Ellen Sobs For The Return Of Confiscated Pet

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres broke down while taping her show yesterday, in an episode that airs today, over a dog named Iggy that she rescued from a shelter in September. After she spent thousands to get Iggy neutered and to try and train him to get along with her cats, it wasn't working. Meanwhile, Ellen's hairdresser has two daughters and looking for a puppy. Ellen gave them Iggy, got daily reports of how the girls loved and had bonded to Iggy, and she thought she'd done a good thing by finding the dog a loving home.

But the rescue shelter claims Ellen violated a deal by giving the animal away, and they took Iggy from the kids. "I guess I signed a piece of paper that says if I can't keep Iggy, it goes back to the rescue organization, which is not someone's home, which is not a family," Ellen told the audience.

When the shelter called Ellen to check on Iggy, she was honest and told them she'd found the dog a new home. The shelter took Iggy from the hairdresser's home.

Here is Ellen sobbing on her show for the shelter to return the dog to the kids:

From NBC 10/16

Comments

[moneyrunt]

But she is a celebrity. Of course she doesn't have to read the contract. Of course she doesn't have to follow the rules that the average citizen does. What if her hairdresser kids liked to see if electricity is fun to an animal? What if her hairdresser had a list of animal cruelty infractions against her? Of course Ellen couldn't possibly be wrong. After all, she spent all that money. She has her own show. Don't these organizations that exist for the welfare of animals realize that Ellen did a full investigation of where the dog was being sent? I mean she is so thorough with her information collection techniques - that was proven when she didn't even read the contract. When will people realize that the celebrity of today is always right, informed, and selfless?

[BillyCioffi]

Moneyrunt!
You are an idiot. No matter what good a person is trying to do do some sap like you will find a way put them down. You ARE a runt: a very small person or rodent. Give it a rest creep!

[moneyrunt]

Billy
You are a sheep. You can't understand following the rules. What good was she trying to do? Send a defenseless animal to a home not inspected by the authorities? Take off the blinders, creep. See these celebrities for what they are: priveledged, spoiled, overpaid prima donnas who think their actions can't possibly be harmful. Had she ever been over to the home? Exactly what training did she recieve? Amazing, the way you stand up for her by name calling. My points are valid. Yours are intolerant.

[moneyrunt]

Name calling and blind faith in the judgment of a celebrity do not invalidate the points I made Billy. I made valid points, you call me names. Where does she get off sending an animal to a home not inspected as in the rules? You are as intolerant as you claim the shelter to be. Put down the guitar and read a book.

[unclesmedley]

dork

[TheRetiredOne]

Moneyrunt - It must be a real burden for you to be only perfect person in the world.

[moneyrunt]

Good response to my specific points. I don't claim perfection, I point out that these celebrities are the ones who claim perfection. The rules don't apply to them? My burden is clear vision and common sense. That probably would appear as perfection to you.

[ScorchedEarth]

He's not the only perfect person in the world. I am perfect too.

[Meah]

Moneyrunt follows the rules. seig heil!

[starrianna]

Listen, those tears were REAL!!!

And I hear that someone stole those 21 pairs of $2000 shoes that Jessica Seinfeld gave Oprah today!!!

And Oprah is going on the air and CRYING HER EYES OUT even worse! It's so sad! She's BEGGING and PLEADING for the real stealers to return those precious SHOES! BOOOHOOOHOO! Poor, poor Oprah!

[NoblesseOblige]

I adopted my dog from a "pet rescue" several years ago. My partner and I completed an application and we were screened for suitability, etc.. We even signed a contract that specified that if we could no longer care for the pet, he would be returned to the rescue association. (No "ifs", "ands", or "buts") This is to protect the animal from well-intended, but inappropriate and unsafe pet placements. It is a good policy--and, strictly for the dog's benefit.

We still have our dog. But, if something ever happened to us, the dog would go directly back to the rescue from whence he came. They would then find him another suitable and loving home.

In Ellen's case, one would think something could be worked out for everyone's sake--especially for the dog who has found a new, loving home. I hope there is a happy ending to this story.

[ScorchedEarth]

Yes, we must make special accommodations for Ellen because she's a lesbian celebrity.

I wonder if Rosie is jealous of all the attention Ellen is getting? ? ? ?

[NoblesseOblige]

This has absolutely nothing to do with Ellen's sexual orientation--nor her celebrity. Why did you bring this up? And, what relevance does Rosie have with the situation?

[Tiny Demon]

What do you mean ? Larry Craig got plenty of attention. So calm down no need to be jealous.

[johnmorgan]

How can the rescue association be a better home for a pet than with a family which loves it?

It is not a good policy.

[Meah]

I would NEVER let my dog go back to a rescue shelter no matter what. When we got our puppy home, she got very sick and developed PARVO. After $500 and many IVs later, her life was saved. Why would we want to expose her to more disease at the shelter she came from. What are these people, Nazis?

[marapem]

If the State & County agencies looked after the welfare of children as some of the pet adoption agencies seem to look after the welfare of adopted animals maybe we wouldn't have the problems regarding children and families as we do now.

[Meah]

Yes. Those people should go work for Childrens Protective Services. THATS where the real need is. What a complete crock. They should have gone to the home, checked things out, and they would have seen the environment was OK. What kind of business were they in? Are they the dog police? I adopted a Old English Sheepdog from a shelter. She was a puppy, and could have had puppies, but I could not take her without spaying her. I think spaying is good, but she could have had at least one litter.

[kirkland]

Go, ELLEN!
What a hideous example of a bureaucracy ultimately injuring those they intend to serve. Injury to the poor pooch - very traumatic to uproot a dog repeatedly and definite injury to the kids. I admire Ellen for being so raw publically about it. Perhaps her autenticity will wake up the shelter and they'll get hip to the fact that they're taking this *PERSONALLY* is inspiring their betrayal of their ultimate objectives and intention.
RETURN the POOCH to his new FOREVER HOME. NO BRAINER, people!

[Charity]

soooo, let me get this straight: ellen was only "leasing" the dog she rescued from a "rescue" shelter? is that it?

there is a clause that says the dog "lease" is null and void if she "sub-leases" the animal to another home? is that it?

and that this "rescue shelter" has the ability to call up "dog renters" and see if the terms of the "lease" agreement are being met, and if not, they have the legal ability to confiscate their "property"? is that it?

i'm just trying to figure this out because the animal shelters where i've rescued cats were pretty much glad i was "buying" the animals not "leasing."

i can't view the clip on a dial up but it seems to me that the rescue organization engaged in some dubious behavior by telephoning ellen long after the dog was gone - and THEN going to a stranger's house and confiscating the animal.

how was that allowed? i would have filed a police report naming the rescue organization as the offending party for pet theft.

you know, there are a lot homeless sad animals out there. seems counter-productive to take back the ones who have actually found good homes - but i guess that's too simplistic a reasoning for this "rescue" organization.

-----

[Meanwhile]

I guess you'd prefer that animal shelters just hand out pets to abusive homes without a second thought, without follow-up, and without the power to correct a situation where an adopter lies about the environment where the pet will be living?

The shelter has legal and ethical responsibilities, and these guidelines exist for good reasons, even if the outcome seems unpleasant sometimes. I'm sure this is just a case of someone following the letter of the law rather than put his/her job on the line.

If you don't like the law, petition the lawmakers for a change. Don't threaten the shelter for doing its job.

[Charity]

how right you are, "meanwhile," to guess what i'd prefer! i stand in awe of your psychic abilities. do you also have pet psychic abilities? there's a show on cable awaiting you, if that is the case.

yes, indeed, when i lease an animal i fully expect to be eating his carcass by dinnertime with a nice merlot - red goes well with dog, doesn't it?

tell me, please "meanwhile" because you know what i prefer.

----

[hip dibler]

I was going to write some smart ass comment to this but after seeing Ellen I just can't.

[Wanjiru]

...ok, let me help you....


...GIVE THE DOG TO MICHEAL VICK...


.

[unclesmedley]

Wanjiru... Enjoy chemo, you heartless schmuck.

[ScorchedEarth]

hilarious! Great post Wanjiru!

[luckyoldson]

When my wife and I tried to adopt a kitten that was scheduled to be put down with 24 hours, we were on the way out the door when I made an off-hand comment that we had over two acres and the cat would love the wooded areas surrounding the house.

One of the shelter's workers immediately took the cat out of my wife's hands and said we couldn't have it...becau­se it wouldn't be kept inside at all times. We told them we had three other cats that had never been attacked and that our dog kept predators away, but they said "a rule is a rule."

We went back later that day to take another shot, but they said it was too late anyway, because the kitten had already been put down.

I'm not sure what the moral of the story is, but stupidity comes to mind.

[Meah]

That is horrible! People are so stupid!

[Dianekkdi]

You know, my husband says, Never tell anyone anything they don't specifically ask.

Never give information. Just get it.

When dealing with a bureaucratic asshole--this policy might well hold particularly true.

[LenP]

The shelter staff are power-hungry bureaucrats!

Yesterday, I went to a furniture store and tried to pick up 2 headboards for my children's beds.

Even though I had already paid for the headboards, the furniture store wouldn't let me load them into my own car, citing "insurance concerns."

And...sinc­e their warehouse staff don't work on Mondays, my kids had to sleep in their beds last night without headboards!

Value City Furniture you SUCK!

[starrianna]

with a name like "Value City", it's GOT to be good!

Christ, the name of this shelter was "Moms and Mutts" or some hippy-libby-lovey stuff.

And they acted like Dog Nazis! Someone should slap them silly. SERIOUSLY! I want to see video.

[SteveSOD]

(rolls eyes) God. Nobody cares about you, DeGeneres. Your 15 minutes are WAY over.

[starrianna]

Hey Steve,

Fuck you.

What do you do, run over kittens on your way to a gay bar so you can gaybash?

[Libsrule]

No Kidding Star, what a dick!

What I'd like to know is how did the shelter know where the woman lived??

I mean did Ellen give them up?

BUT as well, the shelter has no legal ground from the point where the animal leaves the shelter. It doesn't belong to them anymore. This is not a LEASE for Chrissake.

If Ellen was all that compassionate she would have hired an attorney to go after the shelter.

[VOTER]

A Pet Shelter Couldn't Take The Time To Visit Ellen's Friends and See How Happy and Well Cared For the Puppy was? Then have the family sign whatever papers necessary. Did they check with the vet who took care of the puppy?

Again, the important words.....­.....PET SHELTER!

(Losing their license as a Pet Shelter is not an unreasonable request since they appear to behave beyond being REASONABLE­.)

[Meah]

This place should be boycotted for inhumane behavior.

[stillrockin]

Bad shelter; that's a VERY bad shelter!

[Truss]

Give the dog back you creeps.

[progressivegreg]

Does Bob Barker know about this?? He should have some clout with the "shelters" in S. Calif

[dontcaremuch]

There are mean people in every organization.

Usually at the top.

I hope those few idiots don't ruin the good work the more responsible people are trying to do in that shelter.