Rescue to club members only?
- Thread starter Lynne
- Start date
M
maryann-ptpl
Guest
I called this regional rescue group 3 different times to try to talk to a real person. Kept getting answering machine msg to leave name/address and rescue app would be sent to me. When the app came, it also included the club app with instructions to send it & membership fee with the adoption app. Seemed kind of cold especially since I hadn't spoken to a real person yet. Any opinions?????????
We are awaiting a rescue newf. We were in contact with the local rescue rep, filled out the application for rescue and also the app for the club membership.
I believe that the membership part is just one more way for rescue to "weed" out those who are not committed to being a good home, and I am quite supportive of it. It is perhaps best thought of as a way to incorporate the new family into the support network.
As for getting the application without ever having a chance to talk to a human being, that is certainly impersonal, and gives the impression of not really caring about the qualification process. Shame on them! The prospective family would not get away with such lack of manners, I'm sure! Fortunately for us, we have had positive interactions with our local rescue people.
I've heard many people ask "why?" Well, we already have a pure-bred rare breed, for whom we had hours of phone calls (4-6 hrs) with breeder and their friends, visits to see the breed in various homes, visits to dog shows, a weekend stay in their home, and then another overnight stay before they would let us bring our puppy home. And I respect them for their careful examination of us. Having a dog is a priviledge & committment and their attention impressed that upon us at the time. A rescue deserves the same level of careful consideration, especially since they may already be coming from a sad situation.
OK, I'm climbing down from my soapbox! <vbg>
Hope I haven't offended anyone. I intend only goodwill.
Chris
I believe that the membership part is just one more way for rescue to "weed" out those who are not committed to being a good home, and I am quite supportive of it. It is perhaps best thought of as a way to incorporate the new family into the support network.
As for getting the application without ever having a chance to talk to a human being, that is certainly impersonal, and gives the impression of not really caring about the qualification process. Shame on them! The prospective family would not get away with such lack of manners, I'm sure! Fortunately for us, we have had positive interactions with our local rescue people.
I've heard many people ask "why?" Well, we already have a pure-bred rare breed, for whom we had hours of phone calls (4-6 hrs) with breeder and their friends, visits to see the breed in various homes, visits to dog shows, a weekend stay in their home, and then another overnight stay before they would let us bring our puppy home. And I respect them for their careful examination of us. Having a dog is a priviledge & committment and their attention impressed that upon us at the time. A rescue deserves the same level of careful consideration, especially since they may already be coming from a sad situation.
OK, I'm climbing down from my soapbox! <vbg>
Hope I haven't offended anyone. I intend only goodwill.
Chris
M
maryann-ptpl
Guest
The idea of using the requirement to join the club as a way to "weed out" people who aren't serious about adoption isn't always the right way to judge people. I have had Newfs for over 17 years - my last three were 'rescues' - and I had worked in Newf rescue from 1989-1992. I had also been a member of this regional club for about 10 years. I think I can provide an excellent home to a rescue Newf. Again, I think it would be better for the rescue group to speak to potential adoptors first rather than just mailing out the rescue forms with a "join the club or else forget it" approach. They could be losing a good home for a Newf.
Chris, I'm all for careful screening. I've been told people were referred to me with the warning from vets and folks who have gotten dogs from me that it's easier to adopt a baby!
I'm just questioning whether REQUIRING people to join the club, especially before they're even interviewed and/or promised a dog, is the way to go. I ran Rescue for many years. Joining the club is a good way to learn, and I think it's a good policy to extend a complimentary 1 yr membership, but I don't necessarily think it's a qualification for ownership. Lynne
Lynn, I can see your point about the 'requiring' and would agree. The use of club membership in that way could offend and thus lose out on perfectly responsible and caring rescue homes. Looking back at my own sign-up experience, I did have a twinge when I saw that it was required to make the rescue app complete, but I guess I got past it. Maybe others just aren't returning the app at all. Good point.