Best site for finding a dog?

10507 Views 86 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Shandula, Feb 1, 2016

John Howard

Discussion Starter · Jan 4, 2016 (Edited)

Okay, I have been looking on rescuetheanimals.org through all the animal shelters for several counties around me. I looking at every dog they have. I would say roughly, 60% of what they have is some kind of Pit mix, 30% is Chihuahua mix, 8% Random Large breed dogs, 2% very old small dogs. I have no interest at all owning anything with pit in it, not really fond of Chihuahuas, I don't want any large breed dog, and I don't want to make an emotional investment in a dog that might die in the next couple of years.

I have tried using adoptapet.com to locate a dog to go check out, and it keeps saying no dogs match. It also does not work very well. If I choose, "YOUNG" it comes up with 10 year old dogs.

I also went down to the local SPCA and looked through their dogs and found nothing.

I want to go dog hunting today, but I can't even find a place to start. Can anyone recommend a good site for searching?

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 8 of 87 Posts

Aspen726

· #2 · Jan 4, 2016

Hi @John Howard !

Welcome to DF!

What are you looking for in a new dog? Have you ruled out buying from a reputable breeder? I'm not sure where you are located but perhaps you should try a Google search for a rescue local to you (if you choose to use a rescue). If you're on Facebook, you could look at various groups on there as well.

If you give us some info about what you are looking for, people here may be able to suggest something.

Save

Aspen726

· #4 · Jan 4, 2016

@timber - thanks for pointing out that he's from TX... I missed that!

There are LOTS of lab rescues in Texas, if you were interested in a lab...

Save

Aspen726

· #10 · Jan 4, 2016

I also recommend Petfinder.

Also, important to note- even breed specific rescues have other breeds that they take in. I would recommend putting your name in with a few rescues near you and let them know what you're looking for. Perhaps they can match you up, or at the very least, direct you.

Save

Reactions: 3

Aspen726

· #26 · Jan 5, 2016

John Howard said:
Man! I really liked that beagle/bassett mix Noel you listed, but the shelter is insane. You got to go through a month of interviews and then they actually choose a dog they want to give you. That's a bunch of bull. I am a grandfather, not a teenager. I have earned respect, and I will not put with that kind of disrespect.

Thanks, but if that is how all these shelters act, I want no part of them. They can keep their dogs.

A lot of shelters have strict adoption policies. Some are too strict, IMO. With that said, I do kind of understand because they have the difficult job of placing dogs in appropriate homes so that they 1) don't get the dog back bc it isn't a good fit and 2) don't place a dog in an abusive or neglectful home. It's kind of a catch 22 for shelters and rescues... it's certainly not disrespect towards you. The average person will look at a photo online and say, 'that dog is SO cute. I'll take it!'... that's not an appropriate way to pick a dog haha so I'm sure after having numerous dogs returned, they came up with the policy of placing specific dogs based on circumstances.

Save

Reactions: 2

Aspen726

· #31 · Jan 5, 2016

John Howard said:
All the dogs I liked at our insane fanatical shelters that won't even talk to you unless you have filled out an adoption application (no wonder I can't any responses from them), and then only after they have reviewed your application and talked with your vet first. It's insane!

I don't consider an application and speaking with your vet insane or fanatical at all. I think that's a reasonable starting point. If someone has had pets in the past that did not receive annual check ups and routine vet care, I wouldn't adopt an animal to them either.

Human resources at these places are limited. Most are volunteers so they cannot speak with every person that shows an interest. Applications typically will tell them if you live in a house or an apartment, if there are young children or other animals involved, if you've ever owned a dog, etc. These are all questions they would need to ask if they were on the phone with you... it's a time/resource saver.

Example of an insane requirement: I saw a rescue that had the requirement that if you wanted to adopt a dog from them, you couldn't work out of the home for 8 hours/day

Personally, without my job, I couldn't feed a dog so....

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

Aspen726

· #34 · Jan 5, 2016

@TruckersMom - I guess I can understand it in some situations. For me, I work 5 minutes from my house and go home for lunch to play with my dog. So, she was never home alone for more than 4 hours, but TECHNICALLY I work out of the home for 8 hours so I didn't even apply to those rescues.

I never get mad at the requirements. I couldn't even imagine sending off an innocent animal, HOPING that you've done enough research to keep them safe. Some rescues just aren't compatible with certain people, move along... there are lots and lots of animals that need homes- sadly.

While I wouldn't go through the rescue that I used again for various reasons... I wouldn't hesitate to rescue another dog. My girl is my whole world. She goes everywhere with me... except work and school haha