Dog rescue centre in Kent?

Z

zoon

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 November 2008
Messages
2,326
Visit site
We are thinking about getting a dog. I am not bothered about breed in the slightest (unless we are talking about a high likelihood of health issues) - I just want a happy healthy dog that'll fit in with the family. It must be good with small kids - I have a 3 year old. Must be good with cats - I have one and neighbours have some each side. Must be good with other dogs - neighbours have small terriers and im sure if the small dogs really wanted to theyd be throught the hedges surrounding our land very easily, the cat certainly makes it through. And must be good with livestock - we have the horses at home and the land surrounding ours has cattle, sheep and chickens/geese/turkeys - free range meat farm! In return we'll offer long walks, a large garden and fields, someone at home (except alternate Friday nights when dog will be alone for 8hrs as mine and my partners shifts clash 3-11pm) and plenty of love.

But where do we look? We'd rather get from a rescue centre, but not sure of any good ones - we're not doggy people!
 
We got a dog from Foal farm (not sure if it still exists) Battersea at brands hatch which were fab when we were looking ,rspca at leybourne (found them massively picky - wouldn't rehome because two days a week my mum was out for more than 4 hrs at a time :/)
 
You could try Last Chance Animal Rescue in Edenbridge, Kent.... there is South East Dog Rescue which is on Facebook... or the Retreat Animal Rescue.... all are worth a call...

Well done for considering a rescue dog.. :) x
 
Yes foal farm in biggin hill is still running, we got our 2 yr old from there a couple of years back. They've got a pretty active fb page and website and seem to have a lot of dogs atm.
 
Dogs trust have a place at Canterbury. Their dogs that are for rehoming are usually advertised on the dogs trust website along with a good description of the type of dog and sort of home required.
 
Our dog came from Foal Farm and we were looking for similar criteria although our children were a bit older. Battersea told us they rarely had dogs suitable for young families as they were mostly strays and if they didn't know a dogs history they wouldn't place it in a home with small children. Last chance in edenbridge, we didn't get beyond an application form as we didn't have 4' plus fences all the way round our garden :rolleyes: so they wouldn't consider us for any type of dog (despite us wanting a small dog that would be more likely to escape under rather than over a fence!)

If you know there will be periods of time when a dog will be left for more than 4 hours they will want to hear that you have provision for someone to either go sit or visit to let out / walk etc in that time.

Good luck, from my experience rescues have very high demands to where they place their dogs and it can be frustrating when you know you offer a good home but there are obstacles in the way because of rigid rules. But I would get a rescue every time, it's really worth any hassle along the way!

Also, try pro dogs direct. Their dogs are mainly in foster homes and they are lovely people who we found were more flexible with their 'rules'.
 
And as someone who peaks in at rescue from time to time... You do need to show your garden is secure or an area for the dog is. No one will rehome if it is easy for the dog to get out. The only time I knew a dog rehomed without a garden was via a specialist rescue where the dog was an excellent escape artist and an 8 foot wall couldn't keep her in!
 
I know not many people like it, but Viking oak do have the odd nice dog in there. My friend got a lovely laid back, well trained and all round awesome mongrel from there. He's still going for wanders out hacking happily at almost 14. Battersea I think are awesome. I got my old dog from there and had her sadly for only 2 years before she was put to sleep with a brain tumour :-( they're very honest about the dog though
 
I got my dog from happy endings rescue, they are now based in Faversham. I can definitely recommend, they were great and very honest. They have an open day tomorrow. Their website is www.happyendingsrescue.org

We had tried a couple of other rescues before going there, dogs trust Canterbury were appalling (the info on their website was opposite to what they told us there about the dogs, and tried to push us into reserving dogs that were not suitable). There is also chancepixies rescue in Hougham, but they are a nightmare to get hold of!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top