Animal rescue shelters’ placement standards: Protecting the innocent

by Kathleen Galayda

One bright, sunny, Wyoming day, a young mother turned from her toddler to check the roast in the oven. In those few moments, tragedy struck. Little “Billy” grabbed the family’s Basset puppy by her ears, and hurled her down the steps. The puppy survived, but with major injuries.

This incident, unfortunately, is not unusual. Nor was it the child’s fault. After all, what does a two-year-old know about actions and consequences? Was it the mother’s fault? An attentive, caring parent, she’d only looked away for a few moments. Her child had, up until then, been nothing but gentle with the helpless puppy. So, who was at fault, if anyone?

Perhaps blame rests with the local rescue shelter, which had placed the puppy with this family. They had not done their homework nor asked the right questions. They weren’t even aware that the woman had a child!

What standards should a rescue shelter adhere to when placing animals? The needs of both the adopting family and the animal must be taken into consideration when answering this question. In the case of Basset Rescue of Montana, it is true that Bassets are very family oriented, and most love children. However Bassets are hounds, which aren’t appropriate for every family. The organization knows this and screens all applicants and dogs.

Hound dogs, in general, are autonomous beings. They were bred to work independently, out of sight of their masters, and are indefatigably relentless in the pursuit of their quarry. Unlike the various Setters, Shepherds or Collies, hounds dislike taking directions or orders – they know what they’re doing, and don’t want any interference. In the field, whether going after pumas, bears, raccoons, or rabbits, these are highly desirable traits. At home, where the typical family wants a well-behaved and obedient companion, these traits are bothersome. Cultivating an obedient companion hound takes patience, knowledge, understanding, and a firm hand. The inability to deal with the typical hound’s attitude is the main reason why many are abandoned and end up in pounds, shelters, rescues, or worse.

Basset Rescue of Montana applicants must understand that the breed they are considering is not like Rin Tin Tin. Bassets won’t always come when called. When something attracts their attention, they will “go deaf”. When their noses strike a scent, they will just be gone, and no amount of calling and commanding will make them leave the trail. Basset Rescue makes sure potential adopters are aware of these facts, and that they are willing to do what is necessary to keep their Bassets safe and happy. Any applicants who indicate that the breed’s typical behavior is a problem are eliminated as prospective owners. Hounds are not for them.

Applicants must have yards that have fences at least four feet high, with no holes or weak spots. They must be willing to: keep their dogs leashed when away from home; train their dogs in basic obedience, or to have them trained; and establish authority over their dogs, set boundaries and rules, and command obedience. Applicants must be patient, tolerant, aware and not tyrannical. Passive, inattentive people should not have hound dogs.

After applicants have been assessed for their fitness as Basset owners, the dogs must be assessed for their appropriateness for the applicants. All physical and psychological problems are addressed. Basset Rescue gives all incoming dogs a thorough veterinary exam, complete dental care, and all vaccinations. If the Bassets are from out-of-state, they receive tests and treatments (if necessary) for heartworm and Lyme disease. If they need any other type of medical treatment, even surgery, they will receive it.

Next, the Bassets are temperament tested. This is the final step to ensuring proper placement. A leisurely Basset won’t be placed with an active family, and vice versa. . A shy, quiet Basset will probably not do well with a loud, extroverted family. A dominant Basset will not be placed in a family with very small, vulnerable children, and so on. In fact, Basset Rescue of Montana generally doesn’t place dogs with families that have children under six or seven (there are exceptions). Before that age, children usually aren’t aware of actions and consequences. If they throw a puppy downstairs, they don’t realize they’ve hurt someone.

If the shelter that placed the Basset puppy with the stay-at-home Mom had done its’ homework, thoroughly assessing both the family and the puppy, chances are that the puppy would not have gone to that family, and never been thrown down the stairs. The toddler was too young to understand the consequences of his actions, and the puppy too small and vulnerable to defend itself or escape. It doesn’t take much to prevent such incidents, just a little conscientiousness on the part of the rescue organization.

###