RANT - dog rescues, Im done!

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Ranyhyn

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Well I have just been turned down by another rescue (not GSDr!) because I work, could ONLY walk the dogs twice a day and the rescue "has concerns about leaving the dog with two terriers all day".

Its not ever all day, its at most 4 hours a day because of the shifts I and my housemate work. This was stipulated in the application.

How many walks do dogs ideally get then? Three - four - five?! Dear GOD I wish I had enough time to walk a dog more than twice a day! How many times is it getting walked in a flipping rescue kennels then?!

And lastly, there was no hint of dog aggression on either of the dogs write-ups so either their concern is with my dogs (my terriers are well brought up, well socialised delightful little dogs NOT some kind of aggressive gamey curs!) OR its because the dogs have aggression issues not outlined in their write-ups which is misleading.

Either way I am absolutely done with rescues, I am red hot livid and I'm going to save up and buy a pup and those dogs could be sat in rescues til the day they die - through the narrowminded, bigoted views of their supposed "rescuers".

Pedant - nation of...

Kitz
 
Aw bummer! I have to agree with you though probably shouldn't with my rescue volunteer hat on. I know rescues have to be careful but sometimes I think they are totally OTT. As you say is it better for a dog to be left for a few hours each day, with walks and company either side of that, or stuck in a kennel for months. Its like the dogs with major problems who they still try to rehome, controversial I know but I believe if a dog has major issues, particular aggression wise, it is better pts.
Anyhow, back to finding you that GSD, I think CC gave you the details of the secretary of the GSD Club of Wales, it might be worth contacting her, telling her of the problems you are having and ask if she can bear you in mind if she hears of anything. Breeders quite often run pups on to see if they are going to make show quality, and then are looking to rehome them at 6 - 9 months. Not something I was ever any good at, if I keep them that long they are here for life, which is probably why I never got to the top in the show world.;)
 
...and this is why, despite contacting three rescues, we ended up getting a dog out of the local paper. :o

Our problem was that although we could (and do!) walk the dog three/four times a day we have no garden to speak of, only a teeny weeny yard suitable for weeing and pooing in but not much else.

To my mind I'd rather have a dog that's walked several times a day, a variety of short-lead obedient walks and training/fun time sessions on a long line, in ridiculously amazing countryside right on my doorstep, with the potential to be worked in the future, who comes everywhere with me and sees everything - but a rescue would have rehomed her to someone with a big garden regardless of their ability to exercise her outside of it. She'd have turned into one of those dogs that spends the entire day out in the the garden barking, or, being a sibe, digging her way out of it in boredom. :p

Don't discount ads in the local paper/Preloved etc, I know the majority are scammers/chavs/dishonest puppy mill types but there's the odd genuine person who is being forced to rehome their dog and doesn't want them to go to kennels. :)
 
ETA!

So basically they'll only rehome to pensioners or housewives/husbands or unemployed people - all who are at home all day.

Doubt pensioners and housewives/Husbandswill have time/ability for more than two walks a day!

So that leaves us with the unemployed - you may not be able to feed your dog, but since you are home all day - here's your rescue dog!!

But god forbid you think to go out every day to cash your giro or have a social life for more than 4hrs a day!

ARGH WHY DO PEOPLE BOTHER?
 
Poor you, I have 3 rescue dogs, all from the streets of spain. Here they are dumped and come to us when they see my muts charging, having a ball, all around out of control. We have taken in, sorted out and sterilized, then re-homed with friends, at least 3 more. All super dogs, all thank heavens, healthy. Maybe you should come here, get the vetting and passport, rabies 6mths I think, etc and then take them home to the UK?
They are all desperate for love here, it is impossible to resist them.
 
Yeah I will get in contact with some people who can actually help me :)

I am happy for them to be choosy - I applaud that. But when someone offers a home, with their two happy, balanced current dogs - it becomes more than choosy, its almost elitist! As if to say my own two well behaved dogs aren't enough to say my home is a happy healthy dog environment!
 
Aw how frustrating - have you tried the police/RNIB route? They often need to rehome part trained dogs that haven't quite made the grade. Would be around the age range you're looking for and prob GSD.

I know of an elderly couple who were turned down by countless rescues as although they have lots of grounds and do plenty of walking, were deemed 'unsuitable' due to their age - they are extremely mobile!

They are now the proud parents of a young lab and couldn't be happier :)
 
Dont get me started on rescues! They are always going on about how they need new homes for thousands of dogs, but when you apply they are SO strict. My parents looked at getting a dog years ago from a rescue and they were just stupid.. Dogs that had no notes saying they were not good with kids (one was a very friendly lab!!) that we werent allowed because my brother was about 8 at the time and "they dont rehome with children", or one because the house we were in then didnt have a big enough garden (was a 1960's semi with a very large garden for that type of house, fully enclosed! We ended up getting a pup from the KC list and havent looked back.

I personally walk my dogs about 4 times a day, purely because i was made redundant (so have time to kill!!) and im trying to lose weight and its great exercise lol But when i was working they would have two walks a day and then let out for about an hour at lunchtimes, and maybe a short walk then also. My dogs have never been any problem when i was working, they would just sleep all day. Often i feel people who work are better homes as 1) you know they have an income coming in so can afford the dogs!!! And 2) because they are away from the dogs during the day they are more likely to walk it each day. I know lots of people in the same position as me, no work so stuck at home most of the time and they walk their dogs less than they did when they were working because the dogs see them more, which isnt exactly the point of walking them lol


I do know of people who have rehomed dogs through Many Tears Rescue and they are apparently far more realistic with the homes they allow their dogs to go to, so maybe worth looking on their website, they always have a lot of dogs in :)
 
UnaB said:
I do know of people who have rehomed dogs through Many Tears Rescue and they are apparently far more realistic with the homes they allow their dogs to go to, so maybe worth looking on their website, they always have a lot of dogs in :)
Click to expand...

Many Tears didn't bloody get back to me either. :p But, saying that, I've just had another look on there and I think you should get this one...

Cheese-GSDX-10-11-09B.jpg


GSD x corgi! :D
 
I realise there are problems across the board with rescue centres having rules for rehoming, I am sure though that if you can explain your circumstances and the right dog is in the shelter then these rules can be overlooked on occassions, i.e if a dog comes in that is used to being left at home alone 9-5 and is happy with this then there should be no reason why that dog isn't rehomed to somewhere where that routine will continue. Puppies on the other hand across the board are not rehomed to people out at work for anything longer than 3 or 4 hours at a time. They cannot be expected to hold their bladders any longer. And they need the stimulus and interaction. Therefore I would try to appeal to the manager of the shelter if you feel that the dog you selected would be suited to your circumstances.

I know of someone who turned down a cat home because they lived by a busy road. Yes this is a general rule due to the risk of an rtc. But this house was in a hamlet, not much traffic and in a 30 zone!! So nowhere near the traffic of a hight street etc!! I'm sure they could have appealed the decision! I also know of other homes that have been turned down if they intend to keep a dog as an outside dog (with kennel and run!!).

If you really have no success with rescues try contacting the local pound, find out where the council send their stray dogs, and contact them direct. They are nowhere near as fussy because those dogs once they have done their stray time will be facing a horrible alternative unless the kennel can find a rescue centre to take them.

Also just be wary if buying privately from an ad, that little if any history will come with it, no temperament testing will have been done, at least in a rescue centre they will have (or should) been in for at least 7 days to assess temperament.
 
This is also why I got my springer puppy from a rehoming ad on the internet. The rescue I approached wouldn't let me rehome as the dog will sleep outside in the shed when he's older. Funny enough they are constantly appealing to people to foster/rehome dogs that are in the pound and will be put down if they are not rehomed. While I understand they don't want a dog left by itself in a yard 24/7, they didn't even have the courtesy to contact me and ask me about it. I could have compromised, as it is puppy is sleeping in the house (along with the little dog who felt left out!) They just sent me a snotty email implying I was a bad dog owner!
Anyway, have a look at private ads, I came across a lot of dogs looking to be rehomed directy, particularly rottweilers and GSDs.
 
Funny you should say that Una it was MT who turned me down.

I couldn't help it and put my Victor Meldrew hat on and replied to their email with this

I wasn't going to reply to your rejection email, however, I wanted to raise a few points.

4hours a day is a modest amount to expect a dog to be alone during the day, unless blessed with great wealth, being a pensioner or being unemployed - most people have to work, even part time employment would cover 4 hours a day.

I am the owner of two happy, rounded terriers, well known for their active minds, prey drive and high energy levels, but with a bit of good sense and upbringing they are two of the best behaved, best socialised and sweet dogs you could ever meet. Had these dogs been in rescues like yours, they would never have been allowed to live with me as my home is deemed unsuitable, however had you deigned to meet them, you may have realised their attitude, their behaviour and their happiness proves your ideals wrong.

It is possible to rear and nurture dogs to well great, well rounded citizens AND still have a job. If rescues like yours are to provide a viable service to dogs, you need to losen your ideals a little and rehome a dog more based on the love and expertise a person can give a dog, rather than the on paper attributes they lack.

Unwittingly you are perpetuating the very act of puppy farming your rescue seeks to ban. For as long as rescuers elitist views on potential homes stays as stringent as it is, people will continue to vote with their feet and go buy a dog. While the rescue dog spends another fruitless month in kennels waiting for the "perfect" owner who may never come along.

I was a huge supporter of Many Tears, home-checking, volunteer dog-walking, and raising about £400 previously in a charity event. I have also, interestingly been passed by the DogsTrust for rehoming. However now I can see that your rescue doesn't rate love, dedication and knowledge above time. That is not a rescue I want to be affiliated with.

You are encouraging people to lie on applications - as it would have been simple for someone to verify my hours were less. I am very, very dissapointed and sad at the inflexibility and judgemental stance of MT on rehoming.

I hope you can look into the long stayers eyes and tell them that they do not have homes because people aren't perfect or people have to work. I'm sure they'd be happy to lump for our second best homes and a few hours of lonliness for the love either side of it.

This is not a personal aimed rant, as I know everyone tries to do their best, I just think you guys need to judge situations on merit and not on first appearences.
Click to expand...

lol guess I wont be getting a dog from them - ever, now!!!
 
When we have a pup, if we need to go out for more time than usual, and they can't stay outside, we have always put down paper and they pee on it, they soon learn not to when they grow up and wait till we arrive. In fact my adults all pee when we arrive home even if they have been left out in the garden!!
 
Same! I go home at lunch time (forgoing lunch!) to play and let my dogs out. As soon as I get home they go out and they wee and poo :) delightful! Then we play catch with the Kong for 20 mins.

Then they snuggle up in the bed - complete with 13.5tog duvet and chews and wait for another 2 hours til I come home.

Does sound like an awful existence.
 
OK you said male! Sadly I found quite a few femals ones, but few males!! Not sure if any of these fit your criteria or location! But you may have already tried the rspca who have turned you down??? Not sure but like I said previously if you have been turned down you could try an appeal to the manager. most of these home checks etc are carried out by volunteers.

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutani...tsearch/details/-/Pet/ROCKY/ref/31520/rehome/

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/rehoming/petsearch/details/-/Pet/SID/ref/24636/rehome/

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutani...search/details/-/Pet/PRINCE/ref/32193/rehome/
 
What can I say - the answer is quite simple, just go for greyhounds :D GRWE never come out with the stuff that you say other rescues are doing, they are realistic and fit the dog to the owner's circumstances :)

Oh and you get Cayla trying to offload her spares onto you too :p:D
 
Even if dad would agree to a home check (don't go there!) I've been told I'll in no way accepted for a rescue by the two national charities and a few local ones because I work full time. Despite the fact I already have one healthy, happy dog!
 
Yep I've been turned down by the best of em too!

The local Blue X used to be brilliant run by a very realistic and forward thinking man that put knowledge and love for a dog BEFORE hours worked. The bitch I had from them had been reserved by someone else, but when I told him of the land and horses he "persuaded" the family that had reserved her that she was not for them, he said to me that it wasn't about who saw the dog first but where it would be happiest and she was!!! Unfortunately he is no longer there!!

Now I go to ACD breed rescue where they know what kind of home I can provide and that I can and will take on dogs with real problems and do my best with them, yes my dogs are alone when I work, but I sure as hell make up for it when I am around!!!
 
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