i think shelters should wait atleast a couple weeks before giving a dog up for adoption.
In a perfect world, that could happen. But, the reality is, shelters do not have the room, staff or funds to do so. Most stray dogs are picked up by the local animal control agency, which is funded by the city or county. The budget of those organizations is set by city council or county commision. We, the voting public, decide who gets elected to those positions and which referendums and laws are passed. Therefore, the general public has decided, by their voting record, that animal control is at the bottom of the barrel as far as importance, staffing and funding go. The answer is to educate, publicize and carefully check each candidates views on animals issues before voting. But, until the general public decides animal control is a more important issue, shelters will continue to not have room, time or money to hold dogs for several weeks.



things have happened where people call the spca everyday since their dog is gone and there can be confusion and the spca will say the dog isnt there when it really is... although i believe a good owner would go have a look for themself...
You bet, this happens all the time. What is a "grey terrier mix" to the shelter staff is a "salt and pepper schnauzer" to its owners. But you hit the nail right on the head .... a good owner will go to every shelter, every day, frantically trying to find their beloved pet. They won't settle for a phone call and call it good.




i think that the old owners should get the dog back....how would u feel if you lost your best friend and then have to see it get put in another home?
Well, if I lost my best friend, I would find my best friend. I wouldn't let him sit at a shelter for days and days without going to check! I wouldn't let my best friend roam the neighborhood. I wouldn't let my best friend be without a collar and tags, not to mention a microchip and tatoo. Good, responsible pet owners do not treat their 'best friends' this way.