Uneducated people...

Animal Lover

I have only been at this new job working at the shelter for 2 weeks now and I have met so many uneducated people. We have an Am Staff terrier and almost EVERYONE who see's her say they could never own her because they are terrified of her and the "lock jaw". A man recently adopted one of our dogs that needs to stay a little while longer to gain weight and everyday that he comes in he spouts off horrible information. Two days ago it was if you have an aggressive dog, the way to deal with it is to starve it for 4-5 days so they learn to associate you with food. Then yesterday he tells us he will be using a prong collar on the dog because he is a puller. I told him he does very well on a sensation harness but refuses to budge on the subject. We have already accepted his application for adopting so we can't go back on it now but when the dog finally leaves I'm so fearful of who he'll turn into having an owner like that....Tell me some of your horror stories of what people believe about dogs

MySoulmateEmmy

if an owner is going to get a dog breed known "to be a certain way" to the public, he should be able to prove he can handle the dog in a positive way as not to push the stereotype that the breed already has cannot get worse. if they can't they shouldn't be given the dog. of course things are not as simple as that in this world a lot of the time.

I understand where you are coming from Animal Lover how you can only sit back and watch and be in a position where you are unable to do anything..

~MSE

mcfrumple

You need to have in your adoption contracts that if he in anyway neglects the dog or even gives you/the animal shelter any reason to think he might neglect the dog that you/the person in charge of adoptions can come reposes the dog at any time. State that you will be making phone calls/emails to him before coming to get the dog, if he does not answer than you have every right to get a search warrant and a police officer to go to his house and get the dog then.

It might sound unreasonable, or strict. But when you come across people who 'sound and look good on paper (applications)' and then finally meet them and realize they are a nightmare, its worth every single effort to have that in your contract and have them sign it so they can't sue you or try to get you in trouble with the law. And you get the dog back much much easier.


I hope he isn't really as bad as he sounds. Maybe he is trying to be all macho about it, I don't know. But I would type up something saying that if the dog for whatever reason turns aggressive that it is to immediately be returned to the shelter and you give him his adoption fee back and have the man sign it... also have it state that the shelter would like to do routine home visits just to check on the dogs attitude for however long you think needed....and have him sign it. If he doesn't like it than oh well the dog is probably better off with out him.

Starving a dog for 5 days....he makes me so mad!

elisabeth

I'm confused as to why you can't refuse the adoption, especially since he is speaking on shelter property and to staff?

Animal Lover

Elisabeth, my shelter co-ordinator is a bit of a woose. All applications are approved unless there is physical proof that the owner has abused an animal in the past, our board members are terrified of being sued.

mcfrumple

If land lords can reject applications for apartments and houses and not get sued than a rescue org can reject any application by all means. I mean you are putting the life of an animal into a strangers hands.


I mean, I've made people cry by saying we are rejecting their application. I don't like making people cry at all, but you want the animal to go to a GREAT home. Not just a home. But no one has ever tried to sue us.

Mikey

Awww that stinks

Ditto


And it's easy to put that clause in.

I know you just started, but would it be 'bothersome' or 'showing initiative' for you to suggest that you could contact lawyers and see if you can find one to go over the adoption contract, add clauses to protect against this (as mcfrumple suggested-many many shelters have clauses like these) and make it air tight? I think if you are taking the initiative and offering to do the legwork, that might be seen as impressive and good-and not bothersome. Possible?

Ok and onto this

I hate hate hate the using your hand like a mouth bit where you 'bite' your dog (that in no way feels like a bite...come on) with the hiss and how bout throwing in an roll.

I hate when people don't realize something isn't working and try something else-the way they cling to a certain way of training that's abusive or aversive to the dog and their dog is giving off all these stress signals and they just don't see it.

I hate when people think 'he'll get better or he won't and will not pay for vet care. It's the law. How could you think it's ok to let him suffer? What's so bad about just calling the vet to see what they think. They aren't used vacuum salesman-they are medical professionals, and if they say you need to bring your dog in -you need to bring your dog in.

In general I guess I hate the lies and weird stories people use and maybe even believe truly, that really in the end justify them abusing or neglecting their own dog. And I guess more then anything I hate when people spread this false 'knowledge' so that more well meaning dog owners believe it.

Your going to see alot of hard stuff in the shelter. Share/Vent to us. It's always welcome. You may find you need to take up something for stress relief-like swimming or meditating or wine (lol j/k on the wine...sort of) or keeping a diary. Whatever works-find it. Your going to be carrying a lot of sorrow and grief on your shoulders-so keep a finger on your pulse and relax when you need to And some of the work will be very very rewarding and heartwarming. Don't forget to celebrate those

Animal Lover

I wish I could take up something for stress relief, I just don't have enough time in the day to do it. I already get up at 5:30, then don't get home till 5 and the kids go to bed by 7ish. The hubby works late nights some nights so going after the kids are in bed is out.

I find the best stress reliever so far is dog enrichment. I love the fact I get to spend time with the doggies just making there shelter life easier. I would say the hardest part of my job so far is seeing all these animals and I can picture myself owning them, so when they get adopted I'm a little sad LOL

Mikey

Take up a bath and a novel for stress relief-whatever it takes-it's important to do it and if your working in rescue I dare say ESSENTIAL to do it Srsly-do something for stress-you are carrying it. And the dog enrichment is perfect-I find it's beyond amazing what the dog park does for me compared to Mikey-we go everyday-partly because he's a maniac and partly because it cures me of what ails me