Denied by rescue group to adopt dog?

Aunt Caffy

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Here’s my story...
We lost our beloved pug to cancer three months ago. I just applied to adopt through a pug rescue group. I had what was essentially a phone interview, filled out an application, got two glowing references from two non-family members, a great reference from my vet, and then a home visit by the rescue group. I thought the rescue group visit went well. Apparently it did not. Though they said my animals appeared to be loved and well cared for, my house is too messy, I have a pool (which they knew about through the application) and a couple of less than pristine areas in my fence (areas observed to be too small for a pug to get through). The rescue group is going to set me up with a second home visit. I’ve got to admit that I’m pretty upset about this. I lack confidence in myself on lots of things, but being a good pet parent is not one of them. Has something like this happened to any of you?
 
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mark1

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I wouldn't take it too hard , bless them rescues for what they do , but I've heard your story on getting a dog from a rescue many times ……. i'm sure they wouldn't let me have one …. I've had somewhere around 30-40 dogs from birth to death in my life , and placed twice as many pups , i'd have payed someone like me to take one of my pups , and i'm sure your rescue would reject me ………..
 

wellington

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I haven't experienced this myself. However I have heard stories. Although rescues do a great job with rescuing, many do a lousy job with rehoming. Many do a lousy job with breed identification too when it's a mixed breed.
Were they at least specific on what they would like changed so you can fix it? I think they need high standards/requirements to be sure the dog will have a forever home, but a lot of their check list makes no sense.
Good luck hope you get you dog.
 

NorCal tortoise guy

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Its crazy what some rescues seem to think is required for an animal to have a healthy happy home. Don't get down on yourself. I would probably look for another rescue myself but maybe I'm just grumpy haha
 

lisa127

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Can you fix the weaknesses in your fence?
 

Aunt Caffy

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Can you fix the weaknesses in your fence?
I already had chicken wire in the place that I believe concerned them. Not that they bothered to look or even ask me about it, so I couldn’t even show them the wire that would block off any dog.
 

Aunt Caffy

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Its crazy what some rescues seem to think is required for an animal to have a healthy happy home. Don't get down on yourself. I would probably look for another rescue myself but maybe I'm just grumpy haha
Unfortunately, this rescue group pretty much has a monopoly on all the rescue pugs within a 100-mile radius. They’re a big group.
 

Turningstar

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Bless the rescues for helping animals that truly need help.
That being said, many of them make it soooo hard to adopt one of their animals.
A family friend and his wife contacted a maltese rescue about adopting a dog. The lady refused them over the phone because they were what she called " Golden Knitters"! Even thought they were wealthy, kind and wanting to give an unwanted animal a needed home, they were refused because they were 70 years old!
 

ascott

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Unfortunately, this rescue group pretty much has a monopoly on all the rescue pugs within a 100-mile radius. They’re a big group.

Oh come on now....don't give up like that....alot of these groups think that the dogs they are suppose to be adopting out are "their" dogs.....bad thinking. Keep an eye on some of the shelters around you and keep an eye out on some of the sites that sell animals and you will likely find a great addition to your household....
 

daniellenc

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I was denied years ago because my kids were under 12 and have known many who were denied because they had no fence. In the defense of rescues they take in animals 24 hours a day no matter the animals condition. They're funded by donations and the generosity of others usually with no pay, or very little. They pay thousands to treat HW+ dogs, spay/neuter, clear infections, and work on training before rehoming so risking the animal coming back is an expensive mistake. I rescue for a local organization and can tell you I am picky where these dogs end up. I buy toys, collars, leashes, and food on my dollar. I provide basic OB training for free, and housebreak or reinforce housebreaking, lol before the dog is placed. I've traveled across the country to transport so it's not a small deed committing to finding these guys homes. I've had some real problem children in the last four years so getting them placeable to have it go wrong is frustrating. The messy house thing I understand as dogs are like toddlers. What's on the floor or in their reach is in their mouth eventually. Doggy proofing your house would be a good step to show them your home is suitable. Your new forever dog could have cost the rescue a lot of money to get them healthy and having them eat something that poisoned them, caused impaction, or other harm is a concern. Don't take it mean think of a child. Would you drop them off at a messy daycare center? Doggy proof and reinforce your fence. Rescue people can be snotty and are the reason so many just pay backyard breeders, but if you're determined you'll find your forever friend.
 

Aunt Caffy

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Oh come on now....don't give up like that....alot of these groups think that the dogs they are suppose to be adopting out are "their" dogs.....bad thinking. Keep an eye on some of the shelters around you and keep an eye out on some of the sites that sell animals and you will likely find a great addition to your household....
I’ve not given up by any means. The rescue group is doing a second home visit tonight. I don’t have high hopes for it, but I’m getting me another pug one way or the other.
 

Aunt Caffy

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I was denied years ago because my kids were under 12 and have known many who were denied because they had no fence. In the defense of rescues they take in animals 24 hours a day no matter the animals condition. They're funded by donations and the generosity of others usually with no pay, or very little. They pay thousands to treat HW+ dogs, spay/neuter, clear infections, and work on training before rehoming so risking the animal coming back is an expensive mistake. I rescue for a local organization and can tell you I am picky where these dogs end up. I buy toys, collars, leashes, and food on my dollar. I provide basic OB training for free, and housebreak or reinforce housebreaking, lol before the dog is placed. I've traveled across the country to transport so it's not a small deed committing to finding these guys homes. I've had some real problem children in the last four years so getting them placeable to have it go wrong is frustrating. The messy house thing I understand as dogs are like toddlers. What's on the floor or in their reach is in their mouth eventually. Doggy proofing your house would be a good step to show them your home is suitable. Your new forever dog could have cost the rescue a lot of money to get them healthy and having them eat something that poisoned them, caused impaction, or other harm is a concern. Don't take it mean think of a child. Would you drop them off at a messy daycare center? Doggy proof and reinforce your fence. Rescue people can be snotty and are the reason so many just pay backyard breeders, but if you're determined you'll find your forever friend.
I don’t have kids, can’t have them, so that won’t be a problem. I am going to place some spare bricks (of which I have many) to help address some of the fence issues. My stuff inside is out of my dogs’ reach. I block off rooms that I don’t want my dogs going into.

I’ve had four dogs, two of whom are still alive. My female golden retriever died five years ago from cancer of the small intestine. She was only five years and four months old. My female pug died three months ago from mast cell cancer. She was sixteen years and nine months old. My two living dogs are an almost 14 year old pug and an almost nine year old golden retriever. I’ve had all my dogs since they were puppies, so I’m somewhat experienced with dogs but certainly no expert.

I am venting because being called a bad pet parent cuts me deeper than about anything.
 

daniellenc

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I don’t have kids, can’t have them, so that won’t be a problem. I am going to place some spare bricks (of which I have many) to help address some of the fence issues. My stuff inside is out of my dogs’ reach. I block off rooms that I don’t want my dogs going into.

I’ve had four dogs, two of whom are still alive. My female golden retriever died five years ago from cancer of the small intestine. She was only five years and four months old. My female pug died three months ago from mast cell cancer. She was sixteen years and nine months old. My two living dogs are an almost 14 year old pug and an almost nine year old golden retriever. I’ve had all my dogs since they were puppies, so I’m somewhat experienced with dogs but certainly no expert.

I am venting because being called a bad pet parent cuts me deeper than about anything.
I wish you luck and this time ask questions if you feel they have some concerns. Address it all there. I doubt they found you a bad pet parent. I’m guessing they worried about escaping or him getting into something.
 

Aunt Caffy

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I wish you the best of luck and please let us know how your visit goes tonight!
I started the visit last night by pointing out the previous concerns and addressing them. I was very up front with regard to how I would acclimate the dog to his/her new household and to let them know that they were my first choice but that I was going to be getting a dog and these were the things I was going to do before that happened.
 

Aunt Caffy

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any updates yet?
Still nothing. I suspect that means it’s “no.” They are a good rescue group and do a lot to help pugs, which is why they’re my first choice. I’m researching other avenues right now.
 

lisa127

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Still nothing. I suspect that means it’s “no.” They are a good rescue group and do a lot to help pugs, which is why they’re my first choice. I’m researching other avenues right now.
How about shelters? My sister adopted a pug from the city kennel.
 
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