Anyone else adopt a dog through SMAWL??

[rdonthehd]

I am in the process of adopting a cutie pie and the SMAWL doesn't fool around. When I lived in Mississippi, I went to the humane society, picked out a dog, gave them fifty bucks and they said "have a nice day". But these people ask a million questions, wanna see your house and wanna meet you and all family members. I don't mind, I can understand the whole 'no cruelty to animals' bit, but it's a lot for dog.
What do you guys think?

 

[JabbaJawz]

We recently adopted a dog from SMAWL and although the process was intensive, it was worth it.

 

[vraiblonde]

What do you guys think?

I think these animal adoption places get too carried away with their power trip, just like human adoption places.

 

[Otter]

I think these animal adoption places get too carried away with their power trip, just like human adoption places.

x 10

 

[Oz]

I think these animal adoption places get too carried away with their power trip, just like human adoption places.

I presume they are trying to keep the animal from being used in a satanic ritual. But give me a break already...

 

[Club'nBabySeals]

Congratulations on your dog!


We adopted two of our cats through SMAWL, and the process is much the same.

I didn't mind it. When you think about all the people that adopt a pet and have no idea how to care for it, it's somewhat comforting to me (as an animal lover) to know that organizations are taking steps to ensure that their charges will be cared for and able to live a good life with someone competent and with the means to be a responsible pet owner.

How many people run out to adopt cute little puppies for Christmas, then end up surrendering them a few months later when no one in the household wants to care for them? SMAWL and other organizations who take the time to research potential adopters are merely compensating for a natural human inclination to be irresponsible.

 

[rdonthehd]

Thanks everyone for your input. I feel better now. Here she is, introducing Belle:

 

[Oz]

Thanks everyone for your input. I feel better now. Here she is, introducing Belle:

 

[teverheart2002]

Congrats on your newest family member

 

[monkey1906]

Congrats on your newest family member

I completely understand why they are tough about adoptions but at the same time they turn a lot of people away from ever wanting to try the process again. I tried to adopt a couple dogs and both times I was told my yard was not big enough (I live in a townhouse) but the dogs were around 10 lbs. so how big of a yard do they really need? It's not like they are going to live outside and I said in my application that I would take them for walks in addition to letting them play in the yard. I think they need to come up with a better "happy medium" between being tough and being rationale or they will just discourage people from adopting like they did me, which is the exact opposite of what they need to be doing. JMO!

 

[citysherry]

I think these animal adoption places get too carried away with their power trip, just like human adoption places.

I've had experience in both human and animal adoption. While the adoption process of a child doesn't even come close to the process of adopting a dog, I have to say the doggie adoption was painful. But, at least I didn't have to hire a lawyer and a social worker, pay for a home inspection, have to undergo a psychological exam, have a medical doctor certify that I’m expected to life a normal span, submit to drug testing, provide four years of past financial and tax records, attend parenting classes, have family and friends write letters on our behalf stating why they think we would make good parents, etc.

 

[rdonthehd]

I completely understand why they are tough about adoptions but at the same time they turn a lot of people away from ever wanting to try the process again. I tried to adopt a couple dogs and both times I was told my yard was not big enough (I live in a townhouse) but the dogs were around 10 lbs. so how big of a yard do they really need? It's not like they are going to live outside and I said in my application that I would take them for walks in addition to letting them play in the yard. I think they need to come up with a better "happy medium" between being tough and being rationale or they will just discourage people from adopting like they did me, which is the exact opposite of what they need to be doing. JMO!

I live an an apartment. Lots of people have dogs here, even adopted through SMAWL... I'm waiting for the lady to come see my place. I hope it's ok! She does know I live in an apartment, they better not change minds, I'll be very very upset.

 

[vraiblonde]

But, at least I didn't have to hire a lawyer and a social worker, pay for a home inspection, have to undergo a psychological exam, have a medical doctor certify that I’m expected to life a normal span, submit to drug testing, provide four years of past financial and tax records, attend parenting classes, have family and friends write letters on our behalf stating why they think we would make good parents, etc.

Yet if you were some crack whore on the street, you'd not only get pregnant a thousand times, but some judge would make sure that you retained custody of your babies, even though your boyfriend rapes them, because children belong with their mothers.

Go figure.

 

[Katie]

Smawl

I volunteer for SMAWL and there are reasons why the adoption process is so intense. It is not a power trip at all. They have had dogs placed in new homes, and then brought back for whatever reason so the process has to be redone all over again.

The dogs if they need any type of medical care get the treatment before being placed in a home. Some of the treatment has been extremely expensive and time consuming. So far this year I know of two dogs that SMAWL has placed that have been brought into the program that were heartworm positive. SMAWL treated them for heartworm before they were placed into homes. Then I had one of my fosters come back with Lyme Disease and the dog had to be treated for it before placed in a new home.

Belle is pretty!!

 

[ocean733]

Thanks everyone for your input. I feel better now. Here she is, introducing Belle:

Good luck with getting Belle. She is adorable

 

[smc33]

When attempting to foster more greyhounds I was asked a ton of questions and have still not followed up on finding some greys because I am required to get all of my current pets totally new shots and at the moment I really don't have the time to do so. They say that people need to say save animals yet when people go with open arms they make it truly difficult.

 

[angelphish]

The foster/adoption process for rescues isn't meant to offend people, it's there to protect the dogs. Rescues want their dogs to be placed in a forever home not one that will be temperary. Some people don't look far enough into the future when they adopt a dog. They rent or move and "can't" take their dog with them. They have a baby and don't want to deal with the dog anymore. The dog pees on the floor and gets kicked out of the house. These are the kind of dogs that end up in rescues, why would we want to put them back in the same situation.

Living in an apartment should not disqualify a potential adoption either. As long as it is approved be the landlord, you plan on leash walking your dog, and they believe you are responsible enough to take care of the dog if you have to move later.

Good luck with your adoption.

 

[virgovictoria]

When attempting to foster more greyhounds I was asked a ton of questions and have still not followed up on finding some greys because I am required to get all of my current pets totally new shots and at the moment I really don't have the time to do so. They say that people need to say save animals yet when people go with open arms they make it truly difficult.

think about it... if you don't have time to vaccinate the ones you have, how can you possibly foster another?

 

[Hello6]

I'm with one of those "power tripping" groups, and I agree we do go to some extremes. Mainly because the animals we've rescued have come from unfortunate situations where they were treated as disposable. My group (Animal Rescue of Tidewater) uses foster homes and has limited space as to where we can put a dog or cat once we get it out of the pound or where ever it comes from. We do such a thourough check (personal references, vet references, lease or mortgage check) because we want to be certain that animal isn't going to be returned to us.
If you really want the animal, you're willing to put up with these things.
With all the contracts and statements signed, we've still been wrong about the home. Out of the 72 cats I rescued last year, 2 came back home to live with me, and 4 were re adopted to people that DIDN'T lie on the applications. Out of the 12 dogs I rescued, only one came back 2x (I hadn't personally done the checks and took another member's word on it) and only one did I have to re-rescue because the Army Warrant Officer was a liar. Apparently "I'm taking the dog to GA with me" means "I'm leaving the dog with my mother who hates dogs"
I personally don't agree with the need for a back yard for a dog. If the person tells me they'll take the dog to the dogpark daily (like I do mine) or they tell me how they'll let the dog out if it's just them and the baby is sick....you get the drift? If you've got a big back yard, doesn't that make it easier for you to just tie the dog up and forget about it out there? (I'm not saying ALL people with back yards do that)
My group has legal reasons that your other pets be up to date on shots and in compliance with city ordinances.

Hope Belle finds her forever home with you!

 

[mrweb]

I adopted my dog through SMAWL two years ago. They asked a few questions, filled out a form for me while I held the dog, paid them and took the dog home. A SMAWL lady stopped by a few hours later to take a look at the house and yard. I didn't mind at all and just love my nutty dog, a chow/sheppard/husky mix.