My husband and I were big fans of you and your show. But things have been changing recently as you use your "power and influence" more and more to advance your issues. You decide the President of Nike should be shamed into hiring the young man who could jump over cars so you called him in front of millions of viewers to try to pressure him into doing this. You have a house for sale so you give us a tour of the home with the obvious ulterior motive of completing a real estate transaction. Now, finally, you use your influence and audience pressure to get out of a contract that you signed when adopting a dog. I am just an average person and I don't have these avenues available to me. I have to use conventional means to buy and sell real estate and I have to honor contracts that I sign. Your show has totally lost its focus of entertainment as you now use it to advance your issues. My husband and I are no longer fans or viewers.

I wish you good luck for each show Ellen!

A lot of so-called "animal people" relate to animals better than people because the animals can't talk back. Some of these people can be very unkind to their fellow man! Ellen obviously made a conscientious decision, based on the animal's welfare: since the dog and her other animals did not get along, it would have been cruel for her to willfully force the issue. REAL animal people know that not every animal is the right "fit" for a particular home, and vice versa. Given the circumstances, Ellen was able to find a home that WAS the right fit. Although I understand the agency people's motivation was to make sure the animal got a good home, they should have simply taken the time to check out the circumstances rather than blindly enforce their policy. I think they have sacrificed the animal's actual best interest just to make a point.

I have, myself, over the years, rescued MANY dogs, cats, and birds, as did my mother before me, as do a number of my friends.

Some years ago, our family's beloved labrador was stolen when my landlady let him out of our yard. I searched everywhere for Butch, driving miles to all the shelters in the area. We never replaced him, hoping he would somehow return to us. A few years ago, I saw a dog that a pet foundation was offering for adoption on a local t.v. show. I thought maybe the time had come to add a dog to our home and called; but when I mentioned that our dog had been stolen, I was abruptly (rudely) told that the foundation's policy was not to place a pet with anyone who had lost an animal. Even though I explained the circumstances, and told this person that my landlady was since deceased, she didn't budge. I felt I was being victimized on top of having lost a beloved pet. (That foundation will NEVER see a dime of my money, or receive a good word from me.)

I just think this is getting way out of hand! In my experience some of these rescue organizations seem way too controlling. I mean its not like once you adopt a dog your expected to consult them forever in order to make decisions about your pet. You get screened...you pay the fee for the animal...and ultimately you pay the bills to care for the animal. At what point does the dog become yours? Or is the dog just on loan to you until they decide they want it back? If this dog gets sick at some point and you have to make the decision to treat this animal aggressively or euthanize are they gonna come screaming back and say you can't make those kind of life decisions for our dog and Oh by the way Dr. the dog still has a microchip in it that says it can be ours at anytime we choose. At some point you have to own the dog and the responsibilities of it and with that comes the decisions of what is BEST FOR THE DOG. And all this critizism of Ellen for only giving it 2 weeks...If the dog is incompatable with your home why would it have been less cruel to keep it 2 years in that environment before admitting it isn't going to work. Its much less traumatic on the dog to do it earlier. This is not someone who has a history of being cruel to animals her intention was good. Why can't these rescue people realize its good to be angry at the bad guys but if your job has made you angry at everyone who is not you then you need to reconsider your profession and get some therapy. This was handled so unprofessionally by the so called professional that I hope this rescue group looses business and their animals end up in more reputable hands.

A lot of so-called "animal people" relate to animals better than people because the animals can't talk back. Some of these people can be very unkind to their fellow man! Ellen obviously made a conscientious decision, based on the animal's welfare: since the dog and her other animals did not get along, it would have been cruel for her to willfully force the issue. REAL animal people know that not every animal is the right "fit" for a particular home, and vice versa. Given the circumstances, Ellen was able to find a home that WAS the right fit. Although I understand the agency people's motivation was to make sure the animal got a good home, they should have simply taken the time to check out the circumstances rather than blindly enforce their policy. I think they have sacrificed the animal's actual best interest just to make a point.

I have, myself, over the years, rescued MANY dogs, cats, and birds, as did my mother before me, as do a number of my friends.

Some years ago, our family's beloved labrador was stolen when my landlady let him out of our yard. I searched everywhere for Butch, driving miles to all the shelters in the area. We never replaced him, hoping he would somehow return to us. A few years ago, I saw a dog that a pet foundation was offering for adoption on a local t.v. show. I thought maybe the time had come to add a dog to our home and called; but when I mentioned that our dog had been stolen, I was abruptly (rudely) told that the foundation's policy was not to place a pet with anyone who had lost an animal. Even though I explained the circumstances, and told this person that my landlady was since deceased, she didn't budge. I felt I was being victimized on top of having lost a beloved pet. (That foundation will NEVER see a dime of my money, or receive a good word from me.)

What Ellen has done to reputable dog adoption is a sin. They exist to find these voiceless creatures a forever home not a giveaway "ain't I a do gooder" star that could care less about the animal. If the **** Hairdresser wants a dog there are thousands up for adoption. These animals are NOT to be passed around like a diposable Item!!! I now hate that phoney bawling. You think she was hurt,,,? How confused was the poor *** dog?

Ellen you’re guilty of having a huge heart and I saw what that horrible woman stated at the rescue agency who’s name is not worth mentioning, she said she will not be bullied by anyone who is wealthy, money has absolutely nothing to do with this, I watched your video twice and I couldn't again because it was so moving and it brought me to tears. You have a big heart, you did nothing wrong and of course you feel responsible, the dog is a cutie and I have nothing but the utmost respect for how you approached this horrific disaster by sharing this with all of us on your show and we feel your pain. Please do not stop the fight to get that dog back to those little girls. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Sorry how the shelter handled the doggy deal. Sorry how you handled the doggy deal. The tears you boo-hooed at the opening of your show was a real downer. I don't think anyone in show-business anywhere has ever opened a show that way. I hope your bawling had the affect you hoped for.
Bungo

Just dropped you a line via your email address re my being a victim of zealots of the Pug Rescue League in this state. My adopted Pug, Miz Lillian, was kidnapped from my home by the League because I emptied my bank account to get her emergency treatment at the ER for what I thought was a back injury, thus bouncing my check to them. Instead of recognizing my devotion to the animal by using the funds for her healthcare, they came to my home at 7AM (two dressed alike, no less! almost a uniform), tricked me into answering my door and snatched her through the 7 inch opening I left, thus traumatizing the poor previously abused animal, me AND my other pug, Delilah! It was a horrible experience. It took almost 3 weeks to get her back with one denial by the Board (they deemed me an Unfit Mother!) and required me to have a co-signer. I am required to notify them (forever and ever) if I ever Move and, of course, I am not ever permitted to give her away. I was accused of the having Delilah, my larger pug, "bully" Miz Lillian - totally untrue, for the new "sisters" had bonded and slept entwined. She had already become a part of the family - not just my own, but my extended family: family dogs, human family,etc. This group of fanatics had no interest at all in any of this information nor interest in considering observing the dog herself or her behavior within the home, although I had had possession of her for several weeks and she was so happy. After getting the go-ahead to get her back (post multiple phone calls, their denials and our finally notifying the League that we wanted to appeal the decision and would be present at the next Director's meeting), we picked Lillian up (they confused the pup more by renaming her AGAIN!), my sister and I drove home with Lillian. I had to run into the drugstore and left Lillian in the car with my sister. Lillian had a major anxiety attack upon my disappearing from her sight and, one year later, is just NOW beginning to trust enough to let me leave the room. ONE YEAR later.
Zealots and fanatics are dangerous no matter what cause they take up. These people are not in it for the dogs: they are in it for personal power. If these agencies that supposedly advocated for Iggy/Lillian really cared about these dogs, they would have gone to the hairdresser's/my home and visited it, assessed it, observed the animal in the environment and made a decision accordingly. They would not have acted with Gestapo tactics, making these atrocious raids, traumatizing both the dog and caregivers. These are people who profess to care for the abandoned and neglected animals so deeply?

I do not know how to attach a photo of Miz Lillian, but I am sending one via the Halloween Photo part of your website, entitled Miz Lillian! Best of Luck. (By the way, I have been told this policy of the Rescue League is a national one. Further, for the $ ($250.00 for a 4-yr old), the League did get medical care but NO CHIPPING. I find that a major neglect, personally. Especially since as the "owner", you are required to notify them of every move you make.

Please do not drop this subject. These leagues serve a purpose. It is a good one. But this does not mean that they do not need a little monitoring themselves! Deb

Hey Ellen,

I just wanted to share a story with you. About 10 years ago I had adopted a mastiff from a local shelter. She (Marley) was wonderful, loved everything and adored children. However, even with all the chew toys and fun things she had she developed a passion for our siding on the house. We had a huge fenced in back yard and she had lots of room to run, but it was always about the siding! I put an ad in the paper because I was afraid that giving her back to the shelter would do more harm than good. A seemingly very nice man and his 10 year old son came to meet her. The boy seemed to love her right away and she him. They lived on a farm and seemed like the perfect solution. About 3 weeks later I got a call from the University of Wisconsin Vet school. They tracked a rabies tag on her to me and wanted to make sure I knew she was there. Thank god they check these things. Marley had been sold to them for animal research at the vet school there. She was scheduled to be exposed to cancer and then treated with new medications they were testing. They informed me that this kind of thing happens all the time. (people stealing or getting dogs from people who are advertising in the newspaper, etc...)I was devastated and immediatly drove the two hours to pick her up. I ended up paying about $80 to get her back. She went to live on my sisters farm instead where she was loved by all. To this day, I will still defend my choice in finding her a new home myself. What I am saying is that I understand why the humane associations have rules in place, however the situation they put you in seems a little extreem. What they should have done is offer to have the new family come in and follow the adoption proceedures they have in place. Or even send someone to see how the dog and family were doing. You were doing what you felt was right. It is very obvious how much you adore animals. And I for one honestly believe that children and puppies form a bond like no other. The rule should be a little more lienient about what age is appropriate. I believe there is more than one factor to determine what is right for a puppy. (Breed history, temperment, living conditions, parents to oversee the children, etc...) Obviously the volunteers at the shelters care about the animals. Did they have dogs or cats when they were 10? What if someone had told them they were not fit to raise a dog and took their pet away. Millions of dogs and cats are put to sleep every year. Instead of focusing on why people (children) shouldn't have a pet, try offering classes for kids on what it takes to raise a puppy and how to do it right. Just maybe this would get parents that want to get their children a pet without being turned down to not go to puppy mills or petstores that support them. Give the kids a chance, they might surprise you. One more thing, I think it was very inappropriate for them to make comments on how they are not going to be intimidated because of who is involved. What does that have to do with anything? Keep fighting Ellen!! I am cheering you on!!!