Our Take on the Ellen Story
We have been getting tons of inquries from you regarding "the Ellen situation." To recap, Iggy, the dog adopted by Ellen DeGeneres from the Los Angeles-based rescue group Mutts & Moms, was recently removed from Ms. DeGeneres’ hairdresser’s home after the rescue group learned of the re-homing that was conducted without its knowledge or prior approval, as specified in its adoption contract.
Here is our official statement:
Said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, “Ms. DeGeneres’ love and concern for animals has become practically iconic. As such, we have the utmost respect for her actions in trying to provide loving homes for animals in need—she sets a great example for not just other celebrities, but the entire American public.”
“We also understand the point of view of Mutts & Moms. Several shelters, including our own, have similar language written into their contracts that essentially function as a safety net for the animals they adopt out, so that adopters know they can always bring the animals back in case the adoption doesn’t work out. With an estimated five to seven million companion animals entering shelters every year, the last thing any responsible shelter wants to see is the unnecessary euthanasia of pets.”
All shelters in the United States function as independent entities, each with their own specific adoption policies. “Had a similar situation been encountered with an ASPCA adopter,” said Sayres, “and had the new home met our adoption criteria, in all likelihood we would have encouraged the new home environment for the animal. Furthermore, the ASPCA applauds those who provide responsible pet care by providing veterinary needs—such as spaying or neutering—behavior training, as well as providing the animal with a safe and loving home.
“We would encourage Mutts & Moms to re-visit their approach to this situation and look forward to a positive outcome that reinforces the importance of pets in our society and the human-animal bond.”
Click here to see the adoptable animals here at the ASPCA.
Here is our official statement:
Said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, “Ms. DeGeneres’ love and concern for animals has become practically iconic. As such, we have the utmost respect for her actions in trying to provide loving homes for animals in need—she sets a great example for not just other celebrities, but the entire American public.”
“We also understand the point of view of Mutts & Moms. Several shelters, including our own, have similar language written into their contracts that essentially function as a safety net for the animals they adopt out, so that adopters know they can always bring the animals back in case the adoption doesn’t work out. With an estimated five to seven million companion animals entering shelters every year, the last thing any responsible shelter wants to see is the unnecessary euthanasia of pets.”
All shelters in the United States function as independent entities, each with their own specific adoption policies. “Had a similar situation been encountered with an ASPCA adopter,” said Sayres, “and had the new home met our adoption criteria, in all likelihood we would have encouraged the new home environment for the animal. Furthermore, the ASPCA applauds those who provide responsible pet care by providing veterinary needs—such as spaying or neutering—behavior training, as well as providing the animal with a safe and loving home.
“We would encourage Mutts & Moms to re-visit their approach to this situation and look forward to a positive outcome that reinforces the importance of pets in our society and the human-animal bond.”
Click here to see the adoptable animals here at the ASPCA.
Labels: Adopt, Ellen Degeneres, Press Release, Shelter
posted by ASPCA at 3:25 PM PERMALINK
17 Comments:
The puppy was in a loving home. Who reads the whole contract.
I believe, though, that the new home did not meet the rescue group's adoption criteria, because there were children under the age of 14. ASPCA is stating what it would do in a situation that is different from the one presented to Mutts & Moms, thereby causing more confusion and tension in the controversy.
Given that "all shelters in the United States function as independent entities," I'm not sure there is benefit to the discussion for ASPCA to say what it would have done in the situation. It certainly does not benefit the discussion, though, to say what it would have done in a different situation.
I am an animal lover and have been for all my life. However, and after having made that point, I will have now have second thoughts about ever adopting another pet. This, of course, is thanks to the Mutts & Moms situation which is deplorable and will result in even more pets being denied good and loving homes because of this type of jack-booted behavior on the part of this particular shelter.
Jeff in Virginia
Why can't people simply follow long established rules. If the ASPCA takes Ellens side in this matter, I will never support them in any way.
even though ellen did not pay close attention to the fine print on the adoption form. It is not a completely horrible thing that she gave the dog to another family.
Thanks to all those that do adopt from shelters, instead of buying from a breeder, it saves needless deaths!
I have seven of my own, that one way or another are saved from the shelter. I have one who is just like iggy. They were adopted and then the family decided that they didn't work. So they asked if I would want her. So we have her, she has become an important part of our fur family. She is loved as if we had picked her out ourselves.
Sometimes it is easier to think of the dog in a family, then stuck in cage and facing a tradgic fate.
i think that as long as she found him a loving home everything should be okay. yes she should of let them know but they also should of forgiven her... so even if they took the dog from the other lady they should of let them adopt him but they didnt
Both Ellen and M&M showed very bad judgment. Ellen has no patience or willingness to work with her puppy and cats (not the first time she has gotten rid of a dog when there was a slight inconvenience), the shelter was confrontational and inflexible. Ellen's public crying jag was shallow and unbecoming. M&M were on a power trip. Nobody put Iggy first. Shame on ALL of them, and the ASPCA, too, for trying to walk the fence and trying to desperately please everybody. Just don't bother to comment next time.
As I sit here trying to type around a slobbery kong toy, I can think of no better words with which to place the recent adoption situation in perspective than the words issued by Ed Sayres. Shelter contracts should not be treated as the sole product of a shelter adoption. The true mission was completely lost by Mutts & Moms, and unfortunately, they lost it in a cloud of revenge on a national stage, potentially setting back the cause of pet rescue and adoption. I appreciate Mr. Sayres bringing the focus back to the mission of safe and loving homes, which seems to be in complete consort with the advocacy mission of the ASPCA.
mutts and moms are making all of us other dogs rescue groups look bad. it is hard enough to keep our rescued dogs healthy and fed and to beg for food donations for our rescue, now we have to deal with this?? this should have been handled immediately, what makes iggy so special? by the time i finish this comment at least 1000 dogs will have died because of overpopulation. I feel Iggy should have been allowed to stay, that is absurd that a new home must have kids older than 14, are you kidding me...with those rules hardly any dogs will be adopted, I am appaulled
As a result of being tied up in a workers compensation case, lost my home, little money coming in, I had to adopt out my baby. I have been devastated, however he was so unhappy living in an apt. and he is a very large dog. The adopted parent had to sign a contract stating should something happen to him, my baby will come back to me. I recently discovered he has health issues and pray he follows the contract
If he breaks the contract, I will be totally devastated as hopefully by then I would be able to have him back with me.
Thats why there are contracts and rules, we don't always know the whole story and the person giving up their animal may be in a situation that is forcing them to think only of their loving companion, no matter how much it affects them.
A Contract is a Contract, this is giving your word! We are only as good as our word and without that, who do we trust?
I feel that the whole situation got blown completely out of proportion. I think that in her defense Ellen felt that she really was doing the right thing. Not that she should have used her celebrity status to escalate the situation to the level it is now. M&M, I feel did not act very accordingly. I think they should have done a home visit and if everything was working out than they should have left Iggy there, or redone the adoption papers. I understand that some small dogs are nervous or high-strung however you want to put it, but if the family and the dog get along well, isn't that the ideal thing that everyone is looking for?
I just wish to say, How many people give pets as a gift? Ellen know these girls very well and knew they were mature enough to take care and love this dog. These girls are the daughters of Helen's hair dresser and she had been discussing getting her daughters a dog and Ellen said let me find you the perfect dog. She did and it was taken away over some little snag or missunderstanding. This is not a way to get homeless animals adopted into a loving home. It puts more stress on an animal to be constantly moved from one place to another and then another and yet another. These girls walked Iggy 5 times a day & were falling in love with him right when he was snatched away. When we adopted our dogs, we were asked if they were going to be a gift and if so, they wanted the recipient of the dog's information for there records. What a situation this is!!!!!
It's interesting that people like you (ASPCA) take a side with any one who contribute money to your organization. Ellen violate the rule, I don't care she's famous and donate money for people like you idiots. What a waste of money....
It seems more and more well known people feel they don't have to follow the rules the rest of us follow. The entertainment group seems to think they are priviledged. The agency only had the dogs best interest in mind and I applaud them for standing up for what their groups policy is concerning adoption.
I just recently had a bad experience with a "BAD APPLE" so called rescuer. She was in TN and saw a dog (well groomed well taken care of with collar and tag) she decided the dog looked like a stray to her and took him 400 miles away from home. Only because she thought she had to post it on the internet for 72 hours (with collar and tag in picture) did we find him and with the help of another rescuer who saw fit to let the humane society in TN know about the dog. Everyone was trying to get this lady to give the dog back, but she wanted to meet in Walmart parking lot in MD and give the dog back for 400 dollars. She decided to take the dog to the vet. and have surgery done. She also would not tell us who the vet was because all we wanted to do was go to the vet and get our dog back. Funny the vet never saw the collar or tag???? Finally we found out not because of anything LYNN from MD told us. She makes this a habit taking dogs away from there home and adopting them out. Everyone in the rescue business needs to put people like this out of business. It is not necessary to pick up dogs who simply go out to PEE-PEE and take them 400 miles away from there home only to make money. This is a BIG PROBLEM IN CHEWSVILLE, MARYLAND and surrounding area.
I don't think there is a need of forgiveness. If a trusted dog lover gave a dog away to a family that loves dogs, there shouldn't be a problem! If there were any questions, why didn't the family that got the dog as a gift just get sent an application to fill out? I think this whold story is an embarrassment to the group that took the dog back! How could you say you care about an animal after you rip it away from a little girl that dog fell in love with. It's people like that, that just try to make a big story, that make me sick! God forgive you for being cruel!
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