Just my shelter or are they all like this?

Question

I'm breaking down and rescuing another pit mix. Her name is CoCo and she is as sweet as my existing pit. I also have a mutt that is afraid of EVERYTHING and has been know to not be quite so nice when she's a upsetting environment. She's never attacked but has nipped other dogs and growled and such. So I find the dog that I really want at a shelter and this shelter does home inspections. That's fine with me, they need to be sure. But, I asked that the dogs meet at the house so my freaky dog will not be so stressed as she would be to take her to the shelter to meet. I want to be sure they will get along probably more than the shelter does. They are telling me they don't bring the adoptable dog to homes and that my dogs have to come to the shelter to meet even though I told them my mutt would be very upset outside her environment. Why don't they bring the new animal to the existing home to meet? Is this a normal process or is it just this shelter? I've had problems before with this shelter and am starting to think they look for excuses to not adopt the pets out. This sweetheart dog has been there since early June! I went there before to get my first dog and they gave me a terrible time so I ended up at another shelter and got 2 dogs that are just awesome and didn't have such a headache in the process. Please share your adoption processes so I can tell what is normal and out of norm.

Answer 1

Shelters often do not have the manpower or money to meet every potential adopter in their home.

However, rescue groups that foster dogs in individual homes are more likely to meet up at the house of someone with a cleared application who is actively looking.

Perhaps this would be a better option for your situation?

http://www.pbrc.net and http://www.petfinder.com may be able to steer you in the right direction.  

Added:

"To some of you out there, if the center can send the person to check your house, why not bring the dog with? Where is that costing more money?"

I can't say for sure, I'm just trying to give ideas for the possibilities.

But, how about liability?  

And wasted time?  I wouldn't bring a dog into a home that hasn't already been cleared with a visit.  I don't know what's going to be there when I get there.  So, why subject the dog to that trip if the home isn't going to pass muster?

My rescue groups requires a cleared application and a home visit before the person can meet the dog, either in their home or in the foster home.  I want to know what the person is all about before the dog is even brought into the situation.

Answer 2

Many times when dogs are introduced to a new dog on their home turf they act differently then they would meeting the same dog on a neutral turf.

Answer 3

I work with a Greyhound adoption group and we would take the foster to your house during the home visit, so the dogs can meet and see how they get along.

The reason the shelter may do it differently may have to do with liability issues or something like that.  It may also be that the people doing the home visits do not really know the dogs in the shelter, and may feel unsure bringing a dog they do not know into a situation that may or may not be suitable for that dog.

I know our home visits are more about having a nice visit with the potential adopters and explaining to them about the breed than it is a "white glove inspection".    We don't care how clean your house is, just that it is a safe situation to place a dog in.  

We like to meet with the whole family, make sure all are in agreement  in getting a dog.   We see if the fences are safe and if there are any hazards in the home or yard (grape vines/poisonous plants).    That type of thing.   See how the other pets are cared for ... are they vaccinated, fixed and kept on heartworm preventive?

We also like to see how any children in the household interact with the dogs.   You can tell a lot about people by how they treat their pets and how mannerly their children are!

Answer 4

I don't know of any shelter that takes employee time and city tax dollars to deliver dogs to people's homes.  I don't mean that to sound harsh, but most shelters don't even have enough staff to manage the dogs that are on-site, so they certainly can't send people out to random homes with the dogs.  You might ask if they have a foster program though.  Some shelters will let you take the dog home as a foster, meaning the city still owns the dog and you are just caring for it under their rules and guidelines.  You could see how the new dog does at your home, and if it works out the city will be more likely to allow you to keep the dog.  They don't normally require you to bring your dog up to the shelter to become a foster, so this may be a way around it.

The only shelters with the ability for more individual assistance like you are looking for are those with a strong volunteer base.  They can ask volunteers to do things like take dogs to the home to visit.  You might also ask about that.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I don't understand why they do that. You would think they would want to know how the new pet is in the new home with a different dog, not the other way.

Sadly, this happens with most shelters though. Many that I know of require the dogs to meet at the shelter..

Answer 6

I have had two experiences.  One is a shelter in Erie PA where they do kill dogs who are adopted out.  They are the only shelter in an enormous area.  When I adopted my dog, I took him out the same exact day I saw him.  The shelter I adopted my 2nd dog is a no kill shelter in Vermont.  I had to fill out an application and they also called my vet to make sure I was responsible and up-to-date with care.  I was fine with this.  They were very particular about my house, job, how much time I could spend, what type of dog they thought would be best.... it all worked out and I have a lovely dog.  I think they are just protective and I would imagine there are liabilities if they bring the dog to your home rather than you bringing your dog to them.  Most of them are trained to handle a situation in the shelter that gets nasty but they have control there where they don't at your house.   I know it's hard but they have good reasons.  I hope things work out for you and the other dog.  Do they have a yard at the shelter where you could have the two of them meet?  My shelter does.  Maybe that would be a good solution.  I wish you the best.

Answer 7

It is best that the dogs meet in a neutral area.  So the shelter is the best place.  You dogs could be possessive of their home and not want to accept the new dogs. If they meet at the shelter or a park area they can get to know each other and then when the new dog does home with you then they are buddies and it's OK to bring the new friend home.  

Your stressed dog need to have some work to make her more socialized and the best you can do if work with her.  Everyone who comes to your house should give her 1)no touches, 2)no eye contact, but give her 3)some treats. Eventually she thinks people over means treats,. Make sure she meets lots of other dogs, use leashes so she and the other dog are protected, but get her used to meeting other dogs, use treats when she is good and ignore her bad behavior.

She is miserable but socialized her will make her have a happier life.

Answer 8

Actually I think the dog would be a little less threatened to meet a new dog in a more neutral environment - at home, she might feel like her home turf is being invaded.

I have never heard of a shelter bringing the animal to your home.  the few I've ever dealt with had you bring your pet to them to meet the potential newcomer.

They might be able to suggest some way you can work with her her to help her be less afraid and become more social.

Good luck on your adoption, I hope you get CoCo and the two of them can become friends!

Answer 9

well maybe she wont mind it but idk..

just try it and if it doesnt work out then it wasnt meant to be