I received a request from a shelter reform advocate for studies and information to stop their local pound from using temperament tests to claim dogs are “unadoptable” and kill them, as well as information for what shelters should do instead. The fact is that it is the shelter’s own socialization, training, and care policies that determine whether dogs live or die, not arcane notions of “adoptability” based on flawed temperament tests.
So true. I recently adopted a semi-feral cat from a hoarding situation. After three months, he will not leave me alone & wants constant pets. A dog that we adopted from a kill shelter was tested as fine. After one year he became extremely aggressive. Of course I kept him, it wasn't his fault that he had been inbred from a puppy-mill and probably abused. Sad story. He was loved and had frequent medical visits due to severeskin allergies..Never could be petted! But - mine until he died!
To share -- a MUST-READ
So true. I recently adopted a semi-feral cat from a hoarding situation. After three months, he will not leave me alone & wants constant pets. A dog that we adopted from a kill shelter was tested as fine. After one year he became extremely aggressive. Of course I kept him, it wasn't his fault that he had been inbred from a puppy-mill and probably abused. Sad story. He was loved and had frequent medical visits due to severeskin allergies..Never could be petted! But - mine until he died!