Archives > Opinion > Star Guests
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Dog Adoption Debacle Garnishes Gobs of Response
By Patti Pfeiffer
People are passionate about pets. No wonder the recent column describing a dog adoption process at a local humane society -- which left me not only dogless but my heart chewed to pieces -- generated passionate replies. However, much to my dismay, I discovered "our" new pet was adopted by someone who walked in off of the street during a pet store "adoption event" a week after our application had been submitted and was being processed.
The president of that human society emailed a letter to the editor which was published herein. With column space at a premium, I'm not going to correct her second-hand and/or third-hand information. I was there. I know what happened, how many timely emails were sent and calls made from me, how many hurdles overcome, and hoops jumped. I was vetted more thoroughly than the President of the United States.
My intent was not to bash the humane society or adoption organization. As an animal lover, I totally support their objective and appreciate their volunteers.
From Plano, Donna wrote, "The application process is a joke. It's harder to adopt a pet than a child? I've adopted years ago in Dallas and clearly the process has not changed. I understand that these groups are made up of volunteers. But, if you're going to volunteer, than complete the process and do it right. Clearly, it is and has been a broken, desperate system. A new one is needed and needed NOW. I do not want to purchase a pet from a pet store. They force your hand."
Another reader wrote, "...I had a similar situation with the SPCA...We found a cat we wanted to adopt and I didn't even receive a response to my online application for four days. We ended up going to the city of Lewisville Animal Shelter and found a beautiful tabby who had been at the shelter for over two months. Shelter staff was very knowledgeable and helpful...even gave us coupons for rabies vaccination and a free bag of cat food. I will be going back to them for my next pet. The shelter was very surprising well run and not a scary place like I thought it would be. Thanks again for your column and bringing attention to the fact."
Toni from Coppell wrote, "I raised a litter of kittens and when it was time to adopt them out, I was told they [the local humane society] wasn't going to 'accept' them into the program because they were black... It's not that it's a volunteer organization; it's that some people love the power. It's one person having the power to say no to another person and loving that level of control. I have two adopted kids and I refuse BS like 'home evaluations' it's a dog or cat or ferret for God's sake! Not a child. I have successfully adopted from rescues, two cats and a dog in California, a dog and a ferret here. I have a beautiful cat from Christmas-time that was starving and wandering our neighborhood. The Coppell pound has wonderful people, even helping me place my litter of black kitties without batting an eye.
I myself volunteer at several places and I manage to do my job well. There is no excuse for excessive delays and almost paranoid behavior. Call the vet, look at their application, watch their interaction and let the animal go"
Several people offered adoption websites such as dogsindanger.com which lists dogs and their dates to be put down. Flower Mound resident Ralph wrote, "...Just a note that you may want to pass along, since I sense you are an animal lover yourself. There are wonderful groups out there who are always looking for homes for abandoned dogs and cats. We personally recommend STARS and HART, acronyms for two local groups who rescue dogs from shelters, pounds, or whom have been abandoned or given up by their owners. They both have their own websites. We hope that folks will look to these groups of wonderful animal lovers before making a pet store purchase. There are too many dogs out there in need of a good loving home and caring attention.
Amen! And too many are being killed...for no good reason.
Patti Pfeiffer is a columnist for Star Local News, freelance writer and author. She can be reached at pattip913@msn.com
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Randi+3 wrote on May 27, 2012 3:04 PM:
" This article is a waste of time. Rescue groups are not all the same but all have a process. When a vet check doesn't prove a qualified or quality pet owner it becomes a very slow process. And that's why this person is angry. "
stacythetrainer wrote on May 27, 2012 3:29 PM:
" I find it a little disturbing and, for lack of a better word, "immature" to write an entire article on a complaint about a local place unless they are doing harm to someone and there is PROOF of that. This is all a biased article and no one knows that happened but you. Sorry, this is a waste of space in a paper/online. "
sjfroh wrote on May 27, 2012 3:31 PM:
" I have had nothing but the most wonderful experience with HSFM and other local rescues. I'm sorry that you were not able to get the dog you wanted (one you never even met, I might add!), but that's unfortunate. However, it's incredibly irresponsible of you to bash a volunteer run organization because they could not verify your information. Blame yourself, not them. Why not be a solution? How do you expect change in the rescue world this way? If you think you have all the answers please volunteer yourself and help make those changes. A column that scares people away from rescuing animals is pitiful and disgusting.... and does not help anyone, especially the animals. Clearly you don't love animals as much as you claim. "
jan wrote on May 29, 2012 9:39 AM:
" I find it unfortunate that Ms. Pfeiffer is using her column to attack the Humane Society of Flower Mound, and the wonderful volunteers, whose purpose is to save animals and find them loving, responsible, forever families. How is it HSFMs fault that Ms. Pfeiffer was not able to provide vet records showing yearly shots and heartworm treatments? In my opinion, these are things responsible pet owners provide for their pets (along with spaying/neutering). I have always had rescue animals, and was fortunate to adopt our Maggie through the HSFM about 4 years ago. We filled out our paperwork, provided records, met Maggie and her foster parents and brought her home to join our family. It was a fantastic experience, we still keep in contact with her foster parents, exchanging pictures, updates, and Christmas cards. I am forever grateful for the volunteers who watched over her until we came along. Please dont find fault with HSFM requirements in wanting to place their babies with families who have provided the required medical reports "
LoveCats wrote on May 29, 2012 7:25 PM:
" It's unfortunate that Ms Pheiffer had a negative experience with HSFM. I hope her column and comments don't turn people away from an organization that is trying to do a good thing... especially when there are so many animals out there that need a good loving family. There's not a single organization out there that is going to please everyone all of the time and it is disheartening to read so many negative comments from someone because they lost out on adopting a pet. There are others that need homes. My husband and I adopted two kittens thru HSFM a couple years ago and it was a very positive experience. Had to fill out an application. This was my first time to go thru an animal adoption so I can say it was more than I expected but it's understandable in order to be able to place the animals in the best homes. Provided all the info required, was vetted and met the foster parents. Even had to compete with another couple for the boys just as it sounds like she was not the only one interested in this particular dog. We were deemed the best match for them, which was wonderful. I would have been disappointed if we hadn't been chosen for the boys but I feel sure that I would have just moved on and looked for two others. Final step, signed the papers and took them home. No problems whatsoever. So please don't negate what HSFM is doing because of Ms Pheiffer's experience. And as Jan above, we also keep in touch with the foster parents that saved our boys lives, exchange photos and Christmas cards. They loved them first and are still interested in their welfare and that's a good thing! "
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Star Guests «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
Ms. Pfeiffer was not approved for adoption because NONE of the veterinarians she provided us could show that her dogs had been vaccinated or on heartworm preventative in years. She was not "vetted" and neither were her dogs so far as we could tell. And not that it's any of her business, but the people who did adopt the dog didn't just walk in off the street--we don't do that--they were pre approved because THEY were able to provide the necessary records to show they were good dog owners.
But lies and half-truths aside, all of this is over a dog this woman never even met. I have to say THANK GOODNESS we didn't adopt to someone so clearly unstable.
HSFM has saved thousands of dogs and cats in our community during our 15 years here and we are proud of the way we do it. It's always disappointing when someone walks away unhappy but the truth is that not everyone needs an animal, and often people don't need the animal they originally thought they wanted. It's our job to match up the right pets with the right homes so they don't end up back where they started--homeless, abused, and abandoned.
Ms. Pfeiffer needs to get a life. "