Rescue dogs can't live with unfixed dogs?

Just a spin off from the rescue thread.

Why won't most dog rescues adopt out their dogs to homes with unfixed dogs?

I don't understand it. If the dog from the rescue is neutered, why does it matter if you have an unfixed dog at home?

Good question! It doesn't make much sense to me. Do rescues think that since you have an unfixed dog, you might have alot of dogs for breeding or something?

But that doesn't affect the rescue dog

There are certain things that I disagree with, but I can understand the rescue's reasoning for them... like fenced in yards, not leaving the dog home alone for too long, young children, etc.

But having unfixed dogs in the home? I just don't understand it.

I guess they use it as an indicator of responsibility.

I think they feel that neutering represents responsibility. They also know that they can let you foster dogs that are not yet neutered, certainly an easier juggle. I have fostered for two small dog rescues although I have an intact dog. The applications both asked why I have an intact dog, and I wrote "on my vet's advice", which was true. BTW, they will contact your vet. I've only had one intact female, who was in heat. She was in delicate health and the foster coordinator wanted only me to foster her, trusting that I would keep them apart while at the same time bringing the poor girl into glorious good health. Long story short, she was probably not in heat, she had pyometrea (had to wait to have her spayed because vet wouldn't spay during heat/poor health). Dog's aren't in heat for ten weeks, so vet spayed her "just in time".

I'm sure there are other reasons, such as temperament issues by breed. Some dogs are very territorial when not fixed.

I guess they think it makes you irresponsible overall. But what if you show? I don't necessarily agree with the blanket rule

I meant that the rescue dog would be in a home with lots of dogs - if they used that reasoning. It was just a guess, I really don't have a clue why.

Yep,because remember most pet owners are not chaz people and have their dog unaltered for a variety of reasons that may not make a lot of sense.

Ooooh, I see what you mean now.

One of the presidents of a local rescue here will not adopt to a home with any intact dogs. A woman I know wanted to rescue one of her dogs and had used me as a reference. However she has a 12 year old intact Lab who she rescued when he was 10. She did not feel it necessary to put him through the surgery and was certainly capable of having an intact dog. When I questioned the president on it she told me that if the people were not responsible enough to neuter their dogs then they would not be responsible with other things either. I questioned her again about why all intact dog owners were irresponsible, and what about health concerns, resonsible breeders, etc. She became quite snotty at this point and told me that if I worked in rescue I would understand...Well, I still don't think it is fair to judge all homes the same and I have had fosters.

There was someone on my chihuahua forum who had a chihuahua with a heart condition, who was also TINY and spaying her would risk her life.

She even had her vet write a letter to the rescue explaining while putting this small dog under anethesia would not be a good idea.

Well, the rescue denied her adoption becauses they were unwilling to budge on the "unfixed dog issue."

my feeling from many rescue people is that anybody with an intact dog is somehow contributing to the "overpopulation of dogs". the only reason why anybody would ever keep a dog intact is to breed. there cannot possibly be any other reason. and even if it's not your intention to breed, the dog is going to magically do so anyway, because it is impossible to prevent it. and no breeding is ever good. ever. there is no such thing as a "responsible breeder" when the shelter system "has to" kill so many dogs every year because there "aren't enough homes".

heck, i ran into this from my veterinary professional coworkers when i didn't neuter steve at six months.

sorry. bitter and jaded today.

it's just a case of other people thinking they know what's best for you regardless of your situation. It's pretty typical these days, everybody knows what's right for everyone else.

it would make their heads spin to know I have 2 intact bitches right now and if one didn't get pyometra many years ago, I'd have 3. They'd probably think I was an unfit owner

Icyhounds on here at one point looked at rescuing an afghan while having dogs she breeds and shows. Rescue would obviously be neutered. Nope. No can do. She was made to feel like she was irresponsible and a terrible person.

While Smudge was intact I looked at spayed girls. Nope didn't matter that we still dabbled in conformation, he's doing advanced rally, and master's level AAC agility. I was told I was irresponsible even if I sent them copies of his titles.

Came down to me havign an intact dog didn't support their agenda that all dogs should be neutered no matter what or somehow you are contributing to pet overpopulation even if you breed responsibly or watch your dog 24-7 outside.

Being a coordinator in a rescue, I certainly see why the rule is in place-- 99.99999% of the people who come to us wanting to adopt, with intact dogs in The home ARE totally irresponsible and ARE adding to pet overpopulation. "Oh, she's a labadoodlepoodletoodledocker... We think.... Were gonna breed her with the neighbor's weimahanniefannierottie!" type deal.

Weve talked about the issue many times and were certainly not solid on that policy, I've adopted out a few dogs to homes with intact animals. For the purposes in the above posts. I know better, there ARE plenty of reasons to have an intact dog, and you certainly CAN be responsible with an intact dog.

Most rescuers believe that there is NO reason to have an unneutered dog. The "Spay-Neuter" campaign and education is drilled into their heads, and that's the way it must be to be a responsible pet owner. And there's no reason to have it done any later than six months. If your
dog is nine months and unaltered, you're a bad pet owner

Oh god, Im on a forum where "If your dog isnt fixed, your the most irresponsible moron in the world"

Funny, whenever somebody asks for training advice they always suggest "Showing your dog who's alpha" and giving quick, physical corections like ceaser millan. ugh..
Mini rant /over.

I had better tell Lilly that she is moving out.

What kind of owner am I then? I have an unneutered male that was adopted on a neuter contract. Also an unfenced yard, incidentally.

I think some rescue folks are spay/neuter fanatics. Since I adopted Dotty from a lady in my area who was taking her to AC, I have talked to several people in the rescue world at dog events and at my part-time job that actually have gotten half angry at me for not scheduling her to be spayed yet. When I explain I want to wait until after she is 1yr old they get very frustrated and imply that I will launch a new puppy mill

I talked to one lady that said there is no reason not spay/neuter a dog by 12 weeks

I know people who show dogs who also rescue; the fixed and unfixed can live together just fine.

also some small "rescues" are really fronts for a hoarder and so they will find a reason why you're not a responsible person and refuse you. some of them are small groups of hoarders supporting each other's psychosis.