young enough that we can train it for use around our place (watchdog & light cattle work) but his/her main job will still be pet/companion.

We began looking at various GSD rescue organizations & found several with some really good looking dogs that seemed to fit our needs. The vetting process of the groups even helped find dogs that might not chase our local mousers. So, we completed the application & looked forward to starting the process.

Instead, I'm contacted (email & phone) and told that NO rescue organization will accept my application; because the dog will primarily live/sleep outside. Not unprotected mind you, and certainly not in inclimate/dangerous conditions, but outside the house.

Seriously!? Even most of the PD's working K9's live in outside kennels. We offer a large fenced yard, trees, covered porch & dog house. Yet an apartment dweller with no real access to grass has a better chance at adoption because the dog will sleep inside?

Part of my dog's job is to let me know when something is amiss outside; or when someone comes off the highway. It's hard for him to do that from inside the house. My wife has said she has missed the security of knowing someone would have to go through a dog to get to the door (I work mids & she is basically confined to a wheelchair).

There are plenty of dogs out there looking for good homes. And I think 1 or 2 are missing out on a great oppertunity because of this silly rule. It seems that if they wanted to save all they can this would not be an issue.

Sorry I'm so long winded, but this really bothered me. I appreciate anyone who took the time to read to the end.

 

[crazyphil]

I imagine they have a reason for their rule, but rules should be flexible
enough to allow exceptions. Maybe you could appeal? You convinced
me.
But on the other hand, I know there are a lot of dogs, some chained
to their houses, out in the back yards, that get very little attention from
their owners.

 

[Wise_A]

Honestly? I can't say I blame them.

We see dogs get left outside all the time. Not just in cold weather, but when it's hot, too. It doesn't take much for a dog to get forgotten for a bit and left outside. We also see a lot of dogs torn up in fights with coyotes, foxes, raccoons, possums--you name it.

Not only that, but there's a general feeling that people that want "outside" dogs don't want a companion, they want free labor, so to speak. And remember that a lot of rescue organizations rescued those dogs from--you guessed it--"outside accommodations".

Most of the people that run rescue orgs are the sort of person that wouldn't ever consider keeping their dog outside. They feel that, aside from the safety of the dog, it's just no good for them to live outside, alone, for most of the day.

Right now, there's a fair bit of back-and-forth about how picky certain rescue orgs are about placing dogs. Some feel that they should be trying to spend their resources to place as many dogs as possible, just to get them out of kill shelters. Others, justifiably so, don't want to see dogs adopted out to puppy mills, resellers, labs (it's a thing, they usually get them off Craigslist), and general *******s. And folks on this forum talk about burglars and junkies and the like being scumbags!

Me, I wouldn't ever think about having an "outside" dog--even if I had a working dog. I like 'em too much to not want 'em around, dozing on the couch with me and the like. I got nothing against the whole working dog thing, but I really don't like the idea of leaving one of mine outside whenever I wasn't interested in it.

That said, I'm sure that there are plenty of conscientious people that practice it well--providing a warming pad or heater at night, plenty of shade during the day, water, and a good fence to keep the vermin out. And spending lots of time outside with it. So nothing against you.

 

[Broke Hoss]

Wise_A: Ive seen my share of people that I'd like to treat the way they treat they're animals. & yes I call my dogs "working" dogs when they are more like family members, but that is why I like this breed (GSDs); what I ask them to do is what they were made for. & it shows when you see them do it naturally. All you have to do is develop what they instinctively do.

I've laughed at my son's lab, that has no idea how to move around/among the cows while we're at the barn. Gotta watch him like you would a kid to insure he doesn't get hurt. But he had over 200 retrieves this dove season & I've never got a GSD to understand fetching a bird requires a softer mouth than a tennis ball.

I was actually impressed with the steps the organizations took to try to match up the dogs with good homes; references, history, vet contact, and even a home visit. I would think that would certainly cut down on the bad eggs.

 

[steelslaver]

I know plenty of outside dogs that are perfectly content. Mostly rural dogs. Never knew what a chain was. Always had a warm place to hang out. Dog house with a bunch of blankets or fresh straw, or a place in the barn or shop. Greets the owner every morning happy and ready to do the day. They ride in the back of pickups and other such things that some frown on. But, they always have a wagging tail for their owner.

I have also seen house dogs that lived a horrible life. Little outside time and all that on a leash. Very little exercise or entertainment.

Lots of outside dogs spend more quality time with and without owners than inside dogs. I have dog now that is mostly an inside dog, never had one that wasn't welcome inside, but a couple who preferred to spend most of their time outside.

One size doesn't fit all. One of the problems with policies is they often don't take in all the factors.

 

[boykinlp]

I have had outside dogs all my adult life. I have a I bring them inside when it is too cold outside. They actually whine when I bring them in(for their own good) because they want to go outside! Here is one of mine:

 

[Ranger17]

Never agreed with outdoor dogs, but that's only my opinion. I have family members with hunting dogs that are outdoors/kennel only and they seem to be ok, just not something i'd do. When i see dogs outside up here in winter, or left outside in summer while we were in SC.... again just not what i'd do.
We only adopt our dogs, and the ones we got over the years up here (included an in home mtg with the rescue group), and the last one adopted while we lived in SC, all had those same questions being asked when we went thru the process and interviews. To be honest, it kind of bothered me down in SC, as there were so many dogs being put down and so many rescues scrambling to find homes that we had to jump thru so many hoops to get ours. But it worked out, and from their point of view they dont want to send a dog into a poor home and end up with it coming back (or worse).

OP, perhaps you can set up an in-home meeting with the group you have been working with on the specific dog, showing them what you do offer as a pet owner. Maybe that will help ya.

 

[steamloco76]

None of the animal rescues in my area will allow outdoor dog housing. We've had several high profile cases of people leaving multiple dogs chained out without adequate shelter which lead to these rules. Really is unfair to people wanting a farm dog because they consider a barn to be unacceptable too. A former co-worker was turned down for a Australian Cattle Dog form a rescue because her other working dog lives in the barn.

Some organizations have even more idiotic policies. Our local Humane Society, which is a kill shelter, will not adopt dogs to anyone living in a mobile home/single wide manufactured home regardless of the homes location and ownership status. Now, the same group has no issue letting someone who lives in a high rise apartment adopt a dog. What idiot came up with that rule? All three of the dog's I've adopted have been transfers from kill shelters to local no kill shelters. One was on the to be euthanized list before his transfer. Just wonder how many people applied to adopt him and were turned down because they lived in a mobile home?

There is no perfect solution, however the rescue groups need to look at each case individually, especially in the case of working dog breeds like GSD's, Border Collies, Aussies and sheepdogs.

 

[Steve912]

Find an organization that doesn't have "rescue" in title...that's
a giveaway to the drama, anthropomorphizing and childish views
of critters.

 

[Arik]

anthropomorphizing and childish views
of critters.

Far from it. Where in a time where you can get just about any kind of dog, whether it's appropriate or not. Many people think a dog is a dog. They are not. You can't leave a dog like a Grayhound in the same weather conditions that you can a Husky. Different types of dogs with different abilities and adaptations. But to many people it's just a dog and they're all the same because otherwise it would be giving them human attributes....right? Just cause the dog isn't human doesn't mean it can't feel cold/heat/pain.

And since they can't tell you from Charles Manson in the 5 min interview the rules apply to everyone, including those with good intentions

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[Alpo]

Yeah, find a place that doesn't "rescue" and doesn't "adopt".

I've bought dogs, and I've had dogs given to me, and I've even found a few strays on the street. My last dog was given to me because, "the new apartment doesn't allow pets, so if you don't take her she'll have to go to the pound", and my current one was given to me because, "the guy that owns her doesn't want her so he's gonna take her to the pound".

But these dogs aren't/weren't "rescues". They're dogs. And they certainly weren't "adopted". I'm not their father. I'm their owner.

 

[Arik]

Yeah, find a place that doesn't "rescue" and doesn't "adopt".

I've bought dogs, and I've had dogs given to me, and I've even found a few strays on the street. My last dog was given to me because, "the new apartment doesn't allow pets, so if you don't take her she'll have to go to the pound", and my current one was given to me because, "the guy that owns her doesn't want her so he's gonna take her to the pound".

But these dogs aren't/weren't "rescues". They're dogs. And they certainly weren't "adopted". I'm not their father. I'm their owner.

To adopt is to make your own, not just for parents.

From Latin Ad (to) Optare (choose)

You can....
- Adopt a different custom (embrace, assume)
- Adopt a proposal
- Adopt a child
- Adopt a pet
- Adopt a highway
-


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[Steve912]

Yeah, find a place that doesn't "rescue" and doesn't "adopt".

Three of my dogs have come from shelters. I'll occasionally get the "Oooh, you rescued them!" response. No, I didn't go into any burning buildings, or pull them from raging torrents.

 

[Ranger17]

Three of my dogs have come from shelters. I'll occasionally get the "Oooh, you rescued them!" response. No, I didn't go into any burning buildings, or pull them from raging torrents.

true, but if one adopts a pet from a kill shelter (and at least when we were in SC, there were a LOT of cats and dogs put down), then in effect they are rescuing that animal.
At least that's how i see it, in this old mind anyway

 

[LMWIS]

There was a much publicized case of a Southern Ontario shelter refusing to allow a gentleman to adopt a beagle puppy because he intended to teach it to hunt. Steadfastly ignoring what the dog was originally bred for, they insisted they would rather euthanize the animal than see it used for such an inhumane practice.

Using the dog for their intended purpose, or having it outside (within the bounds of common sense) is neither cruelty nor neglect. To me, your situation sounds appropriate for a large breed.

Perhaps your son needs another dog?

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...my Basset Hounds were tucked under a blanket in front of the wood stove last night while it was 6 below zero outside...right where they belong...

 

[kozmic]

We seem to live in a society that lumps everyone together based on the lowest common denominator among us. So, they look at the worst low-life dog owner and assume you'll be like that person (not too different than gun laws!). Then in response, invent rules to make it very difficult to do your part to rescue/save a dog. Pardon the pun, but it's the tail wagging the dog.

If there is an adoption joint in proximity to you ask them to do a site inspection if they have doubts about you or the conditions you will provide. Or send them a video of your yard and surroundings.

Personally our dogs are couch dwellers and seldom if ever are outside without a leash or lead. Everyone's circumstances are different and I wouldn't fault someone who is trying to rescue a dog when their heart is in the right place.

Thanks for your passion and efforts to help a dog. You will be rewarded 100 times over! Hopefully you will find a reasonable person to make it happen. Good luck.

 

[dougb1946]

Find another rescue-maybe a breeder with a returned dog, or a smaller town rescue. The rescues own their dogs. Their dog, their rules. Check with the local vet and local PD for sources for a good stray. There is a vegan rescue in Wisc. Apparently never looked at the front end of a dog or cat. Yes, some rescuers are nuts.

Some rescues claim they can recover a dog if they don't like the way you treat it. My response is 'send someone you don't like". I don't rent a dog. It comes into my house, it is my responsibility and I do own it (my current dog believes I have this backwards).

 

[Broke Hoss]

To their credit, I spoke by phone to a rep from 1 of the organizations. She was understanding of my situation & seemed to feel backed into a corner by the rule. She even said if she would try to put me in contact with any owner trying to surrender a dog. That way, the rescue group would be out of the loop & it would be a FTF deal between individuals (would this be a dog show loophole?)

Others have told me to just lie on the application & say the dog would be staying inside. But I'm sure they have a bit of a network & rightfully so as they do what they can to protect the animals.

 

[Wise_A]

That way, the rescue group would be out of the loop & it would be a FTF deal between individuals (would this be a dog show loophole?)

I lol'd pretty hard.

Wise_A: Ive seen my share of people that I'd like to treat the way they treat they're animals. & yes I call my dogs "working" dogs when they are more like family members, but that is why I like this breed (GSDs); what I ask them to do is what they were made for. & it shows when you see them do it naturally. All you have to do is develop what they instinctively do.

I figured as much. Not all outside dogs are the same, just like not all outside owners are the same.

I have a neighbor with a couple Irish Setters that hunt. They live outside in a couple of chain-link kennels all summer long--and it gets hot. He doesn't spend much, if any, time with them. Whenever they manage to escape, which is often, he goes out and curses and hollers at 'em, and uses a shock collar on them. If he sees me watching him do this, he pushes the shock button just to spite me.

Can't do nothin', Animal Control says, "Well, if you see him kicking them..." Well, you can probly guess my thoughts on the subject. I got all kinds'a solutions and opportunities for owner re-education!

By the same token, I know a lot of fat, fat dogs. Including a Chocolate Lab that's as big around as a 55-gallon barrel. Seriously, we're approaching wheelbarrow territory here. Why? Dog lives inside, has a big ol' bowl of food down 24/7, and gets zippo exercise.