I gotta agree with BradC on this...I adopted a Chihuahua mix last year and dealt with several rescue orgs before finding the dog I wanted for my kids. I went theis route because I new there were many homeless dogs out there. However, I must say, at one point during the process, I seriously considered just purchasing a dog or finding a "free to a good home" situation. I felt like I was being vetted for the presidential security detail. It was ridiculous. I realize these people are trying to ultimately whats best for the dogs. However, in my opinion, in many cases they have made it so difficult, people are taking the path of least resistance and just buying a dog. And that ultimately is defeating their purpose. And it really wasn't much cheaper. I paid $80-$85 for my mix breed dog.
Also, earlier this year, my son found a bluetick beagle at a donut shop on a busy road and brought her home. We posted signs everywhere around the area, posted on the internet, etc. Subsequently, the Houston beagle rescue contacted me about the dog. However, they didn't want to take her from me unless I would take her to a vet and have her checked out and given shots so they could get her boarded. Without going into a lot of details, I wasn't in a situation where I could do that. I offered to pay for the shots and keep her for the additional required 72 hrs until they could take her. But, everything I offered, short of paying for everything and persoanlly delivering her to a lady in Humble (which was at least an hour away) was not acceptable. I ended up in a very heated, nasty, verbal exchange with a member of they rescue. Not until I threatened to take the dog to the pound, where she would likely be euthanized, did they agree to come get her. Needless to say, I came away from the experience not wanting to be a good samaritan to any homeless animal in the future.
Realistically, I'm a sucker for animals in need. And will probably rescue the next one I come across. But, it sure was a bad experience. And I'm sure many others, after a similar experience, would just turn the other cheek and leave the animal alone.
just my 2 cents.