No doubt you've heard the turmoil surrounding Iggy, Ellen Degeneres, and Mutts and Moms rescue organization. I personally love Ellen's show and feel she is a kind and caring animal lover. I feel Mutts and Moms had the dog's best interest at heart as well.
The media coverage this week has repeatedly shown Ellen breaking down on her show, which was heartbreaking to watch. Now Mutts and Moms has received death threats and had to close down their website, which means animals won't be getting adopted from their organization any time soon. Animal abuse or the perception of it brings out strong feelings in people, but we need to have all the facts, not just opinion or hear-say being passed around. But it appears that things could have been handled better by everyone involved.
Last night, Bill O'Reilly of Fox News interviewed the attorney for Mutts and Moms. He stated that when Mutts and Moms learned Ellen had given Iggy to her hairdresser's family, they asked them to complete an adoption application, so that he could remain with them, and they refused to do so, and claims they have emails to prove it. I am sympathetic to this family's situation, but wonder why they would refuse to do what was needed to rectify it. Only the family knows their reasoning. So things aren't as cut and dry as they appeared when this story came out, and they never are. The truth usually lies somewhere in between.
I hope that anyone wanting to adopt a pet won't be scared away from going through one of these rescue organizations because of this sad story. The rescue groups are privately run by people who donate endless hours and funds to give dogs and cats a last chance to find a good home, after their time has run out at the local shelters. If a rescued dog or cat has health issues, they use their own money to bring them back to health so that they can be adopted. They have to be careful in their screening process, because these poor creatures have already been through so much, and they want their new home to be the final one. The terms of the adoption agreement are in place to protect the animal as well as the rescue organization in case of a lawsuit. There is so much good done by these organizations, so don't let the media circus that surrounded this story deter you....your new best friend is there and waiting for you to give him or her the chance to love you unconditionally.
10 comments:
That of course is thier story. I read where there wasn't a contratc between Mutts and Moms and Ellen. The ownership was never changed which is how the got Iggy back. The family upon receiving Iggy went online and filled out an application which apparently was how Mutts and Moms found Iggy. So, as you say things are not at cut and dry as they seem. I will say this, I think this has more to do with Mutt and Moms not be bullied than it does about Iggy.
Yeah, I read that too that the family tried to fill out a form and get custody of the dog. Also, other people have come forward about Muts and Moms and how they have taken dogs back that were given to friends to care for while families were out of town. It turns out the contract states that the owner never really gets ownership and Mutts and Moms retains the right to retrieve the animal if they decide the dog is not being cared for up to thier standards. I personally believe that is going too far. I understand wanting to insure the dog got into a good home but they seem to have a history of abusing their power over adoptive families.
And they claim Ellen is being a bully to them...shoe is now on the other foot and it seems they don't like it.
"Bill O'Reilly asked the attorney to confirm that they refused to fill out the application, and the attorney said yes, there are emails to prove it."
Hmmm, I'll believe that when I see it.
1. Mutts & Moms is operating under a suspended corporation status. The contract (that Ellen didn't sign by the way), is probably not enforceable.
2. Mutts & Moms never replaced the microchip ownership with Ellen's name as was part of the contract. This whole bit about rescuers feeling the need to own the adopted dog forever really bothers me.
3. They adopted out a non-neutered dog. That violates California law. Oops. I wonder if the rescue woman's attorney mentioned that to O'Reilly? I'm guessing not.
I think this woman has set herself up to take some legal consequences for doing what she did. Who comes out as the control freaks and the bad guys? The rescue organizations unfortunately. There are so many good ones out there and they're going to suffer as a result of this woman's actions. It's unfortunate that her ego and inflexibility won't allow her to compromise and do what's best for the dog.
I believe they were both in the wrong...
Did you know.. Ellen has adopted, bought between 9-11 dogs and have found them all "good homes"? This concerns me that she only had Iggy for 2 weeks before deciding she couldn't handle him. He was a puppy for crying out loud! Ellen, might be a true animal lover, but she is not looking out for there best interest and looks like she thinks dogs are 'Throw Aways".
Yes, Mutts & Moms has a suspended account with teh State of California, this does not hurt the contract. Ellen signed a legal contract that states the dog HAS to come back to the rescue, actually it was her girlfriend that signed it so why are they going after Ellen?
Both parties goofed and got caught. Plain and Simple. If it wasn't for Ellen going to the media to try to get Iggy back, then none of this would have been thrown out. I believe Ellen was trying to use her "Celeb" status to get want she wants.
Rick, thank you for visiting and commenting.
Valarie,
thank you for visiting and for your comments. You especially can offer perspective on this, due to your first hand knowledge on the matter of rescue groups. I had no idea Ellen had adopted all those dogs and given them away.
Chris
Very sad situation! I hope it doesn't shy folks away from rescues and shelters, as well. Us rescue dogs ROCK! Woofs, Johann
Hi Johann,
yes you shelter dogs do rock. My shelter dog Rosie agrees!
Thanks for the visit.
what abut ellen do you cary abut the dog will go the right home yes or no i need to now
Anonymous,
I don't understand your question- what about Ellen? Of course I care that Iggy goes to a good home, but it's not up to me to decide where that home is. That is up to people who have all the fact of the case, as I said before. So I don't understand what it is you need to hear from me. The purpose of my post was to point out that people not shy away from adopting through a rescue organization because of the bad publicity this case has caused.
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