Getting a Rescue Dog

[NordicCrankShaft]

Finally after a few years of being dogless (ex kept both), I'm finally in a position to be able to offer a dog a home. Always had dogs when younger, and my last relationship we had a 13 year old lab/collie cross and also got a Springer Spaniel during the winter of 2019 before lock down....That was bloody hard!! Anyway, during this time I got well into maintaining the training of the older boy and into the training of the puppy so I have the experience and thoroughly enjoy training.

I'm decided that I definitely want to rehome something, a medium sized dog from 5 years and older, as I want to offer a home to an animal that probably gets less attention due to their age so I'm not hugely fussed on that side of things.

Where should I start, what should I expect, I appreciate every animal is different, what are insurance costs like at this sort of age?

[moorx]

NordicCrankShaft said:

Finally after a few years of being dogless (ex kept both), I'm finally in a position to be able to offer a dog a home. Always had dogs when younger, and my last relationship we had a 13 year old lab/collie cross and also got a Springer Spaniel during the winter of 2019 before lock down....That was bloody hard!! Anyway, during this time I got well into maintaining the training of the older boy and into the training of the puppy so I have the experience and thoroughly enjoy training.

I'm decided that I definitely want to rehome something, a medium sized dog from 5 years and older, as I want to offer a home to an animal that probably gets less attention due to their age so I'm not hugely fussed on that side of things.

Where should I start, what should I expect, I appreciate every animal is different, what are insurance costs like at this sort of age?

Well done for considering a rescue dog. All mine have been rescues and they have all been rewarding (and on occasion challenging!)

Most rescues will want to talk to you about your lifestyle; what you want from a dog and what you can offer them. They'll want to know how long they will be left while you're at work for example (most won't want them left longer than 4 hours without a break/walk). They will probably want to do a home check/visit - that's just to look at practical things like your garden. Different rescues will have different policies about things like full time workers, flats, children, etc. I've generally found the smaller, independent rescues are more flexible and less likely to have 'blanket' policies. You'll probably have to sign an adoption agreement, which may well commit you to return the dog to them if (for any reason) you can't keep them, and some will go as far as to retain ownership of the dog. This has never bothered me, but I know it does some people.

Most rescues will require an adoption fee. Some people argue that these are expensive for a 'second hand' dog, but most adult rescue dogs will come vaccinated, flea treated, neutered (which cost several hundred in total) and will have cost the rescue money to keep them fed, warm and well. Many also come with ongoing advice and backup.

I see you're in Somerset, I also used to live there. I adopted a couple of dogs from Holly Hedge animal rescue near Bristol (and a couple from Bristol Dogs Home). Also from a greyhound rescue. I now live in Wales, so the last few dogs I've adopted have been from rescues over here.

I know you said you wanted a medium sized dog (and it would depend on other factors also) but have you considered a greyhound or lurcher? There are many looking for homes and - in my view - they are wonderful dogs.

Happy to answer any other questions you may have, if I can

[LimmerickLad]

As there aren't many replies I hope the OP doesn't mind me hijacking this thread for a little rant?

For almost a month we have been trying to adopt a dog needing a forever home....our main criterea is that we are looking for a larger dog as our current big dog probably won't be about much longer (12+ now).

I appreciate these are charities and use lots of volunteers and have the dog's best interest at heart but after almost a month of frustration we are now giving up even trying anymore!

We own a small farm, wrap-around garden c 1/3rd acre with paddocks as well, down a secluded narrow country lane, surrounded by farmland, nearest neighbour 1/2 mile away with gardens and paddocks all safely secured by standard stockfencing with 2 lines or b/wire on top.

Virtually every animal we have had and currently have been rescue ( dogs, ponies, sheep, cats, chickens & ducks) and all get along like a house on fire and we have never had a problem between them, an animal escape or similary anything come in (surrounded by cows parts of the year).

We eventually had a "home-check" this weekend..........apparantly the stock fencing isn't high enough, free range chickens & ducks ar a no no....not being able to shut off the front garden from the rear likewise......so the upshot is it would seem they would rather leave a rescue dog in their cages at the rescue centre rather than come to us to be treated like a king and have a life most dogs could only dream about... what a shame!

Rant over sorry......hope you had more luck OP?

ps Teddy if you ever get bored with Mr & Mrs Socks we are not far away and there is a home here waiting for you

Edited by LimmerickLad on Tuesday 14th May 19:02

[Rough101]

I’d echo the post above, they’re so fussy that we couldn’t adopt either.

Jobs, time at home, kids, fences, grass, experience with dog that colour….

It’s why so many are ‘adopting’ from abroad.

[LimmerickLad]

Rough101 said:

I’d echo the post above, they’re so fussy that we couldn’t adopt either.

Jobs, time at home, kids, fences, grass, experience with dog that colour….

It’s why so many are ‘adopting’ from abroad.

The "inquisitor" actually told us it would be a lot better if we had a small garden surrounded by 6ft fence panels....WTF?

Oh and I am retired and here all the time and doubt the animals are left on their own more than 4 hours a month.

[Rh14n]

We’ve just registered to ‘Foster’ for Spaniel Aid having recently lost our old Springer and I can recommend them. We wanted to rescue rather than buy a new pup but thought we’d be ineligible due to us not having a secure garden. Luckily, Spaniel Aid are flexible and having had a home check and being able to satisfy them that we could keep the dog safe and give them enough exercise We have been approved and are expecting our first Foster cocker spaniel next week. If we like the dog and he likes us, we will have the option of adopting him.

Just thought I’d give you the recommendation if you fancy another spaniel. Check them out on Facebook or their website spanielaid.co.uk.

[LimmerickLad]

Rh14n said:

We’ve just registered to ‘Foster’ for Spaniel Aid having recently lost our old Springer and I can recommend them. We wanted to rescue rather than buy a new pup but thought we’d be ineligible due to us not having a secure garden. Luckily, Spaniel Aid are flexible and having had a home check and being able to satisfy them that we could keep the dog safe and give them enough exercise We have been approved and are expecting our first Foster cocker spaniel next week. If we like the dog and he likes us, we will have the option of adopting him.

Just thought I’d give you the recommendation if you fancy another spaniel. Check them out on Facebook or their website spanielaid.co.uk.

Very kind of you thanks.........we really want a bigger dog and that is part of the problem...........bigger dogs can jump stock fences so I am told and may want to "escape" ..........not that any of our other rescue dogs have ever done that but them's the rules apparantly?

[SlimJim16v]

It's probably easier from one of the many small charities and rescues on Facebook.

[Rh14n]

LimmerickLad said:

Rh14n said:

We’ve just registered to ‘Foster’ for Spaniel Aid having recently lost our old Springer and I can recommend them. We wanted to rescue rather than buy a new pup but thought we’d be ineligible due to us not having a secure garden. Luckily, Spaniel Aid are flexible and having had a home check and being able to satisfy them that we could keep the dog safe and give them enough exercise We have been approved and are expecting our first Foster cocker spaniel next week. If we like the dog and he likes us, we will have the option of adopting him.

Just thought I’d give you the recommendation if you fancy another spaniel. Check them out on Facebook or their website spanielaid.co.uk.

Very kind of you thanks.........we really want a bigger dog and that is part of the problem...........bigger dogs can jump stock fences so I am told and may want to "escape" ..........not that any of our other rescue dogs have ever done that but them's the rules apparantly?

Ah, I was thinking of the OP having had a Springer previously but I have sympathy with you with many of the charities having hard and fast rules. I appreciate that they want the best for their dogs but it seems that they dismiss so many people that they end up just buying a pup instead.

[Challo]

SlimJim16v said:

It's probably easier from one of the many small charities and rescues on Facebook.

Echo this. Lots of specialist breed recuses on FB which might be worth a look.

[LimmerickLad]

Challo said:

SlimJim16v said:

It's probably easier from one of the many small charities and rescues on Facebook.

Echo this. Lots of specialist breed recuses on FB which might be worth a look.

The 2 that we have actually submitted applications forms to and ID were both small, specific breed charities and not mainstream.......... but they still insisted on using a homechecker volunteer (not actually employed by them) and 6ft fences, as I said earlier they would readily let us adopt a 50kg dog if we lived on an estate and had a small garden as long as it had a 6ft fence.

[QBee]

Try looking for a family that have had a change of circumstances and need to re-home their dog. Choose carefully, but you should avoid the stringency of the rescue home checking regime. OK, not a true rescue, but would have turned into one if you hadn't found him/her.

We found our most recent dog that way, not that we were looking for that, it just happened. I must have read about 1000 adverts, but then saw one that looked possible. I too had been annoyed by rescues, even though I had adopted our first dog from Wood Green 22 years ago.

We did a 300 mile round trip to collect him, but he has settled in well and almost a year on we are still in touch with the previous owners and their kids, sending them regular updates of his activities and antics.

Is he perfect? If he didn't chase cyclists, runners, electric scooters and ponies and traps I would say he was pretty close. He has some highly amusing antics and is quite a character. Has he settled? Well he was doing this from day 2.



Is he ok with our 16 year old spaniel? Well, he respects her.

[LimmerickLad]

QBee said:

Try looking for a family that have had a change of circumstances and need to re-home their dog. Choose carefully, but you should avoid the stringency of the rescue home checking regime. OK, not a true rescue, but would have turned into one if you hadn't found him/her.

We found our most recent dog that way, not that we were looking for that, it just happened. I must have read about 1000 adverts, but then saw one that looked possible. I too had been annoyed by rescues, even though I had adopted our first dog from Wood Green 22 years ago.

We did a 300 mile round trip to collect him, but he has settled in well and almost a year on we are still in touch with the previous owners and their kids, sending them regular updates of his activities and antics.

Is he perfect? If he didn't chase cyclists, runners, electric scooters and ponies and traps I would say he was pretty close. He has some highly amusing antics and is quite a character. Has he settled? Well he was doing this from day 2.



Is he ok with our 16 year old spaniel? Well, he respects her.

Thanks...........We have plenty of rescued animals already so we are not in any hurry as such............fingers X'd a dog that ticks all the right boxes comes up at some point as in the case of Teddy for the Socks gang........just a shame Rescue Charities makes things so hard when there are so many dogs needing a good home.

[GT03ROB]

LimmerickLad said:

As there aren't many replies I hope the OP doesn't mind me hijacking this thread for a little rant?

For almost a month we have been trying to adopt a dog needing a forever home....our main criterea is that we are looking for a larger dog as our current big dog probably won't be about much longer (12+ now).

I appreciate these are charities and use lots of volunteers and have the dog's best interest at heart but after almost a month of frustration we are now giving up even trying anymore!

We own a small farm, wrap-around garden c 1/3rd acre with paddocks as well, down a secluded narrow country lane, surrounded by farmland, nearest neighbour 1/2 mile away with gardens and paddocks all safely secured by standard stockfencing with 2 lines or b/wire on top.

Virtually every animal we have had and currently have been rescue ( dogs, ponies, sheep, cats, chickens & ducks) and all get along like a house on fire and we have never had a problem between them, an animal escape or similary anything come in (surrounded by cows parts of the year).

We eventually had a "home-check" this weekend..........apparantly the stock fencing isn't high enough, free range chickens & ducks ar a no no....not being able to shut off the front garden from the rear likewise......so the upshot is it would seem they would rather leave a rescue dog in their cages at the rescue centre rather than come to us to be treated like a king and have a life most dogs could only dream about... what a shame!

Rant over sorry......hope you had more luck OP?

ps Teddy if you ever get bored with Mr & Mrs Socks we are not far away and there is a home here waiting for you

Edited by LimmerickLad on Tuesday 14th May 19:02

We have a similar property . 1/3 acre, surrounded by stock proof fencing. Normal UK dog rescues all had different excuses. In e end we adopted through a UK charity bringing dogs in from abroad.

Before:



After:

[Grey_Area]

Dogs trust; it's who my daughter fosters with.. last one was Dottie the English pointer for about 5 months.
11 years old, and a brilliant dog.

[The Gauge]

I've got a rescue wife. I rescued her from an Essex council estate back in 1996. She's come on leaps and bounds and can even communicate now

We've also got a rescue dog, one we kept whilst being volunteers for a Labrador rehoming charity. Mind, I hate the term 'rescue dog' as owners can't wait to tell you theirs is a rescue dog (much like vegetarians). I always reply 'That's brilliant, how many people has it rescued'?

[Rh14n]

Our first foster-pup. 7 month old cocker spaniel - mad as a box of frogs but very lovable!

[LimmerickLad]

The Gauge said:

I've got a rescue wife. I rescued her from an Essex council estate back in 1996. She's come on leaps and bounds and can even communicate now

We've also got a rescue dog, one we kept whilst being volunteers for a Labrador rehoming charity. Mind, I hate the term 'rescue dog' as owners can't wait to tell you theirs is a rescue dog (much like vegetarians). I always reply 'That's brilliant, how many people has it rescued'?

Can she leap & bound over a 6ft fence?

Our previous "rescued" dog ( Newfie X Lab) would jump off our boat and try to save people swimming in the river Avon whether they wanted saving or not

[LimmerickLad]

Little update: Hopefully we collect the new addition to our gang tomorrow...will post pics soon.

Rescue Charities all seem to be too much like hard work nor very cheap either so we have found a private adoption dog that just got too big for their young family in a terrace house (as they often do) and exactly what we were looking for......big 3 yr old Asian Sheepdog bh...not actually met her yet but present owners adamant she is a big softy and very good with other dogs, animals and most importantly children (as are most LGD type dogs)..........hopefully she will pass the test of meeting our current big, soft fella who will let me know instantly if she will fit in and whether she will be coming home from Devon with us on Saturday.

[C5_Steve]

LimmerickLad said:

Little update: Hopefully we collect the new addition to our gang tomorrow...will post pics soon.

Rescue Charities all seem to be too much like hard work nor very cheap either so we have found a private adoption dog that just got too big for their young family in a terrace house (as they often do) and exactly what we were looking for......big 3 yr old Asian Sheepdog bh...not actually met her yet but present owners adamant she is a big softy and very good with other dogs, animals and most importantly children (as are most LGD type dogs)..........hopefully she will pass the test of meeting our current big, soft fella who will let me know instantly if she will fit in and whether she will be coming home from Devon with us on Saturday.

I'm late to this but that's a great update, glad to hear you've found something and I hope it goes well! Pictures of course will be a must if she's staying

I'd have echoed most of the above, the larger charities are incredibly difficult to deal with and seem it's quite easy to see why they have such difficulty rehoming dogs unfortunately with their long list of criteria. I understand the pressures and challenges but can't help feel they're over the top, unfortunately.

Anyway hopefully another good end to a doggo thread.