adopting/re-homing from a shelter/charity - experiences?

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blood_magik

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I'm going to one of my local shelters on Monday to see about adopting a dog.
I know that I'll need to tell them about what sort of dog I'm looking for and about my routine and house, but other than that I have no idea what to expect.

I'd like to be prepared going in so can anyone enlighten me? Negatives too, please - I'd rather know beforehand than find out too late given the size of commitment I'm going to be making. :smile3:
 
I haven't adopted a dog from a shelter as such, but I have had 7 dogs (so far!) from a rescue charity so much the same thing :)

A responsible charity should send someone round to home check you before they let you adopt a dog. You'll be asked about how often the dog will be left, who lives in the household (children, visitors, other pets), how the dog will be exercised, what will happen when you go away, that kind of thing. The home checker will also make sure you have a secure, properly fenced garden.

Personally I would throw away all ideas about what you are looking for, as you might well end up with something completely different :D Mine are all greyhounds, but when I was looking for a large black male I came home with the tiniest white girl :p A good charity will suggest the right dog to fit your circumstances, rather than one which is the breed/type/colour you may be thinking of. Try not to get too hung up about a dog or a bitch either (any dog will be neutered before you bring him/her home) - in some breeds bitches can be quite stand-offish whereas dogs are very affectionate :)

Hope that helps a bit
 
Great, thanks. :smile3:
By kind of dog I meant one that would suit my lifestyle rather than specific breeds although I've had a look at some of the dogs at the shelter and some are standing out a bit more than others at the moment. :tongue3:

I'm trying not to get my hopes up incase they turn me down. Can't think why they would but you never know.
 
My daughter thought she'd like to be a foster mum for a dog rescue and was quickly accepted. I was at her house when the first rescue dog arrived (my daughter has a gun dog trained Golden Retriever and Springer Lab cross) and the little rescue dog arrived having been living on the tenth floor of a tower block where there was domestic violence and Social Services wanted the dog removed for its own safety. So Lily came to stay with my daughter and her lovely long-suffering boyfriend - a Staffie x Springer about a year old.........problem was that my daughter fell in love with her and just couldn't bear the thought of anyone else having her so she adopted her! From being a tower block dog, she's now a rural dog and has adapted beautifully! I often wonder whether this dog realises what a lucky little dog she is!! My daughter refers to her as her "token urban dog" but despite lovely Lily fitting into her new lifestyle, I've come across other people with rescues where it soon becomes apparent why they were rescues.......

Do your homework, and I'm sure you'll find the (almost) perfect pooch!! Good luck! X
 
Just be really honest about how much time you have to walking a dog each day (remember even in the thick of winter..) and how much room you have in the house/garden etc. It will help the rescue suggest the dogs that would be better for you, and then follow your heart!
 
thanks guys.

I think I could offer a dog a loving home - I'm single with no kids and I have a decent-sized secure garden (or I will have after tomorrow :tongue3:). I don't work so dog would only be alone while I do the horses in the morning.
My parents are only half an hour away so dog would be looked after in an emergency.

Hopefully the shelter thinks I'm suitable. :smile3:
I've had a dog before so I'm not totally clueless - it's been a while though. I'm sure we'll be fine as soon as we get a routine in place and get to know each other.
 
You sound like you'd be ideal and the rescue will definitely find you a dog. I look forward to seeing pics of your new dog. Let us know how you go on.
 
Thanks. :smile3: I've just been out putting chicken wire over the gaps in my fencing in prep for the home check.

I'm super excited - roll on 12PM tomorrow. :biggrin3:
 
Excited for you too..particularly as I have just been sent another list of welsh Poundies due to be destroyed tomorrow as they can't get into a rescue. Not the rescues fault, there really is no room at the in . Heartbreaking...there is a little red Stafford on the PTS list who is the spit of my middle dog..
 
:frown3:

Hence why I wanted to go to a rescue. I don't mind taking an older dog either - as long as I get lots of cuddles and some
company, I'll be happy. :smile3:
 
well I have mixed feelings coming away from the shelter.
They only had one dog they thought was suitable, which was a bit disappointing.
However, I met him and he was a lovely little dog - he's basically a black/tan mongrel and he's 7.
They think he has arthritis in one of his back legs, which is a bit of a concern although they would help out with medication/vets costs.

I have a 24hr hold on him so I'll have made a decision by this time tomorrow.
 
Have you checked any other local charities? You don't sound convinced by this dog, IME it should be the same as when you meet a horse or person that is the one... You know from the first instant you meet them. I have just taken on a rescue and the second I saw her at the rescue, before I had even touched her I knew she was coming home with me.
 
that's the first one I've been to so far - I do like the dog very much. I'm just a bit put off that they didn't tell us about the problems with his leg until we asked why he was on short walks.

the dog was perfectly behaved and I can't fault him at all - it's just the centre that's bothering me.
 
Maybe go look at others and if you decide you want him after seeing other dogs and he has already gone then it wasnt meant to be and if he is there, great. There are a lot of brilliant charities out there that do a huge amount, there are also some that just exist to evade taxes etc, they should have been totally up front with you about his issues, it makes you worry if they are hiding anything else....
 
I've got tonight to decide. the arthritis really isn't a deal-breaker for me - it's more the fact that they weren't forthcoming.

If it doesn't work out then there are other shelters to look at.
 
I have just taken on a new dog and she is roughly 8 years old and came from the Cinnamon Trust. I "asked" for a terrier as that is what I have already and what I fancied...... I have a medium sized tan and black bitch with little white socks and bib. I was told before seeing her she was a lab x terrier..... when I saw her I thought she was a staff x. Definitely no lab in there! My vet is convinced she is an Australian Cattle Dog x as are 2 other people. I have also met a man from Zimbabwe who thought she was mainly a Blue Heeler x !!!! She does look suspiciously like a dingo though!!

She is an angel and has fitted in perfectly with my little JRT and my sons JRT who visits a lot. She does however also have arthritis in her back legs and is on medication. I am so pleased with her though and whilst she may get worse it is great to know that she can have a lovely life for her remaining years - so do consider an older dog - she has already repaid us more than we could wish for. She is not at all what I was looking for - but we would not change her for the world.
 
I have a list of questions for when I go back tomorrow and I'm going to talk to their vet as well. I think we're 99.9% sure we're going to take him but I just want to talk the leg issue through with the vet to make sure I know what I'm taking on. our last dog had arthritis in his hips so I have a vague idea of what to expect.

I'm assuming, of course, that I pass the home inspection. :tongue3:
 
Good luck and hope you do.

We failed a home inspection and I am still bitter and twisted about it!

Own land, big fenced garden, one of us at home all day, walks every day come rain or shine, house sitter for holidays, no small children - and we were given no reason. Quite put me off going through the process again even though we've been assured not all charities are quite so fussy. :(
 
As long as he fits your needs & you aren't likely to be disappointed if it turns out he can't manage longer walks. If you do have doubts then are plenty of other dogs/ rescues.

My advice to those looking to adopt a dog is to find a rescue/s that you are happy dealing with & have confidence in how they assess the dogs and the support they offer post adoption as that makes a big difference & also to be patient while looking for the right dog.
 
DuckToller said:
Good luck and hope you do.

We failed a home inspection and I am still bitter and twisted about it!

Own land, big fenced garden, one of us at home all day, walks every day come rain or shine, house sitter for holidays, no small children - and we were given no reason. Quite put me off going through the process again even though we've been assured not all charities are quite so fussy. :(
Click to expand...

How frustrating... :frown3:
Could you tell me which charity/shelter it was? PM if you prefer. I'm trying not to get my hopes up just in case they do turn me down.

2Greys said:
If you do have doubts then are plenty of other dogs/ rescues.
Click to expand...

Exactly...
Hopefully talking to the vet will put my mind at ease about the possible arthritis issue. It's not the vets fees that's the issue - it's wether I'd be able to manage his condition. I'm not clued up enough to make a decision without talking to them.
It would be a shame to have to walk away - he really is a sweet little thing.
 
Whereabouts is the arthritis as that is likely to affect you going forwards-is he on any medication? How long is he allowed to exercise for?
Do you want a dog you can take up mountains/play ball with as he is less likely to be able to do this.
 
SusieT said:
Whereabouts is the arthritis as that is likely to affect you going forwards-is he on any medication? How long is he allowed to exercise for?
Do you want a dog you can take up mountains/play ball with as he is less likely to be able to do this.
Click to expand...

unsure of the exact location at present - all I know is that it's a hind leg. I do know that he's not on medication right now. the centre staff said he had x-rays done last week so the vet should be able to go over them with us and help us understand the extent of his problems, if any.
The amount of time he can walk for is on my list of questions to ask when I go back tomorrow.
I have a vague idea of what to expect if he does indeed have arthritis - I need to know what I'm dealing with so that I can make sure he gets the right treatment if I do take him home.

if he does, then I honestly don't mind if he's not up for walking miles and miles - I mainly want a dog for company now that I'm living alone again.
my lifestyle and commitments mean that I can take him for several short walks if that's what he needs. if he wants to go out and have a blast along the beach, then great. if he doesn't, then he can potter around in the garden and get spoiled.

He's a very sweet boy - a little shy to start with but by the end of our meeting he was quite happy to show me some of his party tricks.

I'm hoping the centre staff are just being over-cautious.
 
Sounds like you have a perfect home on offer!

My boy came from a shelter in Cyprus at 18 months old - we discovered he has terrible arthritis in his elbows at 4 years old (he has UAP and his elbows are barely sitting in the joints)- he is now 7 and has been on daily joint supplements for three years. You wouldn't know there was anything wrong with him, we still walk for 2 hours a day, I just have to manage his exercise and make sure he doesn't jump for his ball or leap off things.

Hope all goes well and you have a new companion very soon, look forward to reading how you get on :)
 
He's coming home next Wednesday. :biggrin3:
I had a long talk with the manager and the vet and they said that as long as I'm careful, I can slowly increase his exercise.
He's being neutered tomorrow so as soon as he's recovered, the shelter is going to start increasing his walks. I walked him for 15 mins today and he was full of beans. he stayed by my side for most of it so there's a little bit of work to do but other than that, he's great. he was up on my lap looking for cuddles :tongue3:
I went up in my boots and breeches so he could have a good sniff and he was absolutely fine with the horsey smell. :smile3:

Home check is tomorrow so I'd better go and finish putting chicken wire over the holes in my fence.
I'll pop a picture of him up later if anyone wants to see him.
Thanks for all of the advice. :smile3:
 
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This is Lubo. :smile3:

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