Adopt a pet/pet rescue

[raingirl]

Hello,

Last night I met one of my neighbours and her dog. He was a collie/sheppard mix. VERY well behaved and she said he is an amazing apartment dog. I would never have though either of those breeds would be a good fit for an apartment.

Anyway, I just saw this post on petfinder and he's like a mirror image!! He has the exact same characteristics!!

This dog seems like an amazing dog, but the requirements set by the rescue are rather impossible for me. I know the rescue has the right to set their own rules, but I don't own a car. It's a 3 hour drive, and we would have to do it at least twice. We have nice relatives who lend us cars when we need to, but that is a little far. I have a "dog fund" but I really don't want to use that money to rent a car.

Any suggestions or should I let it go?

[LL1]

I'd borrow a car and go and meet the dog.

[m_apol]

I would have the time and the car but my left side mirror is busted. Sowwy. Hope somebody can help you out.

[raingirl]

I would love to borrow a car, but the usualy people we do it from (sister and BF's parents) won't be possible. We can't borrow my sis's car for anything dog related because her hubby is deathly allergic to dogs. And we can only borrow the Bf's parents car for short periods, not a whole day (they have only one car and it's needed for work 7 days a week by three people).

I won't worry about it then. It was nice but it just seems like they are VERY strict and probably won't adopt to us anyway. I would hate to start the process and then if they approve me, tell them I can't go (the rescuer seems to be peeved about stuff like that, based on her BOLD WRITING!!).

Anyone ever had a dog of this mix?

[heidiho]

Your mirror is busted???Can you get a ticket for that??

[LL1]

Their policies don't look overly strict to me, I have dealt with them by email and they seem quite nice.

[raingirl]

But their website says not to email them, otherwise I would.

Scratch that..I just went to their site. They used to have something on there (last I checked a few weeks ago) that said DO NOT E-MAIL US with inquires or something like that.

I just don't want to apply if I can't get there, that's all.

[Joelle]

Hi Raingirl!

Listen, if this is the dog you want then don't let a few kilometers stop ya! I know the drive might be far but if you said relatives would lend you their cars go for it. OR I might suggest emailing or calling the adoption place, explain your situation that you really like the dog but that distance prevents you from going up there. Maybe that way you can meet halfway, save you some mileage! I think these people are just tired of being burned...If you sound sincere they should go out of there way to help you!

Good Luck!

Joelle

[Lucky Rescue]

(the rescuer seems to be peeved about stuff like that, based on her BOLD WRITING!!).

If they're peeved, it's probably for good reason. Many people do not bother reading any of the info posted before applying for a pet. I think many of them just see the pic and email right away to ask questions to which the answers are clearly stated if only they would read them.

N0-shows are common and VERY annoying. We recently had someone wanting a cat, but could not go to the foster's home because of distance. She really, really wanted the cat. Debbie went to the foster, got the cat and brought it to her house so the adopter could come. No show, and no call either. When this person was contacted she said, "Oh sorry - I got a cat closer to me."

The cat had to be taken back to the foster. A whole day wasted, the foster disturbed and the cat put through unnecessary stress.

That is just one small example, and if you could see the emails and phone calls we get, you would understand why patience can be lost.

[mastifflover]

I agree people are not considerate of others when it comes to cancelling does it take that much time to pick up a phone. I think people have forgotten manners. Raingirl where is the dog? I might have a solution or part of one

[raingirl]

I can totally understand where they are coming from. That's why I don't want to apply unless I can get there (which really isn't possible). I don't want to apply, get approved and then say "sorry, I can't get there".

I will e-mail the woman and ask if I should fill out an app if I don't have a way to get there yet. I'll see what she says.

The dog is in Lucknow Ontario, south of georgian bay (near Walkerton).

I wonder if his ears are always like in the picture?

[Lucky Rescue]

Anyone ever had a dog of this mix?

Just to answer that question: Yes, our last dog had those breeds (collie/GSD) in him. He was a good dog - well behaved, intelligent and sensible. He was a good watch dog and would bark when anyone came to the house.

Is there a bus that could take you there for the visit? If so, and if you want him I'm sure that with all the ON people on this board someone could help you go get him.

[raingirl]

Ohh...that's any idea.

I'm on hold with greyhound canada right now...

OK. Just spoke with the person at the bus company. They have a bus. Takes about 6 hours one way (toronto to london to lucknow, using 2 bus companies), in the afternoon only (2:45PM), and would have to stay the night and come back the next day as there are no return buses same day..

I guess that won't work..

[Spurby]

I like what this rescue says on their petfinder ad with the dog up for adoption!!

I like this crazy head too

Raingirl, e-mail them, and tell them your situation, i don't know this rescue, but they "may" want to work with you on this, offer for them to call you collect, or you try calling them.

[Katrina5256]

There are so many dogs at local shelters...you may find the one you are looking for. Try giving them a call to see what they have or stopping by if you can only get the car for a short period of time. It is worth a shot.

~I had my heart set on a dog from 3 hours away from me at a shelter from petfinder. I waited a few weeks after applying to find out I had been beat to it and the dog found a great home. I went to a local shelter NOT to adopt but just check it out. I just wanted to see because you never know. I found my match and took her home shortly after. I could not be happier now.

[Shelby]

Why don't you catch a bus/train to the shelter for the first couple of trips, and then once the rescue approve you, you can then hire a car to pick up the dog?

[raingirl]

Well, I got an e-mail back which basically said, "we do not deliver dogs, if that is what you are asking, and you must attend for several return visits wich are required to adopt a dog from us (including interview, visit, and pickup)" (loosely quoted). SO I guess that is out of the question. I can't borrow a car 3 times for over 7 hours, and I can't afford to rent that many times either. Cute guy though.

Shelby, it's not a shelter, its a rescue. And there is only a bus there that would mean I would have to get there later in the evening, and would have to rent a room for the night, and leave the next morning. Probably would cost more that way than renting a car. Plus, the bus ride is over 6 hours each way.

I've been to the local shelter here several times (every few weeks), but there aren't many dogs there. I know this sounds odd, because if I look at the shelter pages for other shelters in the GTA the have at least 10 or more dogs! My local shelter usualy only has one or two and that's it. Usually I call and see if they are the same ones as last time. They actually have 2 pittbulls right now that have been there for months that are very aggresive that they aren't really going to adopt out they told me. There are no other dogs right now.

There are also no rescues or other shelters in my city, and I can only borrow a car to travel within the city...and the buses suck here...there isn't even a bus that goes to the Brampton animal shelter..how stupid is that?

I guess I just feel guilty when I borrow a car, since we've done it so much in the last 2 years.

[LL1]

There are several dogs in need close to Brampton, and rescues that are based elsewhere may have foster homes there as well. Mississauga Humane is just one - they have all kinds of dogs. Caledon Pound is not too far, and Orangeville isn't either. Toronto isn't that far either, and there are tons of shelters in the GTA.

If you want to adopt you will have to either drive or get someone to drive you or take the transit.

[raingirl]

I have looked at the shelters and rescues in brampton and the GTA, and ask questions whenever I see a dog I'm interested in. I don't mind travelling around Toronto, but I've never seen anything in the shelters (I've only been looking on petharbor for shelters) that I like, or if I like one, by the time I hear back, they are already adopted.

I can't get to Mississauga, Orangeville or Caledon (Don't know where that one is) by transit. I'm a toronto native and there every day so I have no problems there, but I don't know where any of the shelters actually are. I've only looked online.

We can't find anyone willing to lend us a car to drive outside of brampton, and no one is willing to take us currently...so it's either within Brampton (on transit) or toronto on transit right now.

I am keeping my eyes peeled. I was told in the beginning that if a rescue was serious about adopting out a dog, they would bring it to you, which is what I have been hoping for, or meeting halfway.

I know how much it sucks not having a car. And it's a choice that we don't have a car, not a money thing. I hate cars. They are gas guzzling polution machines. The only car I would consider getting is a "Smart" unless they come out with solar cars some time soon.

The only family I have is one sister and I have no friends in Brampton. NONE. I know a total of 10 people in Brampton. The only people I know are my sis and my boyfriend and his family. And they are getting a little sick of lending us a car.

I hope I'm not coming off defensive. I just tend to get overly excited when I see a dog on petfinder I like, then realise I cant get it.

[Lucky Rescue]

I really understand your frustration. I had a few disappointments too when I was looking for a dog.

I was told in the beginning that if a rescue was serious about adopting out a dog, they would bring it to you, which is what I have been hoping for, or meeting halfway.

And what if they drive 3 or more hours to bring the dog to someone, and that person then says "No thanks - not what I want."? Or they agree to meet someone halfway and that person doesn't bother showing up?

I"m sure you wouldn't do that, but they don't know you and other people probably have done JUST that.

[raingirl]

I know. And I understand that. I'm not asking people 3 hours away to come to me, but maybe Toronto, Mississauga, or surrounding areas wouldn't be that hard. Besides, most of these places want to do a home visit too right?

I have heard of a "pet fair" one of the rescues is running in a few weeks that I plan to attend. I have been interested in several of their pets but never got a response to my calls. It will be nice to go see them all at one place. I wish more rescues did this.

[LL1]

There are tons of dogs in Toronto, in shelters and rescues. With the shelters I would just pop in and look around. TAS has several locations in Toronto, and are on petharbor, and you can look on petfinder.com as well.

I don't know rescues that would bring a dog to you for a meeting, most will ask you to go to them, I do.

Here are shelters:

TAS West Region
146 The East Mall
phone: 416-338-6271
fax: 416-338-6272

TAS Central Region
2700 Eglinton Ave. W.
phone: 416-338-6281
fax: 416-338-6282

TAS North Region
1300 Sheppard Ave. W.
phone: 416-338-8723
fax: 416-338-8585

TAS South Region
Horse Palace, Exhibition Place
140 Princes' Blvd.
phone: 416-338-6668
fax: 416-338-6688

TAS East Region (Scarborough)
821 Progress Ave.
phone: 416-338-7539
fax: 416-338-7536

Toronto Humane is at 11 River Street

There are alot of rescues. Adopt A Dog Save a Life is in Toronto and always has a ton of dogs

Snookie's, Speaking of Dogs, etc - did you try some of them?

Ann and Pete have an adoption day " SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20TH 2004 ***** we will be holding our monthly Adopt-a-thon from10:30 to 2:30 in North York at Paws and Claws pet supply store located on the Longo plaza, one block South of 401 on North East corner of Leslie and York Mills. Address: 808 York Mills Rd. Telephone number for Paws and Claws: (416) 449-3338 or Ann and Pete at: (905) 939 - 2692. ++++++++COME AND MEET SOME OF OUR FURRY FRIENDS++++++++ "

Canadian dog rescue does this as well, this weekend: SUN OCT 31; 10am-2:30pm - you can get their by Go train and transit:

"Storey Park Community Centre 101 Mill Street
Oshawa Ontario

from the 401 take the Simcoe St turnoff, go north for 1/2 mile, there is a Kentucky Fried Chicken on the corner, turn left for 1/2 mile. We are on the left hand side" website: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/ca...gadoption.html

[raingirl]

There's a shelter at exhibiton place? I didn't know that. I will be in that area tonight. THey are open until 7pm. I'm calling them now to see where they are located exactly.

The reason it's kinda important that a dog come to us is that Go Transit doesn't allow pets on it. THerefore, if we find a dog in Toronto, we have no way to get it home. At least TTC allows animals. While I can get to see animals, I can't get them home.

Dogs, cats, and other animals, except seeing-eye, hearing-ear, or special-needs dogs required by passengers for independent travel, are not permitted on GO Transit services.

I plan on going to the Ann & Petes one, but I can't get to Oshawa.

[LL1]

I guess I am getting confused. Why will you go see a dog in Toronto and when you said you can't get it home? So now is it only dogs in Brampton? How come you can't go to Oshawa, you said you could before?

You may run into problems with this, I know for myself, I would not take someone very seriously if they didn't make arrangements to come and meet the dog, I wouldn't think it was that important to them to be honest so you may encounter people that feel that way.

[LL1]

It's the new one shelter - it opened in June 2003.

[Writing4Fun]

LL1, the TTC allows pets on board, but GO doesn't. She can reach the place where Anne & Pete's is having their adoption fair by TTC. Oshawa is only accessible by GO. Maybe she could get to Oshawa before because she could borrow the car, but that situation has changed?

Geez! I really feel for you, Raingirl! I don't know what I'd do without my car!

[LL1]

But she will not be able to get home by TTC from Ann and Pete's - so she will still have a problem with that.

[Writing4Fun]

??Really?? Why not? If she can get there by TTC, and they allow pets on board, why wouldn't she be able to get home? Maybe I've missed a point (wouldn't be the first time ).

[LL1]

She's in Brampton and the TTC does not go to Brampton - that's why she said she can't get a dog from Toronto home I think.

[raingirl]

Hahaha. Sorry for confusing everyone.

I don't remember saying I could get to Oshawa. There is a go train that direction, but it's a little far east. I think I said GTA, but I guess I don't consider Oshawa in the GTA. My parents live in Pickering effective November, so maybe after then I could make arrangements to stay with them and borrow a car...but then again, I couldn't use the car to bring a dog back home because my mother is allergic and she would KILL me if I used her car for that.

What I was trying to say is that if I went and saw I dog I assumed that some home visit might have to be done? And I assumed that's when they bring the dog?? I don't know, I've never done this before.

If I went to this thing at Ann & Petes, I would have to take the dog same day?? I don't think I could do that.

I'm really not trying to limit myself. I guess I was always under the assumption there are home visits where they bring the dogs??

I've been using go transit for a while and there are a few regular drivers on my route. Maybe I will ask one of the really nice ones if I could sneak a dog on...

I wish TTC went to Brampton. It only goes as far as the airport..but Brampton transit doesn't go to the airport. I could conceivably take TTC to the airport, take Mississauga transit to some bus depot where it meets with Brampton transit. Could take a few hours, but I would eventually get home.