Ellen DeGeneres In Trouble With Rescue Agency For Giving Adopted Dog Away
Ellen DeGeneres is in trouble with a pet rescue agency for giving a dog that she adopted away to her hairdresser.
DeGeneres adopted Iggy, a Brussels Griffon mix, at the Mutts and Moms dog adoption agency in late September. Unfortunately, Iggy and her cats didn’t get along, and Iggy was too energetic, so DeGeneres gave the dog to her hairdresser.
When a representative from Mutts and Moms called DeGeneres to see how Iggy was doing, she said she had given the dog away to another family. The agency said DeGeneres violated an agreement by not telling them what she did.
On Sunday, an agency representative went to the hairdresser’s home and took Iggy away. The two daughters of the hairdresser, ages 11 and 12, had become close to the dog and were extremely upset when Iggy was removed from the house.
DeGeneres spoke about the situation during a taping of her show. She said she did not read all the paperwork during the adoption.
She told her audience, “I thought I did a good thing. I tried to find a loving home for the dog because I couldn’t keep it. I feel totally responsible for it and I’m so sorry. I’m begging them to give that dog back to that family. I just want the family to have their dog. It’s not their fault. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have given the dog away. Just please give the dog back to those little girls.”
Source: Associated Press
Photo: Celebrity Week
(Thanks Lynn)
October 16th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
I sort of agree - with everyone. I probably have more free time than Ellen does. I have a Rescue whom I wouldn’t give up unless I knew the potential adopters VERY WELL, including observing them with other pets and making a visit with a Rescue rep.My Rescue cost $250.Let’s be fair, the Rescue that performed Ginger’s adoption is a 501(c)(3) which is tax-deductible,above the line deductible.100% deductible and she chases my cat.My solution is barricades, but that’s just me. The cat seems to be okay with it. Gin is a bit frustrated,though! She’s not evil, just chases everything that she can see.
In spring,she barked at carpenter bees!
October 16th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
As I work with a rescue, I understand this rule perfectly. We have a list of people who will never get another dog from us, but have had experience with them sending others to adopt a dog for them—-THERE ARE REAL GOOD REASONS FOR THIS RULE. But I do agree that the situation should have been investigated more thoroughly before the dog was yanked. Ellen, didn’t your mother ever tell you to read the contract before you sign it?? Had you called first, things might have worked out differently.
And good grief, how on earth did you manage to spend $3000 on a spay and training???Did they use gold stitches or what??
October 16th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Kathy,
if she took the puppy to a reg vet hospital and did all the pre-op blood work, it prob cost a pretty penny. especially in her area and with her status. same with the training. lordy, look at what they charge for beds, totes and little dog clothing specifically aimed at those with big wallets. the 3 grand barely raised my eyebrow, sad to say. the price of a haircut around there can be down right insane!
October 16th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Ok who in the world thinks Ellen meant to harm anyone? Good Lord I have always had rescue anminals. Mine have all worked out with lot of trying times on my part. BUT I am the unusually that runs home everyday for lunch to attend to the dogs and cats. So I make it work. Ellen did a great thing and should be told so. She resued an anminal that didn’t work out of her, hmm gave it a new good home with someone she knew, with 2 kids who Ellen says have all come to love each other now this so called resue center RIPS THEM OUT OF THE HANDS OF THOSE SAME KIDS…oh I am sorry why? to place Izzy in a better home? hmmm lets think about this. I know my money will not be supporting that animal rescue. EVER. Maybe they should have just called them to see or make arrangements to go there for a visit.
October 16th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Straybaby, i mis understood the posts of her “costs” as adoption fees. my bad.
AGain, contracts like this are likely not going to hold up in court any time soon. a pet (like it or not) is a legal possession.
Imagine a contract that says “if I find out you have given away your computer to your daughter or anyone else, i can go in and take the computer back”.
the law sees possessions as fundamental concept. contracts cannot stipulate what you do with a possession that is legally yours once it is legally acquired. The most a shelter could do is send the animal control people to investigate the matter.
I mean, imagine the ramifications of saying a SHELTER had right to your pet. YOu and your son and his best friend all raise your dog together. after your son dies in a car accident, the best friend says “I’d like to take Lucky, if you are ok with that. it’s my conection to our friendship”.
so a shelter has a contracted legal right to step in and remove YOUR dog from the home YOU choose???? get real.
October 16th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
It appears that Mugs and Moms has changed their name, probably due to the bad press. Here is there new info:
Small Time Rescue
Southern California
Phone: (626) 792-7577
Email: beckynot@beckynot.com
ITCHMO ADMIN: We received an email from Rebecca Kramer, the owner of Small Time Rescue, saying that she is not the same dog rescue agency as Mutts and Moms. Small Time Rescue is a dog rescue in Pasadena, California and focuses on senior and special need dogs.
October 16th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
interesting video update (?). . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffBmnFSp4M
October 16th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
The women who run Mutts and Moms should go into hiding right about now. There is nothing but hate for them today. Ellen post is up over 3500 posts.
I think it is safe to say this rash act has just ended their business.
October 16th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I sympathize with Ellen, however I am glad that this issue is being brought to the attention of the public. Millions of homeless pets are put down every year because of action and inaction on the part of animal shelters. Have an opinion that differs from theirs? No pet for you! You are not worthy! It is more a power trip that truly caring about the best interests of innocent animals. Qualified caring people are turned away every day because some bitter old biddy has an opinion that differs from yours. Is anyone who wants their kitten declawed an irresponsible owner. How about refusing to get shots for completely indoor cats due to the evidence of cancerous tumors caused by over vaccination? Nope, when adopting you must have the same opinion as the rescue or you will be told that you don’t meet the criteria. Unfortunately, like everything else it’s about supply and demand and rescues try very hard to take in cute little puppies and kittens so that they have a product that will be in demand. I have witnessed first hand a distraught owner attempting to surrender his cat due to litter box issues, and being turned away by the shelter because “we would be unable to place the animal”. If it was about truly caring about animals they would not only take the easily placed they would take the ones that cannot be placed. Unfortunately, the only way to change the behavior of most animal shelters comes at the expense of animals. Quite frankly, boycotting private animal shelters is the only way to effect change.
October 16th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
“Quite frankly, boycotting private animal shelters is the only way to effect change.”
Please don’t lump all private shelters in one basket. Grrrrrr.
October 16th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Strawbaby, in several ways, i agree with you.
I have found that many shelters (public and private) are so “worried” about who they place with, they limit who can own or adopt. People who rent must have permission from landlords. well, that may be all and well, if you can FIND the landlord, but if not (my land lord long-lease to me from Germany where they live in thier retirement), then it’s No-Kitty-For-You.
I hate the idea of declawing a cat, but frankly - what’s worse, putting a cat down, leaving it in small cage or over crowded room, or losing 10 digits but getting love.
Not all shelters are this extreme, but most have some kind of waiver or regulation for parenthood that is an infrigement.
Traci, i know it’s not “all” shelters, but even the shelter you work at, suggests if not requires you to adopt two kittens at once, not just one. It is a situation today where if you want to do teh right thing, and buy from a shelter instead of a pet store, you do have to fit whatever “mold” the owner of the shelter deems “appropriate”.
I’m curious of someone who is a known skitzophrenic could get a pet from a shelter, even when evidence suggests that pets can HELP.
Or a homeless person, wanting to take any dog that hasn’t been adopted?
or parents who think that a 3 year old is fine with a dog - even though a shelter might disagree, etc.
October 16th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
So, does anyone know what happened to the “designer dog” Ellen bought less than a year ago? Does she still have him/her?
As far as rescues requiring renters to have their landlord’s permission being some kind of Gestapo rule, how many dogs/cats get taken to a kill shelter because their irresponsible owners “suddenly” found out their apartment/condo/trailer park doesn’t allow pets??
How many people move to those many states/cities/towns that don’t allow animals and dump their pets at kill shelters?? You know, all the “Free dog, moving, can’t take him/her”. I’m sure you can find hundreds in the newspapers and on Craigslist.
So tell me again how rescues have the unreasonable expectation of getting a dog or cat back if the adopter doesn’t want them anymore?
October 16th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
I think all shelters & AC (dog catcher) should be changed starting at the top & Nathan Winograd put in charge of all of them. It could only make it better for all the babies & people. They haven’t done a good job in all these years by the #. I think we are going to have a big backlash for years over this. I think we are going to find out those contract’s arn’t worth the paper they are on except to not get babies adopted.
If you really want to know what people think of most shelters ask the people who live around them & know them.
October 16th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Tanya,
The reason shelters ask not to declaw is that it is considered an unhealthy and last resort option–yes better to keep a cat in a good home if it means a must-do declawing for non-medical reasons.
We ask that people live where they are allowed pets but we don’t ask for permission slips–the obvious is that someone facing eviction because they broke the pet policy is likely to dump the cat somewhere else.
We ask that kittens under 6 months be adopted in pairs or as singles if there is another cat already in the home. THIS IS FOR ANIMAL SOCIALIZATION.
All shelters/rescues private and public monied have rules for adoption and post-adoption. Nothing is going to be solved by boycotting decent private shelters vs going to public ones.
October 16th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
After my terrier mix passed away more than 20 years ago, I travelled all over the state trying to find one similar. I was unsuccessful, but did find a couple of dogs that I took in, that turned out to be wonderful in their own way. I also got a couple that were not like her at all, but once in my home they stayed until they passed on and were loved. If I found out tomorrow that a shelter had a dog just like my terrier mix that I could adopt - as much as I would want it, I would have to think long and hard. For people to have the legal right to come in to my house to take my dog away because they may not like the way I am raising it, I could not handle losing it. My little terrier was the love of my life, and each of my dogs that I have had over the years took a little piece of my heart when they passed on.
During my never ending journey to find a replacement for my merry little dog that made me laugh, an assistant at my vet literally begged me to take in a totally different type dog. The owners were paying to board it until it found a home and they were running out of money. She knew it would have a wonderful home with me. I took it in as I could not look any dog in the eye and know it was going to be put down. It wasn’t my terrier, but she had a good home with me. She would stand at the window and cry when I left for work in the morning. She came a long way from when I first got her when I had to catch her to put her out in my fenced in yard to go, and catch her again to bring her in.
I have had dogs live to 15, 18, and 20. My horse lived to 33. But after reading all this, I would be hesitant to adopt from a place that has the legal right to come in and take my dog. I know they have those rules for a good reason, but when a dog is yanked from a good loving home that gives me pause.
October 16th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
hmm, i didn’t write the 6:29pm post!
anyway, gotta love the wayback archive thingy. here’s mutts and moms adoption requirements from april 07′
http://web.archive.org/web/200.....dmoms.org/
this is very interesting:
“We are committed to the well being of every single dog we rescue. We are financially responsible for that dog for as long as it takes to find their “forever” home. That can sometimes take as long as one to two years. We pay boarding for nearly all of our dogs (very few are in foster homes), at a minimum cost of about $300 per dog per month. ”
i hope like hell they had foster space for that puppy! talk about best interest of the dog, NOT!
October 16th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
I’m sure I will provoke much hate but I have to say that I see a lot of problems with the private rescue groups. I’ve personally rescued two of my cats and adopted the other two from the local shelter. I’ve almost always had one dog in my life for most of my life and all my animals (including my house rabbits) live to a ripe old age from 13 (the rabbit, seriously) to 19. They are our family members.
I have real problems with private rescue groups in that if you do not share their political stances on feeding, declawing (I don’t believe in declawing but many groups demonize families before they educate them), and vaccinations then you are a BAD PERSON not to be considered for their babies.
I’m sorry, but if your feelings for your foster are that the cat/dog is YOUR cat/dog forever even after you adopt it, I question why you are in the business of adoption. I work with one rescue group as an occasionally foster when they find themselves in a desperate situation of needing a holding place while they shift between homes. This one group is fantastic and truly about the animals AND the people. That is what makes them great. They care as much about the adopting family as about the animals.
I witnessed one group literally kidnap a cat from a placed home because another member found out who the poor adopter was since she had met her at an adoption event and did not like her personality because she was a little weird. She was a different person but she was a good home. They made this poor girl jump through the most amazing emotional hoops to prove her worthiness as a PERSON to fit in their definition of a normal person. They ended up giving the cat back but only after torturing this poor girl.
I was turned down by a Golden Retriever rescue after filling out an online form and never even talking to a person. I was turned down because I have to work in the office 1 day out of the month. I was told that they will not place any animal in any home where there is not a member of the family in the house with the dog 24 HOURS A DAY! I’m serious.
With that all said there are some fantastic rescue groups out there. I think that more people wanting to adopt need to take the attitude that they should interview the private shelter/rescue group as much as they are being interviewed. I’ve met more “collectors†and “power-tripping†people in various rescue groups than in Homeowner’s associations.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Jane A.
It is scary to think about isn’t it? I have adopted two of my current 4 critters, including my beloved Daisy, who I would die for. It the adoption group decided for whatever reason to take my dog away, they would have a fight on their hands. My home may not be up to their standards for all I know. They have never done an inspection, thank God.
My kitty, Tucker, surely would have been because I haven’t kept him updated on his shots. I am also one of those people who doesn’t think vaccination for totally indoor cats is necessary. I am in violation of my contract too. Please don’t tell the rescue agency! I can’t lose my Tucker either.
Once I pay for my animal it is mine, as in like a possession, even though thinking of animals as property goes against my every fiber of my being. Obviously, like Ellen, if we adopt a dog from a rescue we aren’t going to rehome it with a monster. People who adopt rescue dogs (cats and bunnies, and gerbils etc) are special people. Obviously we aren’t into harming them! Believe me, I am perfectly capable of finding a good home for my pets if I need too! No one has higher standards for my pet’s care than I do! Ask my cat sitter!!!
No one has the right to take my animals from me. Just because I choose to declaw one or not, whatever this issue is. I paid for the animal it is mine. Contract or no. Like Tanya was saying these contracts are basically illegal. We aren’t renting these animals. This isn’t shared custody. If it is, the rescue group should start forking over half the money for any medical bills. You can’t have it both ways.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
http://www.declawing.com/
October 16th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Traci, don’t worry. I was just using declawing as an example. I have sticks and threads for furniture and am losing about $2500 worth of carpet, new carpet too. That is how much I dislike declawing.
I am now going home to *attempt* to put SoftPaws on the scoundrel.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Bridgett and Traci,
This is a perfect example of what I see with many rescue groups and conversations with pet lovers. You use a valid example for the discussion and now Bridgett is having to defend her worthiness as a pet owner.
This is not conducive to educating the public and creating good pet owners when the response is a backhanded implication this person should not be listened to because they may be an evil declawer.
Sorry but I’m getting really sick of all the constant need to defend what a worthy or better pet owner each person is. Frankly, I realize I did the same thing and I’m a bit pissed at myself. I justified my post by “proving” that I took in rescues and my pets lived a long time.
This is part of what is causing the furor over this dog being taken from a family that, appears, for all intents and purposes to be good people.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Please email this lady and ask her to give that pup back to that loving home!! This country is starting to scare me. No wonder people are going out of the country to adopt children and now maybe animals too. They are making in practically impossible to give loving, caring people the opportunity to change the lives of children and animals. It seems that they would rather put this pup in a cage and god for bid put him to sleep than to give him a good loving home.
It appears that Mugs and Moms has changed their name, probably due to the bad press. Here is there new info:
Small Time Rescue
Southern California
Phone: (626) 792-7577
Email: beckynot@beckynot.com
ITCHMO ADMIN: We received an email from Rebecca Kramer, the owner of Small Time Rescue, saying that their dog rescue agency is not the same agency as Mutts and Moms. Small Time Rescue is a dog rescue agency located in Pasadena, CA that specializes in senior and special need dogs.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Bridgett
After reading of what vaccinations do to our pets, I do not vaccinate when I can titer. And vets do accept titers rather than vax. I was really surprised Some authorities feel that the initial vax will protect for life. If the only way I could adopt a pet from a shelter was to show continuing proof of vax rather than using titers, then I would not adopt. As I said before, the welfare of the pet should come first and over vaccination can cost your pet its life.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Why didn’t she just use common sense and tell the rescue why the dog didn’ t work in her home and that she had found a new, accepatable home. Common sense ain’t common?!
October 16th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
On tmz vote if dog should be given back to Ruby, 96% yes, 4% no, total votes as of 10 min ago 218,893. 340 comments, I didn’t read to many because they where ugly, mostly about Ellen being gay or it was only a dog a couple for Ellen. I only read 2 pages but I thought the vote was interesting especially because the comments where ugly.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
The problem with some rescue groups is they fix their narrow rules and consider themselves so important that they do the dogs and would be good homes a real disservice. I know of instances where excellent potential adopters were turned down for the most ridiculous of reasons and the dogs languish. Not all rescues lack common sense and many are wonderful but this is not one of the wonderful ones. This is one where the rescue is more interested in showing power than what is best for the dog and the kids in this family. Stop donating to them Ellen.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Ellen’s web site 7,519 comments & boy should you read some of them. Just about every single person is for her. There is a lot of people who has had their dog or cat taken back or they have given them back because of rescue people always calling them up & telling them what to feed & etc. I have learned a lot from a lot of people from a lot of different states. I can’t believe it.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
There’s a huge difference between rules and a control freak making dam*ed sure every single one of them is followed to the letter.
And get this, on the dinner tv news a woman who got a pet from Mutts and Moms said she bought a pet from her and a while later she was walking the dog without a leash. [OK, that’s not kosher, she admits it, but the dog walked really well next to her. Still not an excuse.] And out of nowhere who drives up but the head of Mutts and Moms, pulls over, gets out of the vehicle, grabs the dog and takes off with the dog in her vehicle. The new pet parent was left standing there wondering what the he** had happened. A few days later she got her dog back.
Something’s very wrong with the head of a rescue org that has time to stalk its adoptees.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
“There is a lot of people who has had their dog or cat taken back or they have given them back because of rescue people always calling them up & telling them what to feed & etc. I have learned a lot from a lot of people from a lot of different states. I can’t believe it.”
Where I volunteer, we have way too much to do to be bothering with that kind of nanny nonsense even if we wanted to…
I don’t get it.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Bridgett,
I wasn’t insinuating you were some kind of evil declawer. I am sorry if it came across like that. Just, since it had been brought up and brought up again, I thought I would post that educational link so as to show rescues and shelters have a right to be concerned about the practice–at least to politely ask that an adopter won’t (in good faith) and for the adopter to understand why it’s more serious than a difference of opinion.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
What should the prime directive be for Mutts & Moms? Answer: the health and happiness of pets. Therefore, this organization must have the capacity for flexiblity; the ability to evaluate a situation on a case by case basis; and the wherewithal to realize that the dog was in a happy home with the hairdresser’s family. Again, the happiness of pets is the purpose of this organization. The organization has no other purpose. Pleaase, Mutts & Moms, push aside your egos and allow this dog to go back to his happy home with the hairdresser’s family.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Lynn on some of the posts (I think tmz) they said the women holding on to the dog is the owner of the rescue place not the same one as in the dog tag in the heading. The video on tmz at the house is really sad.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
The hairdresser is not getting the dog back. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21336607/ “Fink said Moms and Mutts has a rule that families with children under 14 are not allowed to adopt small dogs. “It’s for the protection of the dog,” he said.â€
October 16th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
i have found that the private rescues i deal with are too busy and too under staffed and under funded to go around playing SS Dog Nazis. if these people have the leisure to tool around spying on clients and dragging dogs off the street for minor issues they’re simply sick control freaks. they aren’t helping people nor animals but causing harm so they can indulge in manipulating and controlling others .
i really don’t mind them talking to my landlord or asking about other pets, children and general questions around basic pet care( like if you get a himalyan you HAVE to groom them regularly) but the truth of the matter is as others have pointed out-once you buy it the animal is your property.legally they give up all rights when they transfer the animal to you as long as youre not doing something illegal with it. it’s one thing to assure a proper home for the pet- it’s quite another to invade someone else’s life and seize their legal property with no recourse to reason and probably outside the bounds of the law. they sound like nut jobs. there are many private rescues out there doing a great service to animals and humans. it would be a shame if we judged them all by this particularly bad example of how not to operate.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I wonder if one could construe this “checking up on the dog” as stalking?
In any case, it seems the Dog Nazi definitely has a problem. Far too much time on her hands. I’ve said it before: Something’s very wrong when the head of a rescue org that has time to stalk its adoptees.
AND THIS IS A PET LOVER???????
I really wish deGeneres would consult legal counsel on this one.
8300 posts so far on deGeneres’ website, almost all in support of her.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:06 am
trucorgi says:
October 16th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
“the protection of the dog”?!!!!??? the family already has a small dog! that’s freakin’ absurd!! Ellen saw the new owner EVERYDAY. it’s not like she passed it off to some stranger!
personally, i think kids should be around dogs/pets long before 14. i mean seriously, if you go by the rescue groups idea that small dogs shouldn’t be around children under 14 for “their protection”, what about cats, rabbits, birds, fish, hamsters, rats, mice . . . .
lordy, my parents raised us with all kinds of animals. and oh the horrors, NONE of them were “large” except for the beagle! 2 doxies, cats, and a host of other critters . . .
thanks for the update. GRRRRRRR!
October 17th, 2007 at 3:44 am
Lauren says:
October 16th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
It appears that Mugs and Moms has changed their name, probably due to the bad press. Here is there new info:
Small Time Rescue
Southern California
Phone: (626) 792-7577
Email: beckynot@beckynot.com
——————————
Where did you get that information???
I don’t think that’s right at all. Unless Marina Baktis also changed her name to Rebecca Kramer …
See:
http://thepetgazette.org/cgi-b.....;printer=1
“Rebecca Kramer, founder of Small Time Rescue in Venice, California, rescues small dogs and dogs with special needs from the animal shelter. Her dedication and commitment to rescuing older, unwanted canines is unique and highly commendable. Giving them a second chance at life, Rebecca has successfully placed many older canines into loving homes, saving them from the fate of being euthanized.
Small Time Rescue, an all breed and breed mix rescue, takes in small dogs, 10 lbs and under who, according to Rebecca, “aren’t likely to be adopted from the shelter or have already been there and been overlooked. Most commonly these dogs are older (10 to 15 yrs), ‘fear biters’ (dogs who have snapped out of fear in the kennel and been labeled dangerous), have health issues (cataracts, skin issues, non critical things), or are filthy and matted to where no one can see past it.â€
And:
http://web.archive.org/web/200.....dmoms.org/
Mutts & Moms is a non-profit organization that rescues dogs from Los Angeles City and County shelters.
This rescue was started by Marina Baktis, a volunteer with Los Angeles city shelters, who saw all the beautiful animals that are euthanized daily and wanted to do something! Mutts & Moms rescues mixed breed dogs (mutts) and Moms with the occasional litter, taking them out of the shelters and into foster homes and boarding kennels, where they are groomed, cared for, and then adopted into loving homes.
October 17th, 2007 at 6:03 am
Just because Ellen is a celebrity, and not a Michael Vick, does not excuse her from obeying the terms of a contract she made. Mutts and Moms did the absolute correct thing in taking the dog back. Perhaps they will evaluate the family to whom Ellen gave the dog, and determine that they are, indeed, fit guardians. It is not up to Ellen, nor any of the posters on this list, to decide the fate of the animal. While I have always been an Ellen fan, and likely will continue to be, I am a bit cynical about that tearful diatribe on her show. I am not impressed! She apparently, like many others, thinks the rules do not apply to her because she’s a “somebody.” WRONG! The rules (should) apply to everyone.
October 17th, 2007 at 6:43 am
A companion animal is a lifetime commitment. What part of that doesn’t Ellen (and the wags who are posting support of her grievous decision) get?!?
October 17th, 2007 at 9:24 am
After hearing the owner of Mutts and Moms, or whatever she calls herself today, on the news I am more convinced it is all about power and control than the love of animals. How ridiculous to rule out all kids below 14 as kids learn so much from having pets. My family has always had animals and loves them. The tiniest children learn respect from early on. People should stop supporting such a person and deal with local shelters that are looking for good homes not power over others. Maybe the city or county should look into her business more carefully too.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:25 am
>
Funny that now animals are property. Seems not long ago people were screaming because the pet food companies were saying pets are property.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA spokeswoman Ricky Whitman speaks out against Mutts and Moms taking Iggy from hairdresser:
Though the local humane society has the same policy, saying adopted dogs who aren’t working out should be returned to the shelter rather than given away, Whitman says her group “would’ve handled this very differently.”
“I doubt very much that we would’ve taken that animal away,” she said. “From what I’ve read, the family is just devastated. Ellen is certainly devastated. That’s not what you want. You want people who have animals to be happy, and you want animals to be in wonderful environment.”
http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_7194819
…………………………………………..
Someone on tmz found this and is calling for an audit of Mutts and Moms:
Mutts and Moms’ California Corporate Filing - Suspended?
http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/corpd.....r=C2693823
October 17th, 2007 at 9:43 am
I’m sicken by the people who are talking about ‘boycotting’ private shelters because of a case like this. Are you serious? Do you actually think that publicly run shelters are doing a superior job because they will allow almost anyone with $30 to adopt a dog? Do you realize the HUGE number of animals most of these shelters euthanize each year? They can’t afford to have no-kill policies because they aren’t given a big enough slice of the pie of YOUR tax money. Do you realize that most public shelters perform social tests on animals to see if is adoptable, sometimes within hours of the dog arriving at the shelter (an unfamiliar and SCARY place), only to deem them ‘too aggressive’, ‘too shy’, ‘potential to fear bite’, etc, within HOURS of their arrival. And then they kill them. Without giving them a chance to get used to their surroundings, after being dumped by who they thought was their family.
And now you sit there and criticize the people who for the most part VOLUNTEER their time to private rescue groups and are doing it soley for the animals, not to be on a power trip and not to screw over potential adopters. They are doing it for the animals.
And yes, I do have a vested interest in this. I work with a fairly large, not for profit, animal rescue group in the Washington DC area. Some of you have no idea the hours and hours people put in of their time at adoption sessions each and every weekend. Going to peoples houses before the adoption, going once the animal has been there for a couple weeks. It’s a whole hearted commitment to the ANIMALS. Many of us, if we can afford it, pay out of our own pockets for gas to drive to adopters houses, the vet, adoption shows, supply pic-ups, for vet bills, including vaccines, spay/neuter, medications for illness (imagine a litter of 7 pups all with long worms in your house), etc. These animals are our only concern. And all we expect is adopters to do is love their animals, treat them right, and if it doesn’t work out, bring them back to us, so we can make sure they get a good home, and in the mean time, we’ll give them a good home. We don’t get paid, we don’t get any tax money. We raise our own money at countless fund raiser events (more time we are donating).
Rules, good faith and otherwise, should apply to all who agreed to them. Ellen violated the contract. The dog was the ‘property’ of the rescue if it was not in possession of Ellen. Period. We have no idea if that was a good home for that dog. The rescue had no idea. The best interest of the dog was to remove it, care for it at their facility (or with a pre-approved foster) and then try to adopt it out again (maybe to those people again).
Private shelters support the animals. Why don’t you?
October 17th, 2007 at 9:58 am
HB
Apparently you have not heard that the woman entered the residence under false pretences and said she was there for a home inspection. Once inside she grabbed the dog out of a child’s arms and went out to the waiting police she had called. On the news she announces that under no circumstance will that family even be considered to adopt the dog. Welfare of dog or power and control? I am supporting the animal. It had a loving and safe home. Do all the background checks needed but who handles things this way??? Hope your group does not.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Traci,
You didn’t read what we posted, you defended your WONDERFUL (adn it is wonderful) rescue.
what we said was simply that rescuse force you to follow THEIR standards, not your own. Maybe i only want one kitten. this is my choice as an adoptive parent, but now i know i can’t adopt from your center.
It doesn’t make a shelter bad, it just means that many of us find it frustrating that in a world where sheters (good and bad, public and private) are over run with animals, they would rather hold onto animals and keep them in CAGES, then give them to a home they do not personally find “acceptable” for often simply ideological postions like declawing, like adopting 2 instead of oen, or having children under a certain age.
so, if i had to adopt one kitten, or wanted a kitten to come home to my 6 year old’s birthday present - i’d have to go somewhere else, and not give the kitties at your shelter a home.
it’s not saying the policies are not sound, it’s simply saying shelters force you to fit into thier molds.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Animal lover.
To most of us, a companion animal is a “lifetime commitment”, but we are here on itchmo. we are a rare % of people. we likely donate time or money to animal causes, ect.
that does NOT mean animals MUST be “life time companions”. they are still animals. Most people eat animals. most people accept them as service animals. and, most people will put thier own family or other pets they have had long term, before the new pet.
I myself would do this, if my cats had extreme problems with a new adopted member of our family. Luckily, i’ve only ever had minor skirmishes that 1 month of care and attention have cured. but my Dulci was with me for 16 years, if she was fighting with a new cat, I’d find the new cat a new home.
I’m glad you see your pets as “forever”. Put it’s wrong of us to chastize other people who do not make the same kind of total commitment to an animal, as long as they do what they can to make sure the unwanted animal is cared for in the interum.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:56 am
I am siding with the rescue group on this one…it is disturbing to me that Ellen felt the need to use her show as a platform for, I don’t know, a highly effective way to bully this group? I can’t come up with any other motivation.
I think this probably could have been handled just fine behind the scenes. But that’s not how celebrities like things done - lol.
I’m sure the little dog will find a forever home through the Mutts and Moms rescue now that he was taken back in.
rikki
PS: I find it highly likely that there are publicists trolling lots of these message boards. Just pointing out the obvious…
October 17th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Sylvia,
I had not heard that. How unfortunate that this group is giving rescues’ such a bad rep. While I don’t condone lying, like it or not, I think M&M had a right to take the dog back for Ellen’s contract violation. Don’t get me wrong, I completely sympathize with this dog. The poor thing is probably horribly confused about what is going on, hoping from one home to another. But when push comes to shove, this is a policy that 9 times out of time, enforced properly (not by lying to get into someones home), has the best interest of the animals in mind.
This really does sadden me, there are so many good rescue groups out there that help so many, many animals find good homes. They have restrictions and guidelines for many reasons, but when it comes down to it, it’s all to protect the animals. If you don’t like their restrictions, go to a publicly run facility (some of them have restrictions too!). It’s not like private rescues have a monopoly on abandoned dogs.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:13 am
(last comment, i promise -grin)
HB -
People who diss the Public Animal Control/Animal Sheters are mearly uneducated about the real policies of “no-kill” shelters and the effects upon so-called (eronously) “kill” shelters.
I’ll use teh shelter i work in, Boulder HS. Boulder HS is OBLIGATED to take EVERY animal that comes to it’s doors. they are also the shleter were any lost, or wounded animal is brought by the county. they are also the offical shelter to house abused animals during investigations. They do not have the option to deny animals.
On the other hand, “no-kill” shelters will only take 1) enough animals they can support - then no others, 2) adoptable animals, 3) healthy animals, etc. To maintain thier “no-kill” status, they have to push off unadoptable animals to teh public shelters.
they are not “no kill”, truly. they are just “we do not actually kill any of the animals here”.
I am fully in support of most private shelters. most do a GREAT job. most put tons of focus on the animal, and on finding the animal a good home.
But i will not tollerate the bashing of public shelters when compared to “no - kills” simply because public shelters do not have the choice that private shelters do, in regards to which animals they can or will house. If a 3 legged cat with a seriously bad attitude come into a private shelter, they can say “we don’t have the space or time for this one, and can place 5 others instead.” which is great. but that 1 who they can’t place then has to go to the public shleter.
public sheters do what they can in a VERY VERY thankless world. I am so glad private shelters like Traci’s exist. but i also know that bashing public shleters cause they aren’t “no kill” is a ridiculous game of not really understanding or ideniftying the real problems (over population) and how to cure them (spay, neuter, etc).
October 17th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Traci,
I wasn’t offended. I get upset sometimes too when I hear that friends are declawing their cats. I usually give them my spiel and move on. I would rather have the kitty in a good home with no claws than in a shelter.
:)