The local stray is in the pound; the SPCA won't allow him to be adopted and he is going to be put to sleep....

Two months ago, I found this dog in my backyard. I called the SPCA, the officer told me that the dog, Andy, is constantly getting picked up and that the owner lives around the corner from me. Since then I have found Andy almost every day on my property. I have asked the staff at the SPCA if I would be able to adopt Andy, but because the owners are paying the fine to get him out of the pound, he wouldn't be up for adoption unless they chose to surrender him.





He is a wonderful dog and my two young children are very fond of him.





Andy was picked up by the SPCA a few days ago. The owners have not come to the pound, or returned the pound's phone calls. The staff has been unable to evaluate Andy for adoption because he will not allow anyone near him. They told me that I could come and see Andy, and that seeing a familiar face may help his demeanor and he could finally be evaluated.





Today I drove 2 hours to the SPCA, where they told me I could not see Andy and he is going to be put to sleep tomorrow.





I have tried contacting the owners, that didn't go so well. I desperately want to adopt this dog! What can I do???

The local stray is in the pound; the SPCA won't allow him to be adopted and he is going to be put to sleep....
I would again call the spca and tell them that someone there told you to come in and get him. I would be sure to give as much info as possible as to who it was that you talked to. Maybe get a rescue involved in the area.





I used to rescue dogs.Unfortunately, some of the ppl at the spca aren't as loving towards animals as we are. They are there because it's a job and they aren't thinking that someone can love another ones dog.





I've had it happen to me also. I used to rescue dogs from the pound. Everyone that I rescued was adoptable and got adopted to loving homes.





My point is this, if you can get a rescue and/or your neighborhood involved (maybe even the local news which sounds drastic but may work) you may find yourself the owner of Andy. SPCA is under continuous scrutiny anyway usually and don't want negative publicity.
Reply:Did the owners say they are just going to leave him there? If you really want the dog, you are going to have to have the owners pick him up and get him that way.That seems like your only recourse. Why is that place so far away?Another thing, if he won't let anyone near him, would he be a good choice for a pet? I wish you luck!
Reply:ummm are you sure its an SPCA? as in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals? those are supposed to be no-kill shelters... I got my puppy from the Nevada SPCA, and i had to fight for 4 days to take her home becuase they weren't sure if we were fit.. Sometimes it takes some work to get thru to the right person at those places.. if nothing else, go up the ladder until you get someone who can make a decision.





--i have also changed my opinion here about being surprised an SPCA would kill a pet. Its been made very clear that they love to kill pets, and think its a good thing. (This being taken from the email i received from mypythonhg who explained that euthanasia means "good death") thanks mypythonhg.








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edit to add:





IN REPONSE, TO MYPYTHONHG'S (POSTER BELOW) RUDE EMAIL SHE JUST SENT ABOUT ABOUT HOW I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE SHELTER AND DIDN'T DESERVE MY PUPPY:





Wow... first of all... ditch the snottiness, its not very becoming. Second, don't insult me and call me clueless when you've just misspelled more words than you typed. Third, if you just stated that all SPCAs are independent, and then claimed to know all about the one that adopted my puppy from, you just made yourself a talking contradiction. You know NOTHING about me. NOTHING about my puppy.NOTHING about my puppys life. NOTHING about the shelter I adopted her from. NOTHING about the people I spoke with there. And NOTHING about the reasons why they were deciding for or against letting me take my puppy home.





So i would suggest that until you know SOMETHING (and how to spell it), you message me NOTHING as you're quite the expert there.





take care.


-H








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Reply:The ASPCA is not letting you adopt Andy for a reason. Animals that fail a temperament test have serious issues (such as aggression or fear biting), and it would be a hazard to the public if the shelter ignored this fact and put the dog up for adoption anyway.





My advice to you is perhaps to get the media involved. Try a local newspaper or TV station, and share your story...Sometimes you just need to draw attention towards yourself to reach your goal.





Best of luck.
Reply:If the dog is aggressive than the dog will be put down. The SPCA is responsible for the animals they adopt out and God forbid the animal attacked or bit someone, the SPCA could be in a lot of trouble because they knew the dog was aggressive.





If you have contacted the owner,(although a bit unethical) you may want to offer some $$$ to them. Money is a major motivator for greedy people. Offer to pay them for the dog. Be sure to sign a contract if they agree, and pay in check(not cash). Be sure you contract is legit and binding so they cannot just come and say they want the dog.
Reply:this may seem cruel, but shelters generally will not put a dog to sleep when people are interested in, unless they have good reason for it. andy is likely very aggressive, unpredictable, sick or a combination of the three.


since the staff is not able to approach him, chances are very good he is not the sweet dog you think he is. he is likely un-socialized and unpredictable and dangerous. i know you are attached to him, but it may be in yours and your children's best interest to listen to the shelter. they will not adopt out animals they feel are potentially risky.
Reply:If they don't have the owners on file...LIE and say he's yours. Pay the fine and take him home. I really don't condown lieing, but to save a dogs life I would. Sorry, that's all I have for an answer. Good luck.
Reply:I don't claim to know all the answers here but my only thought is that maybe if you could get a rescue group involved. Since he's scheduled to die tomorrow I realize it's a long shot but that's what I would try to do. They might have some way of convincing them to hold off.
Reply:I volunteer at an SPCA so there is most likely a reason for this and all animals can be requested to be euthanized by the owners. But dogs have to pass a test to see if they are adoptable and if they do not pass i am afraid euthanasia will be in their futer but there could be multiple dogs named andy see if they were talking about the right one or see if you can ask why he is being euthanized





SPCAs are most likley not going to be no kill shelters. And if they say you are not fit for the dog you probably arent and i do help with adoptions so if someone says they will be primarally outside there is a yard check and if it is not a suitable yard then you wont get the dog but remember the spca s arent one organization they were all created by different people and have no connection whatsoever so one SPCA might not be like the next SPCA





I probably made you more sad sorry if this didnt help but you have to remember there is going to be a good reason why you wouldnt be able to adopt it weather there is something wrong with you for that dog or there is something wrong with the dog