Woman who applied to adopt a dog to enjoy ‘running, hiking and cuddles’ with is left ‘speechless’ after receiving bizarre response telling her the puppy would ‘hate’ those activities
- Alice Gray, 29, from Cardiff, Wales, emailed to say she wants a canine companion
- Told adoption agency she wants dog that’s ‘enjoys running, hiking and cuddles’
- Shocked to receive blunt reply telling her the puppy would ‘hate those things’
A woman who applied to adopt a puppy was left ‘speechless’ when she received a rejection from the shelter which claimed the dog would ‘hate’ her hobbies.
Alice Gray, 29, a presenter from Cardiff, had expressed her interest in taking on a ‘gorgeous’ pup called Angel and explained she was looking for a young dog ‘as a companion and to make a family’.
She added that she would love a dog that is ‘active and enjoys running and hiking’ with her, as well as ‘lots of cuddles and affection’.
But she was shocked to receive a very blunt reply from a member of staff at the shelter, which informed her Angel was ‘not at all suitable’.
Alice Gray, 29, pictured, a presenter from Cardiff, Wales, had expressed her interest in taking on a ‘gorgeous’ pup called Angel and explained she was looking for a young dog ‘as a companion and to make a family’
Alice shared the exchange to Twitter where many people were equally baffled by the shelter’s attitude.
She captioned the tweet: ‘I applied for a dog today. This is the story in four parts. I’m actually speechless.’
Alice shared four screen grabs containing the email exchange, including her initial email which stated she is ‘an active 29-year-old professional, working from home full time’. She offered to provide more information if the dog adoption centre wanted to find out more about her.
She then received a curt reply which read: ‘If you read Angel’s description she is a calm puppy who loves cuddles. She is not at all suitable for active, running and hiking.’
Alice shared the exchange to Twitter where many people were equally baffled by the shelter’s attitude
Alice said she would love a dog that is ‘active and enjoys running and hiking’ with her, as well as ‘lots of cuddles and affection’
The dog lover was shocked to receive a very blunt reply from a member of staff at the shelter, which informed her Angel was ‘not at all suitable’
Thanking them for their quick response, Alice then explained that as Angel is so young, she ‘obviously wouldn’t have started her off with lots of activity until she’s older’.
She added: ‘But I’m hoping for a companion that can do that [and] can grow with me and do those things in the future.’
The subsequent reply was even more cutting; it read: ‘Hi. It is nothing to do with her age. She would have hated it.
‘We have a duty of care to our dogs to ensure they go to the right home for them.’
Thanking them for their quick response, Alice then explained that as Angel is so young, she ‘obviously wouldn’t have started her off with lots of activity until she’s older’
The subsequent reply was even more cutting; it read: ‘Hi. It is nothing to do with her age. She would have hated it’
Alice didn’t reveal the name of the shelter or the member of staff in her post, which has since received more than 10,500 retweets and over 217,800 likes.
Following up on her initial tweet, Alice later clarified: ‘So this went a bit mad – just because this seems to be a reoccurring theme:
‘1) I read the description of the dog very well. No where did it say she doesn’t like exercise or needed limited walks.
‘2) I wouldn’t apply for a dog that I wouldn’t be able to offer the right home to.’
Many people felt the shelter’s response was ‘insane’, with one tweeting: ‘Do these people even understand dogs? Unless the pup has a medical issue that precludes exercise, they’ve just denied it an opportunity for a fun active life. What are they looking for, someone who’ll keep it at home all day and dress it up?’
Many people felt the shelter’s response was ‘insane’, with one tweeting: ‘Do these people even understand dogs?’
Another remarked: ‘Seriously? That’s a dumb response. It’s a puppy! She has energy. Of course she will love those things with you. A tired dog is a happy dog.’
And one asked: ‘What the actual f***? Now I’m worried about how they place these doggos. If they treat people like this how do they treat the pups?!’
However, some defended the adoption centre, with one commenting: ‘It’s an honest mistake and many long time dog owners do it but dogs aren’t meant for running like people. They will do their best and be happy to make you happy but it’s very uncomfortable for them. They are suited for short sprints around a field.
‘Saying you would run with your dog was a red flag for me also but the better way to handle it probably would have been to explain the situation and then make a judgement call if you seemed to listen and take in the info or not.’
In response to the Twitter storm, a spokesperson for Charity Dog’s Trust told the Mirror: ‘Every dog is different and has specific requirements for their forever home, our job is to ensure they are matched with someone who can give them everything they need to thrive long term.
‘We would ask people looking to rehome a dog to be patient, as the unprecedented demand for dogs may mean you have to wait a little longer to find the right dog for you.’
Source: Read Full Article
