Many loyal followers of this blog are animal lovers and I know that some of you are involved in animal rescue in one form or another. I have recently become aware of a rather sad situation involving a well-meaning but misguided animal rescue “organization” in my community that is actually more of a hoarding situation than a true rescue group. According to the ASPCA, many people who are operating so-called rescue organizations are actually people with animal hoarding issues. I found this on their website:
“Research shows many hoarders are beginning to set themselves up as “rescue shelters,” complete with 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status. They may appear to be sensible people, persuasively conveying their love for animals and readiness to take those who are sick and with special needs. Furthermore, the Internet appears to be becoming a great tool for solicitation.”
Here are several signs that a rescue group or shelter may involve a hoarder. Some of these I lifted from the ASPCA’s site, and others I have added from my own observations and experiences with rescue organizations and from speaking with a local animal control official who has to deal with this issue frequently.
- The group is unwilling to let visitors see the location where animals are kept.
- The animals are kept inside and around the home of the person who runs the rescue group, rather than at a kennel/shelter or in foster homes
- The group will not disclose the number of animals in its care.
- Little effort is made to adopt animals out in some cases. In other cases, the group or individual may use the number of “placements” as proof that they are indeed rescuing and placing animals. Often the number of placements is inflated. And frequently, because they don’t adequately check references and the adopters’ living situations, the dog ends up back with the rescuer/hoarder or at a pound.
- More animals are continually taken in, despite the poor condition of existing animals.
- Legitimate shelters and rescue organizations are viewed as the enemy.
- Animals may be received at a remote location (parking lot, street corner, etc.) rather than at the group’s facilities.
- On Petfinder and other internet adoption sites, the animal for adoption is described using language like this: “Poor Jingles is just a lovebug, he wags his tail and gives big smooches to everybody he sees. He was placed in a shelter after a child tripped over him and he nipped her out of fear. Now he doesn’t know what he did wrong. (blah,blah,blah).” A responsible rescue organization will use language like this to describe the same dog: ”Jingles is a 4-year-old neutered male lab-mix. He has wonderful manners, is friendly and housebroken. Jingles would make a great pet in an adult home, or possibly in a home with children ages 12 or older.”
- The rescue organization doesn’t ask you for references, nor does it provide you with its own references. This is very important. A responsible rescue organization will have a very good working relationship with one veterinary practice and if you ask them for the name of the vet, they should provide it. You should call the vet and ask them about the group, and also confirm that the dog has had the vaccinations or other treatments that the “rescuer” says have been provided. Area vets are usually on to hoarders
- They don’t do a home visit. Many animal rescue groups insist on a home visit. I know some people think this is meddlesome, but usually they are there to make sure that the animal will be in your home for the longterm. If they discover that the plan is for the animal to be crated for a large part of the day, they will talk to the adopters about arranging for a dog-walker to come once a day to walk and play with the dog. If there is a high-energy child in the house, they might tell you that the particular dog you’re interested is not appropriate but they might have another dog that would be a better fit. This is how the organization helps the dog and the family/person adopting a dog. If they just want an adoption fee or a donation and will hand over the dog, they don’t fully understand animal welfare.
Holly demonstrates why home visits are important. This is unsafe environment. Dog could fall. Treats carelessly left near dog.
Unfortunately, in most states, anybody can obtain 501(3)(c) status as a nonprofit animal rescue group. Many people assume that an organization with this status is under some form of regulatory control, but they are not. So, in some cases, people with big hearts and very little knowledge about dog behavior and training will start a dog rescue group. In other cases, the person has hoarding issues and gets emotional gratification from rescuing dogs from “kill-shelters” and placing them. The more dogs they “place,” the more they can take in and it’s the “taking in” that is their addiction. So they are hasty to place dogs, they like to place dogs locally so they can keep track of them and they don’t take the time to seek out the best possible situation for the dog.
Small dogs usually do better with large children
Larger breeds are often better sports with kids
Feel free to add to this list if you are involved in any form of animal rescue, or to share your experiences adopting animals from rescue groups. Animal hoarding is very sad because it is not done out of cruelty, but it is nonetheless cruel, because it invariably results in neglect and/or injury to animals and sometimes to the people who care for or try to adopt them.
Wow, great information. I had no idea. Two dogs is enough for me now but next time I adopt I will know what to look for.
Love the funny pics, too!
Ann, thank you for this, this is really great information, I wish I could shout it from the rooftops so more than just people on your blog will see it. A very good friend adopted a young dog she found on petfinder. She was gullible, and thought because the so called rescue group was on petfinder, they were legitimate. Within the first few weeks, she incurred thousands in medical bills, as the puppy had pneumonia, and host of other issues. A legit vet said the puppy could have died. My friend found out after the fact that the “rescuer” was administering vaccinations herself, rather than having a vet do it. After she had all these problems, she googled the “rescue group” and found all sorts of terrible things and people having similar problems as my friend. In summary, DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST. Do not be impulsive when adopting an animal. Do not assume because someone is on petfinder, they are legit.
That’s sad. And I think very common. Another thing I forgot to mention. People should never accept assurances that an adult dog is kid-friendly without seeing the dog with kids and more importantly, seeing how the dogs behaves around its food or toys. Any “guarding” behavior makes a dog unsafe around kids,in my opinion. There are too many nice dogs around. Let the insecure/anxious dogs go to homes with experienced adult owners. A good rescue organization will know if a dog is appropriate for children. If they say a dog isn’t right for your family, it’s not a judgement about your family, but rather about the dog’s temperament, so don’t take it personally.
thanks for this great post, ann. i’ve seen animals taken from hoarding situations and it’s brutal. as an aside, i’ve also seen dogs that have wound up at shelters from pet stores. one thing that shocked me at first was how hard it is to place dogs that got too big/old at pet stores. typically, they haven’t been exposed to basic surroundings -grass, noise, cars, furniture, etc. and are scared of everything. it takes a special person or family to work with these dogs and they often are unadoptable.
i’m in the process of getting a 501(c)(3) and it’s not for the faint of heart (cost or time-wise) so it shocks me that some hoarders are willing to go through that.
thanks for the pictures – the first holly shot and caption is hilarious!
Lisa, I think the problem with hoarders is that they are in denial. They go through the process of getting tax-exempt status because they really think they are a rescue org.
Meanwhile, congratulations on starting up your own group! And that’s sad about the pet store animals.
yeah, the denial makes sense. i guess they start out with good intentions and then it snowballs.
i give legitimate rescuers so much credit – i couldn’t do it. i’d either be in tears or in jail.
In my bachelor days in New York City in the seventies I had a huge eight room rent control apartment all to myself. I had lived in the neighborhood all my life and was known as the guy who would take in a dog.. Most of the time I didn’t but when I did I was always able to place the dogs within a few days. This was one of my methods: Once someone brought me a cute cocker spaniel they couldn’t take care of .. I made a poster that said the following ..
FOUND FOUND FOUND
cute cocker spaniel at the corner of 107th
if nobody comes to claim him in 48 hours
the dog is going to the
POUND POUND POUND
then I would give my address and phone number and make a few dozen copies and put them all over the neighborhood on lampposts and bulletin boards
by the time I got back to my apartment there would be calls coming in .. One call was a girl and she said “YOU DIDN’t take him to the pound yet did you? and I replied . ” Hey listen lady if you want the damn dog you better get over here pronto I am taking him in a few minutes otherwise..” She was at my front door in no time flat with her hapless boyfriend . The dog jumped up on her and started kissing her and very meanly I yelled and pulled the dog away and pretended to kick the dog. IF looks could kill that day I was a goner for sure . She asked the boyfriend.. ” Can we honey please.” guy didn’t stand a chance.. .. They were a young yuppie couple who had just moved into a new townhouse a few blocks away..
” Yeah take the damn mutt.. if you want him.” I said . They bundled him in their arms and away he went to a great gentrified life.
I am absolutely shocked by these photos. Firstly, little Holly is clearly distressed by the fact that the armchair clashes with her beautiful honey-colored coat. That alone is cause for removal from your home. Secondly, note the frightened look in her eyes as your son puts her in a stranglehold. She’s a baby, for God’s sake! And poor Gomer, humiliated by the hat bearing the letter M. His name is Gomer, not Momer! Do you think he can’t feel shame? I’m calling Animal Control.
Okay. I’m just having a bit of fun on a Friday afternoon.
I did learn a lot reading this post. I am hoping to adopt two cats soon, and have been dealing with various organizations. One woman won’t let me come to her house to meet the cats that I’m interested in. I have to meet her at pet store next week. Very strange.
Yes, I’d be suspicious of the cat woman.
And you’re right, the child holding Holly is too young to be trusted alone with such a fragile animal. She’s clearly frightened out of her wits! Is the tot biting her head? Again, it’s just for demonstration, I would never let this dangerous situation go on in my home.
But you’re wrong about Gomer. He loves his cap and jersey. The M is for mojo.
Gomer does have a lot of mojo….
And Holly is a doll. What can I say. And she is not a fool because she knows how to cuddleup to a handsome young fellow, as if it were the most normal thing to happen to her!. Flirt!.
I am glad that you are verbal about this, Ann, because to an outsider, such as me, issues would not be that clear. Of course people want tax writeoffs!… who does not?. But the methods must match the claims, me thinks.
In denial, huh?
My foot.
Meaning of MOJO….
Best Answer – Chosen by Asker
Mojo originated as a term with a specific meaning, but in the late 20th century became a very fluid term with many different meanings. It originated as a reference to a type of magic charm. The word traces its origins to Africa and entered English in the late 19th century or early 20th century through use by African-Americans. It reflects the belief, common in many cultures, that some people have the ability to influence others to their own advantage, by casting spells or hexes.
In African-American folk beliefs, especially in the rural U.S. South early in the 20th century, a mojo was a small bag worn by a person under the clothes (also known as a mojo hand). Such bags were thought to have supernatural powers, such as protecting from evil, bringing good luck, etc. The mojo bag usually contained a mix of herbs, powders, sometimes a coin, and other objects thought to promote supernatural action or protection.
Other names for mojos, or specific types of mojos, include conjure bag, toby, and nation sack.
References to mojos are common in early & mid 20th century rural blues songs. Some of these were blues tunes covered by white rock & roll bands in the 1960s. The tunes thus reached audiences unfamiliar with the rural African-American folk beliefs referred to in the lyrics of the songs. The exposure to uninformed audiences led to misunderstanding and additional uses of the word. One example of many is the 1999 film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me which apparently used mojo to mean libido. Some other slang meanings of mojo in common use include: charm, charisma, karma, cocaine and thing (as in “Gimme that mojo!”).
Source(s):
knowledgerush.com
4 years ago Report Abuse
Wow. Lupe. Wow. I love histories of words, especially slang or colloquialisms (is that the right word? Phil?) Had no idea about the African origins of this word! Thanks
Unfortunately Ann, this is a sad but true situation that is more common than thought, and thank you so much for talking about it.
Aislin, I just read your post, and have to put my 2 cents in: sometimes individuals who are involved in rescue do not wish to allow prospective adopters in because of the chance they are checking out what they own, how to break into their house, etc. It’s a safety issue. People with puppies for sale should show pictures via email, and then gain a trust with the person who wants to buy. I’ve heard horror stories of litters of pups being stolen because people had come in, checked out the set up of the house, etc.
I would meet the cat lady at the pet store, and then tell her you’ll think about it. The go home and call her. After proving you are truly interested in the cats, she just might feel comfortable to meet you at her home- just had to point that fact out! It’s a very scary world we live in!
I actually am aware of a husband and wife that will take ANY ANIMAL, and after they took in 4 cats I referred them to FOSTER, I tried to get people to contact them interested in adoption/forever homes but the people won’t call anyone back, etc. A friend of mine got to see their house, and she was SHOCKED at the smell/number of animals runnning around. They have $$, and I don’t even think they have a non profit license thing, it’s just SAD!
LVGroomer, thank you for the advice. I do think this lady genuinely cares about the cats in her care because she did call my vet for a reference. She also had me fill out an application, and told me all about their personalities, their origins (a mall parking lot), and their particular food choices. I think you’re right about her not wanting a stranger going to her home. I’d feel the same way.
I’ll let you all know if I become a mother of two.
Happy Anniversary, Ann! And…Barbara, major big hugs to you!
Normally I don’t submit comments (I’m a read-and-gawk kinda person when it comes to blogs), but when it comes to animals, I have to put my foot down and start typing.
My mom has six dogs, ranging from Gomer-sized to slightly bigger than Holly. Mom is nuts about Petfinder and goes on there all the time. However, Mom has very strict rules when it comes to adoption of dogs: either it’s from a shelter or from somebody she knows personally. A couple of the dogs were gifts, but one come from a county shelter and the other was a breeder who has to go out of business and was a friend of the family. I thought Mom was nuts having all those mutts (and one purebred), but she takes very good care of them and are the happiest six canines you’ve ever seen.
I’ve adopted cats from shelters; my now-deceased Nickelodeon and my current cat Rizzo. I was put through the ringer when it came to adopting them; when I adopted Rizzo, the shelter called both the vet AND my landlady! I thought it was nuts at the time when I asked if they could do a home visit, since I’ve never seen that before, but i agreed only because I thought I was going to get my adoption denied if I didn’t. Luckily, it went very smoothly and Rizzo is one happy purry puss (when her stepbrother Rizzo isn’t driving her nuts).
As for animal hoarding, I’m a big fan of animal police shows on Animal Planet and have seen hoarders-come-rescuers on there more than once. One “rescuer” berated the cops, saying that they were interfering with her “work for God”, and that if the animals were taken away (which they were), the ASPCA was “gonna gas them all”. The ASPCA is a no-kill shelter anyway, and those animals looked horrible beyond belief! Who’s saving who?
Sorry about all the rambling, but the point is: if you’re gonna get a dog or cat or any animal, do ALL OF your homework and don’t get duped via your emotions. If something isn’t right, walk away. Period.
(Footnote: love the Packers hat on Jack…I’m ecstatic they won the Super Bowl!)
The ASPCA is NOT a no-kill shelter.
Great, informative blog today, Ann…..I hope you put a link on your FB/Twitter pages. Our rescued greyhound came to us from a very reliable rescue organization, but they rescued him from a bad rescue situation. He had been in a crate in a basement of a house for two years! Supposedly available for adoption. Now, I’m thinking those peeps were hoarders, not rescuers. One of the members of the reliable organization had a littermate to our dog and he discovered the sad situation our dog was in. Our story has a happy ending for the dog, but I wonder how many times it turns out well.
So informative today! Information I didn’t know and wouldn’t have thought of–thanks Ann!!
Different note; are we going to have a new book choice soon ( I loved Dracula and am ready for another great read–open to suggestions, my friends; I’m much more a fiction reader, but I’ll consider other options); and–anything special planned for the April 1 anniversary??? I had fabulous news at the dr yesterday, so I’m in a real party mood!!! ( And you started the blog while I was home recuperating from my surgery and during my radiation treatments—I have a special affection for this place; helped keep me distracted from my own woes and always cheered me up……..so let’s party!! 3 years is worth a celebration!!
Great news, Barbara!
Yay, Barbara!!!! I’m SO happy for the fabulous news!! Yes, time to celebrate!
Oh Barbara, bless you for remembering the blog anniversary and I am so happy about your news, as I know we all are. What shall we do for the anniversary? I’m open to any suggestions.
It’s sad because I work with a rescuse that transports dogs up from TN to New England, and a number of our dogs have come from hoarding situations. Poor pups get to us in such bad shape, physicaly and mentaly.
Our rescuse relies on our foster families to keep the dogs untill they are placed. This allows them to be socalized and live in a home setting, which is something they may have never had before. Our foster moms also have a big say im the adoption process, because we want to make sure our pups go to their forever homes.
A majority of rescue groups will also work togeather to get animals placed.
It’s sad that people become hoarders in the first place, and worst is that they dont see anything wrong with it. When people as me how I give a dog up after fostering them my responce is….
I have two dogs of myown already. My yard, home, and budget are limited, would it really be fare to not only them but my foster if I abopted and made it 3? I’m giving another person(s) the chance to love a dog as much as I love my two.
Thank You for posting this and I will be sure to pass it on to others.
Still, sometimes they are better off than at a public animal control where they are processed ruthlessly.
My post is number 2 above, a horror story. I also have a happy story to share, did not have time earlier.
After my Mom lost her dog at the age of 78, she was heartbroken, and it was the first time she was absolutely alone since she married 48 years prior. I pored through Petfinder for almost 6 months, literally looked at hundreds of dogs, we even made one trip to a shelter to meet a dog. Though it was a nice dog, the shelter misrepresented it’s size to us during our initial phone inquiry, Mom didn’t adopt this dog, as he was just too big for someone her age. She ended up adopting a precious, incredibly well behaved, little black dog named Belle. I found her on Petfinder. Mom wanted a senior dog, because she was afraid at her age, the dog might outlive her. I really did my homework in looking for this dog, and passed on many that I knew just wouldn’t be right for my Mom. It requires a lot of patience, common sense, and time to find the right fit. Belle and my Mom are a match made in heaven, she has brought so much joy into my Mom’s life and is the best companion I could have hoped for my Mom to find.
Maureen, That is a beautiful story.
Ann, I just finished reading a memoir entitled “Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother’s Compulsive Hoarding”. The author’s mom is NOT an animal hoarder, but there is a scene in the book where Jessie recalls the circumstances of HER dog’s adoption and realizes that it came from an animal hoarder! The red flags and strange circumstances match MANY of the points on your list!
Also, LOVE your pics (and captions!).
And dear Barbara, you (ESPECIALLY!!!!!!) have a wonderful weekend!!!!!
Well, since this about dog safety, I’ll include a cautionary video. NEVER leave a defenseless Leonberger alone with a Jack Russell terrier, or this could happen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWcVDT4rK0U
Thanks for posting that video! We have always been a one-dog family, and my daughter is visiting with her schnoodle, Tonks.This has put our Wheaten, Trinity, in a state of permanent alert, especially when Tonks starts playing with Trin’s toys. Trin is about 28 lbs. of solid muscle;Tonks is much smaller and more delicate.I have been refereeing scraps between them all morning, since my daughter is on her way to the Bruins game at the “Gahden”. After watching that video, I think I’ll just let them tussle instead of giving them both five minutes for fighting!
Mary Beth, I have two Wheatens! Love, love, love.
So cute! Gomer is so gentle.
Yes, Sandra, Gomer is very gentle. He ‘paws’ at the small dog as if he were petting it, rather than anything else. Over and over. As if he understood sizes and demeanors. Sweet!!!!!!!!
It is so sad that so many animals are abused, neglected or worse. They have no voice. Great information Ann, thank you for sharing it.
Great post Ann, and very timely since it seems to be puppy and kitten season. At our farm in Georgia we seem to have the reverse problem, people don’t spay or neuter, and when there are too many dogs under the front porch they load them up in the car and dump them –we had 5 pit bull mix puppies dropped in front of our stable last Thursday night. We have legitimate shelters and rescue groups here too–I don’t understand what the thought process is when someone dumps a dog or cat. They probably don’t take good care of their kids either.
Wow, so many similarities in your bullet points between the hoarding 501(c)3′s and puppy mills. I have 4 dogs, but i know my limits – this is what my budget and my big fenced in backyard and truck can handle. However, we also make room for emergency foster care situations, and it is the most satisfying experience – highly recommended. To see the change that can occur within 24 hours for these poor souls who come from their unhappy backgrounds is so gratifying. More fosters are needed at virtually every legitimate rescue group.
This is a ludicrous and absurd warning. Because a rescue chooses to use certain words to make a dog endearing means they aren’t legitimate? How ridiculous. And because they don’t let strangers traipse in and out of PRIVATE foster homes means they have something to hide? Do you have ANY idea what you are talking about? You are scaring people unnecessarily. I am horrified by this article and it is making people leery of adopting from a rescue. You should be ashamed of yourself!
I’m sorry to horrify you Barb. It’s a list of signs that a rescue organization “might” involve a hoarder, and as I said, the information came from the ASPCA’s website and from talking to an animal control officer about a sad situation in our community. I don’t think there was anything in the post that would frighten anyone from rescuing a dog from a legitimate organization. I can see where you might take issue with my statement that the use of cutesy language could be a red flag. I know many organizations use language like this in their ads. The example I gave was more about how the ad justified a nipping dog rather than the use of endearing terms. I’m not ashamed of myself, I stand by the things I said and wonder how anybody involved in animal rescue would be horrified by this.
barb -
having been a reader of this blog for three years, i can assure you that ann is an animal lover and advocate, as are many others here. we all want what’s best for any animal and ann’s post is just meant as a way to educate, certainly not to condemn. awareness is a good thing.
Dear Ann
I am desperately seeking puppy. Can you recommend any good rescues or shelters near you? We are looking for a large, mellow mix. Already have a small junkyard lovebug. We are in Northern Westchester county. Please feel free to email me privately. Much appreciated.
Jennifer Hammerstein
[email protected]
PS – Big fan
An elderly woman had one of these “rescues” in our area (Los Angeles) and her yard was overrun with poodles, which she never had fixed or exercised. Her family could not convince her to part with a single dog, as no one was “good enough.” She became ill and her daughter had two weeks to get as many dogs homed as she could and the ASPCA brought a bunch of them to a pet adoption fair. My husband and I went to the fair just to look. Yeah, right.
When we met Truman, he was over a year old, dirty, spindly and had never been outside a kennel or inside a house. It was love at first sight. We brought him home to see if he got along with our other dog and our two cats and he did, the cutiepie that he is. Now, two years later, he is a wonderful pet–happy and healthy and he goes on a five mile walk every morning. Plus his haircuts cost more than mine!
Your blog is wonderful, by the way!
have been looking to adopt a dog for the last 5 months and have learned quite a bit . I am sure there are legit rescue places but fear they are a minority. The biggest problem seems to be the price set on these dogs are they serious! I can see breeders making a big come back !I have no problem in someone coming to see where the dog will live ,but i should also be able to go to see where the dog was raised!
I recently rescued a small mixed two year old dog from IOHR. Well, let me tell you something. The dog was advertised as sweet, loving, gentle with kids great with other dogs, etc. . . .when I filled out the application, they contacted me right away. They told me on the phone they didn’t need to do a home inspection because I sounded in my voice like the perfect person to take a rescue dog into their home. When I was to get the dog, I was told to meet in a local parking lot. Which I found a bit strange, that I couldn’t meet up at the rescue group. I checked in with my five references and not one of them were called! The dog was in my home for a week and it had diarrhea all over the house! Was clearly not house trained. The most terrifying ting is that when my husband walked through the door, the dog would growl, show it’s teeth and lunge at him. . . . . . .???? When I called back the rescue group, they softly said. . . .” I never had that happen to me before. . . Must be something new”. I ended up giving back the dog, and yet again meeting in another local parking lot. . . . .I insisted on workingnsomethingnut to refund my money and they clearly stated, you adopted the dog, we keep the money. . . . .its NONREFUNDABLE! I think they were clearly in the wrong. The rescue group is clearly hoarding dogs and farming them out to make money, this is pure cruelty! Please read all you can about rescue groups before you do the rescuing yourself. . . . . . .stay away from IOHR!!!!!!!!!!!