THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! 
Hey, you dogs! Hope you're ready for the big Labor Day Holiday. As for me, and my new Lil' Pup Reporter, and the newest Dean's Team Chicago Team Member, Gracie Moss, we're thinking of making a stop at Wiggly Field Dog Park this weekend. I'd like to introduce her to a few of my friends there!
You know, earlier today, in researching today's post, Gracie and I spent considerable time discussing a subject near and dear to both of our hearts - Pet Adoptions. Dean & Sue just picked up Lil' Gracie this week from a private breeder on the South Side of Chicago, you know.
But, often, many would-be dog and cat owners often head to the local animal shelter to find their new pets. For many humans adopting, however, the process can be pure intimidation - and many otherwise-qualified pet owners can be screened out without much of a reason.
Take the case of Katie P. She's a 22 year old human lady from the North Side of Chicago who, with her boyfriend, recently went to a North Side Animal Shelter to find a new dog.
When they found a cute border collie-beagle mix, they both fell in love, immediately. However, the shelter's volunteer clerk sensed they were "too young" and "not responsible." They were soundly rejected, very depressed, and are now looking to adopt from a professional dog breeder.
Many prospective pet adopters company that shelters use an Adopter Qualification Process, that can, at times, seem like the Spanish Inquisition! Often, the agency requires extensive applications be completed, apartment leases and condo rules be attached, and home visits scheduled. Sometimes, potentially-leading open-ended questions are asked - "If your new dog relieves himself on your rug, what would you do?"
(Team Leader Dean knows the answer to this question all too well. Often times, with our new Gracie, I see him following her around with a small bucket filled with warm, soapy water and a stiff brush, as well as a fistful of toilet paper, heading for the rug in the living room. "No, Gracie!" can often be heard quite a bit around here these days, as well as a couple of other human words I don't know the meaning of yet!)
Each year, three to four million pets are adopted at animal shelters each year across the U.S., according to the Humane Society of the United States. About an equal number are put down, for lack of a qualified adoptive family. Many animal advocates strongly feel the number of shelter animals euthanized can drop dramatically if more common-sense adoption rules are put in place.
"It's hard to get it right," conceded Jamie Damato, a 20 year animal shelter veteran around Chicago. "There's no question that these organizations have the best interests of the animals at heart, but they shouldn't be playing God."
Many operators say the scrutiny is essential to ensure that the pet is safe and won't be returned.
"You have no idea how traumatic abandonment is for animals," said Jim Borgelt, President of the Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance, a coalition of 15 "no-kill" shelters. "Of course, we want animals to find homes, but we don't want to do it without any regard for the end result."
Alliance shelter members adopt between 14,000 and 15,000 dogs and cats annually. Of those, roughly 750 are returned.
Many feel, however, that shelter screening has indeed become too strenuous. Emily Weiss, who has a PhD in animal behavior and is a senior director with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), was once rejected by a shelter.
However, the adoption rules might be coming down to earth a bit. In Washington DC, required home visits pre-adoption have been dropped. Here in Chicago, our own Anti-Cruelty Society has stopped rejection of prospective cat owners considering to have their new pets declawed.
In 2007, the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society placed 5,775 pets into new homes, and rejected less than 5% of all applicants.
To ensure a good fit of pet to family, the ASPCA and Weiss developed an assessment tool called "Meet Your Match". The test identifies certain personality traits in both animals and humans. If you work at home, for example, you might not want a "personal assistant"-type cat who will be in your lap and on your keyboard. Or, if you don't have the patience to pick up Puppy Poo, you might not want to adopt a little brown Peke named Gracie!
At five test sites, the program reduced feline euthanasia by 40% and increased adoption by 50%, according to Weiss.
Despite recent changes, however, many pet owners say the decision whether to allow an adoption still seems to turn on demographics, such as occupation, marital status, living in an apartment or not having a fenced yard.
Some prospective adopters complain of shelter volunteers getting almost "parental" in explaining how to take care of a dog or a cat. Others feel they were inappropriately screened out based on insufficient income. Many give up attempting to adopt from a shelter, instead opting for a private breeder.
You dogs, you know where I stand. Anything to reduce the number of animals being put to sleep each year, yet still being placed in responsible homes, gets my vote.
"Woof!" I guess Gracie Agrees.
Now, Gracie, what are you doing on the living room rug? @$!!%&*&**$!!
See Bonnie Miller Rubin's article in last Sunday's Chicago Tribune for more info.
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
(In Consultation with GRACIE MOSS)
