Just to clarify:
This is not the SPCA/Humane society...it is a private 'rescue' group. There are a lot of breed rescue groups out there as well. Some, such as the Chesapeake bay retriever rescue group, don't have any provisions against hunting the dogs....but they will tell you if the dog is gun shy or has no prey drive. And while I have never worked with them, I believe some of the other more popular breed rescues (German Shorthair, English Springer, ect) don't mind the if the dogs are hunted either. I will continue to support CBRR&R because I feel that they are doing right by the breed (chessies), and I haven't heard of any stupid stuff like we have recently faced with this group.
These private 'groups' are staffed by armchair experts....if they don't like something (such as hunting), then they will not allow you to have the dog. They have all sorts of 'scientific proof' (albeit pseudoscience) to give credence to their BS claims. Or, if they don't like big dogs, red dogs, dogs with big eyes, if you are of a certain ethnic group or religion, ect., ect., then they have a 'clause' that allows them to deny you the right to adopt. But the prices???? $400 to 'adopt' a dog? That's almost as ridiculous as paying $1200-$1500 for a 'designer' dog (i.e. a mutt!)
I payed less than that for our current lab, and she is from great hunting stock.
These people are just full of themselves....as we said, we'll find another source, probably in the local paper. Piss on 'em!