Adoption refused because of smoking

[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.

[Canis-Lupess]

Here is a link I found on the matter.

Seems that secondhand smoke is more risky for cats for various reasons but can be a risk for any pet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2165722.stm

Here is another link I just found.

"Epidemiology found that dogs in smoking households had a 60 percent greater risk of lung cancer; a different study published in the same journal showed that long-nosed dogs, such as collies or greyhounds, were twice as likely to develop nasal cancer if they lived with smokers."

http://www.smokefreesociety.org/NewsClip/Pets-1.html

[wolf_Q]

I don't think that is a valid reason to refuse adoption. However, I don't think kids/pets/other members of the household should have to be subjected to cigarette smoke. My personal opinion is that if you want to smoke, thats fine, but smoke outside/away from other people/pets. Many of the people I've worked with smoke, and I don't care one bit, as long as they do it outside, the smell of cigarette smoke makes me ill, literally...honestly I wouldn't want my dogs to have to breathe it in either. I would not refuse to adopt out a dog if the people smoked though.

[Freedom]

However, I don't think kids/pets/other members of the household should have to be subjected to cigarette smoke.

RI has recently passed a law that you can not smoike in a car with a child under the age of 6 in the car. And they are trying to pass the same regarding the home.

Smoking is a "hot" issue just now.

I think it makes a difference if it is one person (as in the case which started this thread) or if it is the policy of the adoption program.

Just went back and read post #1 again. It is not clear from that if it was one person in a program, or one person looking for someone to adopt a pet she was fostering, not as a part of a program. In which case, she has the right to adopt out to whom she wants.

[applesmom]

RI has recently passed a law that you can not smoike in a car with a child under the age of 6 in the car. And they are trying to pass the same regarding the home.

Smoking is a "hot" issue just now.

I think it makes a difference if it is one person (as in the case which started this thread) or if it is the policy of the adoption program.

Just went back and read post #1 again. It is not clear from that if it was one person in a program, or one person looking for someone to adopt a pet she was fostering, not as a part of a program. In which case, she has the right to adopt out to whom she wants.

Freedom she's also a canine behaviorist and takes on the dogs with behavioral problems from many groups in addition to rescuing on her own. Not sure which catagory this dog fell into.

I do agree that a group or individual who has taken on responsibility for an abandoned pet has the right to choose where that pet is placed.

However it doesn't make any sense to me to deprive that animal of a loving home for the sole reason that the would-be adopter happens to be a smoker.

She and I are still debating the issue!

[IRescue452]

Our city has a smoking ban on all indoor public places. Its great! its wonderful to be able to eat at a restaurant without getting smoke in my eyes or lungs or nose.

[Kfamr]

I don't think that is a valid reason to refuse adoption. However, I don't think kids/pets/other members of the household should have to be subjected to cigarette smoke. My personal opinion is that if you want to smoke, thats fine, but smoke outside/away from other people/pets. Many of the people I've worked with smoke, and I don't care one bit, as long as they do it outside, the smell of cigarette smoke makes me ill, literally...honestly I wouldn't want my dogs to have to breathe it in either. I would not refuse to adopt out a dog if the people smoked though.

My thoughts exactly.

After years and years of choking over cigarette smoke, I finally got my parents to smoke outside. They rarely smoke in vehicles anymore when I'm with them too.

About the dog's coat smelling... YUCK. I can't stand getting near my dogs if my parents just hugged them/petted them. They could have smoked a cigarette 10 minutes prior to touching the dogs and they dogs STILL reek afterwards. I don't enjoy the smell at all, which is why I don't smoke. It's just gross.

[critter crazy]

This isnt a question of whether or not you as a person like/dislike smoking. It is a question of whether or not people should be turned down to adopt a dog just because they smoke!

[Giselle]

This isnt a question of whether or not you as a person like/dislike smoking. It is a question of whether or not people should be turned down to adopt a dog just because they smoke!

Then that should rely on cold hard facts. The cold hard fact is that smoking tobacco (especially sidestream smoke which is the smoke that comes off the tip) contains a high amount of proven carcinogens. I'm sorry, after having a family friend die of secondhand smoke, I don't approve of smoking in any way shape or form. I can understand why adoption groups won't adopt out animals to smoking homes, and, to be honest, I swing to the agreement of their decisions. However, I suppose if the family is simply extraordinary, I would include in the contract that the person should make an attempt to smoke outside of the dog's vicinity. If one wouldn't subject a child to secondhand smoke, I don't see how it's okay to subject an animal to it :/ My two cents.

[lizbud]

This isnt a question of whether or not you as a person like/dislike smoking. It is a question of whether or not people should be turned down to adopt a dog just because they smoke!

I don't think anybody is listening. The thread has morphed.Too bad
really. In a perfect world, nobody would smoke and all dogs would have
loving homes. We are far from perfect. It's a fact that every time a person
is born in America, so are 15 dogs and 45 cats. That's far to many for the
number of available homes. Humane societies should use any and all chances
to help place dogs who will love & care for them.

[Kfamr]

I'm sorry if I got "off subject" on not liking smoking. Being that it is something that has effected my breathing my whole life, whether I choose to or not, it's sort of something I rant about on occasion. Although, I don't see why there is any issue with people expressing their feelings on smoking.

[Canis-Lupess]

Maybe it's because those that do smoke think we are personally against them because they smoke.

It isn't with me. I might dislike smoke and smoking but I have never written a person off because they smoked...I just avoid the smoke. It's not that I hate the person....unless they are a problem in some other way. Yes, I said some smokers don't give a damn how their smoke might affect others but thats a problem with their attitude, not their smoking.

[Catlady711]

I also wanted to add, because I didn't think to mention it before. In our house we have several air purifiers, one of them is quite large and expensive in the room we are in the most, and we open the windows to 'air out' the house frequently.

I think it does alot on cutting down on the lingering smoke, as well as regular cleaning to eliminate 'smoke film' deposits on windows/walls etc, and we shampoo our carpets at least 2x a year. The only reason I mention this is I got to thinking of how many non-smokers come over to our house and frequently mention the house 'doesn't smell like smoke' and I even have one aunt that is allergic to smoke and our house has never bothered her.

I only thought to mention that because I have been to smokers houses where even I can smell the 'dirty ashtray' smell, the whole house is covered in 'smoke film' and the even people smell strongly of cigarettes. Those homes don't have air purifiers, they don't open many windows and don't seem to regularly clean the 'smoke film', their cars are even worse.

I don't know if that actually has any long term benefits or not as far as health goes, but it does point out the differences in how smokers live.

[Canis-Lupess]

On the adoption issue, I'm a bit umming and arring on that one....undecided in other words. I wouldn't be bothered if a shelter refused to adopt to a smoking home and neither would I be if they did adopt out to a smoking home.

I was mainly pointing out that smoke is a risk for pets because it seemed that some people were stating that they didn't think it was.

If I was adopting out personally, I know I'd prefer pets to go to non smoking homes than smoking ones...providing either was suitable for the pet anyway but I don't know whether I'd block pets going to smoking homes providing they would give the creature proper care...fortunately, I don't have that job.
I think more shelters might develop issues with smoking homes with more evidence that comes to light about the risk it causes pets but I also think it would do wonders for the actual smokers if they tried to kick the habit also....maybe the creatures could be an incentive...they are good for humans in other ways, why not that?

Still, saying that, even if people smoke, it doesn't mean they smoke indoors, they might prefer to smoke outdoors to prevent smells or discolouration of walls etc...protect any children living in the house or out of respect for another adult/partner who lives with them and doesn't like smoke...in this case I doubt a pet would be at risk.....it's just hard to know what habits each smoking applicant has regarding their smoking and I don't think shelters want to start asking about a persons smoking habits and, even if they did, no doubt some people might fib about them in order to stand a chance.

I've always been anti-smoking from being a young child but I think it was the deaths of those two dogs that really made me think about pets living in smoking homes. When you personally know creatures that died because of it, it does have an affect on your opinion about it.

Oh, just saw Freedoms post.
In the UK, it gets even better, lol. They are banning smoking in all public buildings, places of work, pubs, clubs, even partially enclosed areas or areas where people have to congregate like bus stops and doorways to work places where smokers would use as a smoke area.
If you live in a council property, you cannot smoke in your house whilst there is a council worker in your home. I'm not sure if this extends to private hire workers etc...
Also, if you are in a car that is being used to give other people lifts, say co-workers who all get in the same car to save on petrol etc...you cannot smoke in those either...even if it is your own car.

This comes into force in July in England. Southern Ireland already has the ban in place.