What is Digg?Sponsored by Newegg.com
$5,000 Newegg Eggstreme Challenge Video Contest Extended to 11/15 view!
newegg.com - Show them what YOU would do with the money you save by shopping at Newegg. Seriously, show them...
67 Comments
- jerryjamesstone, on 01/14/2009, -0/+22awesome, since people have been abandoning their pets due to the economy.
- marmol, on 01/14/2009, -1/+23i love that the story is about 3,000 pets up for adoption, and the google add is for a FUR COMPANY! who are they trying to target here...cruella deville?!
- yurishoujo, on 01/15/2009, -0/+10Running a shelter isn't cheap. While free would be ideal, it's expensive to do veterinary work on the animals that come in and to feed them while they're there. Not to mention building costs.
- Elle02, on 01/14/2009, -0/+10Finally something positive in the news!
- Cloned, on 01/15/2009, -0/+9I'm an adoption counselor at a shelter. Here we won't interrogate you, we don't run a background check (no one really does, shelters don't have the resource for that). I will sit down with you and the animal and try to get to know you. I'm making sure the animal is a good match for you and you'll be happy with the animal. I know the animals better than the adopters, so I want to find out more about you so I can pair you with the right animal.
More often than not the people who are unfit to adopt will obliviously let me know without me asking any questions. I actually had someone tell me their previous dog died because they left it out on a chain during a snowstorm and it froze to death. One person told me about the time they had a puppy in the bed of their truck, and when they got home off the highway it wasn't back there anymore. - radu79, on 01/15/2009, -0/+9I just adopted a feral cat that has been living nearby. I was feeding him for a few weeks, and even built a shelter for him, but he wanted to come in the house, and we couldn't let him in because we already have a cat, and he was trying to hump her.
But now we took him to the vet to castrate him, blood tests, vaccines, etc. Friday we should get him back, and we'll allow him in the house.
This whole thing did cost some money, but it is a very rewarding experience, and that cat really loves me. He always used to come up to me each time I went out to smoke. - Borg7609, on 01/14/2009, -0/+7THEY GOT PUGS! Pugs rock! Too bad they're so far away from me.
- Wiink, on 01/14/2009, -0/+7Oprah needs to give them out in her audience...problem solved.
- Battlecry, on 01/15/2009, -0/+6See if there's a participating shelter near you. There isn't one close by for me, unfortunately.
http://www.feedingisbelieving.com/believe/shelter- ... - Someguy101, on 02/19/2009, -1/+7I call dibs on the Gorilla!
- thejudeabides, on 01/15/2009, -0/+5There are plenty of purebreed rescues out there. I love French Bulldogs but I could never afford the 2000–3000 they cost from a breeder. Both of mine were rescues, the newest one was from http://frenchbulldogrescue.org/ and yes, there was a 500 adoption fee, but as someone else mentioned it costs a fortune to run a shelter and/or rescue between all the medical fees as many of the dogs are given up for adoption because the owners don't want to pay for their medical problems.
- bossm4n, on 01/15/2009, -0/+5This is an outstanding effort by Hill's to not only help place these 3000 animals, but also to raise awareness of the need to adopt animals from shelters as opposed to buying pets from stores. I wish the President Elect would have chosen the shelter route for the White House dog instead of looking for a pure bred. Now instead of him setting a proper example sending thousands of people to shelters to adopt pets, they'll turn their attention to the two breeds he has it narrowed down to, especially the one they finally choose.
- Cloned, on 01/15/2009, -0/+5You got it. Shelters get the majority of their revenue from adoption fees. If they didn't charge that, they wouldn't be there.
Besides, shelters are non-profit, so you can use it as a tax write off. - Cloned, on 01/15/2009, -1/+6After factoring in food, vaccines, and labor, it costs $200 to keep a dog for just the first 5 days at the shelter I work at.
Please adopt from a shelter. I know it may not be pedigree or is a "hand me down", but you're directly saving a life. - imneveral0ne, on 01/15/2009, -0/+4i belive one of his daughters has some sorty of allergy and thats why he had to go the purebread route.
- inactive, on 01/15/2009, -0/+4True. Cats really could give a ***** about you. Sure they'll purr, rub up against you for attention etc.. but I watch my cat do the same thing to a tree in the backyard...
My dog on the other hand... she goes ***** for me when I come in the door and according to the wife, sulks and crys for a little bit anytime I leave... hell my wife and daughter don't act that way for me....
If you can't afford adoption, then honestly, you can't afford a cat or dog.... The vet bills could be hefty, especially with an animal with an unknown history. - silent128, on 01/15/2009, -2/+6Am i the only one who doesn't understand the whole pay for adoption thingy. Isn't the point of adoption to take the animal off there hands because some one gave it up. Meh maybe im just crazy.
- Khast, on 01/15/2009, -0/+4Not sure if my landlord would allow. I would absolutely love a cat. :) I can't afford adoption, but I think I would make a good pet for a cat too. (well, they say you don't own a cat, the cat owns you.)
- Koskun, on 01/15/2009, -0/+4He got mean for a reason, self preservation.
You can un-train animals that have been abused, but it takes time (months to years). One step for animals that have been hit is to do the same motion with your arm like you are going to hit the animal, but at the end of the swing pet it. The animal will flinch, but eventually it will learn that it isn't being hit, it is being pet. Starting off going slow (slow-motion) works best, especially with dogs, as their instincts and reaction times can easily catch your hand.
It is partially the fault of the rescue agency if they did not disclose that the dog was abused. At least to give you a heads up and to help with the decision, but getting an animal that was abused from a rescue agency is never something you should dismiss and think that all the animals will be nice and happy. - radu79, on 01/15/2009, -0/+4I think that is much better than the background check. I would totally agree with talking with a counselor before taking a pet, because it makes sense and it is not intrusive.
- inactive, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3If people can't makes arrangements for their pet, they never should have adopted/purchased one.
I've got plenty of relatives that shouldn't own pets.... - enotswhat, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3I know plenty of people who shouldn't have kids
- inactive, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3I always recommend a new puppy for families with very young children... It's much easier to train both the dog and the child when dealing with a new puppy. Rescues of any type should be reserved for families well versed in dog care and have older more responsible children...
- Cloned, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3Another thing to keep in mind, radu, is that people who work at shelter see a lot of abuse and neglect. I agree that an actual background check is too intrusive an only dissuades adopters, but you should try to see the world from their eyes. A lot of the people we deal with are the kind that give humanity a bad name when it comes to animals.
Some shelters do take it too far, as with the background check. We can become very protective of the animals because we want the best for them. Although sometimes shelter employees forget that no matter how uncomfortable they are with an adopter, nearly any home is better than what the animal is getting at the shelter. - BobMcBob, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3Other than covering shelter costs, the point of adoption fees is to stop idiots from adopting a pet they can't afford to take care of. See Khast up there with "I can't afford adoption" comment. If you can't afford shelter adoption fees for a cat, then you can't afford to own a cat. There is no way you could cover even basic medical needs, should the need arise.
My local shelter has a great adoption fee system. They charge $85 for cats, plus a $75 sterilization deposit. You get the deposit back when you provide a certificate of sterilization, and they pay for the spay/neuter. Providing the deposit incentive ensures that most pots adopted out will be sterilized, and the small adoption fee makes people think twice about whether they actually want a pet.
The Toronto Humane Society gives out pets for free. I know several couples at university who have adopted dogs on a whim because of this. They never get them sterilized, and they end up in a bad situation if they break up. - grungegbunny, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3Awesome! If you have the time and patience to put into it I highly recommend a puppy. I love my two dogs, both were rescue.
- inactive, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3I'd figure there are huge animal abuse issues in your area radu79. Many people can barely take care of themselves.
- weakradiator, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3***** nor me...and the gf is touring in europe and wants one. itd be rad to surprise her. maybe the local shelters will suffice. im sure they will.
- almayng, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3and you would rather pay a breeder?
- thescimitar, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3You did more good than just adopting the cat, too. Neutering and spaying feral cats reduces the semi-wild populations out there, many of which end up in shelters, which then have to be put down. It's a self-sustaining cycle.
Good for you man, you saved your area businesses a lot of money, saved future generations of cats from suffering, and adopted an animal into your home. Not bad for a few days pay. - inactive, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3Always see if you can take the pet for a 'test-run'. Also, try to do research on the breed ahead of time. This will help you makes sure it's the right pet for you. Certain breeds are more 'mouthy' than others.
Got lucky here with an awesome German Shepard last year. Smartest dog I've ever taken care of. - bishkoku, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3I appreciate the spirit of this effort, but having to pay to adopt a pet is a necessary barrier to entry that prevents abuse and neglect. It's a huge responsibility to own a pet and if you can't afford the relatively inexpensive adoption fees you're not ready.
- fugazied, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3I wish I was in the US to get one of those cute pugs. None up for adoption in shelters where I live and a baby pug is about $1200 AUD!
- limes, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3"brand new puppy vs. a hand-me-down"
Shelters do have puppies. I hope you didn't know that, otherwise you'd seem like a complete prick. - skridge, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3you are an idiot then unless you plan to show the dogs. all our animals have come from shelters, or strays that we invited into our home. i am so glad to see this happening.
avoid breeders unless you are breeding & showing. - inactive, on 01/15/2009, -0/+3I hope the adopters can take care of a pet. There are lots of cases of animal abuse especially in major cities.
Still, at least these pets wont be able to reproduce which helps lower the population.
I just got a German Shepard last year from German Shepard Rescue after traveling a few hundred miles looking for the perfect one to adopt. $400, was worth every penny. Be sure to fully inspect the animal beforehand! Ones just brought it sometimes have skin rashes that are hard to see and should be addressed before, during and after pet adoption. Don't let it turn ya away, it's just to help keep 'surprises' away. - Cloned, on 01/15/2009, -0/+2A lot of people are actually just using that as an excuse to make them feel better about giving the animal up. Yes, there are families out there who really can't afford their pet, but a lot people have just been waiting for a "good reason" to give up the family dog.
- DCstewieG, on 01/15/2009, -1/+3It's to support the shelter. They aren't magically funded y'know. It's the least you can do for them temporarily taking care of your future best friend.
- radu79, on 01/15/2009, -0/+2It is not the payment that bothers me, because I understand that there are costs associated with preparing the pet for adoption.
But the background check really bothers me. I don't have any criminal record, but I don't want to be treated like a potential criminal. - carlosos, on 01/15/2009, -0/+2It always takes time with those kind of animals but after a while they will love you more than any other animal. This can cause problems. For example, we had a dog that got so protective that we couldn't let anyone outside of the family near us when he was around.
And we also had a cat that had her front claws pulled and we couldn't touch her legs for about half a year. But than the cat wouldn't leave the house for more than an hour because the cat was afraid to loose us like the previous owner. - Kitakaze, on 01/15/2009, -1/+3Ever seen "Pedigree Dogs Exposed"? The English bulldog, the pekingese and the pug were described as some of the most genetically and physically screwed up dog breeds around.
- wunksta, on 01/15/2009, -0/+2well they have to get funding from somewhere
- silent128, on 01/15/2009, -0/+2Finally some one gets my point :P thank you.
- ladysherwood, on 01/15/2009, -0/+2yeah, back when I was a kid, we adopted a few different pets from Wayside Waifs. At that time I think they only asked that you bring a bag of pet food, kitty litter, or other toys/supplies. Meh. I guess times change. I do understand they have costs, but I agree that I don't think they should be background checking people like they're adopting a human, or running for office.
- inactive, on 01/15/2009, -0/+2Especially dogs. Many people just don't realize how much of an impact a dog makes... Unlike a cat (I have and do own both, but I'm partial to dogs), a dog is only about 10% independent and needs as much attention as a small child. A dog will truly be your best friend but you have to actively (that's the key word) be his/her friend back... A cat could care less if you live or die for the most part.... You will not get away with leaving your dog by itself all the time, mishandling it, mistreating it etc....
When we got our current dog, we took over six months deciding on it, planning for it, teaching our daughter about care and treatment etc.. Our pup is a part of our family, not just a "pet".. I couldn't discard her anymore than I could my wife or daughter.... - K4Lic0, on 01/15/2009, -1/+3Wrong story, you're looking for the link below:
http://digg.com/linux_unix/Ubuntu_Causes_Girl_To_D ... - ladysherwood, on 01/15/2009, -0/+2YOU get a puppy! And YOU get a puppy! And YOU get a puppy...!
- TheKorn2, on 01/15/2009, -0/+1limes: had no idea
- TheKorn2, on 01/15/2009, -1/+2It certainly seems like a penny-wise and pound-foolish policy to me. Let's see, eight million or so pets enter shelters, and there's no way even 1/8th of those are adopted each year. Do the math; anythng that would help more get adopted seems like a good thing.
I've thought about adopting a dog, but the local pet store near me sells brand new dogs for about the same as the local shelter charges to adopt a dog. Let's see, brand new puppy vs. a hand-me-down. Duh.
(Yes, I know, it probably came from a puppy mill, yadda yadda yadda. I know that, and that affects my decision. Joe Regular doesn't know, and doesn't care.) - ladysherwood, on 01/15/2009, -0/+1agreed! I can completely understand animal rights, but I think these people are off the reservation. They give other animal lovers a bad name.
-
Show 51 - 71 of 71 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is