The World of Rescue Part 3: I want to adopt.......NOW.

Our instagrat society and what it's doing to rescue

Having worked as a sort of "middle man" organisation between rescue organisations and people either adopting or surrendering we mainly hear people complain about how long it takes for rescue orgs to answer their e-mails/Whatsapps/messages and/or how long they have to wait to adopt.

What's the rush?

Instagrat. In this world we have become impatient about everything. A world where the internet is never fast enough, the meal doesn't come quick enough, we can't get to our destination speedily enough. We are putting this attitude upon things where patience could give us a great reward. Why are you in such a rush to adopt? What is the difference between today or in  a month or three if it means its the RIGHT dog and not just "a dog" for the sake of getting a dog because you simply MUST have a dog NOW?

People will wait for months on end to get that puppy from a "reputable breeder", but to wait for a dog or puppy from a breed specific organisation they want things to happen instantly. It would seem people are starting to adopt because they "cannot" wait.

Why the wait?

When it comes to breed specific orgs most people are volunteers working full time jobs, have their own families, pets and personal lives as well as trying to make sure the unwanted animals are finding the perfect homes by e-mailing, Whatsapping, doing home checks, reading applications, picking up surrendered dogs, helping with integration of adopted dogs, taking dogs to and from the vet, holding dying dogs in their arms because owners couldn't look after them, organising, attending and advertising fundraisers in order to care for the dogs that are surrendered to them. The list goes on.

It is NOT called for for you to get funny or impatient because you feel responses aren't fast enough. Follow up. Nicely. Follow up again if you have to. And again and again. The likelihood is that your communication may have slipped through the cracks and the volunteers very much appreciate a kind and gentle follow up. They have A LOT to deal with. Don't assume you are being or have been ignored, get stubborn and then go buy a puppy from some backyard breeder because you wanted a puppy NOW.
Sometimes once an adoption process is on the go for a dog that you saw on their facebook page. Eventually (usually) your e-mail or message will be answered but once an adoption process hits a certain point then the priority will fall onto the next dog needing a home BEFORE letting you know that the dog you are interested in has already been homed. That is why sometime you may have enquired about a dog and heard nothing and then see a happy adoption post. It is not because you were ignored or not considered (necessarily) but rather that perhaps when you enquired the process was already to far-gone.

Why to wait

You've been getting frustrated because you have told the organisation exactly what sex you want, what age, what environment it needs to fit into. You've been waiting weeks and you are getting irritable and frustrated because they are taking SO LONG to get back to you and  taking forever in getting you a dog/puppy.

We would like for you to stop in your "I-gotta-getta-dog-NOW" tracks for a moment. You are getting frustrated that a rescue organisation is not "delivering" a dog or puppy to you within some sort of "deadline" you may or may not have set. What you need to remember is that the organisation does not breed dogs, they also do not go around encouraging people to surrender their dogs (in fact most decent breed specific organisations will first try and see if there is some way - if it is in the dog's best interest - to see if the dog can rather stay with its family). 

By being impatient (in our humble opinion) you are wishing ill will on a dog. You are wishing for someone to give up a dog that is perhaps happy where it is and will have to be torn away from its family or you are wishing that there is a dog in an awful environment in which it will be confiscated or the owner will give it up (that being said, if you are inadvertently wishing that then one would hope you are also willing to adopt a dog with "issues" - are you?)

Is this the energy you are wanting to put out into the world? Whether you mean to or not, this is what your impatience is doing. If you want to adopt - TRULY adopt - you will be patient, you will keep in touch, you will work with your organisation of choice and you will be open to give a loving home to the dog that finds you. ​

Rescue is rewarding - if you let it be. Otherwise whether you're the one doing the rescuing or the one doing the adopting it can be a horrible experience. Up to you, your choice.

You get the drift - chill out. Build a relationship with a good organisation, keep in friendly communication, don't be in a rush - your dog will find you. Trust us.