Wilma

Chris and Wilma, 2010

I want to talk about rescuing pets. But it’s so hard to talk about it, without villainizing specific organizations and the people that work in them. I don’t want to do that, I really don’t, but it does need to be said that sometimes rescuers lose sight of what a good, loving, safe home actually looks like.

I’ve volunteered in several organization and let me tell you what – you will see the worst of humankind. People do awful things to animals and after being repeatedly exposed to this kind of behavior we start to scrutinize the most minute details of our adoptee’s applications.

“Oh, you work a job” – no, sorry

“You don’t own your home?” – nope. Sorry

Most rescue organizations are looking for reasons to say “no”, when they should be looking for the “yes!”.

While I volunteered with a rescue in Atlanta, I fostered Wilma. A 4-year-old block headed chocolate lab. Gwen and I were living in a condo near downtown Atlanta, but I had always had foster dogs and the community that I lived in was very pet friendly so having Wilma wasn’t an issue.  Wilma was the sweetest, she had a very similar attitude as Gwen. We knew that applications would flood in.

The director of the organization and I had worked together for some time at this point, and she often trusted me to make judgement calls about the adopter. As applications would come in, we would filter down to applications that were qualified. Once applicants were selected there would be a flurry of phone calls, emails, home checks, and introductions to make sure everything fit. For me, I often relied on my gut to tell me if someone was right. I tried to analyze a dog’s behavior with the applicant, and I also just sort of went on a “vibe” that I got. Sometimes you just know, you know?

Wilma received dozens of applications, as anticipated, but one in particular had stuck out to our director. A retiree who lived in the mountains with acres of fenced in land. The applicants I had chosen were quickly vetoed because they didn’t have specific criteria. For example, one reason this organization often denied applicants was because people lived in rented apartments or condos. Never mind that I, the volunteer who fostered dozens of dogs for them, lived in a rented condo – but I digress.  She insisted this was the best option, so we moved forward.  I met the applicant and his wife at an adoption event the following weekend.  The couple arrived and while nice enough, didn’t seem overly friendly or excited – not what one would expect when bringing a new life into their home.  They met Wilma, chatted for a moment, and then went on with their day. Part of me was happy that was over – I just didn’t like the “vibe” and told the director as much.

A few days later I received another call. After some deliberation, they wanted to adopt Wilma.  The director was making the arrangements and the new guardian would be coming to my home to pick her up.  I fought like hell – “I do NOT like this” I exclaimed. But who am I but a lowly volunteer – at the end of the day I really have no say in where Wilma goes. On the day that the new guardian came to pick her up, I wanted to go over a few things that I had been working on, as far as some simple training and Wilma’s routine. When I pulled out the treats that I had been using the new guardian pushed them away and told me that “they don’t do treats”. I was so taken aback by this – I just had a horrible feeling about letting her go with him, but again, the work had been done and I relinquished the leash to Wilma’s new guardian.

The director of the rescue insisted everything checked out. She re-assured me that this guy was the best of the best, they are home all the time, with lots of land, a beautiful home, Wilma has it made!

A few days later I received an early morning call from the guardian asking to get in touch with the director, they needed help. The guardian (using that term very loosely here) wanted our organization to come to his home and pick up Wilma to take her to the emergency veterinarian – she was now very ill.

It was later revealed that Wilma had been being left outside. Wilma was not living the life of luxury in a mountain home; she was instead being left outside to contend with the elements on her own. The new guardian’s wife had discovered Wilma on their front porch with blood coming from her nose. She was lethargic, lying on the floor. Instead of taking her to the ER themselves, they left Wilma on the porch, and called us. It was our fault for giving them a sick dog – direct quote. A volunteer was quickly arranged to pick up Wilma and take her to the local emergency veterinary hospital. There it was determined that Wilma had been bitten by a venomous snake.  Due to the length of time that had passed, it was too late to save Wilma. Despite best efforts delivered by this amazing clinic, including a blood transfusion, Wilma passed away just days after being placed into her new home.

This story breaks my heart. This was 12 years ago, and I think about Wilma and her story every day – her ashes remain on a shelf in our den.  Wilma’s death was a direct result of the rigidness that occurs within rescues. While I hate to fault seasoned rescue agents for being strict with potential adopters – this type of behavior pushes away wonderful people with safe, loving homes. The people who adopted Wilma dazzled with a fancy house, property, and a retiree’s lifestyle but they had no love for a pet. No intention of giving Wilma the home she deserved – instead, she was introduced into their home to scare away predators. They wanted her to bark at bears and be an “outside” dog – the exact opposite of what most rescuers are trying to accomplish.  Wilma had a stack of applicants from people who, like me, were city dwelling dog lovers, that would have provided her the best home had they been given the chance.

I will always be an avid supporter of rescues.  Most of the people within these organizations work tirelessly to save homeless pets and I am proud to support them and be a part of it when I can. But we must change the way we process applications and eliminate the stereotypes of what an ideal pet home looks like.  Let’s change the attitude around finding homes and start looking for reasons to say “yes!”.

Until Next Time,

C.O