Shelters are run by petty tyrants that pretend to advocate for animals that can't speak up for themselves, because if they could, they would tell you the Shelter-Stazis are full of it. They use a 'least common denominator' approach that assumes all prospective pet owners are lying imbeciles, unfamiliar and inexperienced with pet ownership.
We wanted dogs and cats a few years back. The local shelters laid out their rules: No adoptions until the animal is 16 weeks old and spayed. There is money involved, a substantial 'charitable gift'. They reserve the right to appear at your home unannounced and demand an inspection at any time. You must have a completely fenced yard. You must sign an affidavit stating you will never allow the pet off the leash. And so on. No flexibility whatsoever, no discussion, they just hissed out the rules and made a hand chop.
Now, 16 weeks is early for spaying, when it comes to naturally-regulated growth, health and longevity. And we wanted animals just after weening and basic litter socialization to optimize the bond they make with our family. It was just not possible to work with any shelter though. With all the conditions stacking up in the favor of these tyrants, and all of the downsides landing in our lap for us to abide, we told them 'No'. Their approach is Over the Top.
We got our animals at 6 weeks and haven't regretted it for an instant, and had them spayed at about 6 months, which our vet agreed was optimal. They've bonded with us and with each other. They're rescues from two different bad situations - but in a way they've been rescued from the shelter system, too, with all of its Uber-Karens.
The shelters retain ownership of the animals, and they chip them. Most shelters will not allow you to take the animals with you if you move out of their jurisdiction. And vets are required to confiscate any animals if you do. That a nationwide policy.
The shelters can also ban you from all shelters in the entire country, if they so choose.
We got our cats from a women who had a litter she didn't want.
Wow, I knew they were bad, but I didn't realize they were that bad. We've gone to breeders and just regular folks with pups for ours, since we've had kids (before that all our pets, childhood and adulthood, were rescues of some sort). Now that our kids are older, maybe we'll go back to rescues, but not through those places. Yikes.
A political test to adopt a dog.
ReplyDeleteShelters are run by petty tyrants that pretend to advocate for animals that can't speak up for themselves, because if they could, they would tell you the Shelter-Stazis are full of it. They use a 'least common denominator' approach that assumes all prospective pet owners are lying imbeciles, unfamiliar and inexperienced with pet ownership.
ReplyDeleteWe wanted dogs and cats a few years back. The local shelters laid out their rules: No adoptions until the animal is 16 weeks old and spayed. There is money involved, a substantial 'charitable gift'. They reserve the right to appear at your home unannounced and demand an inspection at any time. You must have a completely fenced yard. You must sign an affidavit stating you will never allow the pet off the leash. And so on. No flexibility whatsoever, no discussion, they just hissed out the rules and made a hand chop.
Now, 16 weeks is early for spaying, when it comes to naturally-regulated growth, health and longevity. And we wanted animals just after weening and basic litter socialization to optimize the bond they make with our family. It was just not possible to work with any shelter though. With all the conditions stacking up in the favor of these tyrants, and all of the downsides landing in our lap for us to abide, we told them 'No'. Their approach is Over the Top.
We got our animals at 6 weeks and haven't regretted it for an instant, and had them spayed at about 6 months, which our vet agreed was optimal. They've bonded with us and with each other. They're rescues from two different bad situations - but in a way they've been rescued from the shelter system, too, with all of its Uber-Karens.
The shelters retain ownership of the animals, and they chip them. Most shelters will not allow you to take the animals with you if you move out of their jurisdiction. And vets are required to confiscate any animals if you do. That a nationwide policy.
ReplyDeleteThe shelters can also ban you from all shelters in the entire country, if they so choose.
We got our cats from a women who had a litter she didn't want.
Wow, I knew they were bad, but I didn't realize they were that bad. We've gone to breeders and just regular folks with pups for ours, since we've had kids (before that all our pets, childhood and adulthood, were rescues of some sort). Now that our kids are older, maybe we'll go back to rescues, but not through those places. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteWell, you wouldn't want those dogs to have access to any guns.
ReplyDelete