Massachusetts rescue in danger

[Fran101]

As for CT and Mass. Sure, the shelters might have dogs, but those dogs aren't moving..They are usually large adult dogs.

We bring dogs from Miami Dade and such up there because they get adopted (small dogs, puppies) because they just don't have them at their shelter. and they do not get adopted down south due to the huge over-population.

These pups/small dogs get adopted. I think they should go where they are wanted. It would be nice to say "Oh but if we don't get those south dogs people would adopt ours".. when frankly, it just isn't true.

People who want puppies and small breeds and who aren't finding them at the shelter probably aren't going to settle with what is there just because.
They will just seek other avenues of getting a dog.

[~Tucker&Me~]

Originally Posted by Fran101

As for CT and Mass. Sure, the shelters might have dogs, but those dogs aren't moving..They are usually large adult dogs.

We bring dogs from Miami Dade and such up there because they get adopted (small dogs, puppies) because they just don't have them at their shelter. and they do not get adopted down south due to the huge over-population.

These pups/small dogs get adopted. I think they should go where they are wanted. It would be nice to say "Oh but if we don't get those south dogs people would adopt ours".. when frankly, it just isn't true.

People who want puppies and small breeds and who aren't finding them at the shelter probably aren't going to settle with what is there just because.
They will just seek other avenues of getting a dog.

I agree with this. We get a lot of people in my area looking for young labs and goldens, or small dogs. Someone wanting a chi mix typically won't come to the shelter and opt for the adult male rottie or shepherd mix when they find out that is all we have. It sucks, but if we can bring up the small dogs from Cali and they get adopted here super quick, why not? Plus we really don't have high euthanasia rates in southern BC, so it's not like the adult dogs are getting put down... Most just wait longer.

[Maxy24]

This isn't directed at you Maxy, but I'd like it if people could stop acting like lab mixes and pit bulls are so horrible and start marketing them appropriately. They would make fine family pets if people would see past the way they look/the anti-pit hype.

It has nothing to do with people thinking their horrible, but not everyone wants or should own those dogs. We got Tucker from the south because mom wanted a small breed puppy and that's where they are. She wanted a small breed because she's physically very frail and would be unable to hold onto the leash of a large dog if it pulled and we be knocked right over if it jumped on her. She wanted a dog with a low energy level (which she didn't get, but that's beside the point). A lab mix or pit bull mix certainly wouldn't have been recommended for her (unless it was older). Actually one of the first dogs she liked on petfinder was a pit bull mix puppy and I told her no. There was also a JRT dog that I said no to. Not for her. It wasn't a matter of not liking lab and pit mixes, they just are not a good fit for her right now. There are plenty of other people who want something else too. Maybe they like aloof dogs, maybe they need a low shedding dog, maybe they need a very low energy dog, maybe they need a small dog, etc. Lab and pit bull mixes are great family dogs, but that's not what everyone is looking for. And yes, people might not get the pit mixes because they are scared of them, but I don't think anyone is getting over that just because it's all we have available.

[AdrianneIsabel]

Originally Posted by Sweet72947

This isn't directed at you Maxy, but I'd like it if people could stop acting like lab mixes and pit bulls are so horrible and start marketing them appropriately. They would make fine family pets if people would see past the way they look/the anti-pit hype.

I believe it's less about judging their character but disliking their generic look. I have a lot, a lot!, of clients who rescue dogs based on their uniqueness. One in particular rescued a gsd mix because it has a great Merle coat and ice blue glass eyes. It's a horrible little brat, screams, bites, rough, rude, and rotten. However people want him over the chill lab/pit puppy because he's pretty awesome looking.

[Sweet72947]

That's weird, because at FOHA a pup like that would be overlooked because he would be acting like a nut in his run, while the calm lab mix would be adopted rather quickly. We typically have little to no issue adopting out our "boring" looking black labs. Pit bulls, the younger and cuter they are, the faster they are adopted. Adult pit bulls who act like nutballs in their run are passed over. What I wish FOHA had is a good foster setup so that nutball dogs can go to a foster home, get trained, and get placed!

[New England Andy]

An issue that needs to be addressed up here is Angelle and the MSPCA. They have rather outrageous prices and do not readily give assistance to pet owners in need. I believe they offer some form of payment plans if you pass a credit check.

Pet owners up here can adopt a rescued pet for less money, get a healthier animal, and make sure that the cash is going to actual rescue operations that spend more on dogs than on their own paychecks, IF they go through a private org.

Dog rescuers and such in Boston are pretty disconnected from the mspca, by choice, because of prices, quite simply. There are also vets running their businesses as non profits, who offer cheaper care for the animals, and allow the pet owner more choices in their pet care.

anyway... sorry for that ramble... lol

here is the list of bills supported or opposed by them, and this bill is in neither column.

http://www.mspca.org/programs/animal...t-legislation/

They do mention that they have expressed "concern" with the bills broad language, and have apparently offered some amendments. This leads me to believe that the MSPCA and Angelle Hospital are trying to get things changed to put this law in their support column.

That is troubling. If the MSPCA has a hand in this and it passes, it will further create a wedge between the dog rescuers and the MSPCA.

[Fran101]

I was considering doing training classes at the MSPCA, I am moving to Boston and did notice their adoption prices are a bit high for a shelter.
Puppies are $500

[New England Andy]

Originally Posted by Fran101

I was considering doing training classes at the MSPCA, I am moving to Boston and did notice their adoption prices are a bit high for a shelter.
Puppies are $500

If you rescue an adult dog, with shots and vet records from the rescue, private adoptions cost 200 to 300 dollars.

MSPCA is bogged down with paying for Angelle Vet Hospital. It was intended to make quality affordable care available to people in the city.

Lots of pretty buildings they build. Lots of lawyers that are lobbying.

Affordable dog care seems to be rather low on their list at this point.