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Morning Roundup: After the Snowfall Edition
Last month, we launched our first collaboration with the Washington Humane Society and highlighted a handful of dogs that needed to find a home. The WHS's goal to "increase adoption, decrease the number of animals in need, and teach responsible pet ownership" is one that we truly believe in, and we're happy to report that two of the dogs we featured in October, Tancho and Nina, found homes!! Nina's new owner saw our photos and knew that she was the right dog for their family. She now lives with a family of five, two young children, two adults and another pit bull who is Nina's new best friend. Sumi, the beautiful and smart Akita mix is still at the shelter waiting to be sprung. Kate was diagnosed with heart worms and has been moved to the Washington Animal Rescue League to recover. She will be up for adoption again once she gets better.
This month, we have more dogs, plus some of their much anticipated feline friends.
Copper
Copper is a 6-year-old Golden Retriever and Chow mix. He is a very relaxed dog who likes walks and affection. Copper was a stray and came to the shelter very skinny, but has since put on weight and is now a healthy boy. Copper would make a great family pet and is good with other dogs, but not cats. This dog will hang by your side and want lots of love. Copper's eyes show how kind and sweet he is.
Champ
Looking at beautiful Champ, a Shepherd and Akita mix, you would never know that he came from an abusive situation. Champ will listen and sit patiently, and likes to be praised. His history of abuse has led Champ to be a bit nervous, and he doesn't like to share his food, so he will require an owner who can understand his fears. Champ is dog friendly, so he can be in a home with another dog, but not with cats. At only 2 and a half years-old, Champ is still very energetic, but he is past the puppy wiggles stage.
Honey
Honey made a long journey to D.C. She's originally from California, and came cross country with her previous owner, who turned to WHS when they could not find a place to live that would allow dogs. Honey's personality is a little bit puppy, and a little bit surfer cool. She is 6 years-old, but very energetic. She's great with kids, and will be friends with a cat on a case by case basis. She also loves her fellow dogs. Honey is a Pit Bull mix, and I am convinced that the mix is partially meerkat. Honey does a trick where she will sit on her back legs like a meerkat and reach her front paws in the air. It is almost as adorable as she is.
Destiny
The last little dog has a big name, Destiny. Destiny is a 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier, a breed that often lives until the upper teens in years. Destiny lived with a family her whole life, but was given to the Humane Society after their daughter moved out and Destiny became stressed by the separation. Despite a few white hairs, Destiny behaves like a much younger dog. She will be a great lap dog at times, but she also likes to play. She can be nervous around other dogs, but will be OK once she meets and adjusts to them. Destiny needs an owner who can manage her nervousness, and then she will be a great family pet.
Dr. Beau
Dr. Beau is a 1-year-old cat whose previous owner was a hoarder. Once Dr. Beau gets comfortable in a situation, all he wants to do is play. He came in with another cat who was adopted, so Dr. Beau is looking for a new buddy. A home with another cat would be ideal.
Kodiak
Kodiak is a 1 and a half year-old who loves getting rubbed. Kodiak likes people, cats and dogs. He is a big love bug. Kodiak is an indoor-only cat who likes to use a scratching post. He's already litterbox trained, so he is ready to be part of a family.
Butch
Our last cat is Butch, who is just over a year old. Butch likes dogs, but not other cats, so he needs a home where he is the only kitty. Butch is not a lap cat; he likes to play and be boisterous. He is also litterbox trained and uses a scratching post.
If you are interested in adopting any of the animals featured, please contact the Washington Humane Society.
All of these dogs are located at the Georgia Avenue shelter:
7319 Georgia Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20012
tel: 202-723-5730
If you want to help but cannot adopt an animal, you can donate to the Washington Humane Society. A $150 donation will cover the average cost of an animal's stay, and help WHS complete their goal of finding a good home for every animal. If funds are tight and you would like to donate some of your time, you can volunteer with the animals at one of the shelters. Lastly, you can also check the list of goods that are on the shelter wish list and to see what you may be able to donate.
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Have they loosened up on their adoption requirements? They used to be pretty Nazi about it.
Rather have them be nazi about it than having these animals go to people who, oh poor them, couldn't find an apartment that allowed animals. Or moved to an apartment that didn't allow animals. Then why get a pet in the first place? Freaking douche bags!
/rant
It goes beyond that. WaPo did an article on it a few years ago about perfectly acceptable candidates being rejected for trivial reasons. I think they've improved, however
Oh jeez. I just got your reference and read the whole post. I agree. What a maroon.
amen, blittle. doesn't it seem kind of odd that someone would move across the country, and, having owned a dog for seemingly more than a day or two, not look into whether their future home would allow pets? that seems mighty negligent to me.
if i was doing the same, that would probably be one of the first things i looked into (after price). i sure as hell wouldn't jump cross-country and then think about whether a member of my family could actually stay with me!
Oh, it's worse than that, even. I've heard stories from shelter officials about people dropping off their dogs because they were going on vacation. What is wrong with people?
Honey looks like she'd make a great girlfriend for my dog. Love the smile!
While I agree that the reasons people have surrendered their animals never makes sense to me, I have to keep in mind that they cared enough to take them to the shelter. There are dozens of horrible ways to "dispose" of an animal...starving them, turning them out on the street, killing them, etc. If the animals are given to the shelter they receive food, medical care, and a chance a better life. The shelter also gets the opportunity to learn the history of the animal which makes them more adoptable. So I completely understand the angry sentiment, it is one that I have all the time. However, I am thankful that their lives are not worse.
good point, meaghan. i suppose that mitigates my anger/confused stance somewhat. still, getting a pet isn't like renting a movie, and i wish more people understood the level of commitment that is necessary.
I think these situations are indicative of the owner having some greater problem with the pet. I adopted an adorable dog from a family who claimed they couldn't keep her because they were moving to North Carolina (from Fredericksburg). While I thought it was strange that they couldn't take their pet along with them, I found it even stranger that not one member of the family (including three young girls) did not seem the at all concerned that the dog was leaving. Once I got the dog home I found out she had not been housebroken-- I think the owners did not have the patience to do it themselves and were getting frustrated, so they used the move as an excuse to get rid of her.
(disclaimer, I don't work for WARL, nor is what I'm about to say an official statement or opinion. I'm a volunteer there and this is my personal statement)
WARL has changed its adoption policies to be more based on the interview with its adoption counselors. For as much as shelters are about customer service, the #1 priority is about the health and well-being of the animals. Sometimes an application for a pet is denied, not because the people wouldn't be good to the animals, but the adoptions counselors don't think it's the right fit. WARL can now address this issue during the interview.
I still encourage potential adopters to bring a copy of their current lease (if they rent) that shows they are allowed to have animals. It can only help their application.
And while it seems odd that someone would move to a place that doesn't allow animals, it happens all the time. There are many animals abandoned by their owners because of housing restrictions. That being said, many shelters also have policies that require you to return the animal to the shelter if you can no longer keep it.
Welcome to Borracho, Honey!
You rise, you shine!
Hey, Professor! Up and at 'em!
Mmmmm, BRANDY! THROW MORE BRANDAY!
Now will ya gimme some fightin' room?
Leslie escaped? Yes, with a small friar! Leslie escaped with a chicken?
I ain't no native! I was born here!
Get a room, you two!
You're an emancipated woman, and I'm an emancipated man, so we'll get a room only if it comes with a mini-fridge and a Wizzy-Liz.
You don't mind if I bring my blender, do you?
I don't care! I don't care! You're banished! I'm getting a new tucker-inner! Banished, banished, banished!
Get back in the Hannibal Twin-8, Liz.
MAX, WE'RE CAR NUMBER FIVE!
I recently adopted a dog from the DC humane society and just wanted to say that it was a hassle-free experience. We went to WARL first, which had a much more complicated application process and whose staff (at least in my experience) were not as friendly or helpful. The people at the DC shelters (both New York Ave and Georgia Ave locations) were great and very helpful.
Also worth pointing out the while WARL is a kill-free shelter, the DC shelters have to put down far too many animals that they don't have space for. Why doesn't WARL take more animals from the DC shelter instead of getting dogs from Ohio, West Virginia and everywhere else in the country? Just sayin'...
WARL does take many animals from WHS -- WARL has a very amicable relationship with WHS.
Thank God I'm at work right now, because if I didn't have to stay here, I would run out and adopt Kodiak right now. He looks just like the kitty I used to have! This new feature is great and it definitely serves its purpose! In another year or so when I am fully ready to take on responsibility for another life, maybe I'll adopt a featured animal.
I just want to say that the 2nd photo of Copper is so similar in style to centerfolds, I'm surprised that they didn't have a white star or ribbon across it to hide his "privates"
Well, you'll definitely be in for a wild ride when you take a look at that first picture of Champ.
Copper looks dumber'n a box of hair, and I feel like that tongue doesn't get sucked in a lot. I want him.
I'm a long time volunteer with WHS (NY Ave)....and I've never known our adoption process to be a "problem", and I adopted my big girl from them last July. You just need to have your lease (or the ability for WHS to contact your property owner) if you dont own your own place. DC has pretty limited dog-friendly apartments, so it's important that they try limit the number of dogs that get sent back due to housing.
With regards to the "no kill" issue, if people feel they must adopt from a "no kill" shelter, then that's great, but WHS on NY Ave cannot legally be a no kill shelter. It's the official shelter and animal control of DC so ALL KINDS of animals end up there. A private shelter has control over the dogs/cats they take in, whereas DC doesn't. Just something to think about, but adopting anywhere is a good thing to do!
That said, there is an adoption event this Sunday at Whole Foods on P Street where we'll have some dogs and info on how you can help out WHS without adopting. We're ALWAYS looking for more volunteers, and even something as simple as donating old towels/sheets.
GREAT! What are the hours for the adoption event? We have some cat food that our kitties won't touch.
1-3:30 in front of Whole Foods! I can bring the cat food to the shelter, but they usually put pet food donations out for people who can't afford pet food to take. The Shelter likes to keep the food with the animals pretty consistent. So if you're OK with that, then by all means, bring it on by! (I suggest in the middle of the event, as we'll be focused!)
That's fine. As long as the food doesn't go to waste. Just realized the Redskins play at 1pm so I'll have to get there close to 1pm so I don't miss most of the game.
Thanks for all you do at WHS. I'm thinking of volunteering at special events since I just don't have the heart to be around so many adorable animals that need a good home. We adopted two kitties from an adoption fair seven years ago ... and that's all we can handle for now.
Anyone can volunteer at adoption events and special events without shelter volunteering. Granted, we need both types of volunteer now but we can't pick and choose! You just go through a short orientation and bam - volunteer status! Free TShirt, too!
WHS relies on volunteers to help out at events, but also at the shelters to socialize the animals and give them much needed attention. I used to 'want all the doggies', then after a while you get over that and just enjoy giving them some human companionship for a while, and maybe recommend certain animals to friends looking to adopt. Just something to think about!
I HIGHLY encourage anyone who can't adopt due to housing, or just not able to make the commitment right now, to consider volunteering. You get to spend a few hours (which you pick!) with adorable animals without the commitment! I did that for 3 years or so before I adopted my Lucy Goosey.