Denied cat adoption due to intact dog.

[Labradorks]

I like cats a lot, just not the claws, and while kittens are super cute and funny, I don't really want to live with one at the moment, plus I would never personally want to de-claw a kitten, but I prefer to live with a declawed cat. So, I've been looking for a dog-friendly adult cat that is already de-clawed.

Recently, I found one that could be a good fit, and filled out an application. I did not look at the rules for adoption because I felt pretty confident that I would be a good candidate. I'm already an approved foster home for three breed rescues locally that I have helped out in a pinch for friends in my dog training club over the past year, and that includes home visits, references, application, etc. for each rescue.

Yesterday I received an email that the cat would not do well in a home with two dogs (understood) and that their policy is not to adopt cats out to those with intact pets. If I had read that on their website, I probably would simply have not applied, or I would have and explained why my pup is intact, as I am clearly a responsible dog owner, and assumed it would not apply (as I am not a puppymiller, BYBer, etc). I did explain why my pup was intact on the application as they gave a spot to tell them whether or not the pet was intact and why. But, at the end of her paragraph after telling me about their rule, she writes: "Please don't breed or buy when millions of shelter pets die!". And that really ticked me off!

While I understand that it can be difficult to place a dog with an intact dog, there should really be no reason why a cat cannot be placed with an intact dog. Talk about millions of shelter pets dying -- cats certainly lead the pack in overcrowding and euthanasia. I get irresponsible pet owners. I get puppy mills. I get BYBs. But I don't get this. I am clearly not an irresponsible dog or pet owner. I think her comment is very short-sighted, selfish, and ignorant, in this particular case.

I have not emailed her back yet as I haven't had the time until now and I didn't want to do it while I was particularly annoyed. I want to get past annoyed to the "public education" part. While I realize an email will not sway her, I think she is completely unaware of the purebred dog community, and I can't let this go without saying something.

[CaraDeo]

I wonder if she feels the same way about parents who elect to have children instead of adopt.

[Berna]

That is plain stupid!! I would be so angry.

[windycanyon]

How very frustrating that this is still going on despite all the new publications on why it's better to wait for dogs to mature before altering...
I run into this w/ my pup owners not being able to take their intact "pups" to certain boarding kennels or doggy day cares regularly too.
The good news is that some vets are helping spread the word. I sold a pup to one recently, and he is 100% on board w/ current thinking.

[Snowshoe]

Phooey, you'd be a great home.

[labby]

They lost out on a good home for their cat didn't they?

[barry581]

So basically you are trying to do what they are asking you to do (adopt), but they won't let you because you have an intact dog. Well, that makes a lot of sense.

[Tanya]

So while I don't necessarily agree with their reasoning and very much don't agree with their low blow comment, rescues often just have rules. hard rules. They may not be the best rule but, they make the rule and it's really up to them. Some lab rescues will not adopt to anyone in an apartment or without a fence. some rescues won't adopt to families with young kids. Generally it's because the majority of the people in those situation (not all, but many) are reasons dogs are dumped/returned.

The rescues I work with personally would not adopt to people with intact dogs unless they have a legit reason. Such as, the dog is not done growing, the dog has health issues and surgery would be too risky, the dog is competing in conformation and getting their testing done and if all goes well they may be bred. But most people who apply with intact dogs are not part of this group. They didn't have the money, they didn't think dogs should be neutered, blah blah blah.

We denied a foster for having an intact dog. He planned to breed his BC to an aussie cuz he wanted another from that line. This "line" came from a BC he picked up at a shelter, did not fix, the dog got away and had a few litters (got away repeatedly) and the dogs were so awesome some random "breeder" took a puppy to breed. We could not have someone that breeds mixes, breeds dogs without doing ANY of the work no matter how "nice" a person they may be, represent our rescue.

But, bottom line you sounds like you are doing everything right so in your case the rescues I volunteer for would accept that, but some rescues just stick to their rules.

[4Thelove]

wow, that is really a shame, can understand your disappointment. Good job in waiting to reply to the e-mail

[Bamps]

Oh well they would know better than you if your house would be suitable for a cat. (Yes, I'm being facetious)