If you’re considering adopting a dog from an animal shelter or dog rescue group, that’s great! Every dog adopted from a shelter or rescue group helps eliminate despicable puppy mills and, more importantly, saves a dog’s life. Unfortunately, some dog rescue groups make adopting a dog almost as difficult as adopting a child. The first hurdle you need to clear is the initial adoption application. A “wrong” answer here will send you home shocked and empty handed. For this reason, it is important that you read this application BEFORE you fall in love with a particular dog.
Most rescue groups, especially puppy mill dog rescues and breed-specific rescues, require that you submit an adoption application and have it approved before they will talk to you or allow you to see their dogs in person. You will be able to see photos of dogs available on the rescue website; but until they have approved your application, that is all you can do. Fortunately, not all rescues are so terribly demanding; and, by comparison, the shelters are downright cozy!
I cannot overstate the importance of this initial application! Please understand that I am an honest person. I don’t lie and I would never tell anyone to lie on an application. Having said that, there are certain answers that, if stated on an application, will immediately disqualify you. When you read the application, you will need to determine if any of these apply to you. Then you will have to decide how you want to handle the situation. You can try to avoid having to admit the truth, or you will have to find a less demanding rescue group.
For the following questions, I will give you the “correct” answer, that is, the answer the rescue wants to read or hear from you. I will also give you answers that will disqualify you. If there is any other acceptable answer, I’ll say that too. For some questions, I’ll just say NOTB (none of their business) or just tell you to go somewhere else.
Typical “troublesome” questions:
1. How much money do you earn? This is one of those NOTB questions. Supposedly they want to make sure you can afford to adopt a dog, but I think the only answer here is “I make enough.”
(Just FYI: Some rescues are actually discriminatory, and questions related to salary, type of home, where you live, etc. are used to screen certain people out.)
2. How much time during the day will your dog be alone?
Disqualify: All day or I work all day.
Correct: NONE. There is always someone at home.
Acceptable: Not long. I go home at lunchtime and my neighbor lets the dog out two or three times a day.
3. How much time will your dog have to spend alone outdoors?
Disqualification: All day.
Correct: None.
There is no other acceptable answer.
4. Is your yard fenced in with a 5′ (or 6′) wood fence?
Disqualify: No fence; electric fence; 4′ wire fence. (I haven’t found any rescues that accept an electric fence.)
Correct: Yes, I have a 5′ (or 6′) wood fence.
Acceptable: This will depend on the dog. For an older small dog, a shorter fence might be acceptable.
5. Do you have children? What are the ages?
Disqualifies: Baby or children under 6 years old.
Correct: There are no children, or they are all 10 years old or older.
Acceptable: Ages between 4 and 10 years will depend on the dog.
6. What pets have you had and, if not yet, please indicate why not.
The second part of this question is IT’S NOT B! They are trying to find out if he has euthanized any pets or returned any.
7. Where will the dog sleep?
Disqualification: Outdoors.
Correct: In the house, with us, in a box.
8. Is everyone in the family excited about getting a new dog?
Disqualify: Any answer other than YES.
Right: YES.
9. Have you ever returned or surrendered a pet? This could be worded: Is there an acceptable reason to return a pet?
Disqualify: Yes.
Correct: Never. I would never do that.
Acceptable: This can be tricky. If an adopted animal and their current pets couldn’t work things out, they could still be approved.
10. Have you euthanized any pets?
Disqualify: Yes. Most rescues do not believe there is an acceptable reason to put a dog down. Aggression is never an acceptable reason. Serious injury or illness may be considered acceptable, but that is up to the rescue. Some believe in the philosophy of “as long as they can breathe” to keep an animal alive.
Final Thoughts:
Before you get attached to a dog, read both the adoption application and the adoption contract. If you find that you won’t get approved (small children, live in an apartment, yard isn’t fenced, etc.) or you can’t agree to some of the contract requirements, then don’t bother looking at pictures of your animals. Instead, find a different rescue or go to your local shelter or Humane Society.
Puppy mill rescue groups and breed rescues tend to have an inherent distrust of human beings. Therefore, their requirements are very strict. Rescues that make a concerted effort to save dogs from euthanasia in shelters are friendlier to people and understand that their first goal should be to get these animals into loving homes.
Be patient and check the websites frequently. Visit your local shelter often. Your perfect dog will find you!
