Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
« Back to the grid | Next story »

Pet Adoption Hurdles Irk Would-Be Owners

Posted Aug 24, 08 9:50 PM CDT in Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Animal shelters are hitting would-be pet owners with a vetting process they say puts them on a short leash, the Chicago Tribune reports. Prospective owners often face pages of queries on condo rules, finances, marital status—and even home visits. “We got a lecture about how having a dog is a big responsibility,” said one Chicagoan seeking a dog with her boyfriend. “I felt like my mom was talking to me.”

Many shelter operators say such scrutiny ensures that the pet won’t be returned. But with millions of pets euthanized each year, some in the business ask if a friendlier adoption process might help. “There’s no question that these organizations have the best interests of the animals at heart,” said a former shelter volunteer, “but they shouldn’t be playing God.”

Source Chicago Tribune

1 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Economic Slump Hits the Dog House

    Nov 9, 08 12:00 PM CST
    Economic Slump Hits the Dog House Our furry friends don't know what an economic downturn is, but they're feeling its effects as much as we are, Reuters reports. Between owners finding they can't afford the best cat food to dogs being sent to foster care when homes are foreclosed, shelters are seeing a spike in abandonments. Grooming salons and pet-accessory stores will be hit next.
    More »

  • College Dorm Rooms Go to the Dogs

    Sep 24, 08 5:00 PM CDT
    College Dorm Rooms Go to the Dogs College students have long been expert at sneaking everything from gerbils to puppies into their dorm rooms, but a number of schools have made furry residents official, reports USA Today. The pet-friendly movement's spread to more than a dozen campuses, where officials hope reducing the stress of college life and stemming the tide of students to off-campus housing where they're allowed to have dogs and cats.

    More »

  • Locals in Fla. Keys Stay Back for Animals

    Sep 8, 08 7:44 PM CDT
    Locals in Fla. Keys Stay Back for Animals Animal lovers are staying back in the Florida Keys to make sure six-toed cats and frisky dolphins survive a brush from Hurricane Ike, the Fort Mill Times reports. While some residents flee, kennel owners and wild life managers are bunking up with extra food and medicine. "They are very, very nervous," said the director of a 25-acre wild bird center. "They know it's coming so they eat as much as they can." More »

  • Move Over, Garfield, There's a New Fat Cat in Town

    Jul 30, 08 4:15 PM CDT
    Move Over, Garfield, There's a New Fat Cat in Town Talk about New Jersey's fat cats. A 44-pound feline was found waddling around last week without a collar, and officials at the Camden County Animal Shelter hope she gets a nice—and hopefully, diet-friendly—home. Shelter officials are calling the porky cutie "Princess Chunk." "She's built like a quarterback," said a volunteer.  More »

  • Like eHarmony, Only for Kitties

    May 17, 08 6:09 AM CDT
    Like eHarmony, Only for Kitties There's no shortage of dating websites that use personality profiles to come up with "scores" and assess compatibility; now, the AP reports, animal shelters are using a similar program to help pair famously fickle felines with owners. Some 45 facilities use Feline-ality, which assigns cats colorful personality types: leader of the band, personal assistant, private investigator, and the like. More »

Sabrina and Josh Watson of Fort Worth, Texas, bring in two shephard-husky puppies they found hoping they will be adopted at the Humane Society.   (KRT Photos)
Three to four million pets are adopted every year, but about the same number are euthanized, the Humane Society of the US says.   (Getty Images)
A Lhasa Apso gets his severely matted hair trimmed in the admitting department of the Humane Society in Fort Worth, Texas.   (KRT Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

animal • pets • adoption • euthanasia • animal shelters


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

Loading...
SPONSORED NEWS ARCHIVE

COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER OFFERS GOOD PETS (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

Green has gone to the dogs: the built environment is considered while designing... (Environmental Design & Construction)

CITY OF LAS VEGAS OFFERS FREE PET FAIR (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

TAKING ITS TOLL ; Struggling economy causing more pet owners to surrender their... (Albuquerque Journal)

As economy sputters, record number of cats are abandoned (The Boston Globe)

Shelter asks Obama to adopt a poi dog (Honolulu Star - Bulletin)


Other Arts & Living Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »