NO fence discussion

[corbinam]

I think that this can be a good rule for a rescue to "hide behind" if they have to (kind of like the 3 dog max. rule being used when necessary to stop hoarding) but if it's a deal breaker, I think that's unfair.

Our dogs didn't have a fenced in yard until about a year ago. They did just fine! As others have said, we had to make it even more of a point to make sure they got their exercise in.

Our neighbors have 2 young, active weimeraners and literally never pay any attention to them. They are outside in the yard 75% of the day, and fence chase at any chance they get. It is the only attention anyone ever pays them. Makes me sad.

 

[Emmasmom]

On the other side of the fence discussion, I need a fence. My father, as many of you know, is elderly and in very poor health, failing more each day. He is home alone with my dogs all day when I am at work. There is no way he would be able to walk them when they need it - he can't walk very far without suffering from severe shortness of breath. With the yard, he can be out with them and they get play time outside, safe and secure. I don't have to worry about him trying to walk them and collapsing, or having them pull him down.

 

[Meldor]

Sure having a fence is great both for owner and dogs, but not having one shouldn't be a cut-off.

I live in a condo therefore I need to make the time in the morning for a good walk. Then, in the evening, I go to a 3 acres field with a ball or Frisbee for a good 40 min to full hour, Kyara runs all her energy off while playing with me. She is safe with a 30 feet long tracking line that is very light so it's not slowing her down and is safely attached to my wrist. Sometimes I have to jump over it when she runs around me to make sure not to get tangled up, but better safe than sorry.

I know many people with dogs in fenced yard just barking away, incredibly bored and I can count 5 just around the field where I play with Kyara everyday.

Rescues should be offering in depth evaluation of the potential homes for their dogs and take many variables into account. As we can see in the text they do say:

Q. I live in an apartment on the 3rd floor. What can I do?

A. We will adopt a dog into this situation, providing it is the right dog, and the right person.

I agree, they should be finding out what their views of dog owning are, the routine they plan to have for the dog and what would make them give the dog back. But they should also apply the same logic to people in homes with an unfenced yard. Honestly, the condo complex manager really wouldn't care or do anything if I kept my dog off leash (even though I would not do that).


P.s: Clantyre, what a terrible thing to happen to that puppy . I am very sorry. I never liked flexies for many reasons. Teaches dog to pull, locks on them aren't secure (I see my brother's Mini-Daschound often pull the cord out even though it's supposed to be locked... imagine if it was a bigger stronger dog) and well you just gave me another reason to dislike them...

 

[danisgoat]

In my opinion, it is very important to remember that the rescues continue to always have the dogs best interest in mind. They do not make up rules just to be difficult. They want to place a dog in a forever home where the dog will be part of that family for a LONG time healthy and happy. They make their rules based on their own experiences. I have the utmost respect for those who run the breed specific rescues, and I have no doubt that their ultimate concern is to make sure that these dogs get placed in safe, secure homes that the dogs will live in forever.

 

[Silaria]

In my opinion, it is very important to remember that the rescues continue to always have the dogs best interest in mind. They do not make up rules just to be difficult. They want to place a dog in a forever home where the dog will be part of that family for a LONG time healthy and happy. They make their rules based on their own experiences. I have the utmost respect for those who run the breed specific rescues, and I have no doubt that their ultimate concern is to make sure that these dogs get placed in safe, secure homes that the dogs will live in forever.

Danielle, I agree 100% with this statement; I believe most here would. Rescues have a very difficult job and a lot of responsibility when it comes to the dogs in their care.

Some dogs do need to have the security of a fenced yard because they can be a flight risk or for other reasons. Some is the key word in that sentence, however. As we all know, a fence does not make someone a responsible dog owner. I think all people want is for the Rescues to be more open to case by case decisions based on both the dog and the potential owner.

When I was looking for a Sheltie 4.5 years ago, I contacted both breeders and rescues. The rescue in Ohio I contacted, the closest one to me in Pittsburgh, had a fence rule but, knowing we wanted to do agility and already owned dogs, we applied anyway. Unfortunately I'll never know if I would have gotten a dog from them or not because I purchased Edan before I heard back from the rescue.

My breeder, however, was a little unsure about the lack of a fence but gave us the benefit of the doubt because we wanted to do agility, had a plan for exercising him, and she got to meet our Melody (Candy was already at the Bridge for a year) who was a senior dog but happy and well adjusted. We know she's happy with her decision because she placed CJ with us a few years later.

 

[Narci]

The strangest I've seen was being turned down for a cat adoption because my "lifestyle was a bad influence"... they somehow assumed I was gay and this was relevant to cat ownership. That was bizarre.

It's sometimes worth it to volunteer with the organization, too, so they can see that you're good people and a good pet owner before the dog of your dreams comes through. We raised a hyperactive boxer puppy, who was an enormous financial, emotional and time commitment, for our rescue before trying to adopt Beau.

There were "old-school" "busybody" types who were trying to prevent our adoption because we "might move" and because we rent and because our pup was "too thin" (she ate almost twice the recommended amount of food she was so high energy. Ugh, people with obese dogs who have no idea what Boxers look like?)

Fortunately because of the puppy experience, we had someone in our corner who fought to let us keep him. It was extra ridiculous because Beau was already living at our house as a foster.

We do have a fenced yard, but it's just a convenience for doing business. Beau doesn't really exercise except on a leash, he waddles around at the dog park and ignores fetch games. He doesn't even like going outside without company. Going in the yard isn't exercise or simulation for him, just a place to pee when it's raining. Even then he likes it best if I come with him with an umbrella to keep his prissy feet dry.

We specifically chose a dog that would be an okay fit for our fence situation. We still walk or jog him a couple times a day, just like we would if we moved to a place without a fence.

There are dogs and lifestyles that DO greatly benefit from fences, but it's completely silly to say apartments without fences are fine but houses without fences are proof you don't love dogs. There are plenty of horribly neglected horribly unhappy dogs stuck behind fences getting no love and no good exercise, just being lonely and territorial.

 

[take4roll10]

I can understand the fence rule. These rescues take in dogs, spend lots of time, training, rehabilitating and/or nursing dogs to be healthy house pets. The last thing they want is to re-home a dog and find out it was allowed off leash in a non-fenced backyard and took off.

How many times have we heard about missing shelties that were just re-homed by a rescue or breeder and escaped from their new owner? It's not a rare occurrence.

However, I don't think the no-fence rule should be a deal breaker. I think every home and potential owner should be carefully screened and considered even if they don't have a fence. The rescue can always add text to the contract that states this dog is not allowed off leash in the yard, no matter how confident you feel about his recall abilities. If the rescue feels the owner will allow their dog off leash then no adoption.

And if you live in an apartment or house without a yard at all, I would assume this rule wouldn't apply to you?

 

[OntarioSheltie]

Danielle, I agree 100% with this statement; I believe most here would. Rescues have a very difficult job and a lot of responsibility when it comes to the dogs in their care.

Some dogs do need to have the security of a fenced yard because they can be a flight risk or for other reasons. Some is the key word in that sentence, however. As we all know, a fence does not make someone a responsible dog owner. I think all people want is for the Rescues to be more open to case by case decisions based on both the dog and the potential owner.

I can understand the fence rule. These rescues take in dogs, spend lots of time, training, rehabilitating and/or nursing dogs to be healthy house pets. The last thing they want is to re-home a dog and find out it was allowed off leash in a non-fenced backyard and took off.

How many times have we heard about missing shelties that were just re-homed by a rescue or breeder and escaped from their new owner? It's not a rare occurrence.

However, I don't think the no-fence rule should be a deal breaker. I think every home and potential owner should be carefully screened and considered even if they don't have a fence. The rescue can always add text to the contract that states this dog is not allowed off leash in the yard, not matter how confident you feel about his recall abilities. If the rescue feels the owner will allow their dog off leash then no adoption.

And if you live in an apartment or house no yard, I would assume this rule wouldn't apply to you?

Exactly! When you put so much time, effort and emotions into rehabing an animal, of course you want only the best for that animal. I just think that many rescues need to be a bit more open to evaluating possible homes on a case by case basis.

The strangest I've seen was being turned down for a cat adoption because my "lifestyle was a bad influence"... they somehow assumed I was gay and this was relevant to cat ownership. That was bizarre.

Just WOW.

What day and age to we live in again?

 

[Chris]

The strangest I've seen was being turned down for a cat adoption because my "lifestyle was a bad influence"... they somehow assumed I was gay and this was relevant to cat ownership. That was bizarre.

I don't know...I was at the Gay Pride Day Parade in New York City a few years back. All those gay cats, influenced by their deeeeeeeeeviant owners...

 

[Mikos_Mom]

I have absolutely no doubt that the welfare of the dogs is of the utmost importance to the rescue agency(ies)… but I think they're doing a DISservice to the dogs in their care, waiting for families to love them, by not evaluating each applicant/home on a case by case basis.

If someone presently has a dog (or had a dog for years) and does not have a fenced yard, then it's quite safe to assume that they understand the ramifications of dog ownership without a fenced yard. Those people would likely do just fine with another dog and no fenced yard.

The only requirement I really understand the rescues not giving-in on is the home ownership rule. The rental market is fierce here and there are VERY few landlords/management companies that allow pets. There are A LOT of dogs here that are surrendered because someone has to move and cannot find somewhere to live that will allow them to bring their dog.