Adoption refused because of smoking

[lizbud]

It's a very dumb idea. Maybe this person needs a change in jobs. Just
have them be the one who leads to dogs into the euthanasia room every
day. After 1 week of that(if they last that long) then return them to their
previous job as interviewer for adoptions.I'll bet they would have a whole
new perspective.

[pitc9]

It's a very dumb idea. Maybe this person needs a change in jobs. Just
have them be the one who leads to dogs into the euthanasia room every
day. After 1 week of that(if they last that long) then return them to their
previous job as interviewer for adoptions.I'll bet they would have a whole
new perspective.

GREAT point!!

[cyber-sibes]

It's a very dumb idea. Maybe this person needs a change in jobs. Just have them be the one who leads to dogs into the euthanasia room every day. After 1 week of that(if they last that long) then return them to their previous job as interviewer for adoptions.I'll bet they would have a whole new perspective.

Liz, you are brilliant! That would certainly bring home the reality of it. I worked with a woman who had to do that. It broke her heart, and she finally quit the shelter because she couldn't adopt them all, and just couldn't bear to walk one more dog it its death.

[IRescue452]

If all else is great, I don't see refusing them. Of course, if there were two equal candidates, I'd be inclined to give the dog to the non-smoker.

People think I'm extreme because I wouldn't ever give an animal to somebody if so much as a fish wasn't in ideal conditions in the home. I consider that a show of how much research and concern they have for all of their animals though. But smoking, although I consider it a nasty habit, I could adopt a dog to. Maybe not a bird, but a dog ok.

Applesmom: many rescues dictate what type of food is fed. I don't blame them. I wouldn't want a dog eating kibbles and bits, the second ingredient is sugar!

[Lilith Cherry]

Denying a dog ( or cat) from a loving forever home is just downright ridiculous, not to say cruel! I have never smoked and wish others didn't either but I would never exclude someone for that stupid reason!

[buttercup132]

Well they can get second hand smoke too . Not to mention (The people who smoke wont notice) but it gets into the dogs fur and skin and isn't good. There is dogs that come into my work and smell gross because their owners smoke. I'm not saying they shouldnt be adopted out to homes that smoke but it dose harm them too.

[Pam]

It's a very dumb idea. Maybe this person needs a change in jobs. Just
have them be the one who leads to dogs into the euthanasia room every
day. After 1 week of that(if they last that long) then return them to their
previous job as interviewer for adoptions.I'll bet they would have a whole
new perspective.

I'll go one word beyond dumb Liz and say ridiculous. Everything you said is right on the mark. Gee, I wonder if human babies up for adoption must all go to non-smoking households. I never even thought of that. I am not a smoking fan. My husband smokes and I wish he didn't but we have always had pets and were never turned away from adopting from a breeder because of his smoking. This person is out of touch with reality I'm afraid.

[Freedom]

When I adopted Sugar last December, they clearly would NOT adopt out to a smoker's household. On their rescue web site - and on several others - it clearly states that dogs living in a home with a smoker have a 60% increased chance of lung cancer. I found it fairly standard when I was looking to adopt last year. No smokers' homes would be accepted.

They can't knowingly place a dog in a home where it will be injured. I think we all agree on that. They are taking that the next step, can't knowingly place a dog in a home where it will be at high risk for cancer. At least, I guess that must be the reasoning.

And I suppose, if you said to them that it is better to place the dog than PTS, they would counter "so should we place with a known animal abuser?"

I'm not saying this, don't jump on ME! I'm just trying to sort out what I think their view point is on this.

[applesmom]

Primary lung cancer (cancer coming from lung tissue) is rare in dogs, so the odds are very high that a tumor seen in the lungs is a metastasis from a tumor somewhere else. This is not always the case but it is a reasonable presumption. So in most cases, just seeing a tumor in the lungs is reason to suspect metastatic cancer.

Lung cancer in dogs

Since there have been little or no studies done on lung cancer in dogs, it's my own personal opinion that the refusal to adopt a pet out to a smoker is based solely on personal bias. An ureasonable bias that would rather see an animal put to death or live the rest of it's life in a cage rather than allow it to know love and companionship that all pets deserve!

No dog has ever died simply from having a stinky coat!

[critter crazy]

Lung cancer in dogs

Since there have been little or no studies done on lung cancer in dogs, it's my own personal opinion that the refusal to adopt a pet out to a smoker is based solely on personal bias. An ureasonable bias that would rather see an animal put to death or live the rest of it's life in a cage rather than allow it to know love and companionship that all pets deserve!

No dog has ever died simply from having a stinky coat!

Exactly!! And I have never been told my dogs stink! I take great care of my dogs, and they smell, and look good!

[Taz_Zoee]

"Primary lung cancer (cancer coming from lung tissue) is rare in dogs, so the odds are very high that a tumor seen in the lungs is a metastasis from a tumor somewhere else. This is not always the case but it is a reasonable presumption. So in most cases, just seeing a tumor in the lungs is reason to suspect metastatic cancer. "

This is EXACTLY what DJ died of. We are not smokers, and our dog still died of lung cancer. So apparently it doesn't matter, the dog can get lung cancer even if it lives with non-smokers.

[sabies]

Ditto what so many others have said - is a trip to the euthanasia room better than a life with a smoker? I too wish every smoker would quit for their own benefit but that is irrelevant to adopting a pet.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Oh good gosh. My mom smokes, and I've never ever seen any of our pets have any smoking-related illnesses. It might be harmful to something like fish or amphibians, but dogs and cats? That's just stupid.

[Catlady711]

I can understand an adoption place having a right to restrict who they adopt pets out to, it's their right.

I don't agree with it personally.

I, hubby & my mom have all smoked with pets in the house, we've had Dusty for 11 1/2 years (she'll be 17 this summer) and the only main thing she's suffering from is severe osteoarthritis (she does have some respiratory problems, but she showed up with them and are very minor). We've had Jack for 6 years and his only problem is constipation. We've had Pooky & Bear for 5 years and they have no problems. Cami we've only had 1 year and the kittens less than 6 months, but neither of them have any health problems.

I do realize that smoking can cause cancer and even allergies/athsma in pets, but I personally think that limiting pets to only homes without higher risks for some things that are long term is a little overboard. What's next, do they test our homes for radon, carbon monoxide, mold, and lead paint? Do they test the air quality if we live too close to a factory? There has to be a limit.

I understand the concern, but as has already been pointed out there are already too many animals unwanted dying in the streets and euthanized in shelters to be picky to a fault about adoptions. No two people are going to agree on the absolute best care for an animal and I think just finding someone that fits the major catagories for proper care (space, time, money, proper vet care, etc) would be sufficient.

[lute]

I think it's silly to refuse an adoption because of smoking. I don't smoke, but i have friends that smoke when they are at my house. No one has ever said anything about my dogs smelling like smoke. Their coats are fine. In great condition at this time actually!

anywho, I agree that I'd much rather adopt a dog to a home filled with smokers than have a dog be killed. The risk of the dog getting lung cancer is slim, but possible. I don't think it's enough of a problem to refuse an adoption though.