Dog and Cat Home

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 17 Jan 2007, 13:38

From today's Evening News Letters page.

Rules don't help pets win owners

"LAST Saturday two friends of mine went to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home to look for a dog to give a good home to. The home was shut on the Sunday, so one of the friends who wasn't working on Monday, agreed to go back to collect the dog that they saw and liked.

The necessary collar, lead, bowls, toys, basket and food was purchased in readiness for the new family member, but on returning to the Dog and Cat home on Monday to collect and pay for the dog, my friend was told that she could not take it home on her own and that her boyfriend would also have to be present 'in case the dog jumped up on him' when he arrived home!

Surely if the Edinburgh Dog and Cat home have so many dogs that need rehoming, isn't this just a stupid ruling they have, which incidentally was not mentioned to my friends on Saturday while they were there!

Needless to say that because one of my friends works until 6pm every day and the dog home closes at 3.30pm, their rule about both people having to be present at the time of collection might be preventing quite a few dogs from going to good homes.

Has anybody else had this situation occur whilst trying to give a home to an unwanted animal from the Dog and Cat Home? "

Well, have you?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 17 Jan 2007, 13:44

How very strange It sounds to me like a case of the Dog's wagging the Tails.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 17 Jan 2007, 15:10

As we all know, 'a dog is for life, not just for Christmas'. Rescue centres don't just give out animals willy nilly. Animals all have personalities and little quirks just like people and it would be irresponsible to give out a dog to someone without being sure that both the dog and other people in the house all get on. It might seem like a lot of hassle to get a dog but there's no point in giving one a home only for it to be brought back a few weeks later because it didn't fit in.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Jan 2007, 18:15

I sort of understand the thinking behind the policy but I question the caution. These animals have a need and will be detroyed if no-one claims them. Judging by the sound of bludgeoning every time I pass the home it appears there is a shortgage of "parents". Seems like the system is a bit coc k-eyed, they train prospective customers to beg before allowing them to depart with a dog.

Given all of the other things that could transpire once the dog leaves the home it seems a bit over the top.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 19 Jan 2007, 18:32

Porty wrote:Judging by the sound of bludgeoning every time I pass the home it appears there is a shortgage of "parents"

Ah, all the subtlety of a sledge hammer ...

It is common for most rescue centres to 'vet' prospective owners. The RSPCA, for example, wants to know your occupation, how often you are away from the house, how big your house is and what your annual salary is (OK I made the last one up).

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Jan 2007, 19:29

Yep, all i'm saying is that the profiling of a potential pet parent is a bit over the top given the lottery that is dog ownership. It must be so easy to fool the canine carers that one will care for the dog. You only have to pretend for a few minutes. And even if they do turn out to be good owners dogs can still live a life of self-inflicted psychologiacl stress. I knew a dog that committed suicde, for example.

If my understanding is correct, the dog and cat home look after dogs for about 72 hours before despatch. In the above story the dog could be no more before both prospective owners turn up to collect. I guess the dog and cat home could argue that a dead dog can't jump up unexpectedly on a new owner, which is in accordanece with the objective of the above policy, however it seems a bit extreme to me. Dog kidnap seems an easier option.

sunnyporty · Post by **sunnyporty** » 19 Jan 2007, 22:19

We had the same trouble in Cumbria. Mr S was working all hours but I couldnt choose a dog until he was available,then we had to have a secure garden ,which we refused to get as ours is a cottage garden without six feet of wall around it ( the dogs are not allowed in the garden anyway) so we went to the dog trust in West Calder and because they could'nt do a house check ,they did a vet check and we have had two dogs from them and they have so far had a very happy life with us for several years.
I have emailed the Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home and the Evening News to get a dog of the week put back in the paper, but to no avail. How about a fostering programme???? I foster greyhounds and lurchers and get them used to home life so that they can go to loving homes and have great lives. Its very rewarding and helps the dogs readjust.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Jan 2007, 00:24

I'd forgotten about Dog Of the Week, when did they stop that?

magbagpuss · Post by **magbagpuss** » 20 Jan 2007, 10:06

Portyholic , you do not know how wrong you are , can I ask where you get your misinformation ? no healthy animal is EVER put down . Dogs and cats are not despatched after 72 hours and have never been . You are doing grave damage to a local charity that does it's very best to cope with an almost impossible situation . My husband and I ( not the royal ones ! )volunteer regularly and know you are doing a serious mis-service to a great place . Try and know what you are talking about and do not assume , guess or speculate , you do not know what damage you are doing . Hope through your STUPIDITY future pets have not lost a potential home

Nelson Hatstand · Post by **Nelson Hatstand** » 20 Jan 2007, 10:29

Porty wrote:I knew a dog that committed suicide, for example.

Did it leave a note?

ali · Post by **ali** » 20 Jan 2007, 13:18

Nelson Hatstand wrote:
Porty wrote:I knew a dog that committed suicide, for example.
Did it leave a note?

No - just a 7" single of The Carpenter's "Goodbye To Love" with a muddy paw print on the cover.

Check out the terrible story here -

http://porty.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php ... og+suicide

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 20 Jan 2007, 13:46

Porty wrote:I'd forgotten about Dog Of the Week, when did they stop that?

I think that if they decided to resurrect this we would be happy to make a feature of it on Portobello Online. With over 600 registered users and many other lurkers, this is a genuine offer of free advertisment.

Nelson Hatstand · Post by **Nelson Hatstand** » 20 Jan 2007, 14:26

ali wrote:
Nelson Hatstand wrote:
Porty wrote:I knew a dog that committed suicide, for example.
Did it leave a note?
No - just a 7" single of The Carpenter's "Goodbye To Love" with a muddy paw print on the cover.

Check out the terrible story here -

http://porty.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php ... og+suicide

What a heartbreaking story.

"I'll say goodbye to love - there are no tomorrows for this heart of mine."

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Jan 2007, 17:25

magbagpuss wrote:. Hope through your STUPIDITY future pets have not lost a potential home

I hope so too. Pets of the future need potential homes.

Sorry if I upset you mabagpussy.I'm no longer a pet owner so I based my observations on information garnered from a trusted old friend that I thought was a reliable source. Glad you put me right.

Having said that, I don't think people who believed that cats and dogs who only had 72 hours to live would be put off from calling at the cat cat and dog home, in fact it may encourage them to do so. In fact it might not be a bad marketing angle. I believe many people think it happens.

It did seem to me that with such a brutal and short regime in place it was a bit weird to close on a sunday.

When you say its an almost imposssible situtaion, what do you mean exactly?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Jan 2007, 17:27

Bob Jefferson wrote:
Porty wrote:I'd forgotten about Dog Of the Week, when did they stop that?
I think that if they decided to resurrect this we would be happy to make a feature of it on Portobello Online. With over 600 registered users and many other lurkers, this is a genuine offer of free advertisment.

Bob that's a great idea. Why not just approach the cat and dog home forget the evening news and make it a feature on POL. A dog a week may be too frequent but maybe a dog a month?

POL Pooch of the Month?

Nelson Hatstand · Post by **Nelson Hatstand** » 20 Jan 2007, 17:55

Porty wrote:
Bob Jefferson wrote:
Porty wrote:I'd forgotten about Dog Of the Week, when did they stop that?
I think that if they decided to resurrect this we would be happy to make a feature of it on Portobello Online. With over 600 registered users and many other lurkers, this is a genuine offer of free advertisment.
Bob that's a great idea. Why not just approach the cat and dog home forget the evening news and make it a feature on POL. A dog a week may be too frequent but maybe a dog a month?

POL Pooch of the Month?

Good idea. Why not do something in conjunction with Findlays, Bob? You know, something like, "SAVE THIS DOG FROM THE BUTCHER'S KNIFE" with a picture of a crazed looking Joe Findlay above it (that one from the Evening News earlier today would probably do).

Then, if no-one does adopt the dog, it could get made into a pie, and on each saturday of the month people could go round Portobello making people do taste tests, before revealing to them that they've just eaten Dog Pie (a bit like on Gordon Ramsay) - it would probably p rick people's consciences, and increase the dog adoption rate, I'd imagine. (You could maybe show them a picture of the dog while it was still a dog, just as they're swallowing a mouthful of pie - that'll get 'em.)

There's maybe a few tweaks you might want to make to the above idea, but hey, let's get together and brainstorm this.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Jan 2007, 18:27

Nelson Hatstand wrote: with a picture of a crazed looking Joe Findlay above it .

I believe that's the only kind of pictures of Joe that exist. He is one crazy mother....... .

Nelson, I believe your idea is more adapt a pie rather than adopt a dog. Far to much emphasis on the butchering angle. Why don't we go for a dual competition? Crazy Joe makes Pie of the Week which is gifted to the adopter of Dog of the Week, who can chose to either feed it to the dog or eat it themselves before taking the dog back to the home.

Joe's shut on a sunday, the cat and dog home is also shut on a sunday, can there be a more synergistic marketing coupling on the coastal Forth?

What about Dog and/or Pie of the weak? Surely ther's mileage in that?

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 20 Jan 2007, 18:32

Porty wrote:What about Dog and/or Pie of the weak?

What about the strong

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Jan 2007, 18:42

Dog of the Strong doesn't sound right to me. Whereas a nutritious, vitamin filled pie sounds exactly what the weak may need.

I'm already going a bit cold on this POL Dog of the week idea. I can already see what would happen; everytime it even looked close to a Dog not getting snapped up by a willing adopter. Well known, and loved, dog sucker; Teddygirl would step-up to the rescue. After about 10 weeks she would have 8 new dogs and not even be complaining. Pretty soon the Dog and Cat home would be upping the ante to Dog of the day (except sunday) and before much longer Teddygirl would be selling up in Joppa to move into the Cat and Dog home, cut out the middle man type of idea.

Then all we would be left with is a dreary kitcheneresque type pie of the week competition.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 20 Jan 2007, 18:44

dog sucker

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Jan 2007, 18:46

We've all been there.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 20 Jan 2007, 18:48

Porty wrote:We've all been there.

Speak for yourself!!

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 20 Jan 2007, 19:31

Dear me, I go to sleep for the day and wake up to find I'm being accused of all sorts

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 20 Jan 2007, 19:59

teddygirl wrote:Dear me, I go to sleep for the day and wake up to find I'm being accused of all sorts

Well, we know what you sheepbothering Aberdeenshirians are like!!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Jan 2007, 20:54

Poppy wrote:
Porty wrote:We've all been there.
Speak for yourself!!

I meant the Cat and Dog home.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 20 Jan 2007, 21:04

Porty wrote:
Poppy wrote:
Porty wrote:We've all been there.
Speak for yourself!!
I meant the Cat and Dog home.

Pants on fire

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Jan 2007, 22:21

Poppy, I'm not pulling any jokes on this thread its way to serious. I meant we'd all been to the Cat and Dog home. no point getting shirty with me cos your pants are on fire.

BTT, seriously what do you think of the combined Dog and/or Pie of the week/weak concept?

Post by **administrator** » 20 Jan 2007, 23:43

Following a number of complaints, Portobello Online would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused to animal lovers as a result of reading this thread. We would like to make it clear that the views expressed by individual members are in no way condoned by the administrators of Portobello Online.

In particular, the notion that an unwanted dog could be made into a pie (or any other meat product) by Findlays, Kitcheners or any other local trader, or any suggestion that the Dog and Cat Home would enter into such an arrangement, is completely without foundation and we accept no liability.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 21 Jan 2007, 13:13

Porty wrote:I'm not pulling any jokes on this thread its way to serious. I meant we'd all been to the Cat and Dog home.

Seriously, I have not in fact been to the C&D Home. It would upset me too much to see firsthand evidence of the cruelty that brings a lot of the animals to the place. And I'm grateful to mabagpuss, Mr mabagpuss and others who do have the guts to do their bit.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 21 Jan 2007, 15:20

administrator wrote:Following a number of complaints, Portobello Online would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused to animal lovers as a result of reading this thread. We would like to make it clear that the views expressed by individual members are in no way condoned by the administrators of Portobello Online.

In particular, the notion that an unwanted dog could be made into a pie (or any other meat product) by Findlays, Kitcheners or any other local trader, or any suggestion that the Dog and Cat Home would enter into such an arrangement, is completely without foundation and we accept no liability.

All of that sounds reasonable, at least on first reading. However, whats the admin teams overall view on using animals for pies or other butchers products?

The whole pie market is baffling and so is the sliced pie market. Cows, Pigs, Sheep and Chickens are sought after commodities and often change hands for thousands of pounds in competitive auctions. People do want them, then very shortly afterwards they are made into Pies and other types of savoury. Then when it comes to Cats and Dogs that can't even be given away, people get upset at the prospect of these animals being used as pie fillings, even if there is a stipulation that one won't uses their tales or tongues.. I just don't get it.

On the subject of the Cat and Dog home and how diificult it can be to secure a Dog, I was taliking to a guy last night who is convinced that he was refused a request to have a dog purely because of what he was wearing when he visited the home to meet some of the animals. It seems bonkers when the objective is to place dogs.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Jan 2007, 16:05

OK then, what was he wearing?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 21 Jan 2007, 16:11

He popped into the home on his way home from the Lab. He still had his white coat on. He immediately encountered hostility from the staff at the Dog and Cat home. Even although he offered to take 4 dogs.

He offered several packets of cigarettes free for each staff member and promised to take another 4 dogs the next mointh, assuming things worked out. He described the reaction as the "bums' rush" and was quite bruised by the experience. It doesn't seem right.

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 21 Jan 2007, 22:47

...the beagle has landed

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 22 Jan 2007, 09:36

Bob Jefferson wrote:
Porty wrote:I'd forgotten about Dog Of the Week, when did they stop that?
I think that if they decided to resurrect this we would be happy to make a feature of it on Portobello Online. With over 600 registered users and many other lurkers, this is a genuine offer of free advertisment.

I think that's a really great idea Bob. The Home needs as much publicity as it can get. If you can get the manager to answer an email it would be worth a try

Nelson Hatstand · Post by **Nelson Hatstand** » 22 Jan 2007, 10:23

administrator wrote:Following a number of complaints, Portobello Online would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused to animal lovers as a result of reading this thread. We would like to make it clear that the views expressed by individual members are in no way condoned by the administrators of Portobello Online.

In particular, the notion that an unwanted dog could be made into a pie (or any other meat product) by Findlays, Kitcheners or any other local trader, or any suggestion that the Dog and Cat Home would enter into such an arrangement, is completely without foundation and we accept no liability.

I don't see eating a dog, in a pie or otherwise, as being any more offensive than eating a cow, a pig or a bunny wabbit. I assume it's because of their status as 'man's best friend'. Admittedly, your average cow is perhaps a little unwieldy to be conferred the status of domestic pet, but it seems unfair to me that it's acceptable to eat a cow and not acceptable to eat a dog. If you're going to eat animals anyway, then why not? What's the difference?