Stuck up Animal Rescue Organization

[catnapper]

Catnapper,

We have a pet we adopted from a shelter. The vet the shelter told us to go to was horrendous. They had no animal skills whatsoever. Had they told us that they were our only choice, were we to go back to the shelter to adopt another animal, no dice. The shelter did not object overtly to our choice of vets after the initial visit, but they weren't happy.

If I apply to adopt an animal, I'll give you all the references you want. However, I have a major issue with required home visits, the monetary questions regarding vet care, and the contract giving the shelter control over what they feel are acceptable living conditions for an animal. (for instance, if a cat is being adopted by a farmer, the cat is probably going to be outside mousing)I have no problem with the shelter wanting the animal back to the shelter if the situation doesn't work out between the animal and new owners, however some of those questions and demands are in my mind a serious invasion of my privacy.

We try to soften the blow as best we can over ome of those questions. They are there for a reason though. Yes, sometimes I feel like a moron telling people our list of "demands" but it really is there to protect the cat.

Home visits? I basically walk in, drop off the cat and go. We volunteers aren't too thrilled on home visits, and I am one who thinks they are a waste of time. We had a huge uproar about home visits last month. I told them it was a stupid thing, because if anyone were to do a home visit for me right then and there, I'd have been deinied --- with pooopy butt Angel leaking verywhere (and I mean everywhere) the smells of diareah permeated the air..... I'd have been denied REAL fast. I have leared to trrust my instincts and watch people's body language. I have already decided before the home visit that the cat will stay there.

[carole]

Maybe some of these rules may seem a tad invasive on your privacy, but personally I think it is great they are in place, we have nothing similar here in NZ, no home visits, only a piece of paper signed that you will basically return the cat to the shelter if you no longer can keep it and that they can take it back if they see fit, but honestly I seriously doubt whether that ever happens, I think they are just glad to find homes for them, and I have to wonder if all the homes are good, the piece of paper is hardly a legal document and really probably not worth the paper it is written on.

I am all for seeing shelter's enforce stricter adoption rules, to ensure the safety and well-being of the cats.