I am trying to gather data for the shelter I volunteer at. We are looking at why people do NOT go to the shelter and why they do NOT adopt a pet from the shelter.
When you answer this question please include the following:
1. do you have animals?
2. what is your reason for NOT going to the Humane Society?
3. Why would you NOT adopt from the Humane Society?
Resolved Question
Show me another »Why would you NOT go to the Humane Society, or adopt a pet from the Humane Society or shelter animal?
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Some shelters have an attitude problem. They think that they are ordained by God almighty to make all decisions for everyone. Especially some of the ones that are inordinatly proud of their "no kill" policy.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing nor advocating "no-kill," I'm only saying that it is a label that some shelters hide behind.
Even in the good shelters, some of the people have attitude problems. People are people, you need to have good people, with good policies, good training, and good supervision.
The adoption process at a shelter is different than the purchase process at a store. The difference is there because the shelter's goal is a good home and the store's goal is profit.
The shelter's goal sometimes gets into conflict with reality. You can't put good people through the third degree and expect them to accept that. You need to treat the customers with respect, just as you want them to treat you with respect.
Another issue is that some shelters are too big, dirty and smelly. That turns off many people. The pet stores are not smelly because they are there to make a profit and they spend the money to keep it clean. Some of the shelters are also designed very poorly for good customer service.
What I ask for as a customer is:
clearly marked signs so I know where I can go
and can't.
someone who can give me accurate and
complete answers to my questions.
people who will find the correct answers if they
don't know them, personally.
reasonable policies that make sense.
to be treated with the respect that all customers
should get at all stores.
a supervisor with the authority to override
policies that don't make sense in my case.
information handouts to help me with common
issues.
links to web sites with more information if I need
it.
people and policies that are not so full of
themselves that it gets in the way.
Does your shelter have all of that?
P.S. Note to Ann: what you are discribing is totally unacceptable. I would write a letter to the board of directors and tell them what you told us. That experience is NOT what a shelter wants to happen.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing nor advocating "no-kill," I'm only saying that it is a label that some shelters hide behind.
Even in the good shelters, some of the people have attitude problems. People are people, you need to have good people, with good policies, good training, and good supervision.
The adoption process at a shelter is different than the purchase process at a store. The difference is there because the shelter's goal is a good home and the store's goal is profit.
The shelter's goal sometimes gets into conflict with reality. You can't put good people through the third degree and expect them to accept that. You need to treat the customers with respect, just as you want them to treat you with respect.
Another issue is that some shelters are too big, dirty and smelly. That turns off many people. The pet stores are not smelly because they are there to make a profit and they spend the money to keep it clean. Some of the shelters are also designed very poorly for good customer service.
What I ask for as a customer is:
clearly marked signs so I know where I can go
and can't.
someone who can give me accurate and
complete answers to my questions.
people who will find the correct answers if they
don't know them, personally.
reasonable policies that make sense.
to be treated with the respect that all customers
should get at all stores.
a supervisor with the authority to override
policies that don't make sense in my case.
information handouts to help me with common
issues.
links to web sites with more information if I need
it.
people and policies that are not so full of
themselves that it gets in the way.
Does your shelter have all of that?
P.S. Note to Ann: what you are discribing is totally unacceptable. I would write a letter to the board of directors and tell them what you told us. That experience is NOT what a shelter wants to happen.
Source(s):
Years of volunteering at a shelter and working with small and large animals. Training and experience in PROPER customer service. Being a customer who wants good service.
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Other Answers (10)
- Yes, I have animals. I've got two dogs and a few cats. The reason I would not go to MY shelter is because they wouldn't let me adopt because I already have pets. I DO want to adopt from but they just wouldn't let me. All of my animals get vet care when the need it and out current on all shots but they still wouldn't let me adopt. I actually wanted to volunteer also but after they was so rude to me and so uncaring for the animals I didn't want to go anywhere near them people. I know one person that works there and she's the only one that gives a crap about the animals. They used to be a good shelter until they got new management. Now, nobody wants to go there and they already have a very high kill rate which will probably be even higher soon. I know a gave a little more information than you asked for but I had to get out how rotten thy are.0% 0 Votes
- 1) Do you have animals
Yes but currently I only have hermit crabs and newts
2) What is your reason for NOT going to the humane Society?
Well currently non of the animals I want to keep are adopted though the humane society. They don't have the facilities to house herps or exotic animals. They currently can only house cats, dogs, and sometimes rabbits. All other animals have to go though other rescues or are rehomes though classifieds. I adopt hermit crabs by putting out notices on classifieds and though word of mouth.
3) Why would you NOT adopt from the Humane Society?
Well currently I can't keep a cat or dog. My Fiance and I both have allergies and we're in the process of buying our first home. Next year if we can afford a cat we want to adopt an adult cat though the Humane Society. But right now it wouldn't be fair to the animal. We're in an apartment currently and we have other pets that require our care.0% 0 Votes - The main reason I don't adopt more form a shelter, is that they don't always have what I am looking for. I am fairly specific in what breed or characteristics I want in the animal I am looking for. I would adopt if the animal I want is there.
I have adopted a rabbit form the humane society. I had a good experience and would go there again. I am constantly looking at my local Humane Society's web site for rabbits that interest me.0% 0 Votes - 1. Do you have animals?
1 horse, 2 cats, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 betta.
2. What is your reason for NOT going to the Humane Society?
I actually adopted one of my piggies from the HS, I had a really horrible experience. They messed up our paperwork, harassed my fiance's mother, told us we couldn't adopt because we weren't what one lady deemed worthy, and this and that, did all sorts of wonky stuff... I was crying so hard, the foster mom got involved and straightened things out We were able to bring our pig home and I love him to death, he's got a great personality.
3. Why would you NOT adopt from the Humane Society?
That's one isolated experience, and it wouldn't deter me from adopting through a shelter again, but that's not most people. I think what makes it something people have second thoughts about is all of the paperwork, investigating, and the iffyness of adopting. People can go out and impulse buy from Petsmart or their local Maw 'n' Paw shop, so why would they go through all that "hassle"? I think the paperwork and investigation is actually a good thing, because it makes people really work hard to get the animal, so the odds of them taking better care of it are significantly improved. The only way to really make more people adopt instead of impulse buy or get pets in the "free to good home" ads is to eliminate the other options, which sadly will not happen.10% 1 Vote - I have no animals, but I'd be concerned about buying some creature from the Humane Society as I'd worry it might be diseased - as with parvo.
Luckily animals are the last thing on my list of priorities. I have to listen to other people's out-of-control animals and clean up their sh*t. Nice, hu?10% 1 Vote - Humane society, as in one of those places you have to pay to get a pet that chances are its old was abused or broken or sick right?
thats the mindset of a lot of people, i've got a dog from one, she was really skiddish but still a loving animal. ^_^ good luck10% 1 Vote - We have cats
We always go to shelters
Next time we will go to "Kill Shelters" because we didn't know any better
We have gotten a very unsettling education the past few weeks0% 0 Votes - All of our cats and dogs have come from shelters or rescue groups. That's the only place I will get an animal.10% 1 Vote
- i have 2 dogs 2 cats (pluse a momma cat and 6 kittens that were saved for a under a pourch who will be ready for new homes soon) and 5 rats
reason for not going here is why some people wont go to a human society 1 alot of them want to know your whole life history they always want to come to your place on visits to see how everything is .... alot show up with out your permission ...... when i went to get a dog they wanted to know everything about past pets even ones we had when i was a kid and all there vet info like i was going to know all that info when i was a kid .... and then they wanted to do suprise visit where they show up when they want no mater what you were doing ...
and why i wouldnt not enough info on the animals like if they ever been sick age breed if they ever bite anyone or anothere animal and they wont let you adopt a small dog if you have small kids its to much hassle
i have a 5 yr old and a 3 yr old and i have 2 small dogs a toy fox terrier and a pekegness and my kids are great with them and has never hurt them ....
people know what is best for there family and we should choses wich is best for us with out rules and stricksions
is pounds and human societies want people to adopt they should 1 not ask so many questions and want to know everything about your life .. they should let people chose wich is best and not deniy them a dog just because they have small kids ..... and have more infor on the dog
my friend went and rescude a dog from a human society and was told it was a small breed then the dog grew to 25+ pounds and got reall tall within a couple of monthes then was told by a vet it was not a small breed and that it will grow to be a big dog ..... she had to take it back cause her place was not larg enough for such a big dog and fought with them over it cause they gave her the wrong info
so there is some reason ppl would rathere by a dog from a pet shop or a breeder cause they at least we know more about what we are getting10% 1 Vote - I took my daughter to visit the humane society because she was working on a badge for girl guides, the staff a the shelter had a big attitude problem, no one would talk to us, and anyone we tried to ask a question to was quite rude.
At the same shelter I was turned down as a kitten feeder because I had a full time job. I was only 1 hour on friday nights!! and I really wanted to do it. Then they complain that they don't have enough volunteers?
Another time, my brother was looking to get a dog, he had wanted a dog for a very long time but he did not want a puppy so he decided to contact the humane society. he sent them an e-mail stating his situation, single guy, living in an apartment, looking for an older dog. he got a phone call from a man at the shelter saying that he had the perfect dog for him to come at 10am the next day. First off the guy wasn't even there, then after 2 hours of answering questions and filling out paperwork they said he was not a suitable candidate becauce he did not know enough about animal care??? even after he and I explained that not only had he taken care of several dogs, but also everything from hamsters to horses and he gave details of daily care routines for these animals as well as for dogs???? he never even got to see the dog.
How do shelters expect people to adopt if they are turning down knowledgable owners?
Oh ya, Then we went to the City of Toronto (government funded city animal shelter) where we were greated by pleasent staff, and were given all the information we needed. It was also much cleaner and smelled better.
I have several friend who have had similar experances
These private shelters better change their attitudes because no one wants to go there anymore.20% 2 Votes
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