Agency Lashes Back, Refuses Pet's Return

AP:

Ellen DeGeneres' doggy drama intensified Tuesday after her tearful plea on her talk show led to death threats against the rescue group that took back her adopted dog for violating the contract, according to a spokesman for the agency's owners.

DeGeneres explained on her show that the Brussels Griffon terrier mix didn't get along with her cats, so she gave it to her hairstylist's family. The owners of Mutts and Moms claimed that DeGeneres violated the adoption agreement by not informing them that she was giving the dog away and removed Iggy from the hairstylist's home Sunday.

Read the whole story: AP

Comments

[murphchand]

here's the thing - making a decision to bring a sentient and intelligent animal into your care involves the responsibility to look at the relationship as a long-term one. it's not the dog's fault that humans are fickle and prone to temporary arrangements, but is the one who suffers abandonment and being shuffled around. if a problem develops, there's a thing called obedience classes and discipline. hasn't ellen ever seen the dog whisperer?

the rescue agency is just trying to put the interests of the animals first, and they reserve the right to make ultimate decisions about placement into the right environments.

if ellen had thought long and hard about the consequences of her actions, she could have taken the higher road, apologized, and used the opportunity to educate and advocate to a wide audience about the reality of cavalier treatment of aninmals. this whole episode is symptomatic of what's wrong woth our culture today.

[DavidBeckham]

Perhaps, but what is also wrong with our society is that people cannot spell when posting on blogs.

[stillrockin]

Um, little kids can't have little dogs? WTF ?
I grew up with terriers and we all managed to survive quite nicely, thank you.

[DavidBeckham]

Amen. My little beagle never tried to eat my carotid artery out of my neck.

This whole thing's a mess.

[MorallyChallenged]

Is this the animal Taliban?

[Prolix247]

I saw a replay of Ellen and I have to say she was acting, although pretty badly. Totally phony.

In the report Ellen stated that she was going to pressure Moms and Mutts via her show until they gave in and gave the dog to the second family.

It also went on to say that Ellen gave the dog away because it did not get along with her cat! Didn't Ellen think about that BEFORE she adopted the dog? How many dogs get along with cats?

I am sure Ellen was told that she could not give the dog away by this organization as I have rescued two animals from two different organizations and I was told both times.

If I were Moms and Mutts I would slap Ellen with a cease and desist order to shut her up. Ellen signed a contract and made the mistake not Moms and Mutts. If this second family wants a dog let them adopt another dog from a different agency through the proper channels.

Now the story is "bad adoption agency" instead of "Ellen adopted a rescue animal and doesn't want it anymore!!!"

Grow up people and throw off the propaganda. Liberate your mind.

[jgriggsnyc]

Liberate your mind? From what, dumb comments from pea-brains like you? If she didn't want the dog, she would have simply given it back, but she behaved responsibly and tried to find it a home. Furthermore, plenty of dogs and cats "get along." It depends upon the animals.

I've also adopted animals and was never told anything like this. I doubt you've adopted anything other than a moronic disposition. These rescue agencies depend upon volunteers and donations, and this one is choosing to spend that cash on legal bills instead of rescuing other animals. Unbelievable.

[DavidBeckham]

"I doubt you've adopted anything other than a moronic disposition."

HAHAHA -- you rock.

My big question is: What's the statute of limitations on this whole "can't give it away" thing? What if I adopted a dog from Mutts and Moms and five years later, I am on my deathbed and tell my brother to "take care of Sparky."

Does my hospital door then get kicked in by the Wagging Tailiban, who proceed to snatch my dog from my brother's grasp and run back to Pasadena?

My lord...

[Prolix247]

jg,
Your emotions are being played like a fiddle. Keep your outrage for something that matters. Let me guess, you watch Ellen and you think she is a kind and honorable person.

Get real. If you do not think this is a PR move by Ellen to get in front of the story you are as stupid as you sound.

DavidBeckham,
What a name to choose. Looser. Breck Girl cannot play soccer anymore and the LA fans will chase his sorry ass out of town, if he ever plays. Shows you will follow any trend now doesn't it.

[Checquoline]

Many dogs get along with cats but not all cats get along with dogs. Some cats do not take to new pets whether it be cat or dog and this is probably what happened. Why can't the adoption use the same criteria to screen the new family that they used to screen Ellen. If they check out why can't they have the dog?

[cblcar]

Ellen is a hypocrite who has a history of dumping animals. Last year Portia wanted a French bulldog so they bought a puppy, but Ellen found it to be a nuisance and made her give it to their make-up artist. Portia was heartbroken. Ellen's over-the-top sobbing reminded me of that psycho "Leave Britney Alone" fan. I'll never be able to look at her again without getting a little creeped out.

[esgabel]

So how do you know the details surrounding the giving away of the dog--also what history of dumping animals? Where are you getting your information?
This whole thing was handled badly. Ellen made a mistake--all my cats have been shelter cats--I have signed the same form and never gave it a thought, either, until I was the executive director of a Humane Society.
The Shelter could and should have handled this better--no matter how this turns out, being a non-profit, they have shot themselves in the foot with donors and potential donors.
Bad Publicity is remembered..."you know that's the place that took the dog, Ellen had, away from those kids"
And far from being a hypocrite or being hurt by this Ellen has an audience that is protective of her and touched by her humanity. When was the last time you saw anyone admit to being wrong, and making a mistake?
What we have are kids and a dog that got along--the age limit should be tempered by common sense. Some kids are responsible at twelve and some can't walk and chew gum.
Ellen has appologized--the shelter needs to temper their response with compassion and humility.

[CynicalDog]

Ellen's given away at least two dogs prior to this one. She's talked about it on her show, that's how it's public knowledge. She keeps buying puppies and then they don't work out, so she gives them away.

[CJGibson]

Um... maybe I'm missing something.

Why can't the hairstylist just go re-adopt the dog?

[kpod]

Because the agency has a policy not to adopt out dogs to homes with kids under 14 - which is ridiculous.

Why have blanket policies like these, anyway? If these people care SO much about these dogs, they should go and visit the prospective adopter's home and make a decision, instead of blanket disapproval over something as arbitrary as the age of the kids. Maybe they also won't allow people who paint their houses blue to adopt golden retrievers because they would clash...

[CynicalDog]

It's a very common blanket policy to protect the rescue group from liability, in case the dog bites a rambunctious child in the household. Small dogs are most likely to bite. The policy is in place to protect both the dog and the child. And as for why it's a blanket policy, it's because that's just easier for the rescue. Their jobs are difficult enough without making dozens of needless home visits to inappropriate homes. There are no shortage of adopters for little dogs, anyway.

[Meah]

No kids under 14? What? Outrageous! Unbelieveable. If they want to continue with their policies, fine. I hope nobody goes to their establishment for dogs anymore. They are over the top. How stupid is that?

[ibivi]

Ellen needs to get her priorities in order. Sobbing over a dog? What happened is unfair and cruel but breaking down on her show over it is over the top. There are things that could use her help, like poverty and abused children.

[rini]

Do you own pets Ibivi? You seem to lack an understanding of the bond that can form.

Sure, there are bigger issues in this world, but have a little empathy.

[claudyus]

She wasn't crying over the dog. She was crying because the kids had bonded with the dog and then it was taken away, so she felt devastated and responsible over their heartbreak.

[ming099]

....soooooo....they confiscated the dog....what if no one adopts it ?????.....will they euthanize it to keep it from falling into the wrong hands....or worse yet....keep it from being adopted by someone who might actually CARE for it....



STUPID.....STUPID....STUPID.........WAAAAAAYYYYY STUPID..........

[londonexpat]

I am sure the "boutique" received a pretty penny for such a small elite mixed breed and they will hope to again. I'd like to know where they got the dog. You would not find a BG mix on the street. Even at regular shelters, little dogs are quick to go, so I doubt seriously they will have a problem finding a home. And now they can have a bidding war for "Ellen's dog". I would like to know what the "adoption" fee was. The whole thing seems a little fishy-especially since they gave it to her unspayed.

[CynicalDog]

Perhaps the rescue had a deal with a local shelter to pull small dogs. Lots of people buy very expensive dogs and tire of them quickly - it doesn't seem that unusual. I doubt the rescue will have a "bidding war" for "Ellen's dog", either -- they can't adopt out any dogs right now because of death threats, and I'm sure they'd worry that "Ellen's dog" would be sought by an overjealous fan who wanted to give it back to Ellen's hairdresser. I'd guess that Iggy will never be put up for adoption again, and will just remain a pet for one of the rescue personnel.

[toomuchtolose]

I would never go to that adoption place for an animal. How much money could you make if you sold the same animal over and over. They could
check the environment at the hairdresser's home
and let her keep the dog if her home passes inspection. But they'd lose the chance to re-sell the dog.
Do they care that the dog is traumatized by being
forced to get back in a car or truck, in a cage, and taken back to a place where other animals are barking or howling or crying?
Disgusting.