Apathy of rescue centre staff

PoppyAnderson

PoppyAnderson

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After losing my beloved boy 6 moths ago, I now feel ready for another dog. Preferably a rescue dog. I can offer a fabulous home and am very experienced with dogs but have certain criteria (quiet, sedate, doesnt need lots of walking, probably smaller - will be with parents all day, so never left alone, therefore, can take on a dog that may have separation anxiety or chewing issues etc). Have been to local rescue centres and have, so far, just been met with apathy and no interest in helping match me to a dog. I'm absolutely sure that this is not typical but these poor dogs depend on the 'front of house' working hard to find them a suitable home. No real purpose to this post - just simply a mini rant into cyberspace!
 
Have a look at Many tears rescue website, They are based in Wales but have dogs all over the county in foster homes. If you give them a ring and tell them what you are looking for im sure they will be very helpful, especially as they have a lot of nervous, quite dogs in kennels who are terrified and need to get out asap. Also, if there is one in a foster home you like the look off, most fosterers are lovely and will be honest with you- if they don't think the dog will be right for you and your family they will tell you- means you don't get fobbed off with a dog that you brought through sympathy!!
 
I know what you mean... I had this trying to get guinea pigs from a rescue centre before! Keep trying though- maybe try to find your local pound?

When I got my dog a few years ago I saw her advert on one of the free sites- thought it was a rescue place I was calling but it turned out to be the dog pound and was told I had only a few days left to come and see her/ pick her up if I wanted her, as they only have ONE week between bringing them in from the streets and putting them down :'( I still get upset thinking about all the other dogs there (in pretty awful conditions for that week I have to assume seeing as I was not allowed round the back to the kennels to see where they were kept...) that don't get homes as most of them are staffs or staffy crosses which the rescue centres wont take and no one wants :( especially as my staff x corgi is the most lovely, intelligent dog I could possibly have hoped for... Having said that they did have a little terrier type thing too so maybe there would be some that would suit you at dog pounds?

Sorry that wasn't very helpful, more of another rant :p but good luck!
 
It is so sad that so many dogs rely on these centres to get them a new home when the attitudes of either the charity or the individuals seems to work directly against this. Before I bought my girl privately I approached a couple of centres and even though I lived on site and between lunch, tea breaks and the OH working different hours to me meaning the dog was never left for more than 2 hours they all said no, now I work less I have got a new boy from the RSPCA and once I said I wasnt working more than 4 hour shifts they were fine, didnt really try to "sell" him very much but didn't create obstacles or put me off just very "well he's here if you want him" which was odd. I do find their 3-4 hour rule funny though as although Iam not out longer than that working I can easily spend that long riding when you include travel to stables and just general messing around!
 
I know ideally you don't want to leave dogs for long periods, but I leave mine for up to 7-8 hours on bad days, and he still loves me, and shows no signs of stress etc. Doesn't mess or destroy anything and think he just sleeps most of the day as that is what he's doing when I manage to sneak to the door without me seeing him! I did have a couple of weeks off work when I got him to settle in, where I gradually increased the time he was left, and I have a dog walker 3x a week and sort him out myself the other two days (so end up doing short days/wfh) again he doesn't seem to fret anymore, although did have SA when I got him.
 
Do try the smaller rescues. Please don't overlook an older Stafford. They don't need quite so much exercise and would absolutely revel in being with people full time. In fact I know of a 6 year old red bitch whose owner has a fatal illness. The Stafford charities are trying really hard to get this little dog settled as her owner does not have long.
I don't now where you're based but Stafford welfare has branches all over the UK. Rochdale dog rescue would be northern, hectors gate is southern. Pm if you want any more contact details.
 
I think it is frustrating as to be able to afford a dog you need a job surely? There are not many jobs where you only work half a day and get a full day's pay! ;-)
Therefore, people do have to make do and a dog would surely prefer to be alone for a few hours in a house it is comfortable in with people there a lot of the time, than being shut in a 4 by 6 kennel for 20 odd hours a day.

However, I do see it from the rescue's point of view aswell as there were at leats 2 or 3 dogs at the Dogs Trust who they had 'rehomed' yet they had been brought back due to people's "changes in circumstances" (those changes where it's blatantly a fib!) or because they find the dog does actually require work, might chew things it shouldn't and may well have an accident on their carpet! That has to be frustrating for staff and my be why they almost make you have to work for it to get a dog! i mean, I am sure those who returned the dogs initially were certain they wanted it and of course they signed all the relevat paperwork, no doubt passed the home checks etc yet they STILL return the dog(s)! You only see the rescue staff and dogs for those few hours and wonder why they make life hard for prospective homes but if you had to work there and see the other side I guess you may empathise with them more.
 
Any dog we take on will be with people 24 hours a day and never left alone. It will be with my parents in the day and me at night. I don't really want a staffie. I know how good they are with people and how loveable they are and the ideal family dog and how many there are in need of a good home but it's just not a breed I feel any affiliation with. I'm a border collie person through and through but don't feel that this is the right kind of dog for us at the moment.
 
PoppyAnderson said:
Any dog we take on will be with people 24 hours a day and never left alone. It will be with my parents in the day and me at night. I don't really want a staffie. I know how good they are with people and how loveable they are and the ideal family dog and how many there are in need of a good home but it's just not a breed I feel any affiliation with. I'm a border collie person through and through but don't feel that this is the right kind of dog for us at the moment.
Click to expand...

We all love our breeds!!! and I am a obviously a Staffie person..

But back to a BC. If not a BC, how about hunting for a cross? See if you get a calmer dog? I have seen a lot of BC x labs etc in rescue. Would an older one be more settled? alternatively, what is it you love about BC's and what is it that makes you think 1 would not be right at this time? I don't know the breed apart from a couple so apologies if I am asking stupid questions. I love my staffords for being little energiser bunnies and highly people orientated.

Friend has a lovely merle. her dog is very picky about her doggy friends but she and my middle Stafford boy adore each other. She actually seemed to almost woo him for best part of 3 weeks to get him to play with her!


So just had a quick look at the oldies site, which specifically looks at older dogs which are often overlooked. Here is an older BC and there is another farther down the page..

http://www.oldies.org.uk/?p=84457
 
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There is 2 farm collies under 2 seeking a home on a rescue site and a 9 month merle looking collie x lurchery type, i will try and remember and link.
 
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