Very good sentences....Kansas City Adoptions

"Obviously, there are thousands of animals at shelters in Kansas City, and I think a lot of groups go out of their way to make it hard for people to adopt. Kansas City is a metropolitan area. A lot of people live in lofts, condos and apartments. They don’t have backyards. But that doesn’t mean they can’t offer a good home."

This is my quote in an article written by a frustrated Kansas City reporter who was looking to adopt a Boxer and was denied by several rescues for not having a yard, and by another because she already had a dog of the same gender at home (even though she was adopting a puppy and her dog at home got along better with same gender dogs) and had other groups who failed to even return her calls or emails.  So she wrote a story about the experience, and strict adoption requirements at shelters and rescues.

 I have no idea why so many groups still hold onto blanket policies like this. This doesn't mean you're adopting to bad homes, it just means you have to ask the right questions and match the right people with the right dogs and cats.

Thanks Jenee for telling your story and for letting me be a part of it.

Comments

[Keira Fritzen]

I agree with you & your quote. I have worked with a rescue in the past that went so far as to state what kind of foods you could feed & what types of collars/harnesses you could or could not use. It's a great rescue, but they are going to far & will alienate good potential homes.

[Joel]

I have two male dogs. When same-sex marriage is legalized here in California, these two will be first in line.

I don't have a yard. I take them out for two long walks a day, and put them on leashes for their pee breaks. It's not that freaking hard.

I defy anyone to come tell me I'm not a perfectly adequate dog owner.

[Rachel]

Amen! I've had two males at once and two females at once. They loved each other so much and got along great. I've been turned down because I work and the dog would have been alone for 8 hours a day. I feel that in their quest to find good homes, they focus on things that a) are usually a matter of opinion, such as collar vs harness, and b) can be quantified. If the home is loving, won't give the dog up, can provide food, shelter, adequate exercise, and most important, LOVE, then the little things shouldn't matter quite so much.

[kmk]

I read Jenee's article and it was a good article with some good points, but I bristled at the "We privately adopted the baby boxer a couple of weeks ago from a family in Kansas".

No, sweetie. you BOUGHT a Boxer puppy from a breeder.

[kmk]

Oh, and congrats, Brent, on the quote and the good press for KC Pet Project.

[5pitbulls]

if you REALLY want to adopt and don't have a fenced yard or already have a dog of the same sex (both instances I encountered when looking to adopt first a Greyhound and then an English Bull Terrier)here is what you do: identify the rescue you want to adopt from and then BECOME A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER. When you show you are serious about fostering and making the extra effort to educate yourself and provide the additional effort that a no-fence or same-sex living environment requires, RESCUES WAIVE REQUIREMENTS. They know you are serious and capable because you have already demonstrated it in the most sincere and beneficial way possible to the rescue. Problem solved.
Rules exist to protect the dog and prevent the most common issues with new homes. Rescues are willing to waive these rules when they know it is safe for the dog to do so.
(My home now includes six personal rescues and three fosters, six of them FEMALE bully breeds and yes it does take mindfulness and good leadership and it's not for everyone, but for those have the will there is always a way.)

[Brent]

5 pit bulls -- it's a good strategy, butit shouldn't be that hard though.