IS this usual? (question about pet shelters)?

Question

I went to petsmart (not planning on adopting a kitten) and fell in love with one of the kittens. The kitten was from a E-Resuce shelter and was just taking a place at petsmart.

We got the registration and we put down that we had a dog, and it asked what was our vet, but we don't have one. But our dog is 18, and never had an illness and we would take it to a vet if she needed. And if we got the kitten, we would get a vet.

Well the lady took 4 days to call back, and the news was bad.

She said "You dont have a vet number down"

We said "Our dog doesnt need one, she 18"

She said "Okay bye"

And she hung up, which was rude and how she talked was rude.

WE were about to tell her that we would get one for the kitten (duh)

So she hasn't called back and its been 2 days since she last called.

The kitten hasn't been adopted yet but there has been more applications for him. I really upset, has this ever happened to you?

Note: Everything else on the app, was really good.

Answer 1

Keep in mind that rescues and shelters see the worst in the world - all of the people who won't provide vet care and proper homes, and won't bother getting their animals spayed/neutered, and view them as disposable commodities.  Your dog, at 18, should be seeing a vet yearly for check ups.  Even if you opt to not vaccinate, that isn't an excuse to *not* see a vet.  Senior animals in fact do need vet care more frequently than younger ones.   While the lady may have been rude, the fact that you haven't provided vet care for your dog in ages and ages just doesn't reflect well on you as a pet owner, sorry.

And for it taking her a few days to call back - realize that people who do this sort of work are volunteers.  We have jobs and families, and do this out of love.  This isn't our paying job, and I am sure they had many applications to go through from the weekend.  

And for all the posters advocating being dishonest and putting down a vet from the phone book - do you realize that most rescues will actually call the vet reference you put down, and then they will find out that you lied?  And how quickly do you think they will adopt to you then?  

Answer 2

Establish a relationship with your local veterinary hospital, talk to a vet and find out what you need to do for your kitten -- it needs to be taken to the vet a few times for shots, tests, possible deworming and spay/neuter in the first year you have it. It will cost you about $300 a year for food, toys, shelter, and veterinary care for your kitty, and more will need to be spent as the years go by. A cat or a dog can live for 10, 15, 20 or more years.

Then your kitty will need an annual checkup and a dental checkup every year. Factor in extra expenses for accidents or unforeseen health problems.

My Cee Cee, who passed all her checkups with flying colors, looked like the Picture of Health until her next checkup -- where they discovered a heart murmur and liver problems. I spent $2000 on her so far THIS year.

If you cannot commit to this, then no rescue group (and these people work very hard to ensure the health and safety of their cats and dogs) will ever adopt out to you.

Answer 3

Ive never heard of this.I adopted my cat and i didn't have a vet.

My cat has never been to the vet.Hes perfectly great!

Answer 4

The reason she probably wont call you back is because there are too many people who get kittens and then never take them to get their vaccinations and get them neutered and spayed. You can get a kitten off of craigslist.com

Answer 5

I have observed that some of the people involved in the care and adoption of pets seem to be lacking in their ability to interact with members of their own specie.  

PETA types are the worst; those people have emotional issues.

Yes, unfortunately it is common.

Here is the hypocrisy.  If you buy a pet the only thing they'll ask you is if it will be cash or charge.

Answer 6

No license for the dog, NOT a good sign, no yearly shots...and now you want a cat, don't think so. Show reckless disregard for the law and common sense in the dog's health.

How do you get a yearly license without yearly shots that are required......

Answer 7

well hanging up is rude.. but you should really have the dog to a vet..

infact in some areas you can be charged for failing to have rabies vaccinations up to date on your dog

you and your dog are very lucky that it is 18 and hasnt required vet attention.. but I am shocked that you havent taken a dog to a vet in 18  years...

I always go DIRECTLY to the shelter for adopting..

I would suggest you do this.. and just write a vet name down - get one out of the paper...

if you are getting a kitten it will need to see a vet for spaying or neutering and booster shots so pick a vet out of the paper and make a note of it on your next application.

Answer 8

Standard practice.  Sorry, but their view is that all animals need vet check-ups.  You may have gotten lucky with your dog not getting sick, but check-ups are ways to make sure that things are going well.  If I hadn't taken my cat to the vet for a check-up, I wouldn't have known about his heart condition.

I was in a situation where I had an application for a bunny at the shelter.  Several people wanted the same bunny (because she's so beautiful!) They took 5 days to decide between some sort of bunny hearing who would get the bunny.  If the cat had more than one person interested in it, the person that had everything else filled out like you AND their vet won.  It was not appropriate for them to just hang up on you.  Sorry that you didn't get your kitty.

Answer 9

Just about all rescues would have reacted the same way.  The people who are involved in animal rescue feel strongly about the animals, and it's important to them that the animals they place see a vet regularly.  If you didn't think it was important for your dog, they figure you won't find it important for a cat either, and they dont' like that.

That's just kind of the way it is with rescues.  I don't blame them for being that way at all.  

The rescue I adopted two of my cats for called up my vet and everything and did a home visit.

Answer 10

I had a similar thing happen this winter. Our cat passed away (she was 17) and I decided adopting one would be best.

Fell in love with this Persian at Petsmart. Said it liked kids and dogs. So I filled out that application - our cat hadn't been back to this vet until she passed (she was spayed there 16 years ago)

we had moved and although I got her shots up until she was about 10 she was an indoor cat.

Have 3 labs, and the lady told me it appeared I cared more for dogs then the cat as the dogs were seen annually and up to date on shots. HM.

(Not the case).. I said our cat had a reaction to some shots and since she was older and inside and healthy I opted not to take her to the vet -

(not a good answer apparently)...

Find a good vet - get your dog checked up

and make it appear you do care about the animals health - or avoid putting down you have a dog.

Our story didn't end well for this cat.. apparently someone else put in an application after us and was first because the cat she wanted before was given to another person so she was 'first'..

they also said it didn't look good that I didn't have all the information on our cat and her records - (I could have hunted down the vets in NJ, and OH) but figured adopting a child was easier.

I wound up with two sweet kittens for free who are the best things ever - I respect the adoption process for cats

but also think some of the people doing the job are a little to hung up on things - when people really do want to offer a cat a good home.

Good Luck.

Answer 11

It was rude of them to hang up on you without giving more explaination; however, I feel like their concerned about the health and wellfare of the kitten.  Do you keep your dog updated oh his shots?  This is probably their main concern.  I understand that your dog is older and some vaccines are meant for younger dogs and puppies, but what about the rabies shot?  This is one that's required by law in most states and could put other animals in danger.  Even if he's never in a situation to contract rabies.  

Answer 12

I'm sorry that this happened to you, and that the shelter people were so rude.  That was uncalled for, but unfortunately some shelter people seem to value animals above people.

From a shelters perspective they want the animals cared for *their* way.  So the fact that you don't have vet for your dog indicates to them that your dog doesn't get annual checks and vaccinations, and that the kitten wouldn't either and that is unacceptable to them.  We can probably never adopt a dog from a  shelter due to the fact that we think dogs should be outside animals and most shelters think that dogs should be inside.  Our dog was found on the side of the road, or we might not have one at all.

If you try to adopt a kitten (or this kitten) again, you should either have a vets name to put down on the form, or ask on the form for a recommendations for a vet.  This would tell them that you do plan to care for the kitten in the way they approve.  Also, If your dog gets annual shots, do you administer them yourself?  Sharing this info with them of the form or in person would also assure them that the kitten would be cared for properly.

Also, if you still want a kitten, check the classifieds...  They often have free cats listed there and you wouldn't have to worry about the shelter policies.

Answer 13

Shelters will not adopt to someone who has no vet. They need to know that the kitten will be properly cared for. Start finding a vet for the cat and hopefully, the kitten will still be there for you! Good luck!

If you really want the kitten, you had better get the vet first!

Answer 14

Hi honey. I can tell you really like this little kitten. So, go and find a good vet first. I rang around shelters and rescue groups in my local area to find who they use and recommend for vets. Then I ring the vets on my short list and ask them a few questions such as how many partners are in the practice, what do the vets specialize in and what kind of level of equipment they have ie scanners, x ray machines, etc. From there you'll know you'll have a very good vet for your kitty and dog. Then you can ring this lady back and take it from there.

Shelters will only place a dog, cat, rabbit etc with a home that has a vet because they have to guarantee the animal the best home possible and that it will be looked after and loved by the same family throughout it's life and not end up in a high risk home where the kitten might end up back in the shelter a few months later because of neglect.

All the best and good luck with the kitty :)