Rescues have these rules in place for the protection of the animal. We simply want the pet placed in the very best home, with a loving family who will care for the animal for the rest of their life. We do not want the pet to continue a life of being passed from shelter to shelter or home to home, like a piece of unwanted property. These are companion animals who give us unconditional love and deserve a stable, happy life. We want nothing more than to help them achieve that goal. Depending on the type of animal, many rescues have stringent rules, such as age limits, that reject applications from families with young children (who can be bitten or scratched) or seniors (who may soon face living in a retirement center that does not allow animals). Some do not adopt to single parents, the unemployed, those living in outlying areas (coyote country), homes without fences, allow only indoor pets, must have owned a prior pet for several years, never gave away an animal or have an unaltered pet at home. The list goes on and on.
Catnip & Carrots believes in "one adoption at a time." We operate under the 3 part process above but we look at all the factors involved and take each application on a case by case basis. Quite honestly, we've seen very well behaved 4 year olds and 14 year olds who are complete terrors. We've seen beautiful million dollar homes with owners who believe pets should be outdoors only and shabby apartments with tenants that live solely for their pets. We've had seniors who had their family promise us they'd take a pet should tragedy strike and adult children threaten to euthanize their recently deceased parents pet, if we didn't take it immediately. We realize no one is perfect, including us, and we owe that precious animal sitting patiently in a cage, the chance for a good home. We interview extensively, ask lots of questions, then use our best judgment. Not every adoption is approved. But, we feel you wouldn't be looking to spend $95 to adopt a pet, if you didn't truly love animals. The look on your face and the look on Fluffy's face, is quite often the only proof we need that this is a furr-ever match. |
Oh, and some good advice on choosing a rescue: Make sure you read the adoption contract, before you sign it! Some contain unusual clauses you may not be comfortable with. Ask questions! Make sure you know the return policy, too. Make sure the organization is licensed. California requires a business license (so does Ohio) plus registration with the Attorney Generals Office of Charitable Trusts. Not all rescues are licensed or are IRS 501c3 public charities and your donation may not be tax deductible. Ask for their tax ID number for verification. By law, they must provide you with their most recent annual financial return, if asked. - Be sure and check out their facilities. Are they clean? Do the animals appear healthy? Ask for their veterinary references! A reputable rescue is happy to do so. Ask to see the vet records of the pet, as well. Is everything up to date?
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