Ad in the paper that made me mad....A rant!

[tatsxxx11]

I agree Pam...infuritating! And the fact that want to be rewarded (600.00) for THEIR mistake is doubly infuriating. Still, no one should ever surrender their dog with "Free to good home" in the ad as just about anyone will jump on that one. Asking for a nominal sum, to assure the person is sincerely inclined and willing to commit, is a good idea. Most rescue groups require a 150-200 adoption fee and I feel that would be a fair and appropriate amount for this family to request if they plan to place the dog themselves. Placing the dog in a repuatable rescue org. is the best idea; there are a lot of them out there, especially purebreed rescues who would be happy to accept the dog into their program.

I can tell you, from working with NEARR www.nearr.comthese past two years, that is the MAIN reason why Labs/Retrievers are surrendered. Everyone wants the quintessential family dog, not realizing that this is a large, active, playful dog that needs regular daily exercise and craves attention. Do you some people surrender because they "can't stand this dog following me around everywhere." People who apply with us are sometimes put off with the length and "depth" of the application and screening process. But it's just because of people like this that we take GREAT care in placing each dog with a person/family who understands the breed and has the time and energy to devote to him/her and that the dog's personality pairs up with the family's lifestyle. We pull a lot of Labs off Petfinder. I'll have to go check to see where this sweetie is from I just hope and pray the next home will be her FOREVER home. Welcoming a dog into your home needs to be a carefully considered decision; it's a lifetime commitment.

Education is the key...researching the appropriate breed for your home, lifestyle, activity level, whether you have children or not or PLAN to. We require all applicants who plan on having children in the next 3 years to describe to us how they plan on acclimating dog to the arrival of an infant; if they are prepared to handle the stress of a new born and a dog. Many dogs are surrendered by inexperienced "dog" families who, after the birth of a child, find themselves overwhelmed, especially if there is no fenced in yard. And regardless of how experienced they are, a 6 week basic obedience class is required. By the end of the adoption process, only the most sincerely motivated of applicants remain.