They were asked to fill out paperwork. One of the staff members asked them if the OWNED THEIR HOME. Funny, I didn't know that was one of the qualifications. I say that because when the Humane Society called them back the next day they said they confirmed they did in fact own their own home but they spoke to their Vet and they couldn't adopt the dog unless they took it back in to have shots.
My friend explained how the dog is dying and they didn't want to put it through all of that. Well, unless you do so, you can't adopt this dog. They went on to say that even after they got the shots they'd have to bring their 15 year old dying dog into the HS to see if the two dogs are compatible!
Just who in the hell do these people think they are! As my title states, its easier to have a baby in the United States than it is to ADOPT an animal who just might get put to sleep any moment now.
At least by having a baby you don't have a government agency TELLING you what you can or can't do. They don't come inspect your home, whether you RENT or OWN.
So, that being said, (and there is more) have any of you had the same kind of experience?
26 comments:
YES!! when i adopted my cat. I was living in NY but would come home to see my family on weekends and I already had one cat that I adpoted from petsmart. I wanted to get another one and thought that i should try the HS. We went one weekend when i was home and i found a cat that i loved and thought would be the perfect friend to my cat. I filled out all the paperwork (even though the whole time we were there we would get cross looks and snide comments from workers). The lady saw that i had a NY address and took my paperwork and shredded it right in front of me giving me a lecture that i could not take the cat out of state because they couldn't do wellness checks on it. Mind you, i come from a good background, employed, we were well dressed and groomed and there was no indication that we were incappable of taking care of the animal. Plus my parents had adopted dogs from them before. It broke my heart to think that i was ready and willing to pay the fees and give this cat a good home only to be told that i would not be able to adopt it, especially since there so many cats looking for homes. That being said, i did end up writing a letter to Linda Lugo and she ultimately allowed me to adopt the cat and resolved the situation but the lady that worked there was so rude to me and my parents that after that experience i said never again to the wicomico humane society. I adopted a dog last year from dorchester. No kill shelter and great people that work there only minutes up the road....it's worth it!
If a potential adoptor rents their home,the landlord must approve the adoption. Many renters get dogs without approval and when the landlord finds out, they must get rid of the dog or get evicted. The dog eventually ends back up at the humane society.
The humane society also wants to make sure that the adopted dog is going to a home that make sure it's vaccinations are current.
I am sure that your case is not the norm and that you are very loving people but they have rules and the rules have to be maintained regardless.
4:39 "They" have rules? Sounds as if you should have said "we" have rules. Yes, there are rules and yes, people do sometimes try to get around them, but exceptions can be made. (Can you say "inflexible?")
But if you take an animal back to the shelter, you forfeit whatever fees you paid. Seems fair enough. And did you know that if they adopt the same animal out to someone else, they charge the same full fees again? Still seem fair? Not so sure.
If the person wanting to adopt was influential in the community or maybe a member of the "board" or the council, you can bet an exception would be made. In unusual or exceptional situations, exceptions can be made. Sounds like this is one of those situations. Or would you prefer to deny a homeless dog what sounds like a wonderful home?
BTW, you seniors out there, did you know that if they THINK the dog you want to adopt may outlive you, or if they THINK you're too old and feeble to care for the dog properly, they MAY deny your request to adopt?
Wellness checks, yea right, I don't think so. I adopted a dog and they gave me this line about calling and checking in on us in a week or so, never heard another word.
I did rent at the time, and had to get permission from my landlord, which I understood and was fine with.
The real problem is that the staff there are rude, incompetent and most of them should not be working with the public.
I believe if they made even the smallest attempt to explain why they make such demands, most people would be more than understanding.
I used to go there to walk the dogs, after an incidence of dealing with the staffs crappy attitude to a poor puppy who poo'd in his kennel, I never came back.
I just do not find them public friendly, which defeats the purpose of their exisitence.
I would adopt there just to save a dog, I could care less about the organization.
I have never adopted a pet from them because every time I go to look the particular dog I'm interested in is already unavailable which is not their fault I understand. However I do find their employees rude and I don't understand why they treat people like this who are trying to help these animals have good loving homes and save them from being put down while also not supporting puppy mills. Anyway I eventually gave up and bought a puppy from a home breeder.
Sounds like the HS is getting a little too full of itself. Sure there are rules and regs and certain procedures must be followed but what happened to good old common sense?
They have been taking a beating lately so they may be on the defensive but it sounds like most of it is caused by their own actions.
These are animals, not kids. Sure they need a voice and to be protected from abuse and torture but you are becoming a hindrance to your own cause.
Which is to find families for the animals. You are going to deny them a chance for that because a client combs their hair the wrong way or has out of state tags? Ok, out of state there may be cause for denial but don't keep them locked up when they have a chance only to be put down by your agency later. What good does that do?
I am related to the family that was denied the right to adopt the dog in the story. Let me add some facts to the story if I may. When they went to adopt the dog, which I might add was one of 2 that were just on tv, they had paper work for them to fill out, which they did. They asked if we had a pet, which was yes, we told them we adopted this dog 15 years ago from the HS, and they did not have the paper work any longer. Now I found that interesting to say the least, but never the less it is all about adopting a dog from the shelter. They then asked who our vet is so they could check up on our care of our dying dog. Upon calling the vet, they found out we were not up on our shots for our dog, which is a house dog, again that is dying. We explained that true we did not want to put this dog through any more trauma than necessary. They told us that if we would get our dog up on his shots, they would consider letting us bring our sick dog in for a meet and greet with our potential dog we wanted. We then told her the only thing our dog did not like is cats. (sorry cat lovers) When we arrived at the Humane Society, there were literaly an enormous number of cats outside, laying around, under cars, on cars and just around. I did not want to bring my dog for a meet and greet with this type of situation knowing how my dog is. I find this whole adventure very interesting especially since its not like they are giving anything away, except the chance of survival for an animal, all at the cost of $150 plus dollars, not that this was a factor at all. But the realization that the Humane Society only answers to their own Board of Directors and not to any Wicomico County residents, even though they receive tax payers money for their support and salaries. I question the accountability and how this funding is spent. I know rules are rules and guide lines are required, but somewhere the facts must speak for themselves and answers must be given from funding issues to truthhful answers as to if you are going to get a dog after you do what they ask and require. I guess the real issue here is the fact that they operate from their own set of rules without accountability. If you are an animal lover call your councilman or councilwoman and express your desire for accountability when they meet this month with the Humane Society.
we have gone through the same process when adopting pets from the humane society over the past 12 years. they have to make sure that if you dont own the property you live in that the landlord will allow pets, otherwise the adoptive family may have to return the animal after the landlord finds out. they are just protecting the animals who have already been through alot. as far as shots go, why shouldnt they make sure other animals in the home have been properly immunized? they are just making sure the pet is going to a safe home where the owners are going to take good care of the animal. although i have been outraged by many posts about the humane society and the poor management, i have to say this time i dont see anything wrong with the process discussed in this post. im sorry the persons dog is dying and maybe the humane society could review the case but really, rules are rules.
I've heard similar stories about other shelters and rescues. What these places fail to realize are they are directly contributing to the overpopulation problem. By their strict and unreasonable rules and regulations there has been an overwhelming number of so called "accident" puppies being born and sold on Craigslist for less than $100.00.
YES! I went there to adopt a new puppy because ours had passed on. They refused to let me adopt the puppy because I have 2 small children, well that is why I wanted a puppy so that he could grow up with my kids. Then after I filled out the paperwork, introduced my kids to the dog and said ok I have my money, they told me they would NEVER adopt a puppy to me because I have 2 kids. For a place that is supposedly trying to find these animals a "forever home" but they put you through more hell than buying a damn house.
its just sorry behind maryland for you thats why they are failing at everything. they let my step childs welfare unfit mom adopt a dog its hopeless. any way they should be happpy people want the liitle monsters
i just moved south and its not like that here they really care and will give you and animal with shots and food just show id
They need to exhibit some "common sense" in some of these adoption matters. It's lacking in all of the government agencies and most of the para-government agencies like the Humane Society. We are to blame for letting them do this; stand up for what's right or keep quiet.
Ok people, let's get real. If your dog is 15 years old and dying, and you wish to adopt from the HS. Why wouldn't you have your vet right simple letter. Explaining that you are a good pet owner and your dog is only not up to date on shots because it is the best thing for him/her right now? Or is your dog not up to date because you have not been a good pet owner and your dog has been out of date for some time now? I think there is more to this little story. I have adopted from the humane society, found dogs on craigslist and purchased dogs from breeders. I have a great relationship with my vet team, and I'm sure they would be able to tell you that if my older dog is not up to date on shots, it is because we have had his blood levels checked and there is enough vaccine in his system that he no longer needs certain shots. But this comes from a solid history of vet checkup and shots. I'm guessing that your "history" could have some holes in it...but that is just a guess. I'm not saying that this makes you a bad pet owner, just that the HS has a job to do as well-and we want them to do a good job and check out everything and everyone so each animal will have the best home possible.
...and no I do not work for the HS!
I recently adopted a dog from there and didn't have any problems. Sorry to those of you who did.
its just sorry behind maryland for you thats why they are failing at everything. they let my step childs welfare unfit mom adopt a dog its hopeless. any way they should be happpy people want the liitle monsters
i just moved south and its not like that here they really care and will give you and animal with shots and food just show id
August 5, 2011 9:22 PM
Have another drink
stand up for what's right or keep quiet.
August 5, 2011 9:52 PM
Well yeah, that's how it normally works.
I bought my dog from a puppy mill for $50 eleven years ago, no hassle. He grew up with the kids and is just plain the best dog. He is loved and up on his shots.
So, forget the HS hassle, support your local puppy mill and save!
I think the county needs to kick their a$$s out of that building, publish their names(so no other business will hire them) and hire caring people to do their jobs. You know the old saying--give some little people with small minds a little power and they abuse it. Who the heck do they think they are anyway? Looks to me like a bunch of losers who probably don't even own their homes.
We had an experience two years ago after our cat had died we waited for awhile and then went to the Wicomico County HS. They had a lot of kittens at the time, and we requested to hold a couple so we could make our choice, we were told we could not, they were 8 wks old, and had not had all their shots, all we really wanted to do as my husband told them was make a selection, and pay for the kitten up front, we were told we could not pay the money until they were cleared fully to adopt! I guess everyone's mistake is the primary purpose is not to find homes for them. We wound up finding a wonderful kitten from a home in Delmar and we love this cat which we have had two years now.
get rid of bonnie gordy and scarelet littleton !!!! this is the first big step to change there
Will they ever add bright, energetic, positive and creative people to that Board of Directors? What's up with that?
First off, everyone LOVES the TV dogs "seen him on TV, gotta have him!!" Yes you and 100 other people.
2nd, a 15 year member of your family is dying and you want to bring a NEW member of the family in to run all over top of it? How cruel! And yes there is such thing a waiver from the vet for shots, BUT you have had to have had vet visits, not just "the dog is too old not taking it to the vet."
If the story is true, the HS made a good decision, whether or not those people are right for the job, IMHO.
Proud owner of past and present pound pups.
We adopted an abused dog from the Humane Society. There was paperwork and checking, and that's as it should be. If a vet isn't giving a waiver about the lack of visits from an owner of an aged dog, there is a reason. We have become a country of thinking rules are wonderful as long as they're for the other guy. The HS asks questions, has standards and recognizes waivers from vets so why the big fuss?
they were 8 wks old, and had not had all their shots, all we really wanted to do as my husband told them was make a selection, and pay for the kitten up front, we were told we could not pay the money until they were cleared fully to adopt!
So, what's wrong with that? All you had to do was be patient and go back when they were old enough. I thought 8 weeks was old enough but perhaps they needed shots that they were not old enough to receive yet.
You could have waited and went back. I don't see anything worng here.
The folks at the Humans Society ARE nasty, and while I understand some of their rules (renters needing landlord permission, good vet history, etc.), I do NOT understand why a family with children can't adopt a pet! Good grief - having a pet to care for is such a marvelous experience for a child! The HS needs total revamping and they need someone to answer to, without a doubt. Some years ago, they picked up a dog on the weekend and put it on the local news as "up for adoption" on Monday morning. They are not open on weekends, so the owners couldn't call before Monday. You just can't imagine the heartbreak the family went through when they saw their dog on tv! They are jerks and I won't deal with them EVER, which is so sad for the animals.
Just got shot down by Wicomico Humane today. I guess i am a "bad" pet owner too. I inherited a 12 yr. old Chihuahua from a friend who died. I had all his records transferred to my vet . He was in the vets office in Dec. for surgery. I assumed that the 997.00 vet bill included vaccinations, I was wrong. The little pup I looked at today will surely be adopted by a better person than I . Oh did I mention that I am retired as is my husband. We have no small children in the house. We own our home. Oh and I do volunteer work at the shelter here in De.I have bags of HeartGuard, Advantage , doggie toys and they are allowed on the couch (this was an actual question) Four MILLION healthy animals are put down every year ! Perhaps our pet population problem lies in the three page application that is harder to fill out than a bank loan ! Rude staff, ah yeah I would say ! That woman made me feel as if I was listed on some kind of animal abuser database .My old Chi is getting his shots on Friday and suddenly I will be transformed into an ideal dog owner . This adoption process is flawed to say the least . All it does is make someone behind that desk fell very smug when she tells you are denied. Maybe someone should ask the dog in the cage how she feels about it. Wicomico Humane Society can bite me !
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