Amanda,
Isn't the shelter obligated to do temperament testing prior to adopting out this dog? I'm under the impression that the testing isn't done on the dog immediately upon its arrival at the shelter, but after it has "settled" in a bit. I adopted a Belgian mix approx. 5 months ago. She was a surrender, and was in the shelter for 3 months before I adopted her. She is the most loyal, devoted, companion I could ask for. She does have some issues though, that I am working through. Fortunately for her, through the temperament testing it was determined that she would do best in a house that was quiet and without kids. I think most shelters want to place animals in the most appropriate home, so they are not resurrendered! So, if this dog fits the bill so to speak, then perhaps it would fit in with your family and current situation.
I'd like to think that our dogs "find" us! I know mine did! Good Luck
Linda

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Originally posted by Cheryl Gee:

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Shelters are great but the end result is that they want money, screw everything else. Let that be somebody else's problem.

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Brennan Reese

Animal shelters are either government or privatly funded which is the case with most humane societys. Animals are either brought in as stays or owner surrenders. Each animal must be provided with fresh water,shelter, food,and a clean enviornment to live in. All of these things cost money. Maybe some animal shelters are not what we would like them to be but sure is better then starvation,exposure to the elements,and fear. Sorry to hear you think shelters only want money. Most are poorly funded.

As I stated before, "Shelters only want money." Funding has very little to do with it. Unless you've been behind the scenes ex. WORKING at a shelter, not VOLUNTEERING ex. walking a dog, you watch too much tv. I'm sure you're one of those people that watch animal planet for 12 hours a day everyday and think that shelters all over the country work that way.

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Originally posted by Amanda Dimick:
Brennan the shelter scenario is not the same everywhere. Even the individual shelters on Long Island all operate differently. This particular shelter impressed me a lot. They said they will need a vet reference and they want to come to our home to see where the dog will be living and to see if the yard is fenced.Why? They do this with certain breeds such as: Pitbulls, Rottweilers and Malinois etc.
Also the reason the dog is there as I stated is she was picked up as a stray. There are lots of people out there that lose a dog and don't bother trying to hunt it down. Does it mean they purposely dumped the dog onto the curb? Not necessarily. Theye are several purebred GSDs, Labs and even a St. Bernard at the local shelters right now. It's just not the same everywhere.

I am very aware that it is not the same everywhere. My county doesn't allow us to adopt out Pits, Rotts or Chows or a dog that is 80% predominate of either of those 3 breeds or dogs that are are mix of either of the 3 breeds together. I euthanize animals everyday and most of them are those "policy" dogs. I understand the Chows because I always see problems with them, outside of the AKC. I don't however understand the Rotts and Pits. I put down more good dogs Rotts and Pits) than bad dogs multiplied by 3. Space sometimes is an issue but not often. Our contract that adopters sign say that we can at anytime come to your house to see the situation of the dog but rarely do we do that. They don't properly temperment test these dogs and then they get upset at the adopters when they return them for behavior problems. Another problem that I am now seeing are dogs that suffer from what we call "kennel craze", where they have been locked in these cages for however long and they become extremely aggressive and very unpredictable. I hear a lot of people say they got a good dog from a shelter but I think it's overwhelming if we actually saw the stats on dogs that were returned, bit someone or euthanized for problems that 1 could have been prevented or 2 should have warranted that animal to be put down from day 1.

Brennan, if the shelter in your area is that bad you need to blow the whistle on it. The shelter in my area just underwent a complete administrative overhaul, and it much better. The county kicked the APS out and it now managing it by themselves. The APS was doing a crappy job (mainly because of a few key people) and I am glad they got the boot.

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Originally posted by Lauren Woods:
Brennan, if the shelter in your area is that bad you need to blow the whistle on it. The shelter in my area just underwent a complete administrative overhaul, and it much better. The county kicked the APS out and it now managing it by themselves. The APS was doing a crappy job (mainly because of a few key people) and I am glad they got the boot.

It won't do anyone here any good. It was run by the county, but is now run by the United Animal Coalition. When the UAC took over it supposedly got a lot better. It would take a lot, and I mean A LOT for any changes to happen. The backwards A** S*** they do is gonna bite them on the butt when somebody that works there (like me) gets hurt. Luckily for me it's not me that people get mad at and threaten to do bodily harm. I have about a month left and then it's off to the police academy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Brennan,this animal controll facility sounds terrible. Someone needs to start a humane society in your area. Dogs should not be put down because of the breed.Enough said, this is going way off the topic. And I do not watch animal planet all day. I am also currently a paid employee at one of the best humane societys in this state.

Let's not make this a shelter vs non shelter dog topic. I prefer a Mal with rock solid nerves and super high drive but this dog needs a home and since I came across her while looking for my boy who is lost himself, she already has a place in my heart. I used to rescue and rehome Chihuahuas. Most of them were biters that I rehabilitated in a short period of time. It's very easy for me to take a Chihuahua with an attitude problem and fix it. I asked about the Malinois because I am wondering if anyone had some ideas on her nervous problem and how she might do once in a secure environment. She has every reason to be nervous after being on the street for a while and now locked up in a noisy shelter. I just hope she won't remain a nervous wreck. She relaxes more when she's taken into the indoor playroom than when she's taken outside where there's lots of traffic noise. My GSD now reacts when we walk near busy traffic. She doesn't become a nervous wreck but you can see that she remembers being lost. I can only imagine where my boy is now. I just hope and pray that he's safe inside someone's house and that I get a phone call one day. I have to go cry now.

I wouldn't take that dog for anything. It isn't going to replace the dog you lost and it doesn't sound like the best place for it now anyway.

Amanda,
I have been reading your posts since you lost your dog. I notice you referenced the breeder from Long Island, I am from Queens. I assume you are from the same area? If you decide to not take the Mal, I am trying to find a home for a really nice purebred male Yellow Lab 16/mo. The dog is with a vet tech friend that has two cats and very little house space. I have seen the dog 55/60 lbs., very gentle dog, plays frisbee in the park , never runs off. He comes from a situation that was not his fault. If I had the room I'd take him. PM me if you would like more info. I apologize for using the board for placing a dog but sometimes you just do what you gotta do.
Jerry <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />