National Puppy Day and adoption woes

[peacetara]

This past friday was National Puppy Day (March 22, 2013). The official website: <a href="http://www.nationalpuppyday.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.nationalpuppyday.com/</a><br>and a bunch of cute pictures: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/23/national-puppy-day-2013_n_2934715.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/23/national-puppy-day-2013_n_2934715.html</a>.<br><br>This of course raises an important point, as I'm traveling around the different areas, I've come to visit pounds, and of course I want to adopt one.&nbsp; I've been reading the various rules, and hoops you have to go thru, and the fees you have to pay, and I'm a little frightened. It seems you have to pay around $100 (sometimes up to $200) to adopt from an animal shelter/etc.&nbsp; Plus, you have to show you own your house, and have a fenced yard.&nbsp; Many rescues require a visit to the home the dog will live before adoption. Well I do own my van, and can show that, but I'm guessing they wouldn't be very excited about that opportunity.<br><br>How does a van dweller go about actually adopting an animal, given all those constraints?&nbsp; I haven't dared yet talk with an animal shelter about it, I guess some would be more accepting than others, and maybe it's just a matter of finding the right shelter?<br><br>I'm not quite ready to actually adopt an animal, but I keep getting closer, and feel like when the time is right, and the right animal is there it will just happen.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[baronmcginty]

I got both my dogs from Craigslist. I love them to death! Tucker (yellow lab) was from a young couple who was having a baby and they feared the big lab would be too much for them and the baby to handle. The guy cried the day I took Tucker home. They just wanted him to go to someone who would take care of him and gave him to me for free.

 

[Lostinspace]

<p>Every dog I've had either came with someone else or walked up&nbsp;and adopted me.&nbsp; Sugar, the dog of the moment, (long moment she' s been with me for 11 years), just walked up one day and said "you'll do, feed me".&nbsp; She had just had a litter and they tossed her out on her own.&nbsp; Her tites were still flush with milk.&nbsp; So we had her fixed and she's been with me ever since.&nbsp; She started out 70 pounds and now weighs 85.&nbsp; I have her on a diet, the Vet said she needs to loose 20 pounds.&nbsp; Sweetest dog I've ever owned.&nbsp; Looks mean, she's brindle colored and has huge shoulders and jaws.&nbsp; But she never barks unless someone comes up that doesn't belong.&nbsp; She's blind in one eye, but doesn't seem to bother her.&nbsp; And she likes to baby people and other dogs.&nbsp; She will watch the Dog Whisperer and his minions if it's on the tube.<br><br>Tara, ask around.&nbsp; Find out&nbsp;where people abandon dogs, usually rural dirt roads.&nbsp; Hang out there or drive through there some and I bet you'll see a dog.</p>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I've always done the SPCA thing. Basically, I'm up-front about everything and tell them that I live in my rig and spend almost all my time in the mountains 'n such. The worker, when I got Coco, couldn't sell her to me fast enough. ..Willy.

 

[fluffabear]

I know that sometimes stores like PETCO and the like will have adoption days, where local shelters and rescues bring in animals to adopt out. I haven't adopted this way, but I hear that these types of events are not quite rigorous in checking for sticks and bricks dwellings and such. I would personally recommend craigslist, but not without arranging to meet the animal and the owner first. <br><br>

 

[RV-Kitty]

It costs us something like $75 each to adopt two kitties from our shelter. But that included spaying, their first shots, worming, defleaing and their bloodtests for FeLV and FIV.&nbsp; If you adopt a free pet do you realize it will cost you much more if you have to take it to your vet?&nbsp; We did have to either have a note from the landlord or prove we owned the house.&nbsp; They do this because too many people adopt a pet, the landlord sees it and makes them return it.&nbsp; It wastes the shelter's time and is stressful for the dog or kitty.&nbsp; We own the house and land so we had no problem.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I'd skip all that bs and snag a freebie from a flyer at the supermarket etc or as mentioned on craiglist.&nbsp; The craiglist is abysmal out here but one thing that is always in there are tons of pets.&nbsp; Or a local pet shop.&nbsp;&nbsp; We have like 3 in one little town here <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Bindi came to us via a Craigslist ad from a rescue group in Tucson. She was spayed, vet checked, and micro chipped. They asked for a donation and the 60 bucks I had on me was fine...best 60 to ever come out of my pocket

Bindi (a min pin) is our "little gimp dog" (we're both gimps too). She has a bum shoulder and sorta waddles, and she's funny when she runs. She's missing a toe on her right rear and they cut off her tail...thank goodness they left her ears alone.

She's such a sweetie and protective, but easy to get to know. She's turning out to be a great travel companion.
We're very fortunate to have her in our lives and we love her very much.

Bindi was scared when we brought her home, she cried all night for weeks due to abuse suffered in a puppy mill (she was breeding stock). We pray all of those places are shut down one day and the people put in cages.

 

[cyndi]

<em>"<span id="post_message_1278056800">I'd skip all that bs and snag a freebie from a flyer at the supermarket etc or as mentioned on craiglist.&nbsp; The craiglist is abysmal out here but one thing that is always in there are tons of pets.&nbsp; <strong>Or a local pet shop.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; We have like 3 in one little town here <img class="bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" rel="lightbox"></span> "</em><br><br>PLEASE, please, please DO NOT buy a dog from a pet store and support the puppy mill industry.<br><a href="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"></a><br><br>

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I agree that many animals in pet stores come from mills. We don't buy anything from those stores, too many other places to get treats, food, and other supplies.

Oh, speaking of food...look carefully at what's in dog food. Corn is used as filler and is most often at the top of the list. Its not all that good for dogs and certainly not great food value. Good food makes for better skin/coat, fewer farts and less stinky poop. It makes me sad to see people with pets they can't afford to or won't feed properly.
Feed your pet as good as you would want to be fed.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

So...what should happen to the animals in the pet shops then?&nbsp; I'd imagine unsold ones in disreputable places are killed.&nbsp; So should they be punished for the possibility they came from a puppy mill?&nbsp; In the end, its over zealous and restrictive adoption agencies that have driven these places into the market.<br><br>My sister actually rescued a puppy from this crappy pet store....this puppy had never been out of its cage, which was under other animals that were going potty onto him.&nbsp; He barely knew how to walk.&nbsp; He became a happy healthy member of the family....she couldnt imagine leaving him in there.&nbsp; She didn't even have the money to spare.<br><br>That pet shop has closed down and another one popped up down the street that is much cleaner.<br><br>I guess its a bit of a catch 22, but i think if you want to stop these things they need to go to the source and stop them before they breed all of them.&nbsp; Maybe animal control could investigate pet shops about where they get the animals from and then follow through.

 

[RV-Kitty]

To Dazar: The last place you want to get a dog is to buy from a pet shop and help support those greedy cruel puppy mill owners.&nbsp; Most of these pups are genetically inferior and not up to standard. A waste of money.&nbsp; I would go through Craigslist before supporting puppy mills and greedy backyard breeders who are a step above the mills.

 

[highdesertranger]

you know not every back yard breeder or puppy breeder is bad.&nbsp; I have seen craigs list dogs that were bad also.&nbsp; to lump all in one category and then degrade is not right.&nbsp; having said this I don't really like pet store animals or puppy mills myself but please don't prejudge everybody for the actions of some.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

My aunt is a poodle breeder (the large ones..)...i wonder if she would be grouped the same.&nbsp; <br><br>She fricken doctor dolittle btw....i swear even a robotic dog i had loved her.&nbsp;

 

[cyndi]

If your aunt is breeding indiscriminately and not testing for the following genetic disorders and not registering&nbsp;the results with the PCA, then yeah she's a byb.<br><table width="100%" align="center" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5"><tbody><tr><td><ul class="small"><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#addisons" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Addison's</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#asd" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#basic" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Basic Genetics</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#bloat" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#hepatitis" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chronic Active Hepatitis</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#cush" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cushings</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#epilepsy" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Epilepsy</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#hip" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hip Dysplasia</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#hypo" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hypothyroidism</a></li></ul></td><td style="text-align: left;"><ul class="small"><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#lcpd" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Legg-Calve-Perthes</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#news" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Neonatal Encephalopathy (NEwS)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#knee" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Patellar Luxation</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#opticnerve" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Optic Nerve Hypoplasia</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#sa" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sebaceous Adenitis (SA)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm#vwd" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Von Willebrand's disease (vWD)</a></li></ul><br><br>Also, if your aunt is not competing her dog either as a working dog or in the beauty shows, to be compared and judged by knowledgeable people, (personally I prefer at least working, if not both) then yeah, she's a back yard breeder.<br><br>Just my opinion of course. And since I am pretty rabid when it comes to people breeding and selling dogs, I have a lot more opinions on the subject.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[WheelEstate USA]

True, you can't label all BYBs as bad.
I don't have an answer for controling breeders, but if you're going to buy from one they should be able to show vet records, etc.

When we got Bindi (4 yrs old then) we just didn't want a puppy. We're "golden agers" and wanted an older pet that was already settled a little. What we didn't know up front was that she had so many mental issues from the abuse she had suffered. It took time and love, but she is doing well now. Not only did she/we have to overcome her mill memories, she had been in some foster homes with other dogs that were fostered. In time she came to know she had her own home and would not be pawned off again.
You can tell Bindi is a happy doggie now
You can also tell we are happy mommy and daddy too

 

[cyndi]

This discussion has nothing to do with traveling with pets, so I am just going to comment on Bindi's post and then I am out. I can't control the need to educate.<br><br><strong>NO!!!</strong> Veterinary records are fine if you are getting the dog from a shelter, rescue or adopting the dog. If you are purchasing a dog from a breeder, the breeder should provide you with genetic screening on both the sire and the dam and up to 10 generations back, depending on the disorder, And that's just the beginning of what you should be asking for.<br><br>over and out

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

So dogs are only bred for competition or work, and must be judged by a panel of experts?&nbsp; I never knew that.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[highdesertranger]

boy o boy dazar I didn't know that either.&nbsp; this subject sure has riled some feathers. &nbsp;highdesertranger

 

[Teena]

Peacetara you need to swing through Iowa. I run a shelter there. We have dog adoption fees starting at $50.00. They are spayed or neutered and microchiped. We look at each situation differently. I have adopted out to someone living in a rv. So please stay open to adopting from a shelter. When you adopt you save 3 lives not just one. You save the dog you adopted, you saved the dog who can now move up from isolation to adopt and you opened up the kennel in isolation for a homeless dog to come in. We want to find our animals forever families. I just want you to know that not all animal shelters are alike. I also see the shelters in Arizona have low adoption prices too. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">