The "Pound"

[Sarah]

I live in a small town where they still have a classic "pound." The dogs are well cared for by the lady who runs the kennel, but I still worry a bit.

What experience do you have with "pounds?"

[Rio&Nickysmommy]

Hi! Sarah
Pounds are great places to get a pet from. As long as the people their are knowledgeable enough to tell you if the dog has a good temperment or not an any health issues regarding the pet. Its so much better then getting one from a breeder, its a way to save a life of a beautiful animal.
Rio&Nickysmommy

[33MTA3]

Spend some time with your new prospect before adopting, or even offer to foster the dog on a temporary basis, as a sort of trial run.

[14rock]

What sort of experience are you looking for? Are you concerned for the dogs or are you intrested in getting a dog from them? Sorry....the original post makes it unclear. I think "pounds" are great places to get dogs from and I always urge people to go search the pound before buying a new dog from the breeder or when they think about breeding.

[fostermum]

I have a lot of expleriance with my local dog pound. I do a lot of 'self-fostering', and I also get calls from my group often. IMO the workers really do care, but when it comes down to the dogs' time being up their hands really are tied and there's nothing they can do if they can't place them. Most pounds don't do volunteers, and don't do fostering. You can adopt and return, but fostering is too complex of an arrangement for them. Their intentions are good, but if the pound doesn't have any resources its not uncommon to adopt a sick or pregnant dog. Classes are not required to be taken if you work at a DP, so what they tell you is judged by their experiance and what they know, so its always questionable.
Some of the best dogs I know come from pounds. Strays and owner releases. If you can evaluate a dog while not letting too much feeling-bad-for-them, and have the resources for training a vet checks I'd say its the best option there is. Rescued dogs are so grateful; its like they know.

[BloodhoundGirl]

Pounds are great places to get a dog. I agree you should spend time with the dog before adopting. That way, you know the personality of the dog and you don't hace it home yet.

[minpinsnmutts]

Pounds are a great place to get your future pets. I have 2 pound puppies!!

[Dog Tired]

We've had some good experiences with adopting from pounds..and some not so good.

Our first pup we adopted from the shelter several years ago, was a shep/rottie mix..about 8 weeks old. She was a pretty good dog...but had such aggression issues. We worked with her for a long time, but she was still aggressive. We lost her to illness at a young age.

A year later, we were looking to adopt again....found a great litter of aussie pups that were born there. We went once a week to get to know them and decide on one. Sure enough...just as soon as they got big enough to spay/neuter...a dog with Parvo was brought into the shelter...they lost almost 50 dogs w/n a month. Our litter and their momma included. Major heartbreak.

So we waited a good long time, and then one day just happened to pop into the shelter to see what was there. This was the trip that we found our boy!!!! He is wonderful..great with the kids, cats..you name it. He is THE dog! Found out a few months ago that he has Epilepsy. Another heartbreak. We are working through it...but I would never do that again!

Just before our boy was diagnosed we adopted a girl from a diff. shelter. She is 2-3 years old...and is the best! Housebroken, knows some basic commands. Is fairly calm...but still plays like a pup. No chewing or potty accidents! She has been so easy to add to the family!

Its a gamble, IMO, to adopt. Yet it is what I choose to do. Its hard because when you buy from a good breeder, you know the dogs heath history and their parents tempermant, etc. Shelter dogs dont usually have any history. But their are NO garantees that even a well bred dog wont develop health issues later in life.

I would recommend adopting from a pound...just choose very carefully! And remember that if you adopt an adult or young dog..it may take some time to adjust....they have been through a lot.

Our shelter here in town does the best that they can, but just dont have the man power to do a really good tempermant testing. They only know from what they experience interacting with them.

Make a list of all the things you are looking for in a dog...and remember to be choosy when you go. Sometimes the cutest little dogs arent the best fit. Be honest with yourself, and what you are willing to do....and you will find a perfect match!

You can always try Petfinder.com to find a great dog in a nearby shelter!

[seraphicia]

Typical county run animal shelters are overcrowded, understaffed and have high kill rates, particularly rural ones. But they can be a great place to find a forever friend. Pounds really vary when it comes to spay/neuter, vaccination and temperment testing policies, and you should definitly research the ones in you area, and petfinder.com is a wonderful place to visit to help. It is a really good idea to know what you're looking for, and what you're prepared to handle. The average age of dogs at shelters is actually between 6 months to two years. Many dogs in shelters do not come with baggage in the form of abusive or neglectful pasts, as many people think. Many are really just there because of changes in the lifestyle of their previous owners, and just need to learn basic manners. Some more mature dogs have already been worked with in socialization, obedience and house breaking, and are a great addition to a family, and fit in with little issue. As far as the comments about going to the shelter and not knowing what you're getting, and being able to know more thoroughly if you go to a breeder...that is really not entirely true. Many dogs come into pounds or shelters with background information, and buying from a typical breeder who doesn't show and breeds as a hobby doesn't mean you're getting much more that a little information. Many people who breed aren't heavily involved in and knowledgable about their own dogs history, and the history of the sire. Very responsible breeders who have only the betterment of the breed in mind, breed very sparingly, and those are not run of the mill(no pun intended) breeders. Most breeders can't guarantee anything, and can't provide much more info and don't bother too. If you aren't sure if you're ready for the commitment yet, or can't quite find the right dog for you, it is a GREAT idea to foster for a shelter or rescue(maybe foster a dog from the pound until you can get him/her into a rescue). 'Pounds' can be a wonderful place to find a friend, and save a life. The more you look and research and inquire, the more likely you are to find a new forever companion that fits in with your lifestyle. There is a period of adjustment time of a few weeks for some dogs, which some people don't consider. But then again, other dogs and puppies bond instantly with their new family. Dogs are individuals, and no matter if you're doing the *better* thing and adopting, or if you're buying, if you're looking for the right dog for yourself, know your needs and expectations, and look beyond the breed to temperment and the individual dog. Thats the best way to go.Also, know that pounds especially are getting dozens of new dogs and puppies of all kinds every day, and some have been there only a few days while others may have been there for weeks(depending on the space limitations). For a good fit, talk to the workers or volunteers who may really get to know some of the dogs. They can be of great help!

[Stark]

Some really good dogs can be found at the pound provided you can get to them before the local fanatic rescuers. Uor local pound had an excellent success rate for rehomiing until the rescuers made their way in the door. The self proclaimed experts without a cause. I;ve seen psople denied some really nice dogs from the pound because one or more of the employees is a fanatic. Hell most of them can tell one breed from the next but listen to them tell it they're experts.
All of our local pounds now have these fanatical groups volunteering to help the pound employees but they have their agenda, just go and try to adopt a dog and see what takes place. Sorry to rant on but these fanatics prevent more dogs from finding a good home than they do rehoming. They generally hold the dog past its adoption time until they can get a rescue to pick them up. I've seen it over and over. Let's take back our pounds and get rid of these fanatics without a cause and start finding these poor dogs a home.

Good Luck