MSU Red Cedar Message Board

20 upvotes and 20 downvotes at the time of this post.

Let me guess ... the 20 downvotes are from people who acquired their dog/cat from a breeder?

I have rescued and bought from a breeder. I am not a master dog trainer and, in my experience, adult rescue dogs often have issues. I would adopt a puppy from a shelter but I am not interested in an adult dog. I currently have a cockapoo that I got from a breeder (that I vetted) and he is a great dog (mostly).

A friend got a chow-mix from a rescue operation. She had to fill out numerous forms, have their house inspected and agree to future inspections. They finally got the dog and then noticed strangers peering through their windows and back gate for the next few weeks. One time her 13 year old daughter called her in tears saying a man is looking in the dining room window. The daughter said the man was wearing the rescue companies logo on their shirt. She called saying "if you do your unnaounced inspections one more time I will call the police and have you arrested". They never came back.

What I learned from this is.....better to ask up front if these future inspections are announced or not. ....and then be prepared for the worst.

This can be true. I have been put off by some West MI shelters, but always tried to turn the other cheek acknowledging that it was a good cause and they are just trying to make sure that they place animals in good homes. But, some of my experience was confirmed when the shelter (that left the worst impression) failed to approve a dog for one applicant. That same applicant was also a large and regular donor to the shelter. He just bit his tongue and waited.

When it came time to collect the checks from the regular donors, the shelter noticed that this guy's $$$ was missing. They put out a call to the him to ask what they may have done to turn him off. It all came to a head there, and the press got a hold of it, if memory serves, that same guy wound up on the board of the shelter.

A great dane will run through an invisible fence and not even flinch. They are one of the few breeds that are just to big for that collar to be effective.

As for the denial for letting a cat out, I think that's pretty common. I think there is a distinction between humane societies/county shelters and private nonprofits that were formed by animal lovers. When I was in grad school I tried to adopt a kitten. I was turned down. I couldn't believe it. They never said why, but I was 23 years old and I think they just figured they'd find someone else. In this day and age when cats are getting put down or abandoned, these assholes were actually turning down potential adopters - it blew my mind.

Do you openly weep when this commercial comes on?

Only because that song blows so bad.

I personally know the Director of the Humane Society in my county because her daughters go to school with mine. I know they do a handful of fundraisers each year to help with operating expenses. Have no idea if they get any money from anti-hunting campaigns, but know that they have multiple fundraisers to help make ends meet.

Last year, we adopted from a rescue a "Cavapoo" - Cavalier and poodle mix. Because of the wife's allergies, we have to go the nonallergenic route. He was obivously mistreated by a man because, even after a year, he barks and growls whenever he sees me. I can't pet him or get a leash on him without assistance. Because my wife "saved" him, he worships my wife and won't let her out of his sight. He's also OK with the kids, so it's just me. In all honestly, this dog is a pain - it's like he has PTSD and I'm the trigger.

On the other hand, we already have a labradoodle that we got from a breeder. This dog is awesome and a perfect family pet. I certainly like the reputable breeder route because you know what you're getting. With a rescue, you may get damaged goods, which we now have.

One big reason that they don't like letting cats out is because many to most people will get their cats declawed (which is a whole different debate entirely). If the cat is declawed it lacks its main defense against predators (i.e. attacking back or climbing trees is non-existant) and thus letting a declawed cat outside is considered inhumane.

People should also stop making their own babies. There are plenty of children who need good homes out there. In fact, I'm in the process of adopting a 17 year old Asian girl. Everyone, meet Kamiko. In her country they are so poor they can't even afford clothing.

And BTW, I'm not telling people not to adopt from them. I just want to make sure that we all know what their priorities are and where most of their money goes. If you're against hunting and want to adopt a dog, go ahead and use them. Just know what they're about.