Adopting a kitten, help me understand the strictness

[Eurobabe]

of some of these private 501(c) agencies. The list of rules and regulations, etc. they have a hinderance to actually saving a life!

One I applied to has a FIVE page questionnaire, requires a home visit, vet records of existing pets. Jeez, it's no wonder it is easier to just go to the SPCA!

Just venting. I know there is probably an explanation for it all, but it seems like they try to prevent you from getting an animal.

-48%er

[RebelOne]

1. All the rescue groups have those requirements.

They want to ensure that the animal will be given a good home.

For a better explanation, go to this link

http://www.smalldoghumane.org/

and read the pop-up about Milo.

[Beaverhausen]

2. They just want to make sure you have only good intentions for the pet

Years ago I had to show my rental agreement that said my landlord would allow me to have a pet. And that WAS the SPCA.

They are trying to prevent people who will use the animal for things like experimentation, research or to "train" pit bulls from getting the animal. They also want to make sure you won't return the pet to them in the next week.

Hang in there.

[Eurobabe]

8. that's evil

people who would actually go to a shelter to get an animal for experimentation? i guess i am just hopelessly naive.

i am making a point though to donate some money to the shelters i visit, just to keep them going. some are terribly sad and hanging on by a thread. my SPCA is well funded and clean (god only knows why in RED Warren Co. Ohio, unless they supply kittens to Frist's buddies??) animals are well-kept, minimal smells.

we visited one adoption place yesterday that broke our hearts, the kittens were dirty and full of fleas, one had diarrhea all over its hind end, my daughter was in tears. i fear bringing something home to my own furbabies, so i will probably keep going back to the SPCA until i find my karmic kitty.

this process is so tainted with sadness. people who don't spay/neuter are idiots.

[China_cat]

9. people who would actually go to a shelter to get an animal for experimenta

Bill Frist.

[pink-o]

13. Two Words:

BILL FRIST.

Too bad the rescue groups weren't so vigilant when Dr Kitty-Mengele was adopting and dissecting them.

Bastard sociopath.

[Eurobabe]

3. Well, I guess it just doesn't occur to me because

I don't blindly "adopt" animals. The only cat I ever adopted and then had to find another home for lives with my aunt and he is a spoiled rotten boy, I became allergic to him for some strange reason. I drove BJ (aka The Menace) out to Ohio from Virginia for them.

Two years on, he's happy as a clam, and so are they.

[Beaverhausen]

4. Don't forget what Senator Frist did with the kittens he adopted

Unfortunately there are lots of sick people out there. Rescue centers are just trying to be extra sure the animals are going to be given a safe, loving home.

[Mutley]

7. Oh God I haven't heard this...

What did Frist do to his kittens? Or do I really want to know?

[CC]

10. While in Medical

School he adopted cats from the SPCA, killed them and practiced surgery on them.

[CC]

5. Remember they see the worst of

the worst and want to find forever homes for these little guys. Some have been bounced from place to place and well as said above, remember what frist did. Just the five pages of questions will weed out the lazy. If it is too much trouble to answer questions and let some one see the home then it might be to much trouble for that person to provide the care needed. Also many animals are given up because they become sick and the owner "can't afford the vet bill" so drops them at a shelter. Hard enough on a healthy animal, deadly to a sick one. And every animal lost breaks a shelter angels heart no matter how little time they are there.

Not saying you would be this way but they have seen so much bad how do they know you aren't going to be the same except to try checking you out in anyway they can? Once you jumps all their hoops you might be relieved they were so strict because you will know others have to do the same.

[demnan]

6. If only they were so careful in placing foster children

n/t

[radfringe]

11. a friend of ours

is adopting a German Shepard "pup" today (7 months old). The dog was originally adopted through a rescue organization that does extensive screening.

the first home decided that the dog was tooo much to handle and gave her to some other family. the second family also decided that the dog was toooo much to handle, the opened the front door and let the dog run loose.

the dog was picked up by the SPCA, and traced back to the first family through a microchip implant. First family said - we gave her to so-n-so... Second family said "we don't want her anymore". From there the SPCA decided to contact rescue org to let them know they had a German Shepard available -- and that's when they found out the dog was originally adopted from that rescue org.

so even with screening - there are problems with placing animals in forever homes. I know the policies/application process etc can be daunting, but these organizations are chiefly run by volunteers and on small donations -- they are trying to do the best they can

[yellowdawgdem]

12. no perfect way

I have to say, there is no perfect way to weed out the neglectful folks from the loving ones. But I've seen plenty of people who go for the easiest, cheapest way to get a pet. It does seem as if placing some restrictions on the adoption and charging a fee would prevent the worst situations. otoh, it makes sense that you don't really know if it'll work out 'till you try it. So it's not too surprising to hear about it not working out despite all of the hoops. Maybe in the future, most animals will be auto fixed, and there will just be less breeding, and less homeless animals.

[ehrnst]

14. They also want to avoid them going to animal hoarders ...

Like these people:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/11/AR2005071101177.html

[kestrel91316]

16. I know several "rescue" groups that ARE hoarders, BTW.

[ernstbass]

15. Here's something ironic

I was recently given my first foster dog for a rescue agency and NO ONE came to inspect my home, review vet records, etc. The group knows me from communtiy activites re: animal welfare but I found it strange that they would entrust me with a foster without checking my home out. I suppose they know they can come by anytime to check on the dog - but it's easier to foster than to adopt. ust for the record I favor a very stringent screening process.