Innocent animal stuck in the middle
Discussion
As a few of you may have noticed from my post in the dog pics thread, I was expecting to adopt a staffy this week but the process has come to a juddering halt due to "company policy" by the rescue centre.
A home check was required to check the suitability of the accommodation and outside area - all fine and all good to go, or so I thought. The rescue centre are now insisting that no adoption can take place unless I take out an insurance policy either through them or sort my own out. I have flat out refused for two main reasons :
1. My previous dog of 14 years - also a staffy - never had an insurance policy and all medical treatment over her life time (which amounted to around 8k in total by my estimations due to an operation and some scans) was all paid for out of a slush fund which was put aside each month as contingency. My financial position is even better now than it was then and I would not agree to adopt an animal if I had doubts over whether I'd be able to keep it healthy.
2. All insurance policies have limits and pet insurance is no different. I have looked through the small print on a few of the insurance providers and there are strict limitations on how many claims you can make in a given period, plus also strict limits on the size of a single claim. Furthermore the premiums rise astronomically once the dog starts getting on a bit.
I have no doubt that my slush fund method saved many thousands of pounds over those 14 years.
We have reached a stalemate where they are refusing to deviate from their "company policy" and I will not be blackmailed into signing up for a completely unnecessary insurance policy. Meanwhile, the poor dog is the one stuck in the middle not knowing what the hell is going on its life.
Call me cynical but I question the underlying motives of some of these "rescue centres". This isn't one of the well known mainstream places either, it's one I've never heard of before. If their true goal is to get the animals rehomed as quickly as possible then once the home check box has been ticked off what's it got to do with them whether the new owner does or doesn't decide to take out an insurance policy?
Not happy..
A home check was required to check the suitability of the accommodation and outside area - all fine and all good to go, or so I thought. The rescue centre are now insisting that no adoption can take place unless I take out an insurance policy either through them or sort my own out. I have flat out refused for two main reasons :
1. My previous dog of 14 years - also a staffy - never had an insurance policy and all medical treatment over her life time (which amounted to around 8k in total by my estimations due to an operation and some scans) was all paid for out of a slush fund which was put aside each month as contingency. My financial position is even better now than it was then and I would not agree to adopt an animal if I had doubts over whether I'd be able to keep it healthy.
2. All insurance policies have limits and pet insurance is no different. I have looked through the small print on a few of the insurance providers and there are strict limitations on how many claims you can make in a given period, plus also strict limits on the size of a single claim. Furthermore the premiums rise astronomically once the dog starts getting on a bit.
I have no doubt that my slush fund method saved many thousands of pounds over those 14 years.
We have reached a stalemate where they are refusing to deviate from their "company policy" and I will not be blackmailed into signing up for a completely unnecessary insurance policy. Meanwhile, the poor dog is the one stuck in the middle not knowing what the hell is going on its life.
Call me cynical but I question the underlying motives of some of these "rescue centres". This isn't one of the well known mainstream places either, it's one I've never heard of before. If their true goal is to get the animals rehomed as quickly as possible then once the home check box has been ticked off what's it got to do with them whether the new owner does or doesn't decide to take out an insurance policy?
Not happy..
As some on here will know, I am very much a rescue advocate.
At the end of the day, they have the right to determine whatever adoption policies they see fit for the animals in their care. The animals they look after have often been abandoned because people cannot look after them (including financially). You say that you will be able to meet all vets bills, but - as a close friend once pointed out to me when I was being 'challenged' by a rescue centre - they don't know you.
I'm afraid you'll need to make a decision - take out insurance (even if you choose to discontinue it later) or look elsewhere for another dog. Unless their adoption contract stipulates that you have to maintain insurance?
I've had pet insurance on some of my dogs, not on others. Two of my current hounds have it, the other two don't. No particular strong feelings for or against.
At the end of the day, they have the right to determine whatever adoption policies they see fit for the animals in their care. The animals they look after have often been abandoned because people cannot look after them (including financially). You say that you will be able to meet all vets bills, but - as a close friend once pointed out to me when I was being 'challenged' by a rescue centre - they don't know you.
I'm afraid you'll need to make a decision - take out insurance (even if you choose to discontinue it later) or look elsewhere for another dog. Unless their adoption contract stipulates that you have to maintain insurance?
I've had pet insurance on some of my dogs, not on others. Two of my current hounds have it, the other two don't. No particular strong feelings for or against.
Edited by moorx on Wednesday 15th March 21:13
Take out the insurance!!
Don't risk losing the dog you want over something like this. They are protecting the dog. You taking out insurance confirms to them responsible ownership (rightly or wrongly) and provides them peace of mind. Who can blame them for that.
You could always cancel it several months down the line and there are very basic insurance covers available for a few quid a month.
Personally speaking I would not be without insurance for my lot.
Insurance also covers 3rd party liability.
Don't risk losing the dog you want over something like this. They are protecting the dog. You taking out insurance confirms to them responsible ownership (rightly or wrongly) and provides them peace of mind. Who can blame them for that.
You could always cancel it several months down the line and there are very basic insurance covers available for a few quid a month.
Personally speaking I would not be without insurance for my lot.
Insurance also covers 3rd party liability.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 15th March 22:42
randlemarcus said:
So take out a policy, get the cashback, and cancel it.
This, completely. The dogs welfare needs to be your only concern right now.If it's a well known 5 letter organisation I imagine you're pulling your hair out right now.
Had the misfortune of dealing with them twice.
Incident one. Early twenties, decide I'd like a cat. A then colleague was emigrating and had two to re-home, and as he had run out of time they had been taken to said rescue centre. We went one lunch, I chose one of them I liked. Centre said they would not separate them. He pointed out that they hated each other, and he wanted them going to separate homes. They wouldn't budge.
Incident two. A few years ago after I lost a dog I found a local Rottie who I fell in love with. Asked to adopt, initially agreed. Seemed a great fit; dog had separation issues, could not be a stay at home daytime dog. I'm self employed, more than happy to take dog to work with me. My logic was they needed someone self employed, retired - who would surely struggle with a huge Rott, or unemployed, who couldn't afford one.
The centre manager called me and blocked the adoption, as they 'don't let single men in white vans adopt dogs'
Insulted didn't come close, having owned dogs for 30+ years I am well aware not to leave dogs locked up in vans.
Sorry for the thread hijack, but these organisations make me mad with their pedancy. There is NO such pet adoption as a PERFECT match, just best fit. I get very angry when the animals welfare takes second fiddle to their idiotic policies.
I urge you, sing along to their tune, insure the dog, take him home, then use the remote selling regs to cancel the policy.
Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:
Sorry for the thread hijack, but these organisations make me mad with their pedancy. There is NO such pet adoption as a PERFECT match, just best fit. I get very angry when the animals welfare takes second fiddle to their idiotic policies.
There is no need to apologise as I couldn't agree with you more.It's alright saying to roll over and just take out a policy but apart from a massive inconvenience and monumental waste of my time, it does nothing to tell them that their "company policy" is ridiculous and unnacceptable. They will simply expect all future adoptees to just accept it because that's what everyone else does. I've never been one to be bullied into doing something I don't agree with, especially when it boils down to it it's nothing more than a pathetic box-ticking exercise as having a policy in place at the time of the hand-over has absolutely no bearing on how well the animal will be cared for under its new owner.
I'll be having a final discussion with them about this later today to see if common sense will prevail but if not then I'll be drawing a line under it as I will not tolerate being blackmailed by an animal rescue centre. There are no shortage of dogs looking for adoption and I'm sure it won't take long to find someone who will greatly appreciates that I can give their dog a loving home and puts the dog's welfare first rather than being more interested in selling insurance policies and ticking boxes.
rsbmw said:
You do realise it's now you being pedantic and refusing to back down over your policy, and putting the dog second?
As pointed out above, there are good reasons for these policies at times, whether you accept it or not.
Explain to me how "there are good reasons for these policies" when you can cancel it 30 seconds after it starts? How does this alter the dog's care and welfare?As pointed out above, there are good reasons for these policies at times, whether you accept it or not.
PositronicRay said:
It would irritate me too, but not stop me adopting.
From memory our dog came with a 30 day "free" policy.
Ours too....once the free 30 days expired we took out a different policy and I don't remember the rescue centre ever being involved again after we got him home.From memory our dog came with a 30 day "free" policy.
Edited by PositronicRay on Thursday 16th March 09:00
I won't comment on the insurance as that's been covered, however I got our Staffie from http://www.staffierescue.co.uk/ and they were fantastic
They're sticking to their policy that you think is unreasonable, you're sticking to your policy that they think is unreasonable.
What would you have to gain from not giving in and taking out insurance temporarily? It doesn't take long to purchase pet insurance and even less time to cancel it, particularly in view of the fact that you'll have the dog for many years.
What would you have to gain from not giving in and taking out insurance temporarily? It doesn't take long to purchase pet insurance and even less time to cancel it, particularly in view of the fact that you'll have the dog for many years.
Unexpected Item In Bagging Area said:
They're sticking to their policy that you think is unreasonable, you're sticking to your policy that they think is unreasonable.
What would you have to gain from not giving in and taking out insurance temporarily? It doesn't take long to purchase pet insurance and even less time to cancel it, particularly in view of the fact that you'll have the dog for many years.
It doesn't look like the adoption is going to happen. The rescue centre has now stipulated that in addition to an insurance policy being in place "at the signing of the contracts" (What would you have to gain from not giving in and taking out insurance temporarily? It doesn't take long to purchase pet insurance and even less time to cancel it, particularly in view of the fact that you'll have the dog for many years.
yes, seriously), they have also dictated that random checks will be performed at any time of their choosing in the future to ensure that valid insurance cover is still in effect. If it is found not to be in place then the contract is terminated with immediate effect and the dog taken back into their care.I am frankly gobsmacked at this conduct but from the majority of the replies above it seems that no-one else sees any problem with this. Frankly I'm done with rescue centres and it disgusts me that they operate in this manner with poor animals caught up in the middle of their ridiculous bureaucracy through no fault of their own.
I don't believe they would legally be able to check this even if they had the resources to call every insurance company.
As I said earlier, where I got mine from were great and we sometimes even get the odd text from their previous foster parents asking how they are, couldn't recommend them highly enough
As I said earlier, where I got mine from were great and we sometimes even get the odd text from their previous foster parents asking how they are, couldn't recommend them highly enough
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