S.n.
Bucyrus,#2Consumer Suggestion
Sat, August 07, 2004
I understand where the original poster is coming from. At no time should this person have brought a dog to her home and told her she was leaving the dog...that is not the appropirate way to re-home an abandoned or abused animal. What day the dog is placed should be a mutual agreement between the rescuer and the person adopting. I also disagree with giving anyone a postdated check. I have a checking account, savings account, and money market account. I don't keep a large amount in checking because it does not draw interest. When I do have to write a large check, I call the bank first and transfer money. Then I call the next day to moake sure the transfer was completed. The initial complaint by the original poster was the incompetent way this person is handling adoptions. If what she has said is true, she is correct.
Brian
Roseville,#3Consumer Comment
Fri, August 06, 2004
This was rather amusing to read you two going back and forth. Knilja you sound like you are wrapped to tight. I think theres more to the story. Also, you said "whin I told her I couln't pay the entire amount that day" that would indicate you didn't have the money wouldn't it. Thus a post dated check. You need a hot bubble bath or something. Good luck to you and I do hope it works out for you.
S.n.
Bucyrus,#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 05, 2004
Unfortunately I think you read my post incorrectly. I was telling you my perception of how a large possibly aggressive dog should be placed in a new home and completely agreeing with you that this person was doing everything all wrong. I did not read where you didn't have the money because you weren't prepared to take the dog that day and if my comment offended you, I apologize. Yes, I would have and I have asked how you afford to take care of the rest of your animals if you couldn't pay the adopt fee. (I also ask people when they are dumping an animal at what point they are going to dump their children!). There may be a few other things you can do. 1. If this person is advertising as a not for profit agency, you need to find out if they are registered with the federal and state government as a not for profit. 2. They should have liability insurance. Insurance companies do not allow rescues to keep or adopt out animals that bite. Unless the dog bit out of fear or a move that you shouldn't have made around him (and the person who was adopting the dog should have known what might upset him ad his behavior should have been fully explained to you before the dog was even brought to your home), the dog should not be adopted out at all. 3. Contact the state and find out what the rules and regulations are for having a rescue organization and ask that they investigate. 4. Going to small claims court for your money should work. You could also go to the District Attorney's office and tell them this person committed fraud if you were never told (and it is not in your contract) that you would not be refunded if you did not keep the dog. I do appreciate your posting this to warn others about your experience. One bad rescue group makes the rest of us look bad, too.
L
Portland,#5REBUTTAL Individual responds
Wed, August 04, 2004
In response to SN: Either your perception of what I wrote is incorrect or I didn't communicate it properly because your responses just don't make sense to me. I'm rebutting your comments numbered here and then trying to add some more. After that, I'm not going to spend any more time, stress or negative energy on this matter. Thank you for taking your time for the positive parts of your comments though. 1. I've owned and loved 4 Purebred Rottweilers for over 13 years. I also rescued Rotts, Boxers and Goldens. I've also rescued many other smaller breeds over the last 40 years. I do have experience with rescue shelters, rescuing, and training large dogs' etc. 2.The Rescue person did NOT check my references. 3. She was in a big hurry to drop the dog off during the interview which I had NOT agreed to or been warned of. 4. You may not have had a rescue dog returned but this woman has had a few dogs returned and even abandoned..(This is posted on their ad) and she told me about them. 5. I didn't write in my complaint that I couldn't afford the adoption fee. And it's insulting of you to assume what I can or can't afford. I wasn't prepared to pay it or take the dog "that day". No matter what you may think, I do have that right to decide when I want to pay for something. That doesn't mean I can't afford it! In adoptions before, I've always gone through a lengthy application process. If I couldn't afford medical care I wouldn't have even bothered looking for a pet. If I were financially restricted, I wouldn't consider another pet, let alone the pets I already have...what about my horses? What about my cats? What about my children? Would you ask me if I can afford them? Please reread the complaint..it had nothing to do with affording it...it had to do with being pressured into it. When people start putting money ahead of the dog's welfare...this is what happens. 6. I am filing a small claim against the company that's all I can do. As far as the next person this may happen to, it looks like I won't be able to have any way of stopping this woman from doing it again. This dog just went back out the door to the 3rd adopter (that's 3 adoption fees). In my opinion and experience, this was a scam..Here's the deal: You advertise a sweet lovable dog, you gain the publics trust by naming your company with the word "rescue" in it because most of us know a "rescue" organization would never rip us off right? Then you rush and pressure the adopter through the process and then you make sure you can take the dog back (because you know the dog won't fit the home it's placed in). When you come right back to pick up the dog, you refer to your contract and tell the poor sap that they signed a contract that says the money is non-refundable. You don't offer the person to help with the dog and you don't offer them to look at the other 25 dogs you have available. Hmmm...that doesn't sound like we have the dogs best interest in mind yet does it? In less than 60 hours, the ex-adopter is left with no dog, no money, no nothing! And there is no law against it. Other than me listing a complaint here and filing a small claims that's about all I can do. I have been in the animal business and so has my family, (combined) for over a century. I would never treat a customer like this. If someone had any issue with any animal or pet they got from me whether paid for or free, I would do everything in my power to help them. I don't believe in constantly looking for how to rip people off or looking for the worst in every person. I even offered this woman half of the money for her time and effort But she wanted all of that because that was her "plan". She wasn't in it for negotiations. It was strictly in and out. I posted this to warn people or at least help them to be more aware before doing business from private ads on the Internet and classifieds.
S.n.
Bucyrus,#6Consumer Suggestion
Tue, August 03, 2004
If if this what truly happened to you, I am terribly sorry. I work with a large breed rescue and some breeds can be aggressive. Because these dogs are rescued and sometimes we do not have first hand knowledge of their background, we keep them in foster care in order to be able to determine if they are adoptable and what time of home is most suited to them. We do an initial application, check references, do a home visit/inspection, have the potential adopter meet the dog and then either deliver the dog to it's new home or have the new owner pick it up. I personally prefer to deliver the dog so that I can watch it's reactions and know that everything is going to be all right. There is always someone in our rescue group that can answer questions if the foster parent is not available. I personally have never had a dog returned, but sometimes things just don't work out and we try to understand those situations. We also try to work with the new owners if there are any issues that come up after the dog has been adopted. The person you adopted from is not doing the rescued dogs any favors. I also would have been concerned if you told me you could not afford the adoption fee. If you can't afford the fee to adopt the dog (and we are always up front with the adoption fees), how could you afford to get medical care for the dog in an emergency? I can understand keeping part of the fee because it does take time and effort. Everyone in our group is an unpaid volunteer and any money brought in is used to save the next dog in need. I don't understand her keeping all of the adoption fee. If you truly believe this woman should not be dealing with large breed rescued dogs, contact your local veterinarian and ask if they know who could speak to about it.