An interesting statement

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SusieT

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What do you make of this statement, I found it while looking at other charities websites after seeing the GSD one.
'Families where both adults are WORKING FULL TIME. We do not expect the dog to be left alone for longer than 4 hours per day maximum. We do not consider a small lunch time visit, neighbours popping in, or a dog walker sufficient, as this is why so many of our dogs come into rescue, the Labrador is a people dog and loves company.'I.e they dont rehome to:
I would have thought it should be an individual basis, as neighbours/dog walkers can provide very effective company, and is much better than the dog being stuck in kennels!
 
I have asked MurphysMinder about the rule for GSD rescue not letting dogs go to places where they will live outside (all ours have lived outside) and she explained that everything is taken on a case by case basis, but the rule exists to stop them going as guard dogs.

I think the one you have quoted sounds very stringent indeed and agree with your last point wholeheartedly, let's hope it is only there to put off less than dedicated rehomers.

In order to keep our dogs, as well as anything else, at least one of us has to work, especially when the vets bills come in!!!!
 
yes-and the other thing a lot of rescues (Dane and GSD and labs that I've looked into) that the dog must never be put in a kennel/outside building.
??
Surely an outside bed is not an issue and in fact may be kinder to prevent the dog overheating??
 
I also saw this when looking to rehome. I ended up buying a puppy as it makes life easier. My dogs have a adapted shed in the garden full of straw and a heat lamp. They can sleep in there or come in the house. In the summer they prefer to sleep outside and sometimes would sleep on the lawn.
 
We as a rescue have no such stipulations unless it's in regard to a puppy, I would never state, "it's a people dog", I would say its a working or higher energy dog that needs stimulation and exercise, ans as long as this can be met there should be no rules on time left for an adult dog that is well exercised inbetween(Im not saying pop out for a few days and leave the dog in.... there
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) it's almost like saying you cannot have a dog unless u are unemployed or can spend the majority of your life with it
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this is surely where seperation anxiety issues come into play.
I would say if someone can spend all day with a lab and not bother to exercise it(it's a cap home and is not exactly meeting a healthy dogs needs, but I would say it's ok to go to work if your dog has a few good runs and is left tired for the day ahead, with a loo break.

I know where they are trying to come from because the labs we rehome(which is very frequent) have been handed in for destruction or being boisterous and non managable, and it's got nowt to do with people working, more so, that the dogs physical needs are not being met, and the owner is a spiv
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The GSD rescue have the "not to be left for more than 4 hours rule". However I interprete that as not being left for more than 4 hours without someone going in and taking if for a walk. Tbh I haven't yet been asked to check someone who would be leaving for longer with a short walk in the middle so maybe they are weeded out, but if it did happen I wouldn't see a problem with it, depending on the dog. Bear in mind a lot of these rescues do have issues, so perhaps being left for most of the day wouldn't be a great a thing.
 
I think rescues need to be more flexible personally, our old lab was never left alone for long periods when he was a young dog but later in his life our circumstances changed and he was left alone during the day regularly - he took to this fine as he was an old dog who was well settled in his home.

I work fulltime but have a dog as he comes to work with me - Henry does have the odd day home alone though when I have to go to London, and I actually think it is quite healthy for him to realise he doens't have to be with me all the time! On those days a kind neighbour who works from home comes and takes him for a long walk, he has never (touch wood) been destructive and the neighbours have never said he is noisy on those days. He has the radio on, a Kong and plenty of exercise on those days and I don't think they cause him to suffer.

I would have instantly discounted that rescue when I was looking for a dog, which is a shame as I actually think Henry has a good life with me.
 
Alot of rescues do adopt the 4 hour rule, although I haven't personally heard of not accepting the dog walker etc thing. I do appreciate some rescues adopt alot of 'rules' but depending on the dog and what it's previous life was like these rules can be bent!! for the right home! The reason they put these rules up is probably to make people think more about what they are taking on??? Some rescues have very few criteria, one near me does but the stray dogs they rehome often go to unsuitable homes and often find themselves back in the system!! Rescues have to be careful because the likelihood is that the dog/cat has suffered already in its life therefore the rescue needs to try to ensure the best possible home for that animal to prevent it happening again. The rescue centre does not know you or any other adopter from adam therefore they have guidelines they try to stick to, some don't make sense other do i.e not rehoming cats to people living on main roads, the risk of an rtc is too great for an animal which has already suffered in it's life.. Kittens and puppies do to be rehomed to families with children under 4/5 yrs, again, chances are the parents will have their hands full with the children yet alone a puppy!!
 
yes but you've put a potential adopter eg. person who works 9-5 but would take dog out before and after and it would be let out for a loo break in between. out of the scenario.
What's worse-sitting in a kennel or being in a home that provides good exercise in whatever shape? Or being pts?
 
Our lab puppy (8 months) is often alone for the whole day, 8-5. She's the happiest little thing ever, so this is ridiculous!

People may disagree with me, but we give her loads of exercise and she's happy. If they ever want a dog rescued then this rule is silly! xxxx
 
As has already been said, I think it is probably always worth speaking to the particular rescue if you are interested in a dog. I suspect most of them will be flexible over their rules if the home is right.
 
I realise that, and as said, these policies/rules can be bent for the right animal. Take an adult/older dog used to being left for 8 hours a day with no separation anxiety, then they would bend the rules, but for a puppy who couldn't even hold it's bladder for that length of time yet alone not having the company, socialisation/mental stimulus for that period of time, then the guidelines would be held up. So it is still best to express your interest in an animal, these policies are there for guidence, not to be upheld for every animal they have, because all the animals are likely to have different needs. good luck anyway if you are looking.
 
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