Adopting from Overseas

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gerbilgirl

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I currently have 3 dogs and was planning on getting a greyhound. I do quite a lot of agility and thought a greyhound would be a new challenge. However I found a site today with Podenco Andaluz (Ibizan Hounds) needing new homes. Instantly I was taken by one little girl in particular, and everytime I look onto the site feel really drawn to her. Trouble is . . . She's in Ibiza and I'm in Northern Ireland. The rescue organisation has not emailed me back yet (I just emailed to see if quarantine would be necessary if I was to take her), but it says on her page that she is ready to go to the UK in October/November 2009! This organisation is obviously geared towards rehoming here. All they ask is a 150 euro donation, and they will organise transport, blood tests, spaying and vaccinations. It sounds fantastic. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience of rehoming a dog from overseas and how it went! Plus what do you think of this deal?
Emma
 
We adopted a dog, sight unseen, from Ecuador. Sadly, it did not work out.

To cut a long story short--a story that only transpired much later on--the dog had spent most of his life on the streets, and did not undergo a behavioural assessment before flying to the States. He was extremely dog aggressive to my own dog in her living space (fine outdoors, but almost feral indoors); he bit two people, one quite badly, and guarded pretty much everything in the household, me in particular.

But please don't let my story deter you--make sure you get the full story about the Ibizan dog, warts and all. Someone at my local dog park also adopted a dog from Ecuador, and while the dog is not quite your average pet (he doesn't know how to play with other dogs, and still has a lot of street dog behaviours) he is nothing like our old foster.

What kind of procedures does the rescue have in place, should the adoption not work out? We insisted on a 6-week foster in the first instance, and when it was clear the dog needed to be an only dog in the household, and ideally with a male owner, we kept him for a couple more weeks until a suitable home was found.
 
Your story sounds like my worst nightmare. I haven't been talking about procedures for not working out yet but I'll write it down to ask them. The story on the dogs page is that she was dumped as a pup with her 4 brothers and sisters (3 of which are further down the page marked as rehomed but not in the UK yet, no sign of the 5th?), so I don't think she's been through as much as yours had!

My own 3 dogs don't get on great, but they all live in the same pen and have just learnt to stay away from each other, but we certainly can't chance a dog that's going to bite people, I have 6 little brothers (I'm 15) lol! That was one of the first questions I asked her in the email which I am still waiting for a reply to, it seems as though the dogs have been well socialised with families though.

Would I be allowed to post a link?
 
Hi there - I am in Northern Ireland and the people at the top of my Nan's road used to have a rough-coated Ibizan, I have always wanted to ask them where it came from, stunning dog.

TBH I would say that there are plenty of dogs HERE needing homes and I would look at offering them a home first rather than putting a dog which may already have had a tough life through the trauma of a flight and a new life over here, with a different climate, etc.

I believe they are quite prey-driven, the ones I have seen in Spain and the Canaries are working dogs and working dogs alone and I don't know how well they would adapt to pet life.

There are plenty of rescue greyhounds needing homes and it would be a lot cheaper and less complicated!
 
I know that there are lots of dogs needing homes here, but I just think these are amazing dogs. I suppose to be honest I just want something different.
 
The fact that they are such working dogs is something I like too. I have a little Collie x Greyhound already, and even though she can give the best cuddles when it suits her, is much happier to be jumping or working at agility!
 
Oh I don't blame you for falling for them, I used to sit and watch that one I talked about up there ^^^ for hours as a youngster.

The grey fella in my sig does a bit of agility. I say a 'bit' because he will not entertain the idea of a see-saw, but loves everything else!
 
I can see why you are tempted, but have to say my opinion on "importing" rescues is the same be it dogs or horses
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There are so many dogs in rescue kennels over here, I have had a quick look and there is actually someone doing Ibizan hound rescue in the UK, or alternatively there are always loads of greyhounds/lurchers looking for rehoming .
 
I can't find the rescue in the UK? The thing was that this rescue in Spain will actually bring the dog to NI for us. Rescues in mainland UK are very rarely willing to organise this.
 
This is the number I found
Ibizan Hound Rescue
Miss J Startup 01462 893714

However on looking closer I think she is involved with the spanish rescue you mention. You have obviously done your research, so wish you well, let us know what you decide to do.
 
I'll be honest, I fail to see the point of rehoming from overseas when our rescues are bursting at the seams as it it. Just my opinion though.

Although I googled the breed as it is one I know little of but it said a Podenco Andaluz is a Andalusian Hound, whereas the Ibizan Hound is a Podenco Ibicenco?
 
I got an email back saying that as they are used to the warm climate they needed to live indoors and as part of the family. And that they had no homecheckers available in NI and therefore could not rehome a dog here. I replied to say that my dogs shed is heated and that my Greyhound x wears a warm non-restrictive coat at night as she isn't to keen on the cold. I asked if a home check by a registered vet would suffice. Hopefully they haven't completely ruled us out
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