Loves dogs, but hates his job

For Paws

Mod note: the initial post refers to UK statisitics, but the sentiment is the same. Please see further posts for Irish statistics.
I came across this letter on Facebook and thought it should be shared.

A letter from someone who loves dogs, but hates his job.
From a dog pound manager in the UK.

'I think our society needs a huge "Wake-up" call. As a pound manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all...a view from the inside if you will.

First off, all of you breeders/sellers should be made to work in the "back" of an animal centre for just one day. Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know.

That puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my pound when it's not a cute little puppy anymore. So how would you feel if you knew that there's about a 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the pound it is going to be dumped at? Purebred or not! About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays", that come into my pound are purebred dogs.

The most common excuses I hear are; "We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat)." Really? Where are you moving too that doesn't allow pets? Or they say "The dog got bigger than we thought it would". How big did you think a German Shepherd would get? "We don't have time for her". Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs! "She's tearing up our garden". How about making her a part of your family? They always tell me "We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her we know she'll get adopted, she's a good dog".

Odds are your pet won't get adopted & how stressful do you think being in a pound is? Well, let me tell you, your pet has 72 hours(24hrs Ireland) to find a new family from the moment you drop it off. Sometimes a little longer if the pound isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy. If it sniffles, it dies. Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps. It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it. If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him/her for a walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose. If your dog is big, black or any of the "Bully" breeds (pit bull, staffy, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door.
Those dogs just don't get adopted. It doesn't matter how 'sweet' or 'well behaved' they are.

If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours (24hrs Ireland) and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed it may get a stay of execution, but not for long. Most dogs get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment. If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a £100 treatment.


Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down".
First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk happy, wagging their tails. Until they get to "The Room", every one of them freaks out and puts on the brakes when we get to the door. It must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange, but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and how freaked out they are. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff". Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood and been deafened by the yelps and screams. They all don't just "go to sleep", sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.

When it all ends, your pets corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were killed waiting to be picked up like garbage. What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? You'll never know and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal and you can always buy another one, right?

I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head I deal with everyday on the way home from work.

I hate my job, I hate that it exists & I hate that it will always be there unless you people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter.

Between 60 thousand animals die every year in UK pounds (see here for Irish stats) and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.

My point to all of this; DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!

Hate me if you want to. The truth hurts and reality is what it is. I just hope I maybe changed one persons mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a pound, or buying a dog. I hope that someone will walk into my pound and say "I saw this and it made me want to adopt". THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH IT.'

paulmclaughlin

Really heartbreaking stuff

looking_around

I'd say most people here know about this.

But yeah, I've always hated when people buy a pet, just because they think a puppy will get more attached to them than an adult dog.

And worse are the people who buy a puppy for their kids, then complain the kids aren't taking care of the dog, so the dog must go!! >.>

And this isn't only with dogs.
I've seen the no space excuse for hamsters!!! where are they going they don't have space for a cage?? !

Too many people still see animals as some sort of disposable object. They believe these animals don't care/feel emotions and it's not 'that' big a deal.

Once talked to someone who were asking me about my dog, cause they were looking at getting one......as there dog is old and it's time to be replace! What? I snapped at them S: ..umm ..yeah ..
bit of a rant reply here, sorry.

It's just so sad that people think of animals as disposable )=

Kinzig

Thats the type of info that needs to be gotten out there to wake people up..it must be like working in a death camp:(:(

anniehoo

I've been volunteering for 2 years for a charity that rescues and rehomes dogs from a certain pound in Leinster. In those 2 years the opinions i've gotten from people have blown me away and not always in a good way.

Despite everyone IRL knowing what i do, i STILL have friends buying puppies from breeders they have no idea about, doing no research into the breed at all or just made a spontaneous decision and have regretted it a few months later. Despite this they still have the cheek to ring me up asking for advice expecting me to feel sorry for them and tell them all is going to be ok.

People also think im crazy for taking time out of my Saturday to go to this pound to take photo of the dogs that are strays or have been surrendered in.I also try and assess their personalities so they can be advertised to the public in the hope that someone might think about rescuing rather than buying a dog. When i explain the "5 day rule" to people they are shocked, but most end up still buying. It drives me bananas. Friends even thought i was crazy recently for holding on to a stray i found for 4 days (even bringing her to work) because i refused to impound her.

The charity i volunteer for are fantastic and as a result this pound has one of the lowest put to sleep rates in Ireland. I was starting to get a bit complacent and taking for granted that all of the dogs i met would make it out. Yesterday i got a BIG wakeup call. I spent quite some time trying to "make friends" with this terrifed lurcher yesterday morning.She literally was frozen in fear and would not budge. "Not to worry" i thought, "i'll take her photo and she'll be ok in a few days,they always are". I was politely informed by the pound staff, she probably won't be making it out of the pound and her photo was not to be advertised.

I bawled the whole way home and it was the biggest reminder me of why i do this.

TooManyDogs

When I explain to people that surrenders don't have to get 5 days in the pound that shocks them to the core. They really think if they hand in a dog it's obliged to have 5 days to get adopted out. When I tell them that as a surrender it can be taken straight in the back and be pts they can't believe it. Now I know often here they do get days, some pounds are better than others but still, how could anyone risk surrendering in their dog on a day the pound is rammed and risk it being pts straight away? :eek:

People need to wake up

anniehoo

TooManyDogs wrote: »

People need to wake up

I've told 3 people in the last 2 weeks (all friends) of the 5 day rule for strays and how surrenders (dogs voluntarily given up by their owners) can be PTS in 24hrs or less if a particular pound is full. All were shocked and genuinely didn't know this. I do not know why this isn't common knowledge in this day and age, i really don't

The pound i volunteer for have 2 charities working with them, depending on which catchment area the dogs have been found or the people live.The staff are very nice i have to say,and sometimes both them and even the warden try to rehome as best they can.

When i see the hassle and grief other volunteers have even trying to get info from the pound staff in other pounds around the country, let alone giving full on access to the dogs like i get, it actually boils my blood. :mad::mad:

TooManyDogs

anniehoo wrote: »

5 day rule for strays and how surrenders (dogs voluntarily given up by their owners) can be PTS in 24hrs or less

I think people hear 5 days and just assume that it's for ALL dogs, regardless of origin. It really makes me mad, this idea that all surrenders will get 5 days so they're bound to be adopted cos "they're such a nice dog", well make the effort to keep the dog yourself then!!!!! Cos they don't have to be given 1 day, never mind 5!!!

For Paws

People, I started this thread because not enough people know what happens in pounds. Maybe I'm crazy enough to believe that if only people knew, they'd change their beliefs and responses and the problem would lessen enormously.

But you and I know that this won't happen. People are lazy, stupid, cruel & careless.
We always have been, and will continue that way.

But I'm going to keep telling people how it is, and appeal to them.
And I'm thanking others who do, and I'm asking you all to keep doing this.

It has often been said that we don't have to do anything in return for our dogs' love. It's true. But this is a chance to pay something of that love back.

'You think dogs will not be in heaven ?
I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.' (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Pumpkinseeds

Sadly the horrors of what shelter workers see often burns them out. It is so sad that some of the biggest animal advocates/lovers will end up with compassion fatigue, I suppose it's just the minds way of coping. Either that or crack up at the sheer bloody endlessness of human ignorance and cruelty to animals.

anniehoo

While the sentiment is the same I have edited the main post so people know that some of the terms apply to UK (and possibly US).

Irish pound statistics are available online here There are mutliple tabs for each category below. Make of them what you will :rolleyes:

Donnielighto

Read that, just emailed the local spca to offer my services. Good job OP.

wandatowell

Thats a very tough read.

anniehoo

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

Sadly the horrors of what shelter workers see often burns them out. It is so sad that some of the biggest animal advocates/lovers will end up with compassion fatigue, I suppose it's just the minds way of coping. Either that or crack up at the sheer bloody endlessness of human ignorance and cruelty to animals.

+1

I only do this part time and even then that's enough for me. I cant EVEN imagine what fulltime rescuers have to put up with, i really can't.:eek::o:(

I genuinely have it "easy" though because i volunteer for a charity who's Pound is very open to rescues/charities and isn't bound by the ridiculous so called rules of a very well know national organisation.

I had a wake up call yesterday though...after 2 years, so i definitely have had my head in the sand too long.:o

saltyporridge

I feel so sick reading the OP. I love my dog (she's the first thing I see in the morning and she faithfully follows me to bed every night - where she promptly steals the duvet and snores like a pig).

People just don't realise that a dog is for life, and that, properly trained and cared for, they give back much more than they ever receive. Our lady is the first thing every visitor to our home looks for (I'd be jealous only for the fact that she faithfully waits at the window for me coming home from work every day). What the OP said about making pets part of the family is so true. We (and I mean the whole family) had the most miserable Christmas a couple if years ago when our last dog died (of old age) at the beginning of December. There were rumblings about getting a replacement for Christmas but I didn't act until the following summer when I knew I'd have the time to look after a pup and train it properly. The result is the best behaved and loved (and the ones we had before were very special) dog we've ever had.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that dogs are not just ornaments, they need care, affection and attention. But they give it back ten-fold.

No-one should get a dog unless they're prepared to make a really big commitment to it (and they don't mind the holes in the garden, being stared down at dinner time and regularly tramping around the neighbourhood with a full poop bag in hand in all weathers).

Anyone thinking about getting a dog should be required to read the OP first!

Wish I could rush home and give osky a big hug!
We always look to shelters, and doggies are always part of the family

roosterman71

Jaysus that's sad reading
Anyone got the original link? I wanna share it

d31b0y

Got a pup from Ash Animal Rescue recently and love her to bits. Best decision I've ever made getting her.

Would have never bought from a breeder anyway, but especially so after reading that.

bluecherry74

anniehoo wrote: »

I've told 3 people in the last 2 weeks (all friends) of the 5 day rule for strays and how surrenders (dogs voluntarily given up by their owners) can be PTS in 24hrs or less if a particular pound is full. All were shocked and genuinely didn't know this. I do not know why this isn't common knowledge in this day and age, i really don't

I must confess I didn't know this. Both my dogs came from the pound and they were both handed in by their "breeders". The thought of them being PTS so quickly is awful.

JustAThought

While I sympathise with the OP, and like to see adoptions from
pounds and rescues; it is very disingenuous to all the tens of thousands of people who choose the type of dog try want, research & buy it, and care and look after it throughout its life.

For Paws

JustAThought wrote: »

While I sympathise with the OP, and like to see adoptions from
pounds and rescues; it is very disingenuous to all the tens of thousands of people who choose the type of dog try want, research & buy it, and care and look after it throughout its life.

Apologies for being disingenuous.

It's just that I have this thing about dogs dying needlessly.

looking_around

JustAThought wrote: »

While I sympathise with the OP, and like to see adoptions from
pounds and rescues; it is very disingenuous to all the tens of thousands of people who choose the type of dog try want, research & buy it, and care and look after it throughout its life.

Its just sad that there is still people buying dogs when there are sooooo many in the pounds . ):

monkeysnapper

This is all so true, we got our 2 westies and we both loved them to bits, then we started our family and the wife said a few times she didn't like the dogs because they growled at the 1 year old. If it was up to her they'd be long gone. Dead!!

But I assured her it was just the dogs were having there hair pulled out and tails pulled. Anyway 2 years on and the 2 dogs are getting walked by our 3 year old and she loves them to bits . I know loads of people that have had dogs and suddenly the dogs have disappeared . Very sad!!

I felt very emotional reading the op thread , for the love of god can't people cop the feck on

meoklmrk91

OP I am not a crier, it's not my thing, but I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes reading that. I bought my dog, I love him to bits and wouldn't give him back for all the tea in china, he is my baby, I wasn't eligible for most rescues because of where I was living at the time but I am now planning on getting another dog at some point in the future, I was thinking of buying as I want a specific breed but you know what even though I knew everything that was in post it really drive it home to me that I just can't do it, as much as I want a specific breed, I just can't go and pay for a dog when I there are thousands of dogs dying here every year. So when the time comes I will be going to a rescue or my local pound, it might only be one life saved but its the right thing to do.

gazzer

I really really admire anybody who works in a pound or rescue center. I would love to offer my services part time when I am not in work but tbh I would be heartbroken seeing any animals been pts. I would want to bring all the dogs home to live with me. I would find it too upsetting to be around animals that have been abandoned and no homes for them to go to.

anniehoo

gazzer wrote: »

I would be heartbroken seeing any animals been pts. I would want to bring all the dogs home to live with me. I would find it too upsetting to be around animals that have been abandoned and no homes for them to go to.

You don't have to go to a pound to be helpful though. I take photos because i live really near to the pound my charity is involved in.There's only 8 (!!) of us out of 20k people who do, so don't feel bad.

When i can't do photos, i do transport runs (helping dogs get from the pound to fosterers/forever homes/vet checks etc); i also homecheck;fundraise;promote on facebook/twitter; petsit for fellow fosterers.....the list is endless.

I only properly got into "rescue/pound" work 2 years ago, 2 years......believe it or not. I was doing random stuff for years, but decided on 1 charity 2 years ago and have stuck with them.

Are there 7 gazillion other charities? Yes! Do i feel bad i haven't picked more than one? Yes ....and also No!

Yes, because there are so many worthy causes out there and there are so many suffering animals.... But...NO because i'm only one person, and the small bit that i can help with is ALL i can do.

2 years later, i'm still learning about the "rescue" world,even more so the Pound world and i'm very glad i have volunteered.It sounds cheesey but "every little bit helps"! I haven't fully immersed myself into the rescue world, because i can't and I'm ok with that.

It's OK, to do "just a little bit" because not everyone is able for it. I'm certainly not. As long as you know the pets/animals you are responsible for are well looked after.......anything you do after that is a credit to you ;)

endacl

Mod note: I have watched all 14:51 of this video.It is upsetting but also relevant to this thread.Do not press play if you don't wan't to be upset

Again, not an Irish situation. And from some time ago. This is from the US, but illustrates the opening post very clearly. Why anybody would buy a cat or dog is beyond me.....

Sorry in advance ladies and gentlemen. Kleenex at the ready. Ye have been warned.

Poor Rusty.

endacl

endacl wrote: »

Mod note: I have watched all 14:51 of this video.It is upsetting but also relevant to this thread.Do not press play if you don't wan't to be upset

This video the first thing that popped into my head when I read the OP. I saw it some years ago, and it has stuck with me. I've been thinking about posting since yesterday, and nearly didn't. I was actually just thinking about taking the link down...

Again, apologies in advance for any upset. As per Mod note, maybe give it a miss if you think this might mean you.

SillyMangoX

Here is a other video, this one filmed in an Irish pound. Some disturbing images, so as above don't watch if you don't want to be upset.

fatmammycat

For Paws wrote: »

Apologies for being disingenuous.

It's just that I have this thing about dogs dying needlessly.

I've a thing about dogs dying needlessly too, yet I bought my dog from a breeder, having researched the breed to the nth degree. My dog will live out his life to its natural end with me and never set foot inside a pound or need a rescue.
There's no doubt that puppy farming has a lot to do with the abundance of dog being bred in this country, but buying a pup does not automatically = bad.

rannerap

This thread made me so sad I wish I could adopt more animals but it's not really plausible at the minute. At least I'm giving one animal a happy home. Couldn't imagine ever giving her up!

Tranceypoo

anniehoo wrote: »

You don't have to go to a pound to be helpful though. I take photos because i live really near to the pound my charity is involved in.There's only 8 (!!) of us out of 20k people who do, so don't feel bad.

When i can't do photos, i do transport runs (helping dogs get from the pound to fosterers/forever homes/vet checks etc); i also homecheck;fundraise;promote on facebook/twitter; petsit for fellow fosterers.....the list is endless.

I only properly got into "rescue/pound" work 2 years ago, 2 years......believe it or not. I was doing random stuff for years, but decided on 1 charity 2 years ago and have stuck with them.

Are there 7 gazillion other charities? Yes! Do i feel bad i haven't picked more than one? Yes ....and also No!

Yes, because there are so many worthy causes out there and there are so many suffering animals.... But...NO because i'm only one person, and the small bit that i can help with is ALL i can do.

2 years later, i'm still learning about the "rescue" world,even more so the Pound world and i'm very glad i have volunteered.It sounds cheesey but "every little bit helps"! I haven't fully immersed myself into the rescue world, because i can't and I'm ok with that.

It's OK, to do "just a little bit" because not everyone is able for it. I'm certainly not. As long as you know the pets/animals you are responsible for are well looked after.......anything you do after that is a credit to you ;)

I agree, I do what I consider a teeny tiny amount of volunteer work for a local rescue, I first started with another rescue and was dog walking and up there every day but I just could not handle it, it was overwhelming and dreadfully upsetting, I just had to accept I couldn't do it, so I adopted a dog from them and said I couldn't come back! I got involved with another, much smaller rescue and do home checks, help at fundraising and adoption days, sometimes transport, like I say it's a teeny tiny bit in the grand scheme of things, especially when you consider the people who run rescues literally live and breath it, but I like to think I'm doing my bit, small as it is, plus I also took a dog in as a foster for this second rescue (ended up keeping her..ahem, moving on..)

So I would say anyone who wants to do something but isn't sure they can handle it, just do what you can, every small bit makes a difference, you don't even have to go to the shelter if you can't handle it, there's plenty other things you can do.

DBB

Can I just say, as someone who runs a rescue, albeit a small one, there is nothing teeny tiny about what the posters above do! Having someone to transport a dog from the pound to me, or to its foster home, or wherever, is a HUGE help. Someone to answer emails, or calls, or update the site, or look after the facebook page, is a HUGE help. I can't even start to tell ye what a difference it makes.
So, don't underestimate what you do, because what you're doing is of significant benefit to the animals. To anyone who has thought of doing any of the above but discounted it because it doesn't seem like enough... Think again!

BeerWolf

All my life, the dogs I've had and have were taken in from the pound, or destined for - example, my Staffy "Molly", who's been with me for the past 5 years.

She was a stray, who has evidence of being used for dog fighting [tear marks on her right back leg], when my sister found her. But due to the landlord she was with she wasn't permited to keep the dog for long, so asked me if I would take her... to which I did. She's been a real joy; Absolute sweetheart, playful and loyal with a lot of cute quirks [Such as always having to find a soft spot to sit, even if it were just a cloth on the ground..., always zoning in for anything that gives off heat, even if it were your foot to sit on..., etc.].

And had my sister brought her to the pound instead, I wouldn't want to think of it...


With that being said, I'll always favor getting a dog from the pound. Dogs from there would genuinely shower you with love for saving them.

And on a side note, and I may be ignorant for not knowing otherwise... but unlicensed breeders SHOULD be fined, since they're a big culprit for these unwanted dogs.

anniehoo

fatmammycat wrote: »

but buying a pup does not automatically = bad.

I agree. I'm certainly not just pro-rescue and anti-breeding at all. It's not that black and white for me. There are plenty of good ethical breeders out there aswell as plenty of people taking the time to source their dog the right way.

I just wish everyone would take the time to stop and think before they take on an animal, any animal. Far too many people don't and there are people out there taking advantage of this fact and churning out puppies with no forethought or care resulting in the "disposable dog" culture we seem to now have in this country.

OldNotWIse

Agree.

Buy a dog, kill a dog.

A genetic mutant does not give you status.

I look at my dog every day and shudder when I think how she could have ended up. It's incredibly rewarding having a rescue...they give back so much more than we give to them. She is my buddy, my sidekick, my co-piolt when I drive. She adores me. When I was away last year she sat at the kitchen window for 4 weeks waiting for me to return. Best friend.

It's sad when you think that all these dogs who are destroyed have the potential to be just like her.

What's not to love?

DBB

OldNotWIse wrote: »

Agree.

Buy a dog, kill a dog.

A genetic mutant does not give you status.

If you want to go down that road, all dogs are genetic mutants.
But if you're referring only to purebred dogs as being "genetic mutants", where do purebred dogs in the pound stand? Surely nobody would want to rehome a genetic mutant? Nor should anyone encourage a person to do so, surely?

they give back so much more than we give to them. She is my buddy, my sidekick, my co-piolt when I drive. She adores me. When I was away last year she sat at the kitchen window for 4 weeks waiting for me to return. Best friend.

I had a dog like that too. I bought him as a pup. Or, were you suggesting that only rescue dogs are capable of all you describe?
I think this business of chastising people for buying a dog, IF it's from a reputable breeder, is just snobbery. Shoving a guilt trip at people is such a bad road to go down... The only attempt at status-acquisition I can see by doing this is high-horse, holier-than-thou status. Very offputting for anyone looking for a balanced view.
Such ire needs to be saved for the breeders that are churning out pups, not at those who do things right.
By the same logic, everyone should stop having babies and adopt an orphan instead! I can only imagine the reaction you'd get if you seriously suggested such a thing!

bluecherry74

Both my dogs came from the pound and my cats came from a small cat charity (who I still support with donations whenever I can). My previous dog came from a breeder though, and so did some of the family dogs we had growing up.

There are a lot of breeds that I love and admire and would like to share my home with some day. So while I think my preference would always be to rescue/adopt, I will probably end up buying a dog from a breeder at some point in the future. There's nothing wrong with that. I think the problem is with people who:

1) buy a dog from a dodgy breeder and inadvertently contribute to the back yard breeding problem, or
2) buy a dog without researching the breed and end up with a dog that doesn't fit with their lifestyle, or
3) buy a dog without giving much thought as to where they'll be in a year or 3.

On point 1, it's worth mentioning that both my dogs were handed in to the pound as pups by their breeders. That to me screams of a breeder who is pushing out as many pups as they can and then off-loading the ones they can't sell, so that the cost of keeping them doesn't eat into their profits.

It's also worth mentioning that a good breeder probably wouldn't sell to the people in points 2 and 3.

OldNotWIse

DBB wrote: »

If you want to go down that road, all dogs are genetic mutants.
But if you're referring only to purebred dogs as being "genetic mutants", where do purebred dogs in the pound stand? Surely nobody would want to rehome a genetic mutant? Nor should anyone encourage a person to do so, surely?




I had a dog like that too. I bought him as a pup. Or, were you suggesting that only rescue dogs are capable of all you describe?
I think this business of chastising people for buying a dog, IF it's from a reputable breeder, is just snobbery. Shoving a guilt trip at people is such a bad road to go down... The only attempt at status-acquisition I can see by doing this is high-horse, holier-than-thou status. Very offputting for anyone looking for a balanced view.
Such ire needs to be saved for the breeders that are churning out pups, not at those who do things right.
By the same logic, everyone should stop having babies and adopt an orphan instead! I can only imagine the reaction you'd get if you seriously suggested such a thing!

It was a reference to the incredibly high levels of incidents of genetic disorders that come about as a result of inbreeding.

I am not in search of any status, I'm happy that I found my dog when I did and she is so important to me - thats not "holier than thou" thats just fact!

There is no snobbery attached to rescuing a dog.

There may be reputable breeders and those that "churn them out" but all are responding to a demand in the market. Simply put, if people stop buying, there will be no demand.

I dont remember suggesting that pedigrees are not capable of love and devotion, just pointing out that mutts who have had it tough are.

OldNotWIse

bluecherry74 wrote: »

Both my dogs came from the pound and my cats came from a small cat charity (who I still support with donations whenever I can). My previous dog came from a breeder though, and so did some of the family dogs we had growing up.

There are a lot of breeds that I love and admire and would like to share my home with some day. So while I think my preference would always be to rescue/adopt, I will probably end up buying a dog from a breeder at some point in the future. There's nothing wrong with that. I think the problem is with people who:

1) buy a dog from a dodgy breeder and inadvertently contribute to the back yard breeding problem, or
2) buy a dog without researching the breed and end up with a dog that doesn't fit with their lifestyle, or
3) buy a dog without giving much thought as to where they'll be in a year or 3.

On point 1, it's worth mentioning that both my dogs were handed in to the pound as pups by their breeders. That to me screams of a breeder who is pushing out as many pups as they can and then off-loading the ones they can't sell, so that the cost of keeping them doesn't eat into their profits.

It's also worth mentioning that a good breeder probably wouldn't sell to the people in points 2 and 3.

True. I knew one who sold his dogs with a contract that said if the new owners could no longer look after the dogs, he would take them back and in fact he did end up taking one back. They also stipulated that some of the dogs could not be bred from, though I suspect this was to keep the niche market.

wolfpawnat

Although I agree that where possible, adoption should be the most recommended way to get your new family member, there is some problems that I have personally witnessed with this.

I shall give the example of a friend of mine who is currently trying to adopt a small dog to live in the house she is renting with her and her partner. She contacted a local group and was called for an interview. At the interview she was asked had she had dogs previously (a fairly obvious question) she said she had, 6. She is in her mid 20's. Immediately the woman who ran the group that was doing the interview told her that that was too many and would not be complete the interview, asking her to leave. My friend was gutted and left in tears. The woman never even bothered to ask why there was that many dogs in her lifetime.

There was 2 in her family home when she was born, both old in age and did not last long after her toddler years, another got cancer and had to be pts, 2 other adoptees that were adults when her parents adopted them, one only being pts for old age last year, and the rescue dog her father currently has. None mistreated, all living to ripe old ages of double figures bar one who was humanely pts rather than left suffering. When dealing with people like that, people feel they are better off paying for a puppy as they more than likely will not have to justify themselves to people, who for the lack of a better term, have God Complex's.

To say for one moment that this is an indicator of all animal groups is a grossly incorrect generalisation, and of course there is no denying that many of the questions they ask are solely for the benefit of the dog and often the prospective adopter too. But for some, it is clear, they are not really capable of the job they set themselves.

My partner is a veterinary student. It is a requirement for his course that he go to different veterinary practices and do time with each. He has seem great cases of neglect, animals being brought in by different fosterers from different charities. But there is a consensus between all the practices that he has worked with, that many of those running these different group have God Complexes and feel as though they are more knowing than the trained professionals, and not just vets, dog trainers and behavioural specialists too. Now of course there are many in each field that are not great, but many of those acting as organisers of these groups haven't the foggiest of what they are doing and the ones losing out in the long run, are the animals and good prospective owners

OldNotWIse

wolfpawnat wrote: »

Although I agree that where possible, adoption should be the most recommended way to get your new family member, there is some problems that I have personally witnessed with this.

I shall give the example of a friend of mine who is currently trying to adopt a small dog to live in the house she is renting with her and her partner. She contacted a local group and was called for an interview. At the interview she was asked had she had dogs previously (a fairly obvious question) she said she had, 6. She is in her mid 20's. Immediately the woman who ran the group that was doing the interview told her that that was too many and would not be complete the interview, asking her to leave. My friend was gutted and left in tears. The woman never even bothered to ask why there was that many dogs in her lifetime.

There was 2 in her family home when she was born, both old in age and did not last long after her toddler years, another got cancer and had to be pts, 2 other adoptees that were adults when her parents adopted them, one only being pts for old age last year, and the rescue dog her father currently has. None mistreated, all living to ripe old ages of double figures bar one who was humanely pts rather than left suffering. When dealing with people like that, people feel they are better off paying for a puppy as they more than likely will not have to justify themselves to people, who for the lack of a better term, have God Complex's.

To say for one moment that this is an indicator of all animal groups is a grossly incorrect generalisation, and of course there is no denying that many of the questions they ask are solely for the benefit of the dog and often the prospective adopter too. But for some, it is clear, they are not really capable of the job they set themselves.

My partner is a veterinary student. It is a requirement for his course that he go to different veterinary practices and do time with each. He has seem great cases of neglect, animals being brought in by different fosterers from different charities. But there is a consensus between all the practices that he has worked with, that many of those running these different group have God Complexes and feel as though they are more knowing than the trained professionals, and not just vets, dog trainers and behavioural specialists too. Now of course there are many in each field that are not great, but many of those acting as organisers of these groups haven't the foggiest of what they are doing and the ones losing out in the long run, are the animals and good prospective owners

Agree with you on this point, they can be super militant at times (whether its a hardening or a reaction to time wasters etc I dont know) but I've been really embarrassed by one in the past. A while ago a colleague was getting a new dog and I suggested a particular shelter (she was going to buy one originally and then came round to the idea of adopting when I recommended this place). Anyway, that was grand so off she went to pick a dog...there was so much red tape and jumping through hoops, home checks etc that she ended up completely exasperated and bought one! I dont blame her, she said it was worse than trying to adopt a child. I hope the people working in the shelter were happy they had deprived one of their dogs of what could have been a wonderful forever home.

I have worked in one and it was as if they went out of their way not to rehome. One dog started exhibiting behavioural problems from being cooped up too long - he was a listed breed and hard to rehome - and their solution was to isolate him completely. They would also routinely destroy 20 or 30 cats if one showed signs of flu. Yet if there was a whiff on an oil leak on a canal they'd be all over it like flies on sh1t trying to get snapped. Total media whores. (Sorry, off topic rant!)

I have no personal experience homing from shelters, mine all seem to come to me before they reach that stage - must have "mug" tattooed on my forehead

wolfpawnat

My friend felt humiliated, she prides herself in her ethics and though she is not anti_breeding she most certainly would rather an adoptee than a bought puppy. She lives in Cork so she has considered just going to the free ads on the local paper on a tuesday and getting a heinz 57 pup instead. Sad really as they are a great couple who would care for a dog properly.

Sure dogs get dumped at vets galore, needless to say my fella is a sucker for big brown eyes. It kills me when I say no to anymore family members for a while. After this year we want to get a ex racing greyhound. poor fellas have terrible lives

OldNotWIse

wolfpawnat wrote: »

My friend felt humiliated, she prides herself in her ethics and though she is not anti_breeding she most certainly would rather an adoptee than a bought puppy. She lives in Cork so she has considered just going to the free ads on the local paper on a tuesday and getting a heinz 57 pup instead. Sad really as they are a great couple who would care for a dog properly.

Sure dogs get dumped at vets galore, needless to say my fella is a sucker for big brown eyes. It kills me when I say no to anymore family members for a while. After this year we want to get a ex racing greyhound. poor fellas have terrible lives

We did that before. My Dad was sitting in traffic one day and this huge but emaciated greyhound was running around. He leaned over and opened the passenger door and the dog jumped in and fell asleep on the passenger seat, totally exhausted. She was an ex racer belonging to a syndicate. We managed to trace them with the tattoo but of course nobody "knew anything about her". I used to be ashamed walking her because she was in such a bad way. We had her for a while and I found a lovely lady who lives in Dublin 8 who has contacts in the UK where she sends greyhounds for re-homing. They seem to be a little ahead of us in this regard. Anyway, her OH and kids fell in love with the greyhound and wouldnt part with her. She sent me photos a few months after of her gang of misfits and I couldnt get over it - totally different dog. Amazing condition, shiny coat and looking super happy. Greyhounds make great pets - they're happy to be taken out and burn loads of energy...and then sleep on the couch for 8 hours lol

bluecherry74

wolfpawnat wrote: »

She lives in Cork so she has considered just going to the free ads on the local paper on a tuesday and getting a heinz 57 pup instead.

Has she been to the pound in Mahon? They always have loads of dogs for adoption as they work with a charity to re-home their dogs, and they're not as strict as most other charities. She would just need to fill out a questionnaire and pay the adoption fee.

wolfpawnat

bluecherry74 wrote: »

Has she been to the pound in Mahon? They always have loads of dogs for adoption as they work with a charity to re-home their dogs, and they're not as strict as most other charities. She would just need to fill out a questionnaire and pay the adoption fee.

Not sure who she was dealing with. I will tell her to talk to them. She has no problem with home checks and questionnaires, so long as they are more understanding that a person in their mid-20's can actually have had more than a dog or two in their life! She is a sucker for the little scruffies that no one else thinks are cute so no doubt there is a little guy out there for her.

Pumpkinseeds

I think anyone who is considering getting a cat or dog should visit a pound. They are such heartbreaking places and you just wish that you could take every animal with you there and then.

I read something recently that really hit home. 'You might not be able to change the world, but you can change the world for 1 animal'. I think that if people saw the true reality of pound life, no matter how well any pound is run, then they might well reconsider how badly they want that pedigree puppy from the breeder.

Bullseye1

I have nothing but respect for those who get their best buddy from a pound but I don't feel guilty supporting responsible breeders breeding my favourite dog type. It is totally disingenuous to make people who buy a puppy feel bad.

TooManyDogs

wolfpawnat wrote: »

as they are more understanding that a person in their mid-20's can actually have had more than a dog or two in their life!

I just find it bizarre that the rescue would end an interview simply because of the number of dogs she'd had in her lifetime!! Things are never so black and white. When I'm homechecking I'd be more concerned about the person who told me they'd 'gotten rid' of their single dog cos it wasn't toilet trained/too big/dug the garden etc etc than I would be cos someone has a soft spot for oldies or there were 4 dogs in her life time before she had any decision in getting them. ie her parents adopted/bought them.

So does that mean that cos I've had 8 dogs by my mid 30's I wouldn't be suitable either????

saltyporridge

TooManyDogs wrote: »

I just find it bizarre that the rescue would end an interview simply because of the number of dogs she'd had in her lifetime!!

So does that mean that cos I've had 8 dogs by my mid 30's I wouldn't be suitable either????

I don't get the point of such a question. I've owned (or co-owned) at least 20 dogs in my lifetime (and I've a fair bit to go yet!). My dog (only one at the mo) is better looked after than her human housemates. She came from a breeder who actually asked for a reference from our vet but we didn't get asked how many dogs we'd had before.

wolfpawnat

TooManyDogs wrote: »

I just find it bizarre that the rescue would end an interview simply because of the number of dogs she'd had in her lifetime!! Things are never so black and white. When I'm homechecking I'd be more concerned about the person who told me they'd 'gotten rid' of their single dog cos it wasn't toilet trained/too big/dug the garden etc etc than I would be cos someone has a soft spot for oldies or there were 4 dogs in her life time before she had any decision in getting them. ie her parents adopted/bought them.

So does that mean that cos I've had 8 dogs by my mid 30's I wouldn't be suitable either????

She rang me wanting to know was it normal procedure with rescues. I was stunned. Her dogs have always be strays that found them, or rescues bar one. Her mother always felt sorry for the scraggy older dog that most people would not even look at so of course they aren't going to be the youngest and as a result may not have the longest lives with the family. But sadly it is not the only case I have heard of personally where there have been odd questions or situations similar to this with some groups. As I stated, my partner has been to a few practises and the personal experiences some people have told him and the vets there are ridiculous. As OldNotWise said, you'd adopt a human child faster.