Hello,

My husband and I had decided that we wanted to adopt a younger dog that needed a good home. However, our experiences so far have not been very good.

We went to the local Humane Society and inquiured about a dog I found on their web site. The lady acted like she couldn't be bothered with us. When we asked about this dog, she told us it was still there for adoption, but sheltered outside because of kennel cough. Then she walked away. We stood and waited for her to come back and asked if we were able to see her or not. After a bunch of standing and debating from her, we FINALLY were allowed to see her. This shelter just didn't make a very good impression.

Then I found another dog I was interested in at a shelter about an hour away. I emailed to inquire about this dog that they had on their web site. I asked if she was still available for adoption and if I was able to, because I didn't live "locally". I never got ANY response back. This poor dog had a VERY rough start in life, and I feel she will be hard to find a home for. She was brought to them at only 3 months old with a badly broken back leg, developed PARVO and almost died, then mange, etc... She is all healed now, but has some emotional issues from being crated 24 hours a day from her previous owner. My heart just melts for her! Well, this shelter also has a "sponsor a pet" feature. So, I tried emailing that person to see if she was still there. If I can't adopt her, I'd at least like to sponsor her and donate a little each month for her care. However, I emailed about sponsoring her, and I still haven't heard back from them.

Has anyone else experienced this when trying to help a homeless pet? I am just amazed at this! Of course, I have only tried two places so far, but this could discourage people from adopting.

Thanks for reading my post!
Cheri

Fortunately that has not been my experience at all. We adopted both our cats from the SPCA (Monterey County, CA), and the staff there was welcoming, eager to supply information and answer our questions, and seemed in general very interested in the well being of the animals in their care.

Hi CheriAnn:

How are you, my friend?? I am responding to your post from 11/15/2004 @ 1:26pm...

First, please let me say that I am so very sorry.... I haven't been on the site for quite sometime due to an illness,
and I MISS Lightning-Strike SOOOOOOOO VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!!!
Really, I do!!!!

I do remember how kind you were to me when I was looking for help for our sick, precious girl, Ms. Lucy..... You answered my post, and I will forever be grateful to you, Cheri!

I do "come onto the site" AT LEAST every other day to see what's going on.........but, unfortunately, I have been too tired to answer people's "cry for help", in the way that I WANT TO REPLY... You know???
I guess that I've always been LONG-WINDED.......and, I shall remain that way....

Some people are fortunate in that they can answer a post in 2 - 3 sentences, and REALLY get their thoughts across, the way that they want to.
I, for one, cannot... And, I never, ever could..... No big deal. I enjoy helping...if I can.

When I read your post (just now) from some 13 hours ago, it made me very, very sad......
(as I am sure that it made you and your husband!!!!).

You are definitely welcome to e-mail or PM me personally, as I don't know in what City/State you live, and I don't want you to broadcast it on the site, or any site.

When Ben and I decided that "the time was right" to adopt a couple of furbabies.......I starting looking through the web. <------ That right there could have been MY BIGGEST MISTAKE, BECAUSE THERE ARE SOOOOOOOOO MANY FURBABIES LOOKING FOR HOMES, NEEDING HOMES......

Looking at a lot of the shelter/ASPCA/Human Society websites BROKE MY HEART!!!!! There were just so many
helpless furkids that needed a home.......
We cannot save them all!!!!!

And, I will be honest.....When I called several places, I mostly got an answering machine.

When I received a call-back, some people were quite "short-tempered", and we know now that sooooo many of these places are "volunteer ONLY", and quite short-staffed.

On the day that we adopted Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster, Ben and I were ASTONISHED......... This place was about
an hour away from us (that was fine-we didn't mind the drive)..

But, Dear God........there were SOOOOOOOOOO MANY CATS THAT NEEDED HOMES..... All ranging in age from 6 weeks
to 18 years old.

Our hearts broke into pieces......

I mean, there were AT LEAST 100+ furkitties at THIS ONE SHELTER to be adopted......

They had 3 HUGE ROOMS, and a barn that housed all of the kittens. Some of the older cats just roamed free, as this
particular shelter was out in the country.

I realized AT THAT TIME......that the people I spoke with on the phone were being just as nice as they COULD BE..... considering all of these sweet babies that needed a home.

I remember very, very clearly looking at the different shelters and seeing a couple of furcats that I was interested in.
Some were still available...........some had been adopted.......Some were adopted separately.....etc., etc., etc....

So, what we decided to do was to just make an appointment at a shelter; it happened to be on a Saturday at 2:00 pm,
just to have a look around.

I had been DRIVING MYSELF CRAZY...Looking at all the different shelters in the computer, looking at the precious photos of all the different babies......
It was all just too much for me!!!! I was looking a pictures of sweet babies 2 states over....

So, that's when Ben and I made that appointment.........we would go to that shelter and see

WHO ADOPTED US!!!!!!

And....................it happened!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, We sure do know that the "phone calls can drive you crazy between the Humane Society/Shelters, etc.....",

BUT............. We just took a chance.... Made an appointment at this Shelter, and WE WENT.......

We brought two carryalls with us on the way there, EMPTY..................
AND, We drove home with a wonderful furkitty in each of them!!!!!

Our "adoption date" was 3/6/2004, and Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster ADOPTED US!!!!

Cheri and Husband............we could not be happier, with our sweet kids!!!!

They are the light of our lives... And, they both bring us sooooo much joy.....
WE CAN TELL THAT OUR LOVE GOES BOTH WAYS........

It is such a gift.....Our sweet, precious, darling Ms. Lucy has diabetes and asthma, but she is coming along beautifully with her insulin and inhalors.......
Her "housemate" from her previous home, Mr. Yoster (Yo-Yo Ma), he's a special lil' guy..... He is a very, very sweet &
loving part "Russian/British Blue" kitty, and has the most sweet temperment.

We really & truly believe that God placed these two furkids with us..... HONESTLY...WE BELIEVE THAT!!! We
were all supposed to be TOGETHER!!!!!!

I am very, very sorry that you have had bad experiences with the shelters/humane society that you have dealt with
thus far.............

But, perhaps you can find out the ADOPTION HOURS that people are allowed to go choose a furdog that will fit
with their family......????

One good thing that you can do on-line is to "fill out the paper-work", so that when you and your husband go to
pick out a wonderful furdog...........that the paper-work will already be done....saving you a few days in adoption
time....
I do know that the shelter we went to required a call to our previous veterinarian to make sure that we were
"good parents".

I hope that some of this has helped Cheri, and please, if you'd like, feel free to contact me by e-mail or PM..... That
would be perfectly fine.

You are a sweet, wonderful person, and even in your grief over your sweet, beloved Rachael, you have helped me and sooooo many other people here at LS...
For that, I truly Thank You......

Talk to you soon, my friend.

Love, Denise

P.S. I meant to ask you.....If you want, I can move your post to the Death & Dying Forum where there always seems
to be "more traffic".........which means that more people will read your post and respond.
As one person here at LS said, "Death & Dying is the most ALIVE part of this forum"...
It is up to you, but I would be more than happy to do it.

I would suggest keep trying.

The sooner those poor dogs can get the hell out of there the better.

Good luck.

Glad to see you back Denise.

Hope your feeling much better

Love Sue

Hi Cheri,
I am sorry that you had that experience. It is very frustrating, I'm sure. I do not think it is unusual though. I have been working with a local group here and did some volunteer work at the local shelter. The group I'm working with mostly does spay and neuter.

I don't work at the shelter anymore. They have some good, helpful people there sometimes, of course. A lot of these people are overwhelmed. Some of them care very much. Others do not appear to. I would suggest that you try calling again and/or going back. If you go and someone asks if they can help, but you don't like their demeanor, try to wait around for someone who will be helpful. That's what I did. I met one really nice young girl who got tears in her eyes when she talked about the animals. The next time I went back I learned she had been fired. She was, I think, too nice. Really!

Anyway, there are so many animals there that do need homes, just as the one in particular you described. I would just keep trying, keep calling and/or going. I'm sure you'll meet someone who cares and who wants to help the animals as much as you do. It is so sad that this surely does discourage people from adopting. I was as amazed as you are when I first became acquainted with the shelters. It is really sadder than most people can ever imagine.

Good luck. Let me know if I can help.

Thank you all for responding. You have given me a new outlook on the shelters. I guess I was expecting too much. I thought these would all be animal caring people who would WANT to help get a pet adopted any way they could. I didn't think about them being volunteers either. So, I do thank you for your responses. I think I understand a little better now.

I will just keep trying. The one dog I mentioned that I wanted to adopt or sponsor, is on my mind constantly. I want to help her out so much! So, I shouldn't let the fact that they won't seem to reply to my emails affect the poor little furgirl! I'll just have to take a long drive one day this week out to the shelter to talk to someone in person. If she has been adopted, I will be SO happy for her! I'll look around and try to help another furbaby there.

Denise, it was SO nice to read your response! I noticed you haven't been as active lately, and I was worried about you. I'm so happy to read that you and Ben had a great experience when you were adopted by Ms.Lucy & Mr. Yoster. That just makes my heart smile

BabyHannahsMom, thank you for giving more insight into the shelter situation too. It's so nice that you are involved with these homeless animals. I have often thought of volunteering at some shelters. However, I used to be technician at our local vet because I love animals SO much. However, I found it to be very emotionally draining when an animal couldn't be saved. I found the sheer "torture" of cropping tails and ears on little puppies too much to handle too. So, maybe I wouldn't be very stable for the shelters either

Thanks SO much again! These poor homeless furbabies need help, and I won't give up!!!
Cheri

Okay, it's me again....still dealing with this ONE shelter. I need a "talk" to calm me down please.

This one shelter has the poor little girl that I wanted to adopt, and then decided to sponsor and donate each month towards her care. Okay, I emailed about adoption, and NEVER got a response. I then emailed about sponsoring, and NEVER got a response. I have tried to call, but never get a hold of anybody.

Well, I realize I am still grieving and my emotions are a roller coaster. That's why I am reaching out to my friends here. I am here because I am now feeling anger. This shelter is linked to the Food Lion charity program. Everytime I shop there and use my card, they get a portion. I got my family and friends to also link their shopping cards to this shelter. So, I feel so betrayed by them now.....they can't even be bothered to send a reply to me! Honestly, I could drive out there, I guess, but they are a little over an hour away. I'm afraid someone won't be there, or I may say something I shouldn't.

As a result, it has me anger now. I feel like changing them off of my charity donations and encourage friends and family to do the same. But I keep thinking of the poor animals that really need the help. I would hate to take away any financial help because the people that work there refuse to answer me.

Please give me advice. Should I ignore the lack of concern from the people working there? Do I still "support" this shelter?

Thanks!
Cheri

Hi Cheri:



BINGO.... I think with regard to helping out this shelter.......you have already answered yourself....

It is not the poor furkids fault that the people who volunteer there aren't answering you..........
You know, it really could be "The season".....
Maybe they don't have enough help right now???

I know that the place that we adopted Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster from ARE DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR HELP....... If
they weren't an hour away........I'd do it.....
But, given the weather here in the NorthEast..........I'm not afraid to drive in snow........BUT, I AM AFRAID OF ALL THE
OTHER PEOPLE IN CARS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE IN SNOW!!!!!

I wonder................You know........you've tried time and time again to get someone to respond to you, and yet.....
No one has answered............

Just a thought, but......could it be that "maybe this particular furdog isn't the "right one" for you and your
family"...... Maybe a "special someone is telling you to "look elsewhere"...

I don't know...........it's just a thought that ran through my head, that's all.....

When Ben and I adopted Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster on 3/6/2004.............One lady "was just a little 'mad'", that we were
10 minutes late.........but, it was way in the country.......

And, after Lucy started living with us..........she was ill, and I'd call them and say, "didn't you people notice this and/or
that???????"
Some real ANGRY WOMEN answered the phone, and needless to say............"she and I didn't get along well"....

But, I just feel that these people who volunteer do help out out of love.........but, then these shelters get soooooooo
busy, because people just drop off cats & dogs like they're trash!!!!!!

I have to be grateful that this one place took Yoster, Lucy and their FOUR HOUSEMATES.........

They were abused terribly.........but, it has taken some time............. They're still a lil' skittish.... But, they're doing
much, much better......

I hope that this has helped you, my friend.......

God Bless!

Love, Denise

I wouldn't take it from them, I would call and ask to talk to the manager and ask if they are really interested in finding those babies a home, the poor baby had a chance for a home and the ----- didn't have time, it's the poor dogs loss of a chance to have a good home. I'd make her do her job. People are rude and uncaring these days, it seems most of the time you have to make them do thier job, that's been my experience these last few years. Pamela

I just read through your postings on here about shelters and am appalled by the lack of professionalism displayed by the shelter. It's poor business and downright rude not respond to an email or phone inquiry. There are two no-kill shelters and a foster-only organization in this area. One of the shelters is even involved with the county pound. I've always been treated pretty well when I've gone by to look at pets. All of the places go to our local animal stores, Big R, and Ace Hardware in hopes of people coming in to adopt a pet. They would be upset to hear about your experience.

We adopted both Sonnie and Myles from the same no-kill shelter and, prior to getting Bear, we adopted a cat from the pound. All of our experiences (except one) have been wonderful with both places. We will probably find another furbaby at one of those places again - just not too soon. I'm sorry yours hasn't been.

Keep trying to get someone to respond to you. Part of the problem may be that there aren't any full-time people to check the messages or emails, especially if it's all volunteers. If you find out that the furgirl you can't get out of your mind is already adopted, and they don't have someone perfect for you, you could try www.petfinder.com. Many shelters put information out there about their animals in hopes someone like you will see them. It will take you to the main website for each facility so you can contact them directly. That facilty might be there with a different contact number. It's worth a try.

Good luck.

Pamela and Kay Kay,

Thank you for your input. I was just so shocked to see how we were treated. I wondered how others must be treated and how hard it must be to adopt a furbaby from them! Even to this day, I have EVER heard back from the person in charge of sponsoring an animal. I was SO disappointed because I wanted to donate and sponsor in Rachael's memory. I took many steps to help that shelter, and our local one. I did make a one time donation through work to them.

I have now started donating and helping the ASPCA. I work for the government, so I also donate every payday through the Combined Federal Campaign.

Cheri

Oh, I forgot to ask, since many of you donate your time and resources, are there any other big organizations that are really helping furbabies that I could contact and help?
Rachael's unconditional love and devotion has made me want to help all the other poor devoted and loving furbabies that deserve better than they are getting.

Thanks!
Cheri

Cheri,

I don't know where you're located, but have you considered the ASPCA? It's a national organization, but I don't know much about it personally. I've always looked locally when giving time and money. We're lucky to have a good shelter and a foster system in this area (there's another one, but I don't like their attitudes toward prospective petowners). The pounds in the area are nice to work with too. You could ask your vet if s/he has any ideas. They're usually good sources of shelter information. If they can't help you, check to see if there are any kennels in your area. The owners or workers there might have info you could use.

If you can't find anything, let me know. I know the two in my area of Illinois would be more than happy to talk with you. The shelter we got Sonnie and Myles from have pets there that will never be placed in permanent homes due to health conditions, age or past experiences with people. I know they accept money to help sponsor those pets. I'll give you their website if you want.

I hope you can find something locally. That way you can check on what's going on there. You also get interaction with other animal lovers and a variety of pets who need affection and attention.