CHAMPLAIN — When Patricia Ferris-Beebie rescued Ellie, the yellow Labrador retriever was in a bad home and in bad health.
Kept caged 24-7, the dog "was in feces up to her shoulders," Ferris-Beebie said. "She weighed about 45 pounds; I could put my hands around her waist. She was heartworm-positive, had severe ear infections ..."
For the next two years, Ellie romped happily with Ferris-Beebie's other four dogs, reveling in her first freedom ever. And so healthy again, she was ready for a new home that Ferris-Beebie screened carefully first — Ellie's story offered proof that not everyone treats animals as they should.
First, the Champlain woman got to know the potential adopters by phone.
Those are important conversations, she said.
"Talk to them about the animals they already have," she said. "(Notice) how they refer to them, and you'll kind of get the sense of how they treat them."
She asked questions about the property — whether the yard was fenced in, for example.
Ferris-Beebie visited the prospective home, saw for herself how the dogs there were treated. And she agreed to a trial weekend for Ellie. "To see how it worked out."
ASK QUESTIONS
A new job, a big move, a loss of finances — while the reasons people let go of their pets can be clear-cut, finding the right person or family for their dog or cat (or ferret or hamster) is a challenge.
"I don't want someone who thinks of them as disposable pets," Ferris-Beebie said.
With six to eight million animals in shelters and three to four million euthanized each year, according to the Humane Society, the possibility of a potential owner viewing your pet as disposable is real. Even well-meaning pet adopters may not be equipped for the emotional and financial commitment it takes to care for an animal properly.
"We look for people who are set and ready — not everyone can do it," said Adirondack Humane Society Assistant Manager Melinda Clark. "We look for people who are prepared for the responsibility,"
The Plattsburgh animal shelter has a detailed application process for pet adoption. Whether the applicant rents or owns a home, whether he or she owns other animals, and the size of the home and yard are all factors. Clark recommends people conduct their private adoptions using the same criteria.
The key, she said, is "to find out as much information as you can."
GET THE WORD OUT
Ferris-Beebie relied on word of mouth to find Ellie a new home.
Some use the traditional classified ad, put up posters at work, in stores. And the Internet is another avenue to take.
"Petfinder.com can get thousands of hits," Clark said, "so you would be getting your pet out there."
Some seek homes for pets on the Web site craigslist.org.
Again, it's important to ask questions. Perhaps the person responding to the ad never had a pet before and might have unrealistic expectations about the amount of care it entails.
And it's not safe to assume they will want to play Frisbee with Fido all day or let Patches nap on the windowsill. Some people may want a cat to catch pests — living in the barn or outside when your kitty has always known indoor comfort. They might want a dog to guard the house or even as a present for their 4-year-old who can't even pronounce the word "responsibility."
And your pet might not be a good fit for the home, said Donna Fletcher of Coopersville. Your dog might not get along with cats, for example.
In any case, it is best to ask. A misunderstanding could lead to your dog or cat being returned to you — or ending up in a shelter.
"You do not want to have your dog tied outside all the time," advised Fletcher, who took great pains to find appropriate homes for seven Akita puppies a few years ago.
She sold her pups, but even when people shell out cash for animals, they aren't necessarily good pet owners, she said.
So Fletcher screened potential pup purchasers, she required they sign a contract before taking the little bundle of fur home.
"If they ever decided to get rid of the dog, it would be returned to me," she said.
As well, except for one buyer who planned to breed a dog, she required they would agree to spay or neuter the animal. And when they provided proof, Fletcher refunded some of the purchase price.
Proof of puppy-class participation brought another refund.
"It encouraged them to do right," Fletcher said.
LETTING GO
She traveled to Vermont to visit the home of the breeder who wanted one of her dogs — stories of inhumane puppy mills made her extra careful about that potential buyer.
"If they don't want you to visit their home, that's a red flag," she noted.
And she even had microchips implanted with her contact information and that of the new owners in the event the dogs ever got lost.
"You can't be too careful," she said.
That includes finding out about any past pets and what happened to them, Ferris-Beebie said.
"Some reasons people get rid of their pets are understandable, like job loss or divorce. If you became bored with it, that's not a reason."
Fletcher had to take back one of her puppies — she knew something wasn't right when the family wouldn't return her calls. But the rest all found loving homes.
Giving up a pet is tough, Ferris-Beebie said.
"My dogs are very much a part of my family," she said.
But she knew Ellie had found the right home when, that first trial weekend, another of the dogs made a point to share his bed with the newcomer. The situation turned out to be just right for Ellie.
"She's on 5 acres of land, running with two other Labs," Ferris-Beebie said with satisfaction. "She's happy."
Local News
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Kelli Catana
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