Adopting dog from shelter vs rescue-UPDATE

[Rachel]

We lost our dog of 16 years back in October and are finally ready for another dog. We have been looking for a miniature schnauzer because of size and low shedding but hadn't found one yet. Yesterday I went to the local humane society and found a 7 year old beagle mix that I fell in love with.

He sheds more than I would prefer but probably a lot less than our shepherd mix we had previously. The process is pretty straight forward and we could take him home right away. My husband is out of town so I didn't bring the beagle home yet. I really like this dog and he was great with the kids. We only spent an hour with him but did get to walk him away from the shelter.

Then last night on the local schnauzer rescue website I found a 6 year old that sounds perfect for us. The adoption process seems a lot more complicated though. They want three non-related references, I can't think of three people who could tell them anything about how we would care for a dog. Anyone who knows us and dogs is family. We don't have a fenced yard, it's not a requirement but is recommended. We also have a 3 year old son and that may cause us to be denied as they don't usually place dogs with families who have children under age 6. There is a telephone interview and a home visit required. I haven't met the dog yet, you have to apply before you can even meet the dog. I'm just wondering if it's even worth it to apply and spend a month going through the process only to be denied in the end. I don't know we would be denied, it just seems like a lot of time getting our hopes up and then disappointment if they think our family isn't a good match.

With the exception of the last few months neither me nor my husband have never not had a pet. We would like to have a dog again and preferably two.

 

UPDATE: We adopted the beagle mix, he is so sweet and laid back.  He pretty much only wants his ears scratched or to lay at our feet, but he did great on our walk this afternoon too.  We even randomly ran into his foster "mom" in another town today, she was so excited to see him.  He was happy to see her too.

Edited May 15, 2016 by Rach

[TammyS]

Well, you could do both, since you say you prefer to have two.  You know you like the beagle, but do you know about beagles?  You might want to do some research on what they are like to live with and what the shelter's policy is if it doesn't work out (sometimes it doesn't through no one's fault).  Whether or not to work with the rescue depends on how much you want a schnauzer right now, as opposed to waiting.  I understand why their process is so intensive (because they want it to be the dog's final placement and a good one) but I could not personally tolerate something that intrusive over a dog.  You might not mind as much. 

[Carrie12345]

My opinion is that the extra hoops are definitely worth it for the "right" dog.  But, if you think the right dog is the one with the easier hoops, then so be it.

 

I know rescues can seem (and often ARE) overbearing, but I do think it saves many dogs from reentering the system, so to speak.  Many rescues would have turned us down for our first two dogs, but I was confident in our situation and looked for the one that would approve us.  (Big dogs, small children, no fence.)  We had a happy dog lifespan.

[Rachel]

Well, you could do both, since you say you prefer to have two. You know you like the beagle, but do you know about beagles? You might want to do some research on what they are like to live with and what the shelter's policy is if it doesn't work out (sometimes it doesn't through no one's fault). Whether or not to work with the rescue depends on how much you want a schnauzer right now, as opposed to waiting. I understand why their process is so intensive (because they want it to be the dog's final placement and a good one) but I could not personally tolerate something that intrusive over a dog. You might not mind as much.

I think we are leaning toward both. It just may be a lot of change all at once. My roommate in college had a beagle so I am familiar with the breed, I've just never had one. The humane society has a one week foster period where you take the dog home and can get a full refund if the dog doesn't work out or your family. After that you can return the dog to the shelter, but not get a refund. The fee isn't big so that's not really important. We just want a dog that would be good with our kids.

 

The rescue process does seem really intrusive. I think that's why it bother me. I've had my heart set on a schnauzer for a long time, but can't see myself getting one from a breeder just because it's so expensive and I have no idea how to tell if a breeder is reputable. Plus I don't really want a puppy.

 

(No judgement if any of you have used a breeder)

[Ottakee]

 

 

The rescue process does seem really intrusive. I think that's why it bother me

Some rescues/adoptions are very intrusive. Our local humane society would not let us adopt a dog.....despite the fact that the state has licensed us as foster and adoptive parents.....we can have up to 4 extra children, but not approved for a dog that might otherwise be put down.

[TammyS]

I think we are leaning toward both. It just may be a lot of change all at once. My roommate in college had a beagle so I am familiar with the breed, I've just never had one. The humane society has a one week foster period where you take the dog home and can get a full refund if the dog doesn't work out or your family. After that you can return the dog to the shelter, but not get a refund. The fee isn't big so that's not really important. We just want a dog that would be good with our kids.

 

The rescue process does seem really intrusive. I think that's why it bother me. I've had my heart set on a schnauzer for a long time, but can't see myself getting one from a breeder just because it's so expensive and I have no idea how to tell if a breeder is reputable. Plus I don't really want a puppy.

 

(No judgement if any of you have used a breeder)

 

One way to tell about a breeder is to ask around.  Then visit the breeder and see what their place is like.  You want to see that they either don't have pups at the moment or that they have one litter.  What you don't want to see is a bunch of pups in cages from multiple litters.  Really good breeders have only one litter at a time, and they usually won't be available, because they take deposits ahead of time, rather than selling already born puppies.  You can also ask them about their breeding program.  Do they eliminate some pups from breeding to improve the breed, or do they just breed everything?  Do they have the dogs examined for known issues (if this breed has any)?  What provision do they make for situations where the family must give up the dog?  These are all the sorts of things that you want to know.

 

I do understand not being interested in a puppy.  I've also sworn off puppies, just too much work.  You might contact a breeder and ask about an older dog that has been retired from the breeding program and might be suitable for a new home. 

 

Good luck!

[Soror]

We just adopted from a rescue and had I known the process I wouldn't have, to top it off the cost was $150, which they didn't tell me until I went to sign the papers after having the dog for the weekend. They don't put out all the info on their site, I just saw that they were going to have an adoption event around my daughter's b-day and she had been wanting a dog for years so we went by and of course found a dog we fell in love with, then you have to fill out all these papers and have a home visit, etc. etc. I found it intrusive and unwarranted and won't go through their service again or recommend them to others.

[Bluegoat]

Rescues and shelters these days are hard.  The last dog I had (not my dh, but my own dog) was a shelter dog, but taday we couldn't get one from any local shelter or rescue, because they never have any they consider suitable for kids under 10.

 

One possibility for an adult dog is to let people know you are looking for an adult dog.  I've known a few people who found adult dogs this way when the owners were unable to keep them for some reason.

[Spryte]

I'll probably be the only one to say this, but since you fell in love with the beagle ... Go get your dog. :)

 

Rescues can be great, but those dogs will all find homes. Your beagle may not. That's a real rescue, right there.

 

If your heart is set on a different breed, or the beagle's not right for your family, then that's a different story. I'm just going on what you said about falling in love. Based on that, go get your pup.

 

I've worked for a rescue, fostered animals (and people, but that's a different beast), and we still have two dogs from the shelter. That's always my first choice.

 

If you do both, I think that's great too!

 

I'm sorry you lost your dog of 16 years. There is still a hole in our family for our two dogs of 16 - we lost them within a year of each other. We miss them. Our two new shelter dogs are pretty wonderful, too, of course! Glad you are ready for a new doggy love, and I know you'll end up with the dog right for you. ((Hugs))

[Pawz4me]

Rescues are getting more and more intrusive, but as someone who has been on that side of the fence -- unfortunately it's often necessary.  It's incredible how many people will lie.

 

They say they own their home with a large, securely fenced yard and you (on behalf of the rescue) go to do the home visit and the address is an apartment w/o access to a yard at all.  Or a rental duplex.  Or sometimes the only thing at the address is an empty lot.

 

Or they say all their previous pets always lived inside.  But there's an old dilapidated dog house in the back yard with a well worn path all around it.

 

Or they say they had their last pet, Fluffy, for 15 years and used Joe Smith DVM for Fluffy's entire life.  And you call Joe Smith's office and the receptionist can find absolutely no record of the adopter ever having been a client.  Or she finds the file and it turns out Fluffy was euthanized when she was four years old because the potential adopter didn't want to/couldn't afford to pay to treat Fluffy's allergies/dry eye/joint issues/whatever.

 

That said, I generally discourage people from adopting two dogs close together.  It takes several months for one dog to settle in and get to know you and you get to know it.  So since you've got at least two hurdles to pass with the rescue (no fence and young children) I'd lean toward getting the beagle and forgetting about the Schnauzer.  Wait a year or so and then look for one.  A year won't solve the lack of fence issue, but it'll give you time to get the beagle settled in and your kids will be a year older.

 

It's possible you can email the rescue and they will tell you whether their fence and age requirements are set in stone or variable depending on the dog and family situation.

 

They want you to submit an application before visiting the dog because it helps weed out people who aren't really serious.  People who work in rescue are volunteers with all the normal life stuff of their own going on, and it can eat up a LOT of time showing dogs to people who are just looking on a whim.

[Rachel]

Rescues are getting more and more intrusive, but as someone who has been on that side of the fence -- unfortunately it's often necessary. It's incredible how many people will lie.

 

They say they own their home with a large, securely fenced yard and you (on behalf of the rescue) go to do the home visit and the address is an apartment w/o access to a yard at all. Or a rental duplex. Or sometimes the only thing at the address is an empty lot.

 

Or they say all their previous pets always lived inside. But there's an old dilapidated dog house in the back yard with a well worn path all around it.

 

Or they say they had their last pet, Fluffy, for 15 years and used Joe Smith DVM for Fluffy's entire life. And you call Joe Smith's office and the receptionist can find absolutely no record of the adopter ever having been a client. Or she finds the file and it turns out Fluffy was euthanized when she was four years old because the potential adopter didn't want to/couldn't afford to pay to treat Fluffy's allergies/dry eye/joint issues/whatever.

 

That said, I generally discourage people from adopting two dogs close together. It takes several months for one dog to settle in and get to know you and you get to know it. So since you've got at least two hurdles to pass with the rescue (no fence and young children) I'd lean toward getting the beagle and forgetting about the Schnauzer. Wait a year or so and then look for one. A year won't solve the lack of fence issue, but it'll give you time to get the beagle settled in and your kids will be a year older.

 

It's possible you can email the rescue and they will tell you whether their fence and age requirements are set in stone or variable depending on the dog and family situation.

 

They want you to submit an application before visiting the dog because it helps weed out people who aren't really serious. People who work in rescue are volunteers with all the normal life stuff of their own going on, and it can eat up a LOT of time showing dogs to people who are just looking on a whim.

This is helpful, thank you! I do imagine a lot of people aren't honest so it does make sense.

 

My husband is out of town so we can't make a decision about the beagle until he gets to meet the dog. I took the kids back today and am still very much in love. Unless he has major objections we will probably go with the beagle now, get our yard fenced and then look for a second dog later on.

 

We really wanted to get a dog before our previous dog passed but he became incontinent in the last year and was no longer allowed on the carpet or furniture and we didn't want a new dog to have different rules.

[Rachel]

Some rescues/adoptions are very intrusive. Our local humane society would not let us adopt a dog.....despite the fact that the state has licensed us as foster and adoptive parents.....we can have up to 4 extra children, but not approved for a dog that might otherwise be put down.

That's crazy! But if we do eventually adopt through a rescue I'll remember this so I won't get my feelings hurt.

[VeteranMom]

I adopted a dog through a different process- one that's in the "middle" of your two options (regarding the ease of the adoption).  We got our 2 dogs through our state prison dog training program.  For the same price as a rescue, we got a fully trained dog who needed a home and had been very well socialized.  The only real hassle in adopting was having to fill out a form to be able to get onto the prison grounds to interview the dogs we wanted to see.  The prisoners had the dogs with  them 24/7 and knew so much about the dogs.  It helped us pick the right ones for our family.  I'd encourage you to google "prison dogs" and the name of your state.  My state has a website with pictures of the dogs and details about them.

[hornblower]

I have fostered for a rescue & volunteered for a rescue & done home visits for a rescue & a couple times my report was not favourable & I know the people were turned down. 

Having seen it from the other end, having spent hours, weeks, months & hundreds or thousands of dollars on rescuing an animal (arranging transport, arranging fosters, arranging vetting, paying for surgeries, dealing with behavior issues etc etc etc). you only want the VERY best placement. You don't just hand the animal to whoever applies.  I care for them as much as I care about my own animals so yeah, full check, home visit & yes, calling references (& landlords if applicable) If you're a previous pet owner, your vets should be one of your references. 

When you adopt from a reputable rescue, it IS different.  It's meant to be forever & it's meant to be a great match. 

& yeah, I've been on the other end too as I've adopted both from rescue & from shelters ....

[Rachel]

I adopted a dog through a different process- one that's in the "middle" of your two options (regarding the ease of the adoption). We got our 2 dogs through our state prison dog training program. For the same price as a rescue, we got a fully trained dog who needed a home and had been very well socialized. The only real hassle in adopting was having to fill out a form to be able to get onto the prison grounds to interview the dogs we wanted to see. The prisoners had the dogs with them 24/7 and knew so much about the dogs. It helped us pick the right ones for our family. I'd encourage you to google "prison dogs" and the name of your state. My state has a website with pictures of the dogs and details about them.

We do have a prison rescue near us, right now they only have pit bulls and pit mixes. Our home owners insurance doesn't allow certain breeds of dog including pit bulls. I have been keeping an eye on that website.

[Rachel]

I just heard back from the foster mom, the particular dog I am interested in was just diagnosed with an inoperable cancer and is no longer available. It is disappointing, but not meant to be.

[hornblower]

Okay, I went and looked at the CO prison dog program, just out of interest (I have NO need of another dog, with 4 already and another litter due in July). But I noticed there was a banner saying that "boarding in training is $750" !!!!! What? They expect to be paid $750???? I must be misreading this. 

 

I had a look at their page. 

 

Their adoption fee is $550. 

 

The $750/ first week is if you want to send your dog to be trained there. Then it says $100 / week thereafter. 

Edited May 14, 2016 by hornblower

[laundrycrisis]

ITA with Spryte. Your dog is waiting for you to come back and take him home.

[Rachel]

Update: We adopted the beagle mix, he is so sweet and laid back.  He pretty much only wants his ears scratched or to lay at our feet, but he did great on our walk this afternoon too.  We even randomly ran into his foster "mom" in another town today, she was so excited to see him.  He was happy to see her too.

[MercyA]

Thanks for the happy update! Yay for your family and for puppy.  :hurray:

[Spryte]

Update: We adopted the beagle mix, he is so sweet and laid back. He pretty much only wants his ears scratched or to lay at our feet, but he did great on our walk this afternoon too. We even randomly ran into his foster "mom" in another town today, she was so excited to see him. He was happy to see her too.

Yay!!!! You brought your boy home!

 

Pics? :)

[IfIOnly]

Update: We adopted the beagle mix, he is so sweet and laid back. He pretty much only wants his ears scratched or to lay at our feet, but he did great on our walk this afternoon too. We even randomly ran into his foster "mom" in another town today, she was so excited to see him. He was happy to see her too.

Yay! I agree with the pp, we need pics!

 

I have a beagle (not sure if she's a mix or purebred), and she's so sweet, super easy going, likes to lay around, but loves walks and being played with too. She's the best dog ever. We all love her so much.

Edited May 15, 2016 by ifIonlyhadabrain

[Soror]

Congrats!

 

The puppy we got is a beagle mix too and a good fit for our family.

[Rachel]

Yay!!!! You brought your boy home!

 

Pics? :)

I tried last night but couldn't figure it out and didn't have time to investigate further. I'll try to post some today.

[Pawz4me]

My heart dog was a beagle.  She was an almost perfect fit for our family -- amazingly gentle, calm, laid back and quiet (defying the beagle stereotype!).  She loved sleeping the day away but was always up for a walk or playing if we were so inclined.  I say she was "almost" perfect just because of the shedding issue and . . .  well, we did eventually learn to put the trash can behind a closed door every time we left the house.  :lol:

Edited May 15, 2016 by Pawz4me

[mmasc]

Yay! It always warms my heart to hear about a sweet dog finding a forever home. Congratulations! :)

[Ewe Mama]

Congratulations on your new fur baby!

[JBJones]

We just adopted an 11 year-old dog and she is half beagle half golden retriever. She's a very loving, sweet dog.  Glad you made your decision and are happy.

[VeteranMom]

I have to chuckle. They say they don't train Pits. Um, half those dogs are Pits. You can call them all sorts of things, such as Lab crosses, but you're not fooling anyone. 

 

Looks like the $750 is for 4 weeks. 

It was $400/dog when I got my dogs from the CO prison system.  It's been 5 years since we got our dogs, though.  They had all their shots, were licensed, were neutered, were housebroken, were leash trained, and knew several commands.  That was totally worth it for us.  

They have another program where people will bring their own dogs to them to train.  Also, once you adopt a dog there you are allowed to bring them back for boarding (during vacations).  We've never boarded our dogs with them.   

[El...]

I'm glad you got your dog.  :) 

[trulycrabby]

Aww, I am glad you got your dog! Beagle mixes are so sweet! :hurray:

[SebastianCat]

Update: We adopted the beagle mix, he is so sweet and laid back.  He pretty much only wants his ears scratched or to lay at our feet, but he did great on our walk this afternoon too.  We even randomly ran into his foster "mom" in another town today, she was so excited to see him.  He was happy to see her too.

Glad to hear you got a good dog.   Reading your original post, I thought that a beagle might be a better fit for your kids' ages than a schnauzer.    We have a 3-year-old miniature schnauzer and although we have socialized her since she was a puppy, she really doesn't like "little" people.   She's very sweet, active, and fun, but also very protective around kids younger than 9 or 10.   I would think that if you still wanted a schnauzer and wanted a 2nd dog, wait a few years until your current 3 year old is a few years older and then take your time to find the right dog.    

[zimom]

Just looked around the websites and it looks like many of the Florida prison programs are less then $100 after the dogs have been trained for 6-10 weeks!

 

[Pam in CT]

Congratulations on your new addition to the family!

 

 

I adopted a dog through a different process- one that's in the "middle" of your two options (regarding the ease of the adoption).  We got our 2 dogs through our state prison dog training program.  For the same price as a rescue, we got a fully trained dog who needed a home and had been very well socialized.  The only real hassle in adopting was having to fill out a form to be able to get onto the prison grounds to interview the dogs we wanted to see.  The prisoners had the dogs with  them 24/7 and knew so much about the dogs.  It helped us pick the right ones for our family.  I'd encourage you to google "prison dogs" and the name of your state.  My state has a website with pictures of the dogs and details about them.

 

It was $400/dog when I got my dogs from the CO prison system.  It's been 5 years since we got our dogs, though.  They had all their shots, were licensed, were neutered, were housebroken, were leash trained, and knew several commands.  That was totally worth it for us.  

They have another program where people will bring their own dogs to them to train.  Also, once you adopt a dog there you are allowed to bring them back for boarding (during vacations).  We've never boarded our dogs with them.   

 

 

That sounds like a neat program.