Forum Discussion

ridingfamily4's avatar
ridingfamily4
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015

**UPDATE** Strange Rescue Organization Encounter

Last Saturday, my sister tagged me on Facebook regarding a rescue who was looking to adopt out a boxer girl. A little back story, our 14 y/o boxer passed on Dec. 26th. We weren't looking for another yet, but the story on this little girl touched my heart.

I contacted the woman (Deb) who had posted the story on her. We spoke on the phone and she said she was very impressed and thought we would be a perfect match. She then gave me the website to complete an application for the rescue. I completed the app on Sunday. Mind you, this app is very dry - asking very to the point questions, which I answered honestly.

Deb has kept in contact with me everyday, asking if I had heard anything. The rescue had responded to my app on Monday and said it would be 2-3 days before I heard anything. This was supposed to be an emergency placement. I was being patient, waiting. Deb finally called her contact at the rescue who told her they decided we weren't a good match. She asked why had I not been contacted and at least told of the situation. They emailed me this morning, saying that because we worked and the dog would be home 8 hours a day by herself, it would not be a good match.

My response to their email:
I wish someone had taken the time to contact me or even meet us. What wasn't conveyed in the application is that I work 4 days a week (mon thru thurs) and as being the manager, I am able to bring my pet with me to work. So being alone is not an issue. Unfortunately, as with reading resumes, you may not always get the full story.
We have raised a boxer to 14 years old. All our friends whom we camp with, have boxers...she would never be lonely! Our pets are always part of our family.
I tell you this not to change anyone's mind, but to hopefully in the future, encourage you to do more research before blindly turning down a loving home.
Sincerely,
CM


I post this so that any rescuers that are here, please do not go blindly by an application. Sometimes, there is more to the story. Yes I work, but that does not keep me from being a good doggy mommy, as my 14 y/o boxer or my 13 y/o lab spaniel could have attested to. I am not angry or bitter, just sad for this poor baby who has been shuffled around.

Also, this is not to slam any rescue organization. I think the work they do is wonderful and necessary. All of our pups have been rescues of one sort or another.
  • mabynack's avatar
    mabynack
    Explorer II
    Mar 05, 2015
    I work with an animal rescue and I'm sorry that you've had a bad experience. There are millions of animals out there that need homes and I encourage you to keep trying.

    I've fostered over 40 animals and one of my absolute favorites was a boxer puppy named Gypsy. I can only remember a few of the many animals, but she really sticks in my mind. It was my first experience with a boxer and she really made a place in my heart. I think I only had her for a month or so, but it was enough.
  • ridingfamily4's avatar
    ridingfamily4
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2015
    Our last boxer came from a rescue. Again, I have nothing but respect for people who rescue - it is indeed a calling. I'm just frustrated with my experience with this particular incident.
  • brewjaz's avatar
    brewjaz
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2015
    I've worked with rescues all my life and unfortunately have heard similar stories like yours way too often. Most all rescues depend on their volunteers to use common sense and take each application individually when adopting out animals. Sometimes the rescues are just short of volunteers or a certain volunteer has a strict (un-bendable) set of his/her rules to adopt. It's a shame---I've seen it go your way (where you would've provided an excellent home) and the total opposite--where it was debatable how permanent of a home the dog was going to. It's a shame---the dog is the one who will suffer, and in turn, it also effects the other ones that need homes.

    As Mabynack above said, I encourage you to keep trying. It sounds like you are ready to give your heart and home to another dog.
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2015
    Sorry to hear your story. On a side note I'm wondering what you did to get your boxer to live to 14?! The average life span is only 8-10. My first 2 boxers lived to 10yrs before succumbing to cancer. My current one is 9 and in very good health, but I don't see her making it anywhere near 14. What's your secret?
  • cjoseph's avatar
    cjoseph
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2015
    We tried to rescue/adopt for several months.

    After waiting for the kids to get a little older, we finally decided they could handle it. We started looking. Unfortunately, we needed something in the hypoallergenic area. I have developed allergies and asthma in my "old" age. We were looking at mixed breeds with some Poodle or Shih Tzu. One sister has Shih Tzus and I do great around them, so we were leaning that way. The other sister has a couple of Basset Hounds and I can't even sit on the furniture in their house.

    We started looking at local shelters with no luck. Then, we went to the internet and tried as close to home as we could get.

    These foster homes/animal rescue places wanted letters of reference and a letter from our vet. We didn't even have a dog yet. How could a vet know us? One wanted us to come for an interview and then if we were accepted, come back later and pick up the puppy. This was for a two hour drive. I guess we didn't show enough commitment?

    Geeesh!

    We went ahead and bought from a breeder. The puppy is great! It is 3/4th Bichon Frise and 1/4th Shih Tzu. They call them Shichon or Zuchon. I think they should call it Fri****z, except it wasn't free!

    Some of these foster places are really animal hoarders and don't want to give the dogs up. I really believe that after trying to deal with some of them.
  • Oaklevel's avatar
    Oaklevel
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2015
    Sorry to hear that but we have never had luck with rescues. I doubt I would ever try again as they many seem to be crazy with their demands......... Over 35 the last years we have owned 7 dogs. All (but the current ones) were over 10 when they passed.
    We have ended up rescuing the ones placed by rescues...... We were told we were bad by a (SPCA & ended our donating to them) we were denied because we would not bring the neighbors cats who hang out at our house inside & get them neutered (We live in the country). I am pretty sure they wanted us to gather up the deer that run across our property as well. They denied my wife who had our at the time two grade school boys with her (broke their hearts)........ All of dogs but one have been rescued from people...... A couple were dogs placed by rescues ....... We had a Boxer dumped at our house at Christmas..... rescues would not help but we found her a great home..........We would have kept her but we currently have three dogs one is 16 years old (a Heinz 57) The other two are a Boxer & a Boxer mix great dogs.........

    I know over all Rescues mean well but crazy with some of their requirements.
    They would place more animals if they practiced common sense. Sorry for my rant...... But I tend to agree they are just hording the animals......
  • xteacher's avatar
    xteacher
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2015
    Sorry the rescue didn't let you know that the match wasn't a good one. Unfortunately, many boxers tend to be prone to severe separation anxiety, and this was probably why you were denied. This dog may be one of those dogs that literally needs someone around 24/7. This, and their destructive natures when left alone is why so many end up in rescues, IMO.
  • mabynack's avatar
    mabynack
    Explorer II
    Mar 06, 2015
    Our rescue has met with some unsavory potential adopters and that's the reason for increased scrutiny. One person was adopting animals off craigslist and then selling them. The family that adopted a pit bull from them had a teenage monster who poured battery acid on the puppy. It died and they demanded another dog from the seller and she gave them the pit bull's brother. Three days later the father brought the puppy to the vet because his son had chopped off the dogs ears and tail and they couldn't get the bleeding to stop. The vet called the police and they seized the puppy and turned it over to the rescue to hold as evidence. We couldn't adopt it out because it was evidence and we also didn't have clear title to it. Frankie is still in the rescue five years later.

    As a result, the woman who was getting the dogs from craigslist has been blacklisted from adopting because she wasn't doing any background checks. The parents of the kid who tortured the puppies sued the rescue and the local police department and they made physical threats against my daughters who run the rescue.

    Another case happened last week in South Florida. This 20 year old was adopting pets off craigslist and them posting pictures on facebook of him torturing and killing them. He killed at least 14 dogs that they know of.

    Two years ago our rescue had several cases of people who were evicted from rental propertied who left their animals when they moved. They were left in the house for two and three weeks with no food and they ate the sheetrock to stay alive.

    Our rescue usually deals with a case like this a couple of times a year. It's made them overly cautious about adopters.
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2015
    mabynack wrote:

    Another case happened last week in South Florida. This 20 year old was adopting pets off craigslist and them posting pictures on facebook of him torturing and killing them. He killed at least 14 dogs that they know of.


    Not every person that abuses/kills animals are serial killers of humans BUT every serial killer of humans starts out killing animals.

    That boy is sick and needs attention NOW.
  • ridingfamily4's avatar
    ridingfamily4
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2015
    camp-n-family wrote:
    I'm wondering what you did to get your boxer to live to 14?! The average life span is only 8-10. What's your secret?


    We have always had great luck with our pets. I had a cat who lived to be 17 (adopted from a shelter).

    Sammie (boxer) was an extraordinary dog. Her story was that she was owned by a military guy who also owned a pit. One day he was playing with them and the pit got jealous. Rather than get rid of the pit, who he knew could never be adopted, he took the boxer to a rescue. She had scars on her head from the attack.

    We had contacted a local rescue and went to the home of the rescuer. We met 9 different boxers of all shapes and sizes. The dog was going to be for my 8 year old (at the time). We sat in the living room and one by one met all of them. I though we were going to end up with the 8 month old puppy. I sat on the floor as each one came in the room. All the pups ran to me to meet. After we had met each one, my son said he just didn't get a feeling from any of them. phew .. no puppy!! The rescuer said, she had one that she had just gotten 2 days prior and didn't know her very well. She brought her in, she ran to my son, put her head in his lap and looked up at him with those beautiful, big brown eyes. We were smitten!

    Sammie fit into our family perfectly. We had another dog at the time and they were sisters instantly. She was happy around all other dogs she ever met. She adapted to camping easily.

    Our secret? love - plain and simple (not that anyone else doesn't love their pets).

    They have been on all sorts of different foods (depending on their needs or our income). They get their shots and vet visits/medication if necessary. Plenty of toys, exercise and pillows (dog beds). Baths/nails when they need it. They are not allowed on our furniture or beds. Doggy door to go outside whenever they like/need. Our pets are always neutered/spayed (I believe that helps in leading a longer life). I am the alpha. They do not get table scraps.

About Pet Owners

2,081 PostsLatest Activity: Dec 29, 2024