We want to rescue a dog - why is it so difficult?
Discussion
Hi all,
We recently spent a couple of months looking after my mothers 13 year old weimaraner as she was in hospital.
Mum got her when I was 17 and I've always looked after her on Weekends and borrowed her for walks etc. She was a complete nightmare as a puppy and only calmed down about 3 years ago
but full of character and we wouldn't have her any other way. My Mrs grew up with a spaniel and golden retriever, and we now borrow her parents Lab puppy for walks.
We enjoyed having a dog with us, getting us up and out of bed, walking and going places we usually wouldn't, we spent a lot less money as when we're bored we tend to go and eat out/coffee out, although we did take the dog with us to a few dog friendly cafes. She's now gone home and the house feels very empty.
So we're keen to rescue a dog, one that fits us and our lifestyle but we just want to give a dog a better life. With people going back to work and seemingly giving their lockdown dogs up the rescues are packed full.
Here is the problem, the rescues are finding any excuse not to let us rescue a dog!!
Firstly, we do have a cat, who strangely really likes dogs. We have enough space for the cat and dog not to bother each other anyway as the cat spends most of his time sleeping upstairs or eating in the utility room. I'm aware rescue dogs may have some issues but not all, there was one we enquired about and it said in the advert "not bothered by cats or small furries" but this was still a resounding NO.
Our garden is a good size and secure, we live opposite fields, two of our parents don't work and are around the corner should we need them letting out unexpectedly, I work nights 4 shifts per week so I'm home around 7 to 8am for a nice long walk, able to get up early afternoon for another walk, Mrs is home mid afternoon but only works 3 days a week anyway.
We've been looking at some of the more unloved breeds like greyhounds and lurchers as we like the temperament, walks well when we go for a long walk and also happy to chill on the sofa.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? I'm starting to think it's worth just looking on one of the classified type sites where people advertise puppies and look for a slightly older but unwanted dog advertised by its current owner hoping to recoup some of their purchase price, as sad as that is.
I can't help but think surely a dog is better off in our loving home than stuck in kennels!!
We recently spent a couple of months looking after my mothers 13 year old weimaraner as she was in hospital.
Mum got her when I was 17 and I've always looked after her on Weekends and borrowed her for walks etc. She was a complete nightmare as a puppy and only calmed down about 3 years ago
but full of character and we wouldn't have her any other way. My Mrs grew up with a spaniel and golden retriever, and we now borrow her parents Lab puppy for walks. We enjoyed having a dog with us, getting us up and out of bed, walking and going places we usually wouldn't, we spent a lot less money as when we're bored we tend to go and eat out/coffee out, although we did take the dog with us to a few dog friendly cafes. She's now gone home and the house feels very empty.
So we're keen to rescue a dog, one that fits us and our lifestyle but we just want to give a dog a better life. With people going back to work and seemingly giving their lockdown dogs up the rescues are packed full.
Here is the problem, the rescues are finding any excuse not to let us rescue a dog!!
Firstly, we do have a cat, who strangely really likes dogs. We have enough space for the cat and dog not to bother each other anyway as the cat spends most of his time sleeping upstairs or eating in the utility room. I'm aware rescue dogs may have some issues but not all, there was one we enquired about and it said in the advert "not bothered by cats or small furries" but this was still a resounding NO.
Our garden is a good size and secure, we live opposite fields, two of our parents don't work and are around the corner should we need them letting out unexpectedly, I work nights 4 shifts per week so I'm home around 7 to 8am for a nice long walk, able to get up early afternoon for another walk, Mrs is home mid afternoon but only works 3 days a week anyway.
We've been looking at some of the more unloved breeds like greyhounds and lurchers as we like the temperament, walks well when we go for a long walk and also happy to chill on the sofa.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? I'm starting to think it's worth just looking on one of the classified type sites where people advertise puppies and look for a slightly older but unwanted dog advertised by its current owner hoping to recoup some of their purchase price, as sad as that is.
I can't help but think surely a dog is better off in our loving home than stuck in kennels!!
Are you anywhere near theThames Valley? These guys are usually pretty open minded and not always quite so, er, dogmatic...
https://www.facebook.com/binfielddogs/
https://www.facebook.com/binfielddogs/
sociopath said:
I struggled with the big rescues, dogstrust in particular seem more keen on building hugely impressive buildings than pushing adoptions.
My parents have adopted numerous dogs over the years with zero problems, but every dog they see on Dogs Trust will have some random criteria they and probably nobody could ever meet. All I can think is that each Dogs Trust location must get an allocation of the funding for every dog they have, so each location do their best to make it as difficult as possible for anyone to adopt a dog as more dogs at their location = more funding. One of the few charities I'd never donate to.
I think you've answered your own question by talking about the discarded 'lockdown dogs'.
Personally I'm happy to see a tougher process of vetting to getting a dog rather than a fashionable whim which is what we've seen and was just so predictable.
Not aimed at you at all by the way, and all the best in getting yourselves a dawgie.
Personally I'm happy to see a tougher process of vetting to getting a dog rather than a fashionable whim which is what we've seen and was just so predictable.
Not aimed at you at all by the way, and all the best in getting yourselves a dawgie.
We had exactly the same, we both work full-time, though with a lot of flexibility, and none of the rescue centres wanted to touch us, we found them very patronising and their advice was either get a dog when you retire or an old greyhound.
We now have a 3-year-old Working Cocker that we bought as a pup and is fantastic, we have changed our lifestyle around her, which was always the plan, and could have offered a rescue a great 2nd chance.
My experience with rescue companies has tainted them for me so I will only ever buy puppies from reputable breeders now.
I have also come across so many rescue dogs that are with completely inappropriate owners who don't have the experience, energy or desire to give their new dog what they need but because they tick the right boxes get a dog.
We now have a 3-year-old Working Cocker that we bought as a pup and is fantastic, we have changed our lifestyle around her, which was always the plan, and could have offered a rescue a great 2nd chance.
My experience with rescue companies has tainted them for me so I will only ever buy puppies from reputable breeders now.
I have also come across so many rescue dogs that are with completely inappropriate owners who don't have the experience, energy or desire to give their new dog what they need but because they tick the right boxes get a dog.
Thanks for your replies so far, it's good to hear (well not good, but you know what i mean) that it isn't just us. I do feel that we can offer a dog a very nice life with us.
Perhaps I should have worded the title of the thread a bit differently as of course its a good thing that people are vetted properly before they're allowed to take on such a big commitment. I just would have thought that if someone is clearly suitable then it should be a no brained as far as the rescue centres are concerned.
Perhaps I should have worded the title of the thread a bit differently as of course its a good thing that people are vetted properly before they're allowed to take on such a big commitment. I just would have thought that if someone is clearly suitable then it should be a no brained as far as the rescue centres are concerned.
We had an identical issue when we decided to rescue a Greyhound. We already had (have) a labradoodle, who is getting on a bit and we thought we'd get him some company as well as provide a decent home for a dog who maybe hadn't had the best life up to now.
We spoke to several Greyhound rescues and none - it seemed - could be bothered to actually look into our situation or put effort into homing one of their dogs. Most didn't reply to our enquiries. One said they needed to come and see our house etc but that they didn't have the time. I offered to send a video walkround, or facetime etc but they just said no....
We decided the actual rescue companies weren't going to come good for us, so started looking via local adverts. We found a local traveller camp where they had an ex racing Greyhound which they wanted rid of, so I brought her from them. She went from spending her days (and probably nights) tied to a post outside with the odd break to try and catch rabbits for them, to taking over my sofa!!
It's been a very interesting experience - very rewarding, in that we know she has the best life she could have now, having had a very hard life until we got her. Amazingly, she has the most gentle nature of any dog I've ever owned. So friendly and loving. She has also cost me more than any dog I've every owned. We decided to get her spayed and fully vaccinated. Hang overs from her previous treatment have meant tooth problems (11 removed so far), foot problems - she gets corns, which may sound like nothing but require an operation, she took an age to housetrain, having never been indoors before and the most interesting - she couldn't work out how to go up or down stairs, I had to carry her at first, then she cracked getting up, but needed carrying down... We walk her twice a day, but don't let her off the lead - I think she'd decimate the local rabbit/squirrel population, as she gets quite animated when she sees one. Plus, of course, we need to be aware that she doesn't differentiate between a rabbit and someone's little dog..
We changed her name, and she fully understands and comes when called. Her racing name, which I got from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (via her ear tattoos) was Bally Har Jewel. The travellers didn't have a name for her or know her name - I asked, they said call her what you like.
Overall, though, now that she's been with us for a couple of years, I wouldn't change a thing about her! I'd highly recommend Greyhounds as a rescue.
We spoke to several Greyhound rescues and none - it seemed - could be bothered to actually look into our situation or put effort into homing one of their dogs. Most didn't reply to our enquiries. One said they needed to come and see our house etc but that they didn't have the time. I offered to send a video walkround, or facetime etc but they just said no....
We decided the actual rescue companies weren't going to come good for us, so started looking via local adverts. We found a local traveller camp where they had an ex racing Greyhound which they wanted rid of, so I brought her from them. She went from spending her days (and probably nights) tied to a post outside with the odd break to try and catch rabbits for them, to taking over my sofa!!
It's been a very interesting experience - very rewarding, in that we know she has the best life she could have now, having had a very hard life until we got her. Amazingly, she has the most gentle nature of any dog I've ever owned. So friendly and loving. She has also cost me more than any dog I've every owned. We decided to get her spayed and fully vaccinated. Hang overs from her previous treatment have meant tooth problems (11 removed so far), foot problems - she gets corns, which may sound like nothing but require an operation, she took an age to housetrain, having never been indoors before and the most interesting - she couldn't work out how to go up or down stairs, I had to carry her at first, then she cracked getting up, but needed carrying down... We walk her twice a day, but don't let her off the lead - I think she'd decimate the local rabbit/squirrel population, as she gets quite animated when she sees one. Plus, of course, we need to be aware that she doesn't differentiate between a rabbit and someone's little dog..
We changed her name, and she fully understands and comes when called. Her racing name, which I got from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (via her ear tattoos) was Bally Har Jewel. The travellers didn't have a name for her or know her name - I asked, they said call her what you like.
Overall, though, now that she's been with us for a couple of years, I wouldn't change a thing about her! I'd highly recommend Greyhounds as a rescue.
Raymond Reddington said:
Thanks for your replies so far, it's good to hear (well not good, but you know what i mean) that it isn't just us. I do feel that we can offer a dog a very nice life with us.
Perhaps I should have worded the title of the thread a bit differently as of course its a good thing that people are vetted properly before they're allowed to take on such a big commitment. I just would have thought that if someone is clearly suitable then it should be a no brained as far as the rescue centres are concerned.
Lie...... tell them what they want to hear!!!Perhaps I should have worded the title of the thread a bit differently as of course its a good thing that people are vetted properly before they're allowed to take on such a big commitment. I just would have thought that if someone is clearly suitable then it should be a no brained as far as the rescue centres are concerned.
We have had 3 dogs over the years, and they all came to us by word of mouth. Ask at the local Vets; they often get asked for help with rehoming - ours has a facebook page and there always seems to be dogs on there. Might also be worth trying a breed-specific rescue; we did have a look at the local Border Collie rescue and it was a small organization run by a network of volunteers. Maybe offering to Foster a dog might also be an option? A guy in my office has a (future) guide dog puppy; he keeps it and from time to time they come down and take it into the supermarket for training so they can assess it's progress through out the time he is looking after it.
I'm a volunteer, helping to transport dogs around the country for PPBC, Protecting Preloved Border Collies. We cover the whole UK. Have a look and see what you think. Any questions, just ask.
What area do you live in?
https://protectingprelovedbordercollies.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/protectingprelovedborderc...
What area do you live in?
https://protectingprelovedbordercollies.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/protectingprelovedborderc...
Try Many Tears, they were the only ones who’d let me adopt a Westie, the others wouldn’t as I have cats & Westies are a chasing breed.
We had a Westie for 11yrs, always with cats & my girl cat missed him really badly when we lost him.
That fell on deaf ears, the rules say no, it’s a no
We had a Westie for 11yrs, always with cats & my girl cat missed him really badly when we lost him.
That fell on deaf ears, the rules say no, it’s a no
LordHaveMurci said:
Try Many Tears, they were the only ones who’d let me adopt a Westie, the others wouldn’t as I have cats & Westies are a chasing breed.
We had a Westie for 11yrs, always with cats & my girl cat missed him really badly when we lost him.
That fell on deaf ears, the rules say no, it’s a no
Many Tears are close to me and have a huge range of rescue dogs, especially ex-breeding dog, that have come from c####ng puppy farms.We had a Westie for 11yrs, always with cats & my girl cat missed him really badly when we lost him.
That fell on deaf ears, the rules say no, it’s a no
Masiv said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Try Many Tears, they were the only ones who’d let me adopt a Westie, the others wouldn’t as I have cats & Westies are a chasing breed.
We had a Westie for 11yrs, always with cats & my girl cat missed him really badly when we lost him.
That fell on deaf ears, the rules say no, it’s a no
Many Tears are close to me and have a huge range of rescue dogs, especially ex-breeding dog, that have come from c####ng puppy farms.We had a Westie for 11yrs, always with cats & my girl cat missed him really badly when we lost him.
That fell on deaf ears, the rules say no, it’s a no
Last 2yrs have started to make up for the previous 2.5
I have lived with rescue Greyhounds most of my life, I I think as a family we have had around 15, grown up with them. They are lovely dogs and great pets but I would say they won't as a rule live well with a cat, or any other small animal really, even small dogs have been an issue with some of them.
They are bred and raised to chase small animals, it's not their fault it's in their nature, as nice as your cat is I don't think it would be advisable for bringing a Greyhound in to the home.
Good luck with your search though, i'm sure the right dog will come along.
They are bred and raised to chase small animals, it's not their fault it's in their nature, as nice as your cat is I don't think it would be advisable for bringing a Greyhound in to the home.
Good luck with your search though, i'm sure the right dog will come along.
Red9zero said:
a neighbour got a Romanian rescue dog instead.
We did same. They have certain guidance, but they aren't as strict as other places. They do require to see your property & ensure its secure. Not fussed by cats.Used these https://abldr.org.uk/
My previous rescue border collie died 4 years ago so I went to the Dogs Trust as I knew they had one there. They wouldn't let me have him as he had some issues they were concerned about.
I live alone and work from home so wasn't expecting them to offer me a dog but as requested I sent them photographs of my secure yard, high walls etc and to my surprise they offered me a dog over the weekend. He was a pup that had been smuggled into the UK and seized by border force and I was the first person to be told about him. He was 17 weeks old when I got him and is about a year old now. I got a lot of support from the Dogs Trust afterwards. He came, neutered, chipped, insured and with leads, a puppy harness, food and a decent shopping basket. All for the princely sum of £185.
He's adorable and has a really calm gentle disposition. I think The Dogs trust liked the fact that he wouldn't be on his own very much due to my working at home.
I live alone and work from home so wasn't expecting them to offer me a dog but as requested I sent them photographs of my secure yard, high walls etc and to my surprise they offered me a dog over the weekend. He was a pup that had been smuggled into the UK and seized by border force and I was the first person to be told about him. He was 17 weeks old when I got him and is about a year old now. I got a lot of support from the Dogs Trust afterwards. He came, neutered, chipped, insured and with leads, a puppy harness, food and a decent shopping basket. All for the princely sum of £185.
He's adorable and has a really calm gentle disposition. I think The Dogs trust liked the fact that he wouldn't be on his own very much due to my working at home.
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