Screening For Dog Adoptions – Too Much or Not Enough?

GSDOWNER · #1 08-12-11, 01:24 PM

It's a dilemma any rescue shelter faces. They want to rehome the dogs in their care but they NEED to make sure they're placing dogs with the right people. From the other side of fence we often hear accounts of would-be dog adopters being 'put off' by a screening process they deem to be too [...]Screening For Dog Adoptions – Too Much or Not Enough? is a post from: My Dog Magazine

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Kealagirl · #2 08-12-11, 02:11 PM

This woman in Ohio clearly had deeper mental health issues than just bi-polar disorder. Do do that is just sadistic!

GSD rescue Scotland have quite a stringent process to go through to adopt a dog, and I can understand that it would put people off. However what it does leave us are the ones who are determined they want a dog from us which I suppose is a filter system in itself.

An online application is the first stage, followed by a phone call, followed (if they pass) by a home visit. They must have a secure unshared garden and have some sort of experience. Even this is sometimes not enough and we get dogs back.

We have to at least try our best to find the best home for our breed as I am sure you will all agree if you give the an inch they are sure to take a mile!

Moobli · #3 08-12-11, 03:45 PM

It is so hard to get the balance right.

You want to ensure the dogs get the best possible homes, but you don't want to make the criteria so strict that good homes don't apply. On the flip side, you also want to make certain that unsuitable homes don't get passed. Rescue don't want their dogs bouncing back and then being rehomed numerous times - it just isn't fair on the dog.

As the article says, someone who is determined to get a GSD, will eventually get one by whatever means - and if they are found to be unsuitable for rescue they will then get a pup from the sort of breeder who will sell to anyone who has the cash.

I deal with some of the initial phone calls for GSD Rescue Scotland and it is my job to find out as much as possible about the potential home before contacting a homechecker to go out and do checks to ensure the potential adopter has told the truth to me on the telephone.

As GSD Rescue Scotland we do try to evaluate each potential home on its own merits - and try not to have too many blanket policies. However, certain criteria has to be met (as Kealagirl has said - a secure private garden with no shared access is one) and I find that acceptable. After all, rescue are just trying to do the best by their dogs.

Maddie · #4 08-12-11, 03:54 PM

I have no issues with the rescue criteria, at least the one we dealt with.

I must admit it was a nerve wracking wait to find out if we had been accepted. We had to rebuild some fences in the back garden (judged jumpable) but were happy to do so, even if jigsaws and circular saws scare me (though i did get quite handy with them

) Heres hoping they are still up with all this wind.

LindaM · #5 08-12-11, 05:21 PM

I think in the case of a GSD, or a cross that is mainly GSD, it is vital to ask the right questions and get the right home.

I would say the same with any other specific breed that requires a bit of knowledge.

Bearing in mind that often these dogs have other problems that need sorting it is again vital people don't think they are getting just 'your average dog'. I don't mean that in any unkind way. We learned the hard way.

I absolutely agree in my limited experience with Kealagirl 'that give them an inch and they will take a mile' and my Lukey is an easy going lad but it's 'just in him'. We had him since 8 wks 6 days and he is adorable but would take the proverbial given the chance

Linda (Lukey's mum)

Moobli · #6 08-12-11, 06:08 PM

I agree. GSDs, of all breeds, need boundaries and firm but fair leadership. Unfortunately we deal with many people who have no experience of the breed and who don't realise that they are rather different to your average labrador. Most people want a young and "easy" dog. I think it is true to say that many of the rescue dogs (not all, but many) do have issues that need working through - and these issues can be heightened or even created by inexperienced owners who don't understand the breed's needs. With a breed that has a reputation for the propensity to bite, it is imperative the dogs are fully assessed and then placed in suitable homes.

I don't know about any other volunteers, but I have had some pretty nasty and shocking phone calls from some people who have been turned down for a dog

DelsMum · #7 08-12-11, 06:10 PM

When I was hunting for #2 (and found JL) I was told by a certain rescue that I was unsuitable because although I work from home I do have to go out to meetings and they MIGHT mean I am out for up to 4 hours. Apparently this was grossly unfair. Even though it may only have been twice per week and the remaining days I would prob have been gone for 2 hours. Or none.
Personally I thought spending 4 hours at home with Del (as it would have been then), having the run of downstairs and a dog flap out into a 50ft (jump proof fenced) garden would be better than 24/7 in a kennel but apparently not! At the time I thought 'bloody hell, if thats your attitude no wonder you're struggling to find homes!'

DelsMum · #8 08-12-11, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moobli

I don't know about any other volunteers, but I have had some pretty nasty and shocking phone calls from some people who have been turned down for a dog

One of the reasons I don't do as many homechecks as I used to- keep getting stalked!

ArchandEbs · #9 09-12-11, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moobli

It is so hard to get the balance right.

You want to ensure the dogs get the best possible homes, but you don't want to make the criteria so strict that good homes don't apply. On the flip side, you also want to make certain that unsuitable homes don't get passed. Rescue don't want their dogs bouncing back and then being rehomed numerous times - it just isn't fair on the dog.

As the article says, someone who is determined to get a GSD, will eventually get one by whatever means - and if they are found to be unsuitable for rescue they will then get a pup from the sort of breeder who will sell to anyone who has the cash.

I deal with some of the initial phone calls for GSD Rescue Scotland and it is my job to find out as much as possible about the potential home before contacting a homechecker to go out and do checks to ensure the potential adopter has told the truth to me on the telephone.

As GSD Rescue Scotland we do try to evaluate each potential home on its own merits - and try not to have too many blanket policies. However, certain criteria has to be met (as Kealagirl has said - a secure private garden with no shared access is one) and I find that acceptable. After all, rescue are just trying to do the best by their dogs.

I do home checks too and the rescues I work with and our private rescue have the same criteria. They have to complete an online questionairre, home check and we also ask for reference checks. These dogs have come from a bad situation and we don't want it to happen twice.

In respect of people who work - it's slightly different over here because of the climate a lot of people leave their dogs in their gardens when they're at work so we judge each one on merit.

I myself work full-time and my husband works shifts. On the odd occassion our shifts clash I get a dog sitter to come in and I don't leave my dogs outside.

I know of some rescue groups here that don't have the same stringent criteria and they are always having to find new homes when dogs are placed with unsuitable people.

I also remember I turned down one couple for one of my foster puppies but they waited patiently and we found the perfect pup for them. They showed so much committment and understood we were trying to get the balance right for them and the dog. Their new rescue pup is doing so well and I wish we had a hundred more applicants like them.

It's especially hard with gsds as you get lots of people phoning up wanting a guard dog which usually means the dog will become nervous aggressive due to lack of socialisation so we don't place them with people with these requests.

claire_88 · #10 09-12-11, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DelsMum

When I was hunting for #2 (and found JL) I was told by a certain rescue that I was unsuitable because although I work from home I do have to go out to meetings and they MIGHT mean I am out for up to 4 hours. Apparently this was grossly unfair. Even though it may only have been twice per week and the remaining days I would prob have been gone for 2 hours. Or none.
Personally I thought spending 4 hours at home with Del (as it would have been then), having the run of downstairs and a dog flap out into a 50ft (jump proof fenced) garden would be better than 24/7 in a kennel but apparently not! At the time I thought 'bloody hell, if thats your attitude no wonder you're struggling to find homes!'

Had a similar situation myself, i was told i was wasting my time searching for a rescue dog and wouldn't get one from there all because i lived on a farm, where they MIGHT chase livestock

I think some rescues should arrange a home-check before dismissing good potential owners and they made me feel guilty for where i lived.

Oh and they (the one i dealt with anyway) don't understand or comprehend that people have to work for a living......i asked her if there was any-one on site at the kennels when they finish for the day? Are the dog's left alone?

I knew there wasn't because i volunteered there and needless to say the phone went down within a second!