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Dog Adoption Debacle Garners 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
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