It's such a shame!

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Patchworkpony

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It's such a shame that one can go and buy a young pony or horse to bring on and on the whole it is uncomplicated (if you know what you are doing) but try and buy a puppy and the whole process becomes a minefield. First of all if you decide to go down the rescue route there are so many do-goody inspectors who will turn people down on stupid grounds such as their fields are too muddy and poor doggy will get wet paws (yes that has happened) or they come and ask more questions than if you were taking out a mortgage. So you decide to purchase a puppy. Unless you go to one of the appalling puppy farms, this will cost you more than many a good quality native foal and then you generally have to go on a waiting list. At my time of life I don't want to wait a year or more - time's too precious. Grrr....when I was a child we simply chose a dear little mongrel from the RSPCA kennels and took it home and what a little smasher she was too. Now it's all expensive cross breeds or purebreds with inherited health problems. It takes the potential fun out of owning a dog.

Yes I could buy a springer from good healthy farm stock, there are plenty round here, but at my age this is probably the wrong breed - so the minute I opt for a smaller breed (not JRT) all these other complications appear. Think I might get a miniature instead and teach it to fetch balls and lie down in front of the fire!
 
I disagree to a certain extent, if you saw some of the applications of people who want to adopt dogs you would weep, Ive always rung and spoken to people not just emailed them back and it is obvious they live on a different planet to me. Its easy to tar all rescues with the same brush but they are not, they are just looking for sensible people who can provide for a dogs needs and will love and train it. When you think about it it is obvious that a dog rehomed frees up a rescue or foster place so why would they want to hang onto dogs unnecessarily.

One of the most common questions is can I pay in installments as Im a bit broke this month, so what happens if the dog needs the vet then? its just easier to say Im afraid its against rescue policy. Some rescues actually will ask for a lower adoption fee for OAPs.

If you want to buy a puppy and get a well bred,health tested one from a good breeder then going on a waiting list is no biggie, its being responsible and if you are old and running out of time a pup may outlive you so you have to take that into consideration as to what will happen to the dog when you go.

As for Clodaghs comment about "no wonder people rescue from abroad" when you consider how many go missing after the rehoming or the changeover you can only wonder should these people really be rescuing from abroad. A friend of mine adopted 2 Galgos from a Spanish rescue, she actually went over there and met them, she has had to wait a long time for the transport, vaccinations etc to be sorted so again its not a quick solution if you are getting them from a good rescue.

I dont know what rescue youve contacted Patchworkpony but Ive never come across that criteria before, where are you, perhaps I could put you in touch with a rescue in your area which have sensible rules.
 
I would never rescue from abroad. I think it should be illegal to import dogs except for with strict criteria.
My Mum got her latest dog, a rehome rather than rescue from Preloved, as no rescue would consider her because she is in her 70's and doesn't have a garden. She has got a 7 year old collie who has the most fabulous life.
My boss wanted a JRT but RSPCA wouldn't let her have him as he needed to go to a home where he could be inside all day, and she wanted to take him to the yard. She sent her mum to adopt him and he has a great time ratting all day and knocking about a yard and paddocks.
Rescues shoot themselves in the foot - the dog can't go to a home where anyone works part time, that sort of thing.
I got my lurcher from the pound, which worked for me but would not suit everyone.
 
Dobiegirl said:
I disagree to a certain extent, if you saw some of the applications of people who want to adopt dogs you would weep, Ive always rung and spoken to people not just emailed them back and it is obvious they live on a different planet to me….

… dont know what rescue youve contacted Patchworkpony but Ive never come across that criteria before, where are you, perhaps I could put you in touch with a rescue in your area which have sensible rules.
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Very well put. There are literally hundreds of rescue organisations in this country, they cannot all be run by out-of-touch unthinking idiots. How about giving several of them a call before throwing in the towel (and your toys out of the pram!)
 
I have two rescue dogs. The first one, my OH and I practically had to jump through hoops to get her and the questionnaire we had to fill in was ridiculous!
The second came from a different rescue and was much easier! This particular rescue had taken her from a pound and we had spoken to them a few months previous (they had nothing suitable) then met them again at a game fair. We collected her two weeks later but we would have been allowed her on the Monday after the game fair but I was getting time off work to help settle her in.
 
Dobiegirl said:
I disagree to a certain extent, if you saw some of the applications of people who want to adopt dogs you would weep, Ive always rung and spoken to people not just emailed them back and it is obvious they live on a different planet to me. Its easy to tar all rescues with the same brush but they are not, they are just looking for sensible people who can provide for a dogs needs and will love and train it. When you think about it it is obvious that a dog rehomed frees up a rescue or foster place so why would they want to hang onto dogs unnecessarily.

One of the most common questions is can I pay in installments as Im a bit broke this month, so what happens if the dog needs the vet then? its just easier to say Im afraid its against rescue policy. Some rescues actually will ask for a lower adoption fee for OAPs.

If you want to buy a puppy and get a well bred,health tested one from a good breeder then going on a waiting list is no biggie, its being responsible and if you are old and running out of time a pup may outlive you so you have to take that into consideration as to what will happen to the dog when you go.

As for Clodaghs comment about "no wonder people rescue from abroad" when you consider how many go missing after the rehoming or the changeover you can only wonder should these people really be rescuing from abroad. A friend of mine adopted 2 Galgos from a Spanish rescue, she actually went over there and met them, she has had to wait a long time for the transport, vaccinations etc to be sorted so again its not a quick solution if you are getting them from a good rescue.

I dont know what rescue youve contacted Patchworkpony but Ive never come across that criteria before, where are you, perhaps I could put you in touch with a rescue in your area which have sensible rules.
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Excellent post !
 
I tried to adopt a lurcher from wood green who I thought were a reasonable rescue...I was interviewed by someone who was about 18(at the time I was 57) i have owned dogs for over 40 years so am not inexperienced. the dog was to be with me all day at the yard and home indoors with me in the evening. i also had guinea pigs who lived in a cage in the house and had done so for 4 years with my previous dog(a lurcher)...they wouldn't let me have a lurcher as they felt that he would not be happy out in the yard all day and as i had indoor guinea pigs it was not safe to have a lurcher. however they were happy for me to consider other breeds!!!!!!! i was gobsmacked and gave up and bought a lurcher puppy and she lived happily in this lifestyle and my piggies died of old age and not a lurcher bite!!!!! if i want another dog i will try a rescue again but if they put too many obstacles in the way i will again buy one..
 
splashgirl45 said:
I tried to adopt a lurcher from wood green who I thought were a reasonable rescue...I was interviewed by someone who was about 18(at the time I was 57) i have owned dogs for over 40 years so am not inexperienced. the dog was to be with me all day at the yard and home indoors with me in the evening. i also had guinea pigs who lived in a cage in the house and had done so for 4 years with my previous dog(a lurcher)...they wouldn't let me have a lurcher as they felt that he would not be happy out in the yard all day and as i had indoor guinea pigs it was not safe to have a lurcher. however they were happy for me to consider other breeds!!!!!!! i was gobsmacked and gave up and bought a lurcher puppy and she lived happily in this lifestyle and my piggies died of old age and not a lurcher bite!!!!! if i want another dog i will try a rescue again but if they put too many obstacles in the way i will again buy one..
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Exactly the sort of thing I have heard about over and over again. Same with horse rescue - my vet was turned down for a rescue pony because her ground was too hilly! Some of these people are seriously unreal.
 
I think I have been incredibly lucky with my choice of rescue organisation from which my dogs came from.

I have fostered around 15 dogs - mainly terriers - for one rescue in Wales, despite the fact I work full time (I live extremely close to work so could pop home regularly), they took a chance and I am pleased to say that all the dogs, some of whom came in with real issues, went to forever homes with happy hearts.

I now have a jack Russell x Daxi sitting on the sofa - a rescue, who has been with me 8.5 years - an absolute sweetheart, heaven knows how he got into rescue. And, currently sniffing around the left over pizza on the table, I have a Miniature Pinscher - again a rescue. The organisation I got him from, again took a chance - he needed a home that was used to little terrors! I had a wobble at about 4 months and nearly sent him back - but I had taken him in good faith knowing his issues to give him a home for life and that's what he deserved, and 2 years later he's still here and has turned out to be a fab little dog (still with issues - just nicked a bit of crust as I was typing!!).

A lot of the bigger rescues would not touch me as a potential home, because of work. But, I need to work to keep a roof over my head and food in dog bowls!! As do a lot of people. There is help out there - dog walkers, dog sitters, dog crèches - where dogs could be happy and looked after while owners at work.

That's why so many people resort to buying puppies - they want to get a rescue but the hoops you have to jump through are just too many.
 
PP - I gave up trying for a rescue after being turned down on the grounds that a terrier x would get muddy and be trampled on if I took it up to the yard.

On my daily perusal of gum tree, trade it and preloved for an adult terrier to rehome, and of course there were none because there never are when you're looking, I came across an advert for a patterdale x lakeland/jack litter of puppies, only a few miles away at roughly the going rate.

Now, I diddn't want a puppy being 57, single and with a 10yo terrier that hated them BUT horse was lame, it was June and so I had the Summer and time for housetraining etc.

I made appointment and turned up to find the front garden had a couple of sofas, car batteries and tyres, I know I should have just driven off but ended up buying a swollen bellied, runny eyed, itchy boy. They had definitely been raised in the house as there was poo on the carpet. I think I saw the mother, at any rate there was a nice natured lakey type bitch and I was unable to be given some food to bring home with me as they had run out!

Anyway, this was the best thing I have ever done. After a couple of days decent diet, worming and flea stuff he was like new and the only non-routine visit to the vets (where he is adored) was when i suspected he had swallowed a bit of his Kong toy. He has absolutely no issues and is what I presume a 'normal' dog is like. He loves people of all ages and sexes, adores other dogs and loves to have a good run with them. He ignores livestock now (although i don't risk it), has not gone down a hole, is clean in the house and has even given my old dog confidence.

For the last 30 years I have had rescues or been given dogs, I have also fostered, but have to say I do not regret this chap one bit so am glad I was turned down by the rescue centre!
 
Smitty - what a lovely story. What a lucky little dog to have been given a chance with you. I am not surprised to hear of your experience with the rescue centre - I think most of them don't understand the true role of a country dog.
 
I've always had rescue dogs. Wouldn't ever go and buy a puppy. However, my first lurcher came from RSPCA. I looked around and saw her and asked if I could see a bit more of her. A form arrived and I duly filled it in and was told that I couldn't have her as my gate was only 3'6" high but I could have a terrier. When I pointed out that the terrier would be under the gate in nothing flat they all paused and then I said to them that they seemed to think the dog would be out unattended and surely they would never let a dog go to such a home in the first place. That seemed to crack it and my lovely Gladys came home with me a couple of days later and was my companion for the next 6 years. She was nearly human, knew every word spoken and after all this time I still miss her like mad. The point of the post being that sometimes it pays to stand your ground and argue your case if there is a dog you really want. Good luck op, don't give up.
 
I have a chihuahua who loves being on the yard once all horses are out of the way.
I'm after a companion for her, must be a bitch and small but otherwise I don't mind what breed or mix etc.
I tried dogs trust first, without much hope, knowing how unreasonable some rescues can be. They had a tiny little terrier type cross breed bitch, lovely little dog, would have been perfect.

I was not a suitable home.
Due to her size, a horse yard would be dangerous (despite explaining I'm not stupid and my chihuahua has remained unsqashed)
Also, my garden only had 4ft fences. I pointed out she obviously wasn't to small after all if she could clear a 4ft fence.

Sadly she stayed in her kennel, such a shame as I would have given her a super home that she would have loved.

Sometimes I think adopting a child would be easier.
 
ribbons said:
I have a chihuahua who loves being on the yard once all horses are out of the way.
I'm after a companion for her, must be a bitch and small but otherwise I don't mind what breed or mix etc.
I tried dogs trust first, without much hope, knowing how unreasonable some rescues can be. They had a tiny little terrier type cross breed bitch, lovely little dog, would have been perfect.

I was not a suitable home.
Due to her size, a horse yard would be dangerous (despite explaining I'm not stupid and my chihuahua has remained unsqashed)
Also, my garden only had 4ft fences. I pointed out she obviously wasn't to small after all if she could clear a 4ft fence.

Sadly she stayed in her kennel, such a shame as I would have given her a super home that she would have loved.

Sometimes I think adopting a child would be easier.
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Grrr.... It's like banging your head on a brick wall. I sometimes wonder if these people want to hang on to a large number of the rescue dogs to justify their jobs or positions - it is perhaps the only logical reason to turn down so many wonderful country homes.
 
Dobiegirl said:
I disagree to a certain extent, if you saw some of the applications of people who want to adopt dogs you would weep, Ive always rung and spoken to people not just emailed them back and it is obvious they live on a different planet to me. Its easy to tar all rescues with the same brush but they are not, they are just looking for sensible people who can provide for a dogs needs and will love and train it.
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I know exactly what you mean. Some people really have no idea what owning a dog entails and should never be allowed to have one.

I'm sure, as you say, we shouldn't tar all rescues with the same brush, but equally, rescues shouldn't do that to potential owners.

As someone else pointed out here, being lectured on dog ownership by an 18 year old, when I've kept, trained, worked and shown dogs for 40 odd years and worked and fostered for breed societies is a joke.

After a life time of bigger dogs, my little one is my first chi, and is purely a pet so I'm not involved with their societies. I will however, now turn to their rescue and get one from there.
I just thought I'd try the dogs home first as the breed wasn't important.

I still think of that little bitch. She would have had the life of Riley here.
 
As I said before not all rescues are the same, I think the RSPCA & Dogstrust have un-reasonable standards as regards rehoming criteria. I know when I applied to Dobermann Welfare and had an arranged homecheck the lady looking around my fenced garden said that a Dobe could jump that(they are about 5ft) but in her experience if a dog really wanted to get out it would get out regardless, I passed.

I had a lady contact me saying she wanted to adopt a young Dobe under 2 years, she filled in an application form and I arranged a home visit, now this lady used to work with my daughter so was known to me so I felt if I did the homecheck it would be unethical and so arranged a homecheck with someone who Ive never met but does this for the rescue I sometimes foster for. This lady rang me and said it was a perfect home except this ladies 5yr old granddaughter often visited and she was concerned about an older Dobe and would recommend we find her a puppy. After speaking to the potential adoptee she agreed and has her name down for a puppy and as we have a Dobe bitch in whelp its working out well. Now if she didnt want a puppy things could have got difficult as safety is paramount here and maybe she would have come on somewhere like this forum slagging off a rescue.

Patchworkpony Ive asked where you are, Ive offered to put you in touch with a rescue in your area who dont have ridiculous criteria, please let me know as I would be glad to help you.

The rescue I foster for have rehomed a mastiff x, this poor dog spent his early life chained to the kitchen door,, he came into rescue completely undisciplined and was one of the dogs Cayla worked with when she came to visit earlier this year. This dogs new home allows this dog to come and go at will, he is living on their smallholding and loves their horses, he dosnt want to sleep in the house but prefers an empty stable. The whole area is contained so the dog cant wander off the property, the rescue are thrilled that the dog has a brilliant home but Im sure other rescues would be horrified. If anyone wants to read up on this dog I will happily give you a link.
 
ribbons said:
(despite explaining I'm not stupid and my chihuahua has remained unsqashed)
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Must admit I had a little giggle at this! The only experience with rescues I've had is with a local one. We saw a dog online that we liked, filled out the form and arranged to go meet her with my dog. They didn't get on, didn't have a fight but my bitch snapped at her. Later that night got a phonecall off someone from the rescue with the most foul mouthed rant, effing and blinding at me saying we could never get a dog from their rescue and should never get another dog at all whilst we had ours! Anyway, we rehomed one privately from friends of a friend and my dog absolutely loves him, they spend hours playing every day and share the same bed. Some of these rescues are run by over-zealous volunteers!
 
unfortunately some of the rescues employ people who seem to have hardly any experience of the practicalities of dog ownership. even those of us who are retired(me) have to go shopping, dentist, doctor, hospital and most importantly look after our horses so a dog will have to be on its own sometimes...or horror of horrors go to the yard in the fresh air!!!! common sense seems to be lacking but as some of these people are very young they are following the laid down rules and cant seem to be able to deviate from them which is a shame as I would have given a good home to a rescue and so would many other people...I did have a better experience with dogs trust but they didn't have any lurchers at the time..
 
I don't think that there's any doubt that there are many charities, including those which are involved with dogs, who have mislaid their raison detre and have become far more important than the subjects of their charitable efforts!

Alec.
 
Santa's-a-scam said:
I don't think that there's any doubt that there are many charities, including those which are involved with dogs, who have mislaid their raison detre and have become far more important than the subjects of their charitable efforts!

Alec.
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I couldn't agree more - starting with the RSPCA who are forgetting their origins in favour of politics. I would give them a single penny!
 
I had similar experiences when trying to adopt. I've got ten acres with six foot solid fencing/walls but because there's horses on site and no "garden" separated from the yard/paddock they weren't interested. Despite the fact it's a racing yard so no horses in fields or loose?! Only the gundog rescues would entertain rehoming to me.
 
My SIL,was turned down because she worked one hour five days a week during term time at the school at her road end .
Ridiculous .
She bought a puppy instead and a homeless dog missed a chance of a super home .
 
I was refused cats from shelter as I had a dog that played with squeaky toys and they said the dog would kill the cat!

went and got some kittens, privately, cats and dogs get on very well and the cats sleep on top of the dogs when it is cold. The cats will also eat out of the dog bowls, making the dogs wait for their meal.
 
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