SPCA (Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

When you are considering getting a dog, please first look into rescue. There are many wonderful animals who are taken to the pound for various reasons, from the owners were moving, they owners decide they don't want to deal with all of the work involved, to a simple lack of exercise, or discipline (human allows dog to be pack leader).

Successfully Adopting a Rescue Dog

Some of the stories below are negative experiences people had, when going into one of these shelters. The stories are posted in hopes some of the SPCA's who do make it very hard to adopt are forced to change their policies. Turning a blind eye to some of the huge problems with some of these pounds will not help the dogs, cats and other small animals in them. Most of the pounds are over run with dogs and cats. They are lacking in staff, and are doing everything they can to save the animals. Some however, appear to not even want the dogs to be adopted out, denying applications for petty reasons forcing potential adopters to seek a breeder and at the same time have high kill rates. Whether your local SPCA is well run, having the dog's best interest in mind, or seem to need a lot of improvements - for the innocent animal's sake, volunteer, rally with your local community and do what you can to make a difference.

Rescuing Tia the Norwegian Elkhound from a SPCA

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Adoption denied from Nevada SPCA, Las Vegas

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Rescuing Max the White German Shepherd

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Bruno the Boxer Helps Maggie

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Farley denied loving home, Denver, Colorado

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Blackie - Victim of owner irresponsibility

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Trying to Save Buddy, an SPCA Dog From a High Kill Shelter - A True Story - Ever wonder why there are so many dogs in the pound, so many dogs killed on a daily basis? Read this shocking story...

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A Senseless Death, a misunderstood dog - In Loving Memory of Rondo (True Story)

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August 2008

"We went to the Delco SPCA in August to look at dogs. We stood at the counter forever trying to find out what we needed to do. Finally, someone else looking at dogs coming out of the kennel told us we could just go on back (not one staff member acknowledged our existence). We found one Friday right before closing that we wanted to see. We were told to come back on Saturday because it was too late to take her out."

"We got there first thing Saturday morning and the line was a mile long to get in. We finally got someone to let us back to take the dog out but were then told that because she was a stray she wasn't allowed out of the cage until the next day because she hadn't been there for four days. We were told if we wanted to adopt her, come the next day and we could visit with her and she would be temperament tested. If all went well, we could do the paperwork but she needed to be vetted and would probably be able to come home on Wednesday."

"Sunday we showed up half an hour early to make sure we were the first ones there for her. After ten minutes, an employee came out and told us they sent her to rescue the night before (even though they knew we were coming for her the next day!) We called the rescue group to be told she was at a third party house and we could go there to pick her up if we wanted her because they were leaving for vacation in a few hours. So after jumping thru hoops, we finally found the dog. We had to make a snap decision to take her even though we had never been able to see her out of her cage and she had never been temperament tested or vetted."

"I assumed she was spayed as we never received a spay certificate and I know the SPCA doesn't release unspayed dogs - WRONG!!! So now I have to go thru the rescue group which itself seemed very unorganized and hope I can get her spayed before she adds more unwanted puppies into the world."

"The whole experience at the Delco SPCA was very frustrating."

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July 2007

"I have always been an animal lover and I was finally ready to adopt another dog after the death of my previous dog 3 years prior. All the dogs I had owned until that point had been strays, they'd "adopted" me and were wonderful, but certainly not showdogs or purebreds. A friend of mine said I should "splurge" and get my "dream dog." I thought about it, and concluded I'd always really liked beagles. Though I knew I would probably not find a purebred beagle at a pound, I headed to the SPCA in Pasadena and kept my fingers crossed, and had settled for buying a dog that was perhaps a beagle mix or resembled a beagle."

"I showed up and was told to walk in to see the dogs. I walked in and decided to look at all kennels before deciding on a dog. I briskly walked over to kennel "Number 1" and lo and behold a purebred beagle sat there! He was totally sweet and very affectionate and I immediately told the worker I wanted the dog, now. They told me the dog had just been in the pound about 2 hours, and that he was microchipped so they were trying to locate the owner, however, I could fill out an application and go through the interview process and then perhaps if the owner could not be located or didn't want the dog i could have it. I was told I'd have to wait 3 weeks, but being that I was the first person interested and my information was in, I was the first person who would be placed on the "wait list" for this dog in case the owner was out of the picture. I immediately filled out my application then and there and asked to be interviewed."

"I was told I'd have to make an appointment for an interview and that no one could interview me that day. I was told I could also just walk in at 9 a.m. the next day and ask to be interviewed, but that today it was already too late in the day for a "walk-in" interview. Knowing the dog was not going to be adopted anyway I reluctantly went home. The next day, I called in "sick" to work" and was at the door of the SPCA at 8:55 a.m. I was interviewed on a variety of things, ranging from what size my yard was to how many dogs I had owned and what I'd do if I moved, etc. I did my best and I think I passed as the woman said I could take any dog available for adoption that same day."

"I told her that I was going to wait 3 weeks and showed her my "ticket" which showed I was on the wait list for the beagle should the owner not be found, and that I just knew it was going to be mine as I had been the first person to want him, and had been there 2 hours after he'd come in. The woman told me that she was sorry but that this was not true, I was second on the list. I told her that was not possible, I was there at 4:55 the previous day, right before the closed and had been told the dog had just arrived in the kennel as he'd been found 2 hours prior, and that for all intents and purposes I had been told I was the first person to see him and that all this happened 5 minutes before they closed, and I was the first person there this morning before they opened."

"She said she was sorry but that someone walked in after I left the previous day. I told her that even then, that would place that person second on the wait list, and she said that no, as I had not been interviewed until this morning, my name on the wait list the previous day was void, as i had not been deemed a "fit candidate" the day before, the wait list thing was invalid."

"I know the woman was full of it but I just did what I had to do. I left, found a beagle breeder and got my beagle from him instead."

"My brother worked at this pound at the time and he said the denial to me was bull and that he'd seen it over and over again, denials and denials to perfect candidates which made it so utterly difficult to adopt a dog that many people turned away, gave up and did what I did. He also got his dog from a breeder! What a shame."

"My brother updated me on the fate of the beagle at the pound, the one I was denied. He said the owners were located but they didn't want the dog back because he kept wandering off. He said the supposed person on the wait list who beat me to being first never showed up for the dog either."

"One year later, I decided to get the first beagle another beagle to keep him company while I'm out of the house. I didn't even try the SPCA, just went straight back to the breeder and now have two bred dogs and won't bother with the shelters anymore. They make it too hard to adopt a dog, and it's completely stupid. I've always owned dogs, but have never and will never get one from a pound, I guess I'll just keep taking in strays or buying them from breeders....... no shortage on either one of those options anyway......"

"This happened in July of 2007"

Sandra

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March 2009

"I have had 2 bad experiences since February 11, 2009. The first is, my daughter and I drove 3 1/2 hours to adopt a puppy we had seen online. When we got there and studied the puppies, we decided on 2, signed our paperwork and left. Seems simple enough. Within a week, I noticed something wrong with my puppy and brought it up at my first vet appt. Ignored. Next day...brought it to another vet who said force feed it with a syringe to get it weight up. He starting vomiting. Called back both vets who said bring him in later or if he vomits again, call again. He vomited again after hours, so I now am taking him to the emergency vet. Third vet in 2 days. On the phone call to the 3rd vet, I was asked if the puppy had been tested for Parvo, when I arrived at the vet to check in, I was asked again by someone different if he had been tested for Parvo. While in the room with the Dr. he asked me yet again....was this dog tested for Parvo. I said I didn't know he should have been. He said you weren't suppose to know but the vets should have. Well I opted for treatment which proved futile and costly. The next day I called the shelter to inform them that my dog had Parvo so they could protect the remaining animals and they said they knew. Imagine they knew 6 days before me and one phone may have saved this puppies life."

"I tell you all this to get to the next part of this .... I then decided that I would go to a more reputable shelter to adopt a puppy, mentioned at the front desk that I had recently lost a puppy to Parvo and that we were there to get another puppy. Go on in and look I was told. Again my daughter and I studied these puppies personalities as they crawled around in their extremely dirty pens. I kept looking at this beautiful Rottweiler/mix with a brindle coat, 10 weeks old and very sturdy. He was sociable but reserved as well. We went to a private room to interact with the animal and he immediately fell asleep at my feet and then I picked him up and he stayed asleep in my arms for the next 45 minutes while we waited for approval. I was personally approved but because I had an outbreak of Parvo I was not allowed to adopt. Now you might say I was putting the puppy at risk, but I offered to have a titre test. I also offered to have it tested bi-weekly until they saw fit which I figured was a yr old and I offered to send proof and sign an agreement. They still said no. I went as high as the director who all but accused me of cruelty to animals. I also offered to bring receipts from my prior vet expenses to prove my worthiness. I then stated to the director that I am much more educated about Parvo now and that her rationale that I would put a puppy more at risk than any of my neighbors was ludicris because all the dogs my neighbors have roam in my yard anyways and that Parvo if it is as strong and contagious as she says is still in the kennel from her last break out. she thinks I should have them all arrested for breaking the law...leash law. We also stated to her that we had spent 3 days disinfecting our house and yard with a bleach solution which is the only thing that will kill Parvo...She said that wouldn't kill all of it, which is why I know that their kennel is still infected with it and just like the flu...If you are already vaccinated and already healthy you won't be a likely candidate to get the flu, much in the same way....if the puppy is healthy to begin with and proper proactive care is taken to prevent and early detect the virus...what would be wrong? I think that is a very reasonable statement and question and is very logical. She then stated that I would not be allowed to adopt a puppy for 5 years because that is how long the virus lives...."

"So is it reasonable then to assume... if it lives for 5 years and they have had an outbreak or two...that all their caged animals are at the same risk as the one I wanted to adopt and bring home??? JUST ASKING"

"My final statement to this Director was... I think you as an animal rights advocate are hurting your own cause. You have someone willing to adopt and give it a good home who can prove she won't give the puppy back for medical reasons and yet if this puppy doesn't get adopted you will put it down. At least with me he stands a chance at a caring environment, but go ahead, go put the puppy back in the feces laden kennel to contract or spread parvo. I also told her my next step would be to go with a private person to get my puppy and I would take the steps to protect it as I stated to her."


Suzanne Lee
3/3/09

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I have a story to share about a local rescue group. It's been so long now that I completely forgot the name of the group, but I do remember it was for Shelties. Our family has almost always had a dog. This time, Mom put her hat in the ring for a Sheltie. So, I worked on finding one and filled out an application with a Sheltie group. After an extensive application was sent in, I was given a rather surprising answer! Our home wouldn't be suitable to a dog, not just a sheltie, because it wouldn't be predominantly indoors, walked 3 times a day or more, oh and lest I forget... we had some allergies, but none of them were to dogs and this was explained in the application sent in. Hmmm, I may be mistaken, but most dogs would like to be out in a really big yard some of the time! I made it plain that our yard was a 1/4 acre of a 1/2 acre lot, wooded, with water readily available, a dog house, and that the dog would be given lots of attention, walked, played with, and spend probably half the time indoors. Figure in night hours, inclement weather, and general socializing. I was rather upset by this because here I was trying to save a dog, and loosen up some room for other dogs to be taken in, and was told tough luck essentially. A couple years later, I was given a dog by Support Dogs Inc. as a companion animal. Gee, and we weren't fit for a regular old dog. Just in case you wonder if the yard was sufficiently enclosed for a Sheltie... it has a 4ft fence with another 2 feet of height in yard arms turned inward with plain utility fencing on it. We have already had our escape artist dog! I've never seen such a talented dog as that one was. I even had to drill holes in all the fence posts and put heavy gauge wire through with tension on it to keep the feller from sliding under it like a rabbit. I actually saw that act or I never would have believed a very large lab retriever could pull that off without digging first. So, it isn't just the SPCA that can be hard to work with, but they do deserve the highlight for being kill shelters. I wonder if anyone ever tells the rescue groups that if they want to get the dogs a home, perhaps they shouldn't turn down applications out of hand! There's a difference between being concerned about finding the dog a good home and being unrealistic about the needs of the dog and what the home should be. I wish these groups would go through some sort of course work on how to get dogs adopted in a realistic fashion. I live in St. Louis, MO.


Maria W.

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I just read your story about trying to adopt Buddy. The same type of thing happened to my husband and I. We were at a place called "Maxfund" in Denver. We found a dog we liked. We had been looking for months. They denied us because 1. I had had two cats in the past. I had to give them back to the Humane Society because my husband is allergic to cats. (I got the cats before I met him). I didn't give up my cats because I moved, or decided I didn't want them or for any other reason like that. I guess they wanted me to find a husband without allergies. The second reason was very personal and what I found to be quite judgemental: the dog didn't like small children. We told them that we aren't interested and/or planning on having children. Still, they felt we MIGHT have children one day and therefore didn't get to have the dog. They didn't tell us this to our faces either. We had to keep calling and going in before someone would tell us.

I find it appalling that places are holding on to these dogs, playing God, looking for reasons to deny people who are interested. Luckily, it turned out okay for us. About four months later we found our Boxer, Lola, at a shelter. She is so wonderful and was worth the wait and the year of searching for the right dog.

Just wanted to share my experience.

Kelley

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October 2002

"This was probably October of 2002. My sister, who has been an animal emergency hospital vet tech for ten years and taught numerous training classes and behavior rehabilitation classes for dogs, finally left her little apartment for a house and decided it was time to get a dog herself. She went to the Fort Worth Humane Society in Ft Worth, Tx. After visiting the same dog for several days she decided on a 2 year old mixed breed who was running out of time and had a some personality quirks that made her hard to home with less experienced families. She went through all their hoops and questionaires, then was denied because they did not like her answer on where the dog would be living. The question was "will your dog be living inside or outside?" She explained to the woman that while the dog would be living in the house and accompanying her on daily jogs, she also had a spacious backyard where the dog would be able to stretch it's legs out and play. They denied her application because they felt that this answer indicated that my sister intended to chain the dog in the backyard and leave it. I was there, it was appalling. We argued and insisted our way up to the highest managment on site and they wouldn't reeveluate an application once it was denied. So fine. I went back alone the next day, armed with the correct arbitrary answer, and adopted the dog anyways. She has been with my sister 7 years now and it has been a wonderful relationship."

J Dunn

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1990

"I went into the Delaware County SPCA to adopt a dog. I found one I was interested in. There was a sign on the dog's cage that said it was the dog's last day. After filling out the paperwork I was told they were denying my application because I didn't live in the same county. I explained I worked down the street and lived only 8 miles from the shelter. They refused to budge from their position and would not allow me to save the dog. Someone else who did live in the same county decided to go back to see if they could adopt the dog. The dog was gone. No one knows what happened to it."

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2009

"I had an issue with retrieving my cat from the Fox Valley Humane Association in Appleton Wisconsin. I adopted Ritchie from a No Kill Shelter called Saving Paws (also in Appleton) I saw him at my veterinarian's office when I had to put my 8 yrs old Rottweiler down. I decided to adopt him when I learned that he was still homeless after a month. He is 1 year old, and was neutered, front paw declawed and has a HomeAgain microchip. I paid $60 for him, which I thought was a great deal considering he had already been altered. I had him home for 1 week when he escaped from my house through a small tear in a window screen. I noticed he was missing within an hour of his escape. I called the Home Again service and he had already been picked up by the Appleton Animal Control. They informed me that he was at the FVHA and gave me the number. When I called there I was informed that I would have to $88 before taking him home. I didn't have the cash at that point and they informed me that if I didn't pay before 5 p.m. that he would not be released until the following Tuesday, due to the holiday weekend. I was in a panic. Luckily my dad gave me the money to pick Ritchie up so he wouldn't be held hostage for 3 days in a cell with minimal food and attention. I was just really upset that it cost me more to retrieve my cat than it was for his adoption. I'm still confused about why it would have been cheaper for me to adopt a different cat, that's just silly. I completely understand having to pay a fee for their services however I felt that since he was neutered and had a locating microchip that the fee should be reduced. I was just learning how tricky this cat could be during our first week together. It makes sense that there are so many pets being held in that shelter due to the fact that some families just may not be able to afford to get their beloved pet back. This may not be the most dramatic story you have heard but I think it still helps drive home the point that some shelters would rather euphemize an animal than place it in a suitable home. Who are these people that are working there, do they have no compassion or empathy towards these animals. Its just not working the way it should be. Before I paid the $88 to get Ritchie back, I contacted the shelter that I adopted him from to see if there was anything that I could to reduce the fee to get him back. ( I thought maybe there would be some leniency due to the fact that I had just adopted him the previous week) The woman at Saving Paws informed me that the Fox Valley Humane Association wont even help out another animal shelter that may be in need. That is what proved to me that the FVHA doesn't care about the animals they just want to make a profit. It's just a horrible organization and I wish more people were aware of it. Erica"

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If you experienced a denied application from an SPCA that you believe was unfair, share your story.

Email your story to:

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We strongly suggest Cesar Millan DVD's and or Cesar Millan Books to every dog owner, from Chihuahua to Pit Bull. An excellent guide to communicating with, understanding, and controlling your dog.

 

 

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