Advice on "no kids" logo...

[Richard Crowe]

As with Doodle rescue Collective, Inc.; the American Maltese Rescue does not adopt to families with kids under a certain age living in the home. 

When we place a Maltese on petfinder, we have been selecting the "no kids" icon.  However I just realized that might be selling our rescues short.  The first thing that a person would think of when seeing the "no kids" icon displayed with a dog is that the dog snaps at kids, not that the "no kids" regulation is for the dog's protection. 

I suspect that grandparents who occasionally have their grandkids visit them, might be reluctant to adopt a dog with a "no kids" logo displayed because thay would be fearful that the dog might bite the grandkids.

I think that it would give the dogs a better chance of adoption to explain in the narrative that we do not.adopt our dogs to homes in which children below a certain age live rather than to place the "no kids" logo on petfinder.

We would still place the "no kids" logo on dogs who have a history of being unfriendly towards kids...

What do you think?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree that the logo might give people the idea that the dog is a danger to kids.

The policies regarding not adopting to families with kids under a certain age are the toughest ones to explain to people, and the ones that make people the angriest. People seem to take everything personally, as if you created the rule just to prevent them from adopting a dog. And of course, "my kids are different", lol. But the people who argue are usually the ones who are thinking about what they want, and not what the dog needs.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree completely that it would be better to explain just what you mean rather than the  "No kids"  logo which could be misleading.

[Doris]

Good point, Richard.  When I was looking through pet-finder a few years ago, the no kids thing would scare me away, even though my kids were older teens at the time. 

[L.M.]

I agree that it is misleading and many potential adopters could possibly be getting the wrong idea.  

Just curious...is there EVER an exception?  For these particular rescue groups, is EVERY dog off limits to families with children or is it only for certain dogs?  I was just wondering because it seems that it really does immediately close off many potential homes to the dogs.  I don't mean to start an argument or anything...believe me I understand that it usually is in the dog's best interest...I was really just wondering.  =)  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

As far as "closing off" many potential homes for the dogs, in the case of the DRC, it is not at all unusual to get more than 50 applications for a single dog, so there is never a problem placing a dog in a wonderful home which meets all of the requirements; there is no need to make exceptions. The demand for doodles in rescue still far outweighs the number available.

When placing a dog in a new home, the most important thing is to stack the deck in favor of the dog never having to go through another rehome again. Issues with children remain the #1 reason why doodles are rehomed. The DRC used to have a minimum age limit of 5, and the decision to raise it to 10 was sadly made out of necessity.

There is a Golden Retriever rescue in my area that will not adopt to homes with children under 12, and they also have no problem placing their dogs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wanted to clarify: When I say "issues with children", that doesn't necessarily mean that there is any conflict between the kids and the dogs, or anyone harming anyone else. Young children in the family can cause a dog to lose his home for other reasons. How many times have we heard someone say "I have to put my kids first"? This can apply to things like the kids are allergic to the dog. Most adults manage to deal with that; I've never yet heard an adult say "I have to put myself first", lol.  Sometimes there are behavioral issues that could be corrected with training, but time and money are a problem. "Not enough time" is so common a reason for giving up a dog as to be a cliche, and that usually relates to kids as well. So often we hear someone say "With 3 (or 4 or 6 or whatever) kids, we have very busy household." Parents have to get kids to sports practice, dance class, religious school, etc., help with homework, and then they need a sitter to take the dog out for training or attend classes. Not enough time to groom the dog, walk the dog, exercise the dog, train the dog, etc., and a dog who is not trained or exercised enough can then act out and become a behavioral problem.  When I suggested training to one woman who was giving up a doodle, her response was that she can't afford to get a trainer because she has three kids to put through college. The kids were 4, 6, and 7 at the time. Dogs have been hospitalized and required thousands of dollars of surgery because young kids left socks, toys, gum, etc where the dog could get it, and have been relinquished because of that. These things are usually not issues in an adult only household. And of course, there have been many cases of doodles who were not trained, exercised, or appropriately handled becoming aggressive with kids.

Does this mean that people with kids shouldn't have doodles (or dogs)? Of course not. But when you are trying to ensure that a dog will stay wherever you are placing him for the rest of his life, the odds are just better in a home without younger kids.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So just yesterday I posted the above comment,

 "Dogs have been hospitalized and required thousands of dollars of surgery because young kids left socks, toys, gum, etc where the dog could get it, and have been relinquished because of that."

and just now Adrianne started a discussion about a young female doodle who has been dumped in a shelter by a family with a houseful of kids because she ate a kid's sock and needed surgery that they can't afford! "We can't afford it, please put her to sleep."

I very sadly rest my case.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/foster-home-urgently-neede...

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Agree, it's better to explain the requirements then to just have someone pass on a potentially great dog. Take that logo off unless it is necessary.

[Shannon and Finn]

I always assumed that the no kids logo on Petfinder meant that the dog wasn't friendly with kids, never considered that it was the adoption policy indicator.  I have been helping my neighbor look for a dog and ruled the logo dogs out because although she doesn't have young children anymore, she babysits her grandkids and my kids on occasion.  So, I think that would be a good idea!

[Jennett Pulley]

As a mom, I would be leery of a no kids logo.  I would always worry about my dog's interactions with friends, family, neighbors, etc. 

Can you do something like the movie ratings?  We have PG, PG13, PG14, R, etc...

How about NK (all ages), NK-T (toddlers and under), NK - G (grade school and under)?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The listing options are set by Petfinder, not the rescue groups. The rescues only have control over the wording within the listing itself.

 But as Richard mentioned, neither the Maltese rescue group nor the DRC will adopt to homes with children under a certain age; for the DRC, it's 10. So "ratings" wouldn't apply.

[Jennett Pulley]

I see.  That's a shame because I do see that some dogs that would be VERY home friendly would be looked over.