Comments on: Reward For Tickets to MTV’s The State (and Personal Finance Links)

By: Miss M

Miss M — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:29:51 +0000

I’m glad the shelters are screening their applicants, most are so overworked they don’t have the time or energy. If everyone cared for a dog like you will, there wouldn’t be a need for shelters! They simply want the best home for the animal and a good fit for you. If you are a “lazy man” a hyperactive dog would not fit your lifestyle very well. I have three wild and crazy boston terriers, they are not the right dog for quiet households. I hope you find a great furry companion.

By: fitwallet

fitwallet — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:22:32 +0000

Congrats on adopting a dog in need! I understand your frustration. But as someone involved with animal rescue, I also understand the shelter’s reasoning, as others have said above. Those applicants who I feel just so-so about always end up breaking the adoption agreement or returning the animal, so I have learned the hard way to screen people as carefully as possible and go with my instincts. In the end, you’ll be matched with the right dog for you and your family, and it’ll all be worth it!

By: Another Reader

Another Reader — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:55:55 +0000

I suggest you try the Santa Clara County shelter in San Martin. You can park, go in, and walk the kennels. If you see an available dog you like, a staff member will take you and the dog to a play yard to get acquainted. The adoption process is simple and should take about 20 minutes after you fill out the form. Plan on at least half an hour meeting and playing with each dog that interests you.

If it’s a long drive, look at the available dogs at http://www.petharbor.com first. Put in the zip code 95046 and then check the box for Santa Clara County Animal Care. You should also look under the “I lost my pet” section to see if any of the found dogs interest you. They are held for approximately 5 days before being put up for adoption.

San Martin is a small shelter serving the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County, but the process is low key and you can spend as much time as you want with each dog you are considering. The selection of cats is outstanding (cats generally stay until adopted) if you are looking for a cat.

Occasionally dogs are available through the Friends of the San Martin Animal Shelter (FOSMAS) foster homes. Check the available FOSMAS animals at http://www.petfinder.com.

By: Carissa

Carissa — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:12:06 +0000

I volunteer at the local humane society, and understand both your complaints with the process as well as the shelter’s reason for it. Basically you are being punished for all of the other unprepared people there. Its too bad that when they are that busy you can’t make an appointment to see the counselor.

Also – Fage is amazing. I love it with local honey. I too am very interested in a cheap way to get this yogurt.

By: tiffanie

tiffanie — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:35:05 +0000

we’ve adopted 2 cats and the process took less than 20 minutes once we picked one out. crazy.

i recently tried Fage for the first time and it is definitely an acquired taste. i liked to mix in some sugar free rice pudding, raisins, cinnamon and splenda. i can’t stomach it plain quite yet. it’s definitely pricey though.

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:59:38 +0000

It does make sense that the process is long and we appreciate it. We just wish there was something equivalent to the Clear card that airports have for real life.

My wife has military security clearance and often has background checks on her. I write about personal finance, which makes it humorous when they ask us if we know about the costs of a dog. I should have brought my over-prepared spreadsheet :-).

Lastly, since I work from home, I’ll be with the dog almost all the time making it an almost ideal situation for the dog. The only downside is that we are a first time dog owners, and that’s the first thing that we say.

I suppose I find it humorous that we could have a child easier than a dog. That’s not exactly fair as I’m comparing the apples of natural childbirth vs. the oranges of adopting a dog.

By: Stephanie S.

Stephanie S. — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:33:56 +0000

The dog adoption process is long for a reason. They are trying hard to make sure that dog does not come back. They are not going to let you have a high energy dog if you are lazy, and vice-versa.

Plus, you would be surprised at how many people adopt dogs for the wrong reason. Fighting is one of them. And some people still think that dogs belong tied up outside. The adoption place wants to make sure this does not happen.

But, all places have their own way of doing things, some are very intense and some just want the dog out of there. So, you really should go to some of the other places.

You could also look online and see if they have their application so you can fill it out ahead of time.

By: Erica Douglass

Erica Douglass — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:19:39 +0000

Thoughts on adopting a dog: I’ve adopted 2 cats and neither had that long of a process — although both required a short interview. This was in the Concord area. Try the SPCA, though their animals might have minor problems like fleas, or a different local shelter.

http://www.sfspca.org/home.shtml
http://www.petfinder.com/ <– Shows pets from all the local shelters.

-Erica