Change of Homing Policy JUL09

xxlynne · Change of Homing Policy JUL09

As you may appreciate running a dog rescue without associated assets like 'buildings, land or benefactors' means that we have to pay large vets and kennel bills every month. We calculate each dog on average to cost around £400-£500. We rarely have a dog come through our rescue that doesn't cost us more than the adoption contribution; a few direct homings and puppies. We state on all questionnaires "Is £150 a problem for you"? We suggest people go to the large subsidised rescues if it is. Compare our rescue with others; our standards are exceptionally high.

When we started to use kennels for most of our dogs we felt that, as many of our dogs had come in stray and not been assessed in a domestic setting, it was only fair to offer "Foster-with-the view-to-homing" (FVH) for say, 2 weeks. So if a significant issue arose which jeopardised the homing, there was clearly no blame and no shame to return. Over the last 6 months this proved to be a 'failed' policy. We have found it VERY hard to secure adoptions and adoption contributions from a considerable number of families who have our dogs. This has proved a waste of our valuable time and has caused us financial difficulties above our already difficult path. It has tainted certain homings inevitably which is so sad.

We will no longer be placing our dogs or ourselves in this position. We need people to respect and support the work we do. They also need to be aware of the costs we endure. We now request people have a cheque book with them on meeting our dogs. Should this turn into a homing then a min. of £150 is requested. BUT please bear in mind that if you were to buy a dog, then vacc. worm. deflea, neuter and sort any medical issues .. with leads collars, treats plus, plus for each dog PLUS costing £7 a day per kennel you'll begin to understand the real world. To be honest even when people pay a little more we are touched, but blush inside as we actually know and they would be shocked to know, how much their dog has cost us to get to this point. We homed a dog last week that has cost us £1,350. But we smile as we are there for our dogs and its all been worth it when we finally see our end goal of their fabulous home at last! A breeder charges £650 for what exactly? So please give generously.

So most adoptions are up front payment preferably a cheque or if not cash. IF there is a situation where there is a cat or we have all agreed to place an unproven dog in with children then we will in these exceptional cases commit to a Trial Adoption where a 2 week post-dated cheque is submitted with completed adoption papers, or we can hold the cash for that period. We hope this meets with peoples understanding and acceptance.

We perhaps need to spell it out to people what it costs to get our dogs ready for their homes. No need to check our expenses we never submit any. We proudly run a rescue based on the highest standards. We cannot afford for people to haggle with our min. donation, provide serial post dated cheques or provide a cheque which bounces. We need assurance people can afford to support our dogs and dog rescue work during these and future times.

We thank the reader and any potential adopters for their understanding.

EmmaSemple

Excellent idea and also a policy which my own rescue has just put into place due to people 'ripping off' the rescue.

It is a very sad world when this happens, but it has been highlighted on my website that these rules are now in place.

Can I suggest that with cheques that a cheque card must be produced so that the number on the back with guarantee clearence?

I can assure anyone who doubts that any rescue would pay out that much on one dog, that RR does indeed as many of the long termers are at the kennels I work at and it has a true non-destruct policy and does the very best for each and every dog in their care.

Emma

reclaimingrebus

it's a sad old world, Lynne, but I agree that this is a necessary step.

Fred R

reclaimingrebus

the problem is Fred, that some people think they are doing a rescue a favour in taking a dog in the first place. the dogs come vax chipped and castrated, and often with sometimes substantial vets fees. this, apart from the kennel fees, is what costs the money - often people wouldn't necessarily have some of these things done, and if their dog hasn't been the recipient of extra ordinary vet treatment, don't see that funds must be made available from somewhere for those dogs which do. They are only interested in their own dog, not in the concept of rescue Crying or Very sad

Most people who take an active part in rescue, put their hands in their pockets all the time, phone calls, diesel, time, paper, ink, collars for strays, bedding, wear and tear on the car, food for fosters. We don't claim for it, because that means that there will be funds to save another life, and what those who have refused to pay have done is effectively put in jeopardy lives for which funds cannot be found. we don't do this so that some people get an easy ride, we do it so one more dog makes it out of the pound and into safety.

Ruthi

You are being naive, Fred. When you do a homecheck its hard enough to evaluate people's suitability as dog owners, without assessing their attitude to money. And its often the most upright looking citizens who are the least generous.

I used to sell kitchens, many of them on credit. I never ceased to be amazed at some of the people who failed their credit checks. Believe me, if I could have sniffed them out I'd never have done all that work in designing a kitchen for them!

Lynne, I see no reason why you should accept a post dated cheque. Agree not to present it for the trial period by all means, or promise a refund. But post dated cheques are illegal (they weren't signed on the date on the cheque and as such are fraudulent - can you tell my ex father in law was a bank manager?) and all the writer has to do is tell the bank.

EmmaSemple

Good point made there!

I remember someone else mentioning this years ago!

I reckon that I am going to get tough! Shocked

I am going to say to people that any animal is subject to the donation being paid on the day. If the people do not have the money then they should not be adopting a dog.
A lady adopted Saffy yesterday and said that she had never heard of anyone going to rescue and not paying straight away.

If you were to go into Battersea and ask to adopt a dog without paying then they would turn them away. I know this because I used to work there.
They talk to the people and tell them that they are after dedicated homes who are confident that they can handle the dog. They would be aware of any issues and should have taken these issues into account before applying to adopt.

Personally if anyone phones from now on and gets stroppy about payment then I will tell them to go elsewhere as the right home will come along. If they turn up having 'forgot' the donation then they will have to come back another time.

This applies for all animals in my care. I will always make the person aware that animals donations are payable on the day of collection.

Emma

Bud

We got our Staffie from a kennels that took in stray dogs....they charged us £60...didn’t come and check us out...didn’t give us any info on Bud...they didn’t ask if we had bull breed experience or any dog experience... he was described as “Dog aggressive” which he isn’t.............can you imagine what would have happened if he had got into the wrong hands...£60 is affordable to some!!! We had him chipped and vaxed and neutered £245 so altogether £305 and that was a year ago!!!

Paul&Annie

I can not tell you how horrified and sickened I am by this!

Have I got completely the wrong end of the stick? Are you saying that people take dogs from RR, and other charities, and then don't pay the adoption fee? How can someone who wants to give a home to a rescue dog not have a conscience? I am baffled...speechless....angry.

belles mum

I think you should definately get people to pay upfront - if they cant afford what comes down to a pretty minimal adoption fee (when you consider kenneling and vet fees) how will they cope with ownership costs of having a dog. If people query the fee I would query there understanding of what is involved in having a dog.

If the dog has to be returned within a short period of time then let there be an option to have fee reimbursed.

Maybe it is worth printing out a generic sheet which details kennel fees per day, neutering costs, vacs, flee/worm treatment etc - just to highlight how much the dogs cost to care for.

EmmaSemple

That's pretty much it Paul&Annie.

When it is time to pay for the animal the phone is switched off/never answered or you get a dead line. Once someone claimed that they had already paid for the animal on collection even though they hadn't or they continuously tell you that a cheque is in the post and when it never arrives it is always 'lost in the post'.

It is a battle that neither RR or myself need being that we are already working on a shoestring and budget and although we don't do it for the money, the people that board the dogs, sell the food and treat for veterinary issues do run businesses and want their money! We make no profit...everybody else does! But at least the animals are alive and living the life they deserve.

Emma

syd73 · Donations

... if someone can not financially afford to pay the adoption fee then they should not be taking the dog on in the first place... what happens when that animal needs vet treatment, if they can't afford to pay the adoption fee in the first place they most certainly can not afford the ongoing maintenance of a dog.

We are adopting Freddie... we are contributing more than the adoption fee... I would love dearly to give more but that's what I can afford at this time... but I have setup a standing order and that will be there and in place for a long time to come.

These guys are busting a gut to help these animals we as humans should be busting a gut to help them! Very Happy

Sharonr - Admin

Thanks for your post Syd73. We really are grateful for every single ounce of help/support, financial or otherwise that we receive.

I will revisit your post to cheer myself up when we have a low moment. Very nice to feel appreciated, but then everything we do is out of compassion for the dogs and it's not so hard to feel so motivated when you meet them in the fur - so we'll keep busting that gut Wink

Thank you

EmmaSemple

Yep! Look into the eyes of Daisy and Polly who were close to being sold as bait dogs due to the back yard breeder being desperate to get rid of them and you will see that your support really makes a difference. Smile

Emma

clairewarden

Hi,

I actually dont think this goes far enough.

I would send all dogs out on a full adoption agreement, with full payment having already been received before the dog is handed over (e.g. BANK CHEQUE or CASH). Unless you have facilities to check the cash for forgery I would also consider not accepting £50 note or above.

To address the issue of a) homing kennel dogs and b) peoples pride or greed I would consider putting in a clause of 2 week 'grace period' which runs from the date of collection for 14 days in which the adoptive may return the dog to your premesis and be entitled to a full refund.

This should mean that ...

a) for dogs that stay homed - you get paid
b) for dogs that fail - you get them back (and they are not sold on either to re-coup some of their £150 or FTGH because people are too proud to admit they failed.

By only accepting bank cheques (& cash), the person must have had funds to draw on - if they write you a personal cheque you have very little protection even with their guarentee card details. (many banks will charge for this but as far as i can see that encourages ppl to bring cash, or if people dont want to carry that amount of cash they pay the extra !)

I cannot see any reasonable excuse why an adoptive owner coming to meet a dog having already been homechecked and expecting to take the dog if they like it should not be able to produce £150 either in cash or bank cheque.

I have collected 2 rescue dogs of my own and both were paid for in cash at the time of handover (£70 for one and £150 for the other). We were told by the rescues up front the dogs wouldnt be handed over without it so we brought it with us.

Claire x

Rhyannon

K9Karma

I am apalled to hear that people have taken dogs without paying the adoption fee. If they can't honour this part of the homing agreement then what guarentee that other terms will be kept to. They could sell the dog on.

Did you contact the Police ? They should be able to help you recover the money or the dog. To take "goods" without payment is theft.

Or take them to civil court to recover the cost. You can use the small claims court and don't need a solicitor.

Get the story into the local paper in the area where the people live then all their neighbours and work mates and family will know what utter scum they are. Name and shame.

If you are going to take cheques then don't hand the dog over until you have cleared funds in your bank account. If the cheque card is for £50 and cheque is £150 you aren't covered. Also 3 consequetive cheques for £50 each also aren't allowed by the banks.

I am the welfare officer at a local rescue. I adopted a dog from them. They've known me 10 years but I still paid a deposit and then put the rest of the cash on the counter for the dog before I took him home

twincle

My first post happens to be in here and i too am appalled that someone could rip off a rescue centre Mad

I think you do great work and having visited a number of centres on the look out for an addition to my family I am also suprised to find out any dog is released without 1st obtaining payment. This is not a normal practise anywhere else and applaude you for taking a harder line.

As for cheques, in almost every industry that i come across they are being refused. There are some exceptions, however, i work for london underground and we have withdrawn payment by cheque for over 2 years now! - DONT TAKE CHEQUES, how hard is it to go and get the cash from the cashpoint ?

On my form it stated is £150 a problem for you and i replied it would be a struggle but i'd get there! That would be the same for 99% of everyone else I feel

Anyway, love the work you do, keep it up and hopefully i'll be turning up at the kennel soon Wink

gemmap

When we rescued sonny we weren't charged but we had to get him nuetered, vac'd, wormed and microchipped which cost us over £200, more than you're asking as a donation but we gladly paid it to know that he's in the best possible shape, we also had a lump removed from his foot, luckily nothing serious and have paid out because he had gastroenteritis, these cost us over £1k ( thank god for pet insurance) but at the end of the day if people can't or won't pay out to know that their animal is in good health and has been in the best hands then they shouldn't have an animal. Making people aware of the costs involved can only be a good thing and get them ready for looking after the animal for the rest of his/her life.

adlersparker

I cannot beleive it that some people do not want to hand over the £150 FOR THE DOG THEY WANT, I think it is a totally fair price, considering the dog has been looked after, vaccinated, spayed, chipped and fed.
If they are paying by cheque, is should be sent 2 weeks before, so it can be cleared.

Change of Homing Policy JUL09

Donations