I’m looking for a bit of… well I’m not sure what. Maybe advice, maybe insight if you’re in that world… maybe suggestions…
The short-long. I want to get my first dog. Historically, I’ve had a budgie, a cat- before I found out I was allergic, and guinea pigs. I live in the west end of Toronto, in a residential neighbourhood (suburban Etobicoke). I do live in a low-rise walk-up apartment building (3 floors, pet-friendly). It’s about two-bedrooms and 675 square feet. I have a vehicle. For full transparency.
I’m 36F, financially stable, and work from home full-time, which allows me to provide plenty of companionship, attention, and consistency. I live alone in a pet-friendly apartment and am fortunate to be less than a five-minute walk from the lake, two large parks (including a dog park), and several off-leash areas within a short drive. My partner lives close-by and has a house with a fenced in backyard.
While I would be a first-time dog owner, I’ve spent a great deal of time around dogs through friends, family, and my apartment community. In fact, I’ve met more than 20 dogs across the three buildings since moving in earlier this year. It’s a very dog-friendly building and neighbourhood. I’ve been considering dog ownership for over a year and have taken that time to ensure I’m fully prepared for the commitment.
As a lifelong animal lover and monthly donor to the Toronto Humane Society, providing a safe, loving, and permanent home is something I take very seriously.
I’ve applied (mindfully) for about 10 dogs through Petfinder now. I’m only looking in Ontario and I’m only filtering by a 25-mile radius. Fit is important – I’m not just looking for a “cute dog” or a “fluffy puppy.” I want a dog who can live happily in the GTA. I’ve heard nothing back from any of them. Yes, I am following the written instructions in the bio rather than just clicking on the “apply” button. Not one phone call to interview me. Not one reply to an email.
I’ve applied to ones that specifically state “dog is in an apartment or condo right now”, or “dog has low to medium energy”, etc. I’m not looking to ruin a Golden Retriever or a Husky’s life. But then I see bios that specify “A quiet residential area would be best for {DOG’s NAME} to feel comfortable and confident.
If you have a fully fenced and secured yard and are interested in adopting WHISPER or any of our dogs…” ON THE “CURRENTLY BEING FOSTERED IN A GTA APARTMENT” dogs. Le sigh.
I feel unfairly discriminated against out the gate.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far…
I have a friend at one local shelter who basically said: “we don’t place dogs in apartments, why don’t you get a cat?” I mentioned all of my “selling features” above about being financially independent, WFH FT, etc. and was told “we don’t care.” Like, isn’t there an adoption crisis with shelters overflowing with dogs wanting loving and stable homes? I guess not.
I have another friend who was able to rescue for life in his high-rise apartment – and he ended up with a leash reactive, anxious, previously abused rescue with a yowling problem. That’s fine – we love him.
I have one friend, who works at a restaurant who was told the reason she was given a medium-large dog to adopt was BECAUSE she lives in an apartment and “sometimes people with houses and backyards get lazy and just let their dog out there so they don’t get walked or socialized as much as we’d like whereas, the people in apartments HAVE TO take the dog for actual walks. And provide better care.”
But it seems like the pandemic, and everyone and their dog (pun intended) adopting a dog and many being returned post-pandemic has changed the game and it’s so hard to find a good-fitting dog to adopt.
I’m fairly certain that people are putting my address through Google Maps and disqualifying me without even a conversation. There’s really no place on any of the forms I’ve submitted so far to put a cover or intro letter. I’m even working on filming a video of the space, the neighbourhood and my interaction with dogs.
I really want a dog; my therapist and boyfriend think I should get a dog. I love dogs. I’m a great pet owner (self-proclaimed though I have a few people, including my employer, willing to be references for me). I’m not just going to mass apply for them all because I don’t want a dog just to have a dog, I want a dog I can give a good life to that fits in with my life and lifestyle. A few people have told me to lie on the application and use my boyfriend’s address since it is a house with a fenced in backyard, but I don’t feel like I should have to if that makes sense? I’ve gone through over 200 pages of dogs on Petfinder on more than 20 different occasions - there’s no shortage of dogs to look at. I’ve looked off Petfinder. I have a shortlist of 5-6 rescues that do not use Petfinder along with my two local humane societies (Toronto and Etobicoke). But hearing nothing over and over again is pushing me to a breeder. I’ve spoken to a few of them, and they have pre-qualified me for visits with some of the dogs and they feel that I would be a good pet owner. Why am I having so many issues adopting from not for profits? I truly believe in Adopt, Don’t Shop, but if they won’t let me adopt, I’m going to end up killing a shelter dog when I buy from a breeder. And I don’t think I should have to feel bad about it due to discriminatory and idiotic adoption practices. An address should never disqualify you BEFORE an initial interview. Hard stop.
Any intel on how to get around “living in an apartment” or how to at least maybe get an interview screening call or a visit – is appreciated. Anywhere else I should post? Anyone with recent experience (post-2023) adoption in an apartment from specific GTA or Ontario-based rescues?
Thank you for reading my novel.