animal rescue organizations
Okay, more thinking about other things because I've written 22 abstracts in a row and I really, really need a break.
As y'all know, I've been looking into adopting a dog. Over the last month, I've gotten to look at a wide variety of different dog-rescue groups and different adoption policies. Some of it seems perfectly logical, but some of it seems like it's going way, way too far.
Particularly:
-With one group, you never own the dog. You get "custody" in exchange for your >$100 adoption fee, but you never actually get ownership to the dog. The rescue group forever owns the dog, and you must keep their tags on the dog for the rest of her life. I don't even have the words for how much I object to this one.
-Some groups don't publish their adoption fees. They make mention of "for a fee" or "for a small fee", but don't say what the fee *is.* Likewise, the same group as the above doesn't publish its adoption application, but say that "the application will be given after a telephone interview". No, sorry, I want to read the small print and see the terms *before* I have lengthy contact with you.
-Some groups don't publish their contract, but only make it available after an application and interview are completed. Again, same complaint-- I want *all* terms to any legal transaction to which I will be a party available for my review way before I go through the whole meeting a dog, applying, interviewing, and home visiting process. I find this and the one above rather dishonest.
-Some groups want the rights to always be able to check up on the dog, without notice. I understand the desire to make sure the dog isn't being tethered outdoors in violation of the contract. But my yard is fenced and gated, in order to make this check, the animal rescue person would have to open the gate and enter my yard. While I'm asleep. And all of the windows that front to that part of the yard have no curtains or blinds on them (we're working on this, but that's the case at the moment). Sorry, I do NOT want strangers wandering around my property peeping in my windows while I'm sleeping! Nor do I want uninvited guests pounding on my front door while I'm trying to sleep demanding the right to enter my house. I value my privacy entirely too much to be comfortable with this.
I'm fine with interviews, insisting on classes, home visits, adoption fees, and trial periods. Am I crazy to find the above items to be a bit too much?
As y'all know, I've been looking into adopting a dog. Over the last month, I've gotten to look at a wide variety of different dog-rescue groups and different adoption policies. Some of it seems perfectly logical, but some of it seems like it's going way, way too far.
Particularly:
-With one group, you never own the dog. You get "custody" in exchange for your >$100 adoption fee, but you never actually get ownership to the dog. The rescue group forever owns the dog, and you must keep their tags on the dog for the rest of her life. I don't even have the words for how much I object to this one.
-Some groups don't publish their adoption fees. They make mention of "for a fee" or "for a small fee", but don't say what the fee *is.* Likewise, the same group as the above doesn't publish its adoption application, but say that "the application will be given after a telephone interview". No, sorry, I want to read the small print and see the terms *before* I have lengthy contact with you.
-Some groups don't publish their contract, but only make it available after an application and interview are completed. Again, same complaint-- I want *all* terms to any legal transaction to which I will be a party available for my review way before I go through the whole meeting a dog, applying, interviewing, and home visiting process. I find this and the one above rather dishonest.
-Some groups want the rights to always be able to check up on the dog, without notice. I understand the desire to make sure the dog isn't being tethered outdoors in violation of the contract. But my yard is fenced and gated, in order to make this check, the animal rescue person would have to open the gate and enter my yard. While I'm asleep. And all of the windows that front to that part of the yard have no curtains or blinds on them (we're working on this, but that's the case at the moment). Sorry, I do NOT want strangers wandering around my property peeping in my windows while I'm sleeping! Nor do I want uninvited guests pounding on my front door while I'm trying to sleep demanding the right to enter my house. I value my privacy entirely too much to be comfortable with this.
I'm fine with interviews, insisting on classes, home visits, adoption fees, and trial periods. Am I crazy to find the above items to be a bit too much?