Earlier this year, I was looking to adopt a dog. I’ve never had a dog, but I’ve always wanted one. I work from home in a quiet part of NYC. I live in a one bedroom apartment in a very nice building. I applied to 4-5 rescues. The experience was eye opening. I was rejected or ignored by all but one rescue. The one rescue that followed through to the end — I did not get the dog I wanted. I’ve been to the ASPCA in Manhattan where they’ll pretty much hand you any animal you want. On one visit to the ASPCA, one of the volunteers tried to push an Am Terrier/pit pup on me. I told her I wouldn’t be able to get approval for the cute pup from my building management. She begged me to take the pup. I simply couldn’t. Besides, I explicitly told her no puppies — I’m not ready for it.

Anyway, after months of running around, I came to the conclusion that I’m either not a great candidate to adopt a dog in NYC, or these rescues need to get their act together. Either way, I shelved my adoption plan.

My experience, like yours, is not unusual, I’ve learned. I’ve spoken to so many normal people who really want to adopt but who’ve been denied. And to see crummy owners who abuse their dogs or don’t train them... it’s saddening.