11 Comments:

• I feel, that pets cannot speak for themselfs, and often helpless when it comes to their owners, and should be assured a good, loving home.
  Yet, as always, there are people out there, that do, "spoil it" for people like me who love animals and would LOVE very much to adopt a pet, but due to my income, cannot afford the adoption fee, plus , all the other expences right up front that goes with adopting a pet. This in no way means that i cannot afford the care of a pet.
  There should be a "happy medium" some where, where the well being and safety of a pet is assured, and those who truelly wish to adopt a pet, and will love them and give them a good home, can, even on a low income.

  By  Michael, at 11:42 PM, October 21, 2007  

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• With all due respect to Michael: if you can't afford the time nor the fees involved in an adoption then, I'm sorry, you can't afford a dog, period - no matter how much love you have to give to a dog. Dogs cost money - vet fees, pet food, medications - and definitely take a great deal of time (walks, playtime, grooming). Wanting to love a dog is commendable, but shelters' first priority - as it should be - is the welfare of the dog. They know better than anyone how much time, energy and money owning a dog involves; that's why they have the system in place to screen new owners. I agree 100% with the folks at Petfinder.

  By  Angie, at 4:33 AM, October 22, 2007  

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• I'm in agreement also. I think the shelter is a better judge of what makes a good home, certainly better than a B-list celeb like Ellen. Also, there is the fact that a contract was signed and you shouldn't just think you are free to break it.
  
  Michael, I have to agree with Angie. The upfront cost on a dog is minor compared to what you'll spend over that first year. Dogs cost money.

  By  Anonymous, at 7:39 AM, October 22, 2007  

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• I agree with Petfinder. I'm sure Ellen was giving the dog to a great family but can they trust the family they've never seen or know anything about? If you adopted a child would it be fair to give it to another family without any knowledge about them because you couldn't keep them. Let Ellen's friends go through the proper channel like everyone else does and it should work out.

  By  Nora, at 8:10 AM, October 22, 2007  

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• I don't believe that the rules are too strict and in fact I think that they should follow-up more than they do. I got my first dog from a shelter and had to sign this type of form also. I have done the same thing (w/o paperwork), I found a dog a home and made sure they knew if they couldn't keep it that I would take it back, no questions asked. I also called and checked on the dog. Called so often that the person finally brought the dog over for me to see that it was doing fine.
  
  I feel that this is a very unfortunate situation. I feel for all the people involved and the animal. Maybe if different steps were taken this family would have been able to adopt the dog themselves.

  By  Anonymous, at 10:09 AM, October 22, 2007  

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• I disagree with those who say Michael shouldn't have a dog. It is elitist to say low income people shouldn't or can't care for a dog properly. At many shelters an adult dog is adopted with necessary shots and is altered--common first year fees. There are also low cost rabies clinics in many areas for future shots. Responsible animal welfare is about finding good loving homes for pets and providing decent medical care. Many rescue groups have indeed become elitist and it is to the detriment of the animals as we continue to see millions of pets put down each year. There can indeed be a happy medium and to not find it is to deny pets a good life. And, no where does Michael say he doesn't have the time, just not a lot of money.

  By  Anonymous, at 11:31 AM, October 22, 2007  

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• Hi. I must admit. I DO believe that adoption rules are too strict.
  
  I have worked for several adoption agencies since i was a teenager. I was a vet tech for two years. I trained dogs for a highly reputable company in Washington, DC. Now I work for a non-profit doing animal conservation. I seem like the perfect dog-owner. I make plenty of money, and have even opened a trust for the potential new pet of mine. I live in a great home on a double lot, a FENCED double lot. I know all the right answers and now exactly how the system works because I've been in it all my life.
  
  But have I been able to adopt a dog? No. I don't know why, but every aplication I put in, and every dog I apply for at the shelters in the area, the dog goes to a family, with 2.5 kids and a white picket fence, where the dog will probably be left outside by itself or encaged in an electric fence...
  
  I feel I have a wonderful heart and home to offer a homeless dog, and the vet experience to my advantage. But I still cannot adopt. I hear stories like mine all the time. Genuine good homes that cannot adopt for some reason unknown to the people.
  
  So yes, if I, having about 20 years of dog experience, cannot adopt, it is TOO hard!

  By  Anonymous, at 1:18 PM, October 23, 2007  

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• It's really an issue of the organization you are working with. Here is an article addressing this very issue, interviewing shelters in Seattle: How common is Ellen's 'Iggygate' scenario?: http://www.king5.com/animals/news/stories/NW_102307ANB_animal_shelter_policies_SW.19c4e76e6.html
  
  Most rescue people I've worked with aren't so rigid in how they place the dogs. They are typically volunteers whose main purpose is to find a good home for the dogs they rescue.
  
  I think this thing with Ellen DeGeneres is more the exception than the rule.
  
  And the fact is you have a lot of options when it comes to adoption. You can get the same type of dog, same breed, from a variety of organizations. So, if you don't like working with one group, switch to another. Some are super rigid in their philosophy on dog adoption.
  
  Many are afraid of being sued if the dog injures someone... that is a lot of why the rules are so tight. No one talks about that, but it is a fact. Rescue is full of armchair lawyers who see risk and lawsuits behind everything. They are so afraid of complaints that they do stupid things with the dogs, and over-regulate the adoption process.

  By  Sam Basso, at 8:13 AM, October 24, 2007  

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• I think there are exceptions to the rules. In the case of Iggy, they wouldn't let the dog go to a family where there were children under the age of 14. These were two girls who were almost that age. They weren't toddlers. They would in no way harm the dog. It was a loving family. Ellen didn't give it to just anyone. Exceptions to the rule, the rescue group obviously didn't inspect Ellen's home or have a problem with the cats or ask what would happen if they didn't get along, so why couldn't they make an exception with the dog and the kids?
  I've seen these contracts. Small print that says you must give the dog back and the dog's id chip is NEVER put in your name and if you lose the dog, good chance you won't get it back. I'll get my dogs from the animal shelter where all I need to do is spay,and get their shots.

  By  Kathy Finfrock, at 4:01 PM, October 24, 2007  

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• Why is it that some people think that low to moderate income people can't or shouldn't own pets? Sorry but this really irks me. I am on a fixed (moderate disability) income and I adopted a 10 month old puppy several years ago. He was already neutered by the shelter so all I had to get where his shots and the adoption fee which I saved and saved for before I got the dog. I have a very understanding vet that lets me pay on time because he understands my financial situation. If my dog gets sick I will live on mac and cheese until the bills paid if I have to. I pay for his shots on time with my vet. My dog Jazz even eats better than me cause he's on a special diet due to allergies. He comes first in my book. Getting this dog was a decision I didn't take lightly and thought about it for a long time cause they are expensive and a big commitment BUT I am more than willing to do it. He's worth every penny I put out on him cause he was abused by his previous owners. Michael, you can own a dog on a low income with a little planning ahead. Try to find a vet a head of time that takes time payments, that will help big time.

  By  Anonymous, at 1:12 AM, October 29, 2007  

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• I have two adopted dogs, one of which is a Jack Russell Terrier. This terrier had been returned to the shelter twice, but my husband and I decided we could handle him. Once we make a decision to adopt a shelter dog, we are aware that we made a comittment to take care of him or her for the duration of their lives. We would never return a dog to the shelter nor would be pass him on to someone else.

  By  Eva M, at 3:08 PM, October 29, 2007  

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