Rescue Centres …….. discuss.

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Alec Swan

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It will be obvious by now that I'm not generally enamoured of Rescue Centres. I'm more than happy to accept that just about ALL of them start out with good intentions. The problem is that rather like 'Breeders', after 10 minutes they become authorities and the truth is of course, that far too many become hoarders of animals, using their inmates as tools for fund raising and the simple fact is that few understand either end of the animal in their care.

I also believe that the problem is deeper than this; Those who buy pups of planned but often ludicrous breeding have the safety net of the Rescue Centre to fall back on when the whole plan becomes impossible. The Rescue Centres also provide the answer to the breeders, but indirectly and there will be more than one 'Breeder' who's advised their potential client that if they don't like the dog, they can always hand it in to a welfare body …….. FFS!

40 years ago and before we had the often misguided though well intentioned who would relieve us of our guilt, if we got it seriously wrong, we took the dog to the vet and it was PTS.

Last week in our local shopping arcade, representatives from the Battersea Dog's Home were fund raising. I'd add that they came from Bury-St-Edminds and had never been to Battersea! During our conversation, I told them that I worked at the BDH but 50 years ago. I pointed out that when it was my duty day (we had a rota) I put down on average 30 dogs a day, every day and before breakfast. They were horrified and explained that they never put down a healthy dog these days. I asked them what became of them and how many languished in kennels for the rest of their days — they didn't know, but it must run in to hundreds, if not thousands by now.

Would others agree with me that Animal Rescue Centres and animal charities in general, have now become big business? Would others agree with me that it may now be the time to apply a certain scrutiny to such groups with stringent and searching conditions attached to acceptance of status?

Is it time that we have a complete re-think about all animal welfare groups and that they should at the very least, be licensed?

Alec.
 
I don’t know how I feel to be honest.

My sister got a dog from Battersea about 7/8 years ago, and he is a lovely dog, she’s since had 2 babies, and he is an all round family pet.

We’ve been thinking about a rescue when Aled goes, but in all honesty, I don’t think any would re-Home to us in our situation. Before we got Luna, I was looking at a local rescue to us, and every single dog I looked at with the thought that I would like to show an interest in, either was for a one dog Home only, didn’t like cats, needed someone at home ALL day etc. I wasn’t fussy about breed either.

We’ve been taking Luna to obedience classes for the last few weeks. It’s a fun class, and we are learning a lot. There is a rescue dog there, who is a mixed breed, but definitely has some greyhound and English bull terrier in her. She is a bit nervous, but is friendly with the other dogs. Her owner has a big issue at home as she has 2 cats. The rescue assured them she was fine with cats, but she is anything but apparently. They are trying to work on it, but are unsure how it is going to pan out.

I think rescues need to be more realistic about re-homing, I understand they want to find a home for life and not have dogs bouncing back and forth. They maybe also need to be more honest.

If for whatever reason we couldn’t keep Aled now, we would PTS rather than re-Home him. A- due to his age, and B- with his guarding issues, he could hurt someone. We understand what works with him, and manage him, but he bit me once.

Not sure if that’s quite the sort of thing you were hoping to discuss, but that’s my take for now.
 
I think Rescue Centres have become a huge problem in the UK, especially when looking at it from the rescued animal's point of view. There are a huge number of cats and dogs who spend years confined to their little kennel. I'm very surprised that Rescue Centres doesn't have to be licensed already. At least then there will be rules that prevent them from taking on too many animals, have poor practices like not providing dogs with some sort of exercise or not keeping the kennels clean, horses not provided with adequate forage, etc.

(Many years ago I used to do part-time volunteer work at a local cat charity/centre. Back then their policy was to try and keep their location a secret, as they had found in other more well known branches that when people know where a rescue centre is, they would simply dump a litter of kittens at their entrance. This has changed now as I've noticed they advertise their rescued cats from time to time in the local ads.)

This is definitely a 'First World Problem' as poorer countries simply do not have the funds, public or private, to be able to keep unwanted pets alive indefinitely. As harsh as it may sound, there simply isn't the money for it. Even at places where 'lost and found' animals are housed, and where the equivalent of a Dog Warden here would take a pet to - the animals are only kept safe at the premises for 2 or 3 weeks and if they're not claimed by the owner or someone else by the end of that period, they are put to sleep.

If the country is so poor that they are unable to provide healthcare, help with funding a home, food and water to the human population, they can't justify spending what funds they have on animals instead of the people.

I have noticed a while ago that a lot of pets which are rescued in European countries, are brought to the UK to be sold by Rescue Centres over here. My heart bleeds for all those homeless dogs and cats on the continent, and I suppose it's admirable if someone does manage to get these animals into 'forever homes', but it makes the whole problem even more tricky to solve.

If only the source of the problem could be addressed, the indiscriminate over-breeding of pets and horses by irresponsible owners. There will always be too many full rescue centres if anyone is allowed to breed as many cats, dogs and horses as they like, without consideration for the welfare of the future of each of the newborns.
 
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I have had 3 and the ex 1, rescue dogs. 3 of the 4 had major anxiety issues and a serious lack of basic manners, the 4th was simply in need of a home due to divorce and was a happy, confident dog. Aside from the impossible standards rescues set for would be adopters, most would appear to want fit retired people with large gardens and 6' fences who never go out, I don't really want to sort out problems created by other owners. As for horses, how many in rescue centres are actually capable of being ridden? Even many of the youngsters are "companion home only". There are few homes out there for 15-16hh companions. So many I think should be treated with kindness and PTS, but the charities couldn't do much fundraising in our fluffy new world if word of that got out.
 
what worries me about rescue centres here is that they are importing countless dogs from overseas , some with awful conditions including completely blind dogs, those without use of their legs and therefore have wheels(which i absolutely hate)..and countless litters of puppies....i am very soft about animals but feel that it would be better if money was spent on providing neutering and euthanasia in those poorer countries and not putting those dogs through long journies to a country with completely different weather conditions...when i was looking for a second dog all i could find seemed to be from abroad and i was adamant that i would only have an english rescue...in the end i bought a puppy as the rescues didnt seem to want to rehome anything and i ran out of patience..they seemed to want someone who was at home all of the time and didnt already have a dog, so i failed on both counts.
 
I think:

They shouldn’t import dogs from abroad, there are enough in need here.

They shouldn’t spend hundreds fixing, physically or mentally, a rescue, lots more healthy/sound dogs could be saved with the money.

‘Rescues’ shouldn’t take all the ex-breeders from Welsh puppy farms/government should shut those bloody places down.

And re-homing a dog to people who work is probably loads better than leaving it languishing in rescue.
 
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cinnamontoast said:
I think:

They shouldn’t import dogs from abroad, there are enough in need here.

They shouldn’t spend hundreds fixing, physically or mentally, a rescue, lots more healthy/sound dogs could be saved with the money.

‘Rescues’ shouldn’t take all the ex-breeders from Welsh puppy farms/government should shut those bloody places down.

And re-homing a dog to people who work is probably loads better than leaving it languishing in rescue.
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^^^^^ This. Thank you, saved me some typing. :lol:

Also - sometimes wonder if rescues centres actually assess the dogs properly. 3 rescue dogs belonging to friends that I can think of off the top of my head... all have issues, all have stretched their new owner's dog-training and management abilities... none were pre-warned of the issues at all.
 
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cinnamontoast said:
I think:

They shouldn’t import dogs from abroad, there are enough in need here.

They shouldn’t spend hundreds fixing, physically or mentally, a rescue, lots more healthy/sound dogs could be saved with the money.

‘Rescues’ shouldn’t take all the ex-breeders from Welsh puppy farms/government should shut those bloody places down.

And re-homing a dog to people who work is probably loads better than leaving it languishing in rescue.
Click to expand...

Yes, this basically.

My parents rehomed a rescue dog from a local rescue (in Sussex), after they had failed to rehomed from either battersea or the rspca due to not meeting the rehoming requirements. The Sussex rescue was amazing, they were very practical, completely recognised that my parents could offer a great home and matched them with an ideal dog. They doted on that dog for 14 years before he was put to sleep a year ago. If all rescue centers were like that one then they would be an amazing force for good.

I have two 'rescue' dogs currently, but neither from a rescue center - one I found as a puppy, dumped with the rest of her litter, and the other I rehomed privately (Westie pups are super cute until they dig up your garden, bark all night, scratch themselves until they bleed and escape constantly). And both are happy, wonderful, much loved pets. However, no rescue would ever rehomed to me as I work, so it's a non starter to even think about rehoming a dog that way.
 
cinnamontoast said:
I think:

They shouldn’t import dogs from abroad, there are enough in need here.

They shouldn’t spend hundreds fixing, physically or mentally, a rescue, lots more healthy/sound dogs could be saved with the money.

‘Rescues’ shouldn’t take all the ex-breeders from Welsh puppy farms/government should shut those bloody places down.

And re-homing a dog to people who work is probably loads better than leaving it languishing in rescue.
Click to expand...

1. Would you be OK with these dogs being Pts rather than be
transferred abroad, if there were no suitable homes in their
own country?
2. Would Pts be more appropriate and an acceptable response for
these type of animals?

3. Would you be OK if these ex breeding bitches were pts? rather
than go to rescues?

4. How far should rescues/rehoming centres go towards
rehabilitating dogs
suffering from separation anxiety go? before rehoming them to
adopters who work?


Just wanting to know what you and others may think would be an appropriate option given the the above circumstances ct. Not looking for an argument and certainly understand your post, just wanting to know how far you and others would go given the options.
 
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chillipup said:
1. Would you be OK with these dogs being Pts rather than be
transferred abroad, if there were no suitable homes in their
own country?
2. Would Pts be more appropriate and an acceptable response for
these type of animals?

3. Would you be OK if these ex breeding bitches were pts? rather
than go to rescues?

4. How far should rescues/rehoming centres go towards
rehabilitating dogs
suffering from separation anxiety go? before rehoming them to
adopters who work?


Just wanting to know what you and others may think would be an appropriate option given the the above circumstances ct. Not looking for an argument and certainly understand your post, just wanting to know how far you and others would go given the options.
Click to expand...

1. Yes, sad but probably kinder than shipping them across the globe to the confines of a rescue centre.

2. For the severely mentally or physically damaged, yes it would often be kinder unless a very special home can be found or the rescue intends to keep the dog indefinitely. It's just the unfortunate economics of the situation - spend the money on one dog who will probably always struggle, or spend it on many dogs whose lives could be transformed for the better with it.

3. I think the main point was that these establishments need shutting down.

4. Is separation anxiety really that big of an issue among rescue dogs? Again, simple economics, most people these days work unfortunately, so if you exclude all people who work then you're seriously reducing your pool of potential homes
 
cinnamontoast said:
I think:

They shouldn’t import dogs from abroad, there are enough in need here.

They shouldn’t spend hundreds fixing, physically or mentally, a rescue, lots more healthy/sound dogs could be saved with the money.

‘Rescues’ shouldn’t take all the ex-breeders from Welsh puppy farms/government should shut those bloody places down.

And re-homing a dog to people who work is probably loads better than leaving it languishing in rescue.
Click to expand...

This.

And it is better for a healthy dog to be put down than sit in a cage for years waiting for adoption.
 
cinnamontoast said:
I think:

They shouldn’t import dogs from abroad, there are enough in need here.

They shouldn’t spend hundreds fixing, physically or mentally, a rescue, lots more healthy/sound dogs could be saved with the money.

‘Rescues’ shouldn’t take all the ex-breeders from Welsh puppy farms/government should shut those bloody places down.

And re-homing a dog to people who work is probably loads better than leaving it languishing in rescue.
Click to expand...

Another "this".

It is ridiculous to spend thousands per animal on shipping it over from Romania, or on veterinary treatment or surgery. There are too many animals - if we ever want to make even a small dent in the problem, we need to accept that anything that isn't healthy and easily rehomable needs to be humanely destroyed.

Charities will struggle to raise funds if they destroy too many animals. Personally I'd be more likely to support if they did.

Any charity (or individual) which pays money for an animal is NOT rescuing. That's purchasing, and contributing to the problem by perpetuating the market.
 
DabDab said:
Yes, this basically.

My parents rehomed a rescue dog from a local rescue (in Sussex), after they had failed to rehomed from either battersea or the rspca due to not meeting the rehoming requirements. The Sussex rescue was amazing, they were very practical, completely recognised that my parents could offer a great home and matched them with an ideal dog. They doted on that dog for 14 years before he was put to sleep a year ago. If all rescue centers were like that one then they would be an amazing force for good.

.
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Was it Raystede? My parents got a dog from there a couple of years ago. My dad couldn’t have found a more perfect best friend and I was very impressed with the rescue when I visited.

I think there are good and bad. Some are hoarders, some are huge businesses and some are just trying to help animals. I don’t think it’s as easy as you may think to hand a dog over to them. The ones I know have long waiting lists and are generally full.
 
chillipup said:
1. Would you be OK with these dogs being Pts rather than be
transferred abroad, if there were no suitable homes in their
own country?
2. Would Pts be more appropriate and an acceptable response for
these type of animals?

3. Would you be OK if these ex breeding bitches were pts? rather
than go to rescues?

4. How far should rescues/rehoming centres go towards
rehabilitating dogs
suffering from separation anxiety go? before rehoming them to
adopters who work?


Just wanting to know what you and others may think would be an appropriate option given the the above circumstances ct. Not looking for an argument and certainly understand your post, just wanting to know how far you and others would go given the options.
Click to expand...

1. Yes, they absolutely should be humanely PTS. None should be bought to this country.
2. Dogs with issues should be PTS so dogs without can be rehomed. (Bigger issues I mean, not things that a good walk would fix).
3. Ex breeding bitches I quite like to see rehomed, but it is a shame theat Many Tears and so on pay for them, encouraging the trend.
4. Dogs with SA could be crate or kennel trained, and if the rescue has a suitable foster home where it can be worked on all the good. I don't think dogs with SA should be rehomed to working homes.

A spaniel rescue currently has for rehoming an aggressive springer, it was sent back for biting after being rehomed once and apparantly if you tell him what to do he growls at you and it escalates. Why are they trying to rehome him, when loads of non aggressive spaniels get stuck in the pipeline?
 
chillipup said:
1. Would you be OK with these dogs being Pts rather than be
transferred abroad, if there were no suitable homes in their
own country?
2. Would Pts be more appropriate and an acceptable response for
these type of animals?

3. Would you be OK if these ex breeding bitches were pts? rather
than go to rescues?

4. How far should rescues/rehoming centres go towards
rehabilitating dogs
suffering from separation anxiety go? before rehoming them to
adopters who work?


Just wanting to know what you and others may think would be an appropriate option given the the above circumstances ct. Not looking for an argument and certainly understand your post, just wanting to know how far you and others would go given the options.
Click to expand...

As CT and:

1. Yes. Absolutely.
2. Yes. Particularly very troubled and immobile animals.
3. That depends on the animal, I would prefer they were not bought from the very people who are already exploiting them for money.
4. Again, depends on the dog and the severity of the SA. In a lot of cases the owners, unwittingly, cause it by their own actions and it can be remedied fairly quickly by someone who knows what they are doing.

A humane death is not the worst thing that can happen to a troubled dog.
Imagine living every second of your life in fear, on alert, not understanding or being terrified by very everyday activities, actions and noises, and not being able to rationalize why.
 
meleeka said:
Was it Raystede? My parents got a dog from there a couple of years ago. My dad couldn’t have found a more perfect best friend and I was very impressed with the rescue when I visited.

I think there are good and bad. Some are hoarders, some are huge businesses and some are just trying to help animals. I don’t think it’s as easy as you may think to hand a dog over to them. The ones I know have long waiting lists and are generally full.
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It sure was
 
Yup, what CT said.

I have seen an imported Romanian dog with no eyes, another with no front limbs and another with an old, complex and frankly horrendous looking orthopaedic injury. All had severely restricted mobility and all had thousands spent on them (one at Fitzpatricks, of course...)

I find it hard to reconcile these costs against the much greater number of UK based dogs who could be neutered, vaccinated and have some basic behavioural input to make them more suitable for rehoming, using those funds.

There are also rescue centres and rescue centres - I was not, and still would not, be allowed to rehome a dog from the RSPCA, Dogs Trust et al. but had no problem with a breed specific rescue, despite having at the time many of the classic barriers (working, renting, no garden). Their format is great, dogs are assessed in their homes, fostered in homes not kennels and therefore are rehomed with far more certainty about their likely behaviour and needs.

If only the source of the problem could be addressed, the indiscriminate over-breeding of pets and horses by irresponsible owners. There will always be too many full rescue centres if anyone is allowed to breed as many cats, dogs and horses as they like, without consideration for the welfare of the future of each of the newborns.
Click to expand...

This is also where I'd like the the scrutiny to be directed, not just at 'big business' rescues. Every one of the UK dogs in rescue was bred by someone, bought by someone and let down or screwed up by someone(s).
 
cinnamontoast said:
I think:

They shouldn’t import dogs from abroad, there are enough in need here.

They shouldn’t spend hundreds fixing, physically or mentally, a rescue, lots more healthy/sound dogs could be saved with the money.

‘Rescues’ shouldn’t take all the ex-breeders from Welsh puppy farms/government should shut those bloody places down.

And re-homing a dog to people who work is probably loads better than leaving it languishing in rescue.
Click to expand...

absolutely agree...although PTS is not a nice thought, in the long run it would be a better option for some of the disabled dogs . some of these rescues dont seem to think about the impact of surgery and long recpvery etc on these poor dogs, apart from them coming to a much colder and wetter country. the breeders who discard their breeding stock should be funding their rehoming themselves, why should someone else pick up the pieces when they have been used as money making machines...
 
It's the Dogs Trust that make the claim they don't put a healthy dog down NOT Battersea.
The dogs trust are picky about what they take in and claim to put nothing down, battersea take pretty much anything if they can, and they do pts if they deem necessary and they have strict policies in relation to euthanasia.
 
twiggy2 said:
It's the Dogs Trust that make the claim they don't put a healthy dog down NOT Battersea. …….. .
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Perhaps the guy who I was talking to just trotted out the established line, though I must admit that I couldn't find any quotable and official policy. What I did find was a note that for 2017 the BDH were going to campaign vigorously against the banning of specific breeds of dogs — strange that, because 60 years ago there were breeds of dogs which were always kept in isolation and many that were kept from contact with the public —— perhaps back then none of us who worked there knew what we were doing, …. and it should be born in mind that back then there wasn't the list of odd and obscure breeds being imported by those who for some reason felt that what we already had wasn't quite good enough.

In the late '60s we put dogs down via electric shock, and when it worked, it worked well, but there were times when it didn't work. I asked the visiting Vet at the time, a highly competent man, why we didn't put dogs down with a captive bolt pistol and he replied that although it would of course be the preferred method, public opinion may not agree —— see? we had PC back then too! :)

Alec.
 
I have rehomed 2 dogs from rescue centres and both of them were good experiences. One of them was a smooth collie with a few issues but all fixable and turned out to be a perfect companion. I'm sure there are so many issues with rescue places which need to be addressed but for me I think the time and money should be at the other end of the process, where the problem starts, with irresponsible breeders. If this was done effectively then the number of dogs which end up at rescue homes would be dramatically reduced and a lot of the problems would go away.
 
I do think it is FAR too easy to buy a dog, and FAR to easy to then get rid of it and when you do, it is then impossible to get them rehomed as not many people have someone home 24hrs a day and a big back yard with 6ft fences. Im not against rescues persay, but they are not rescues they are adoption for money agencies. The real rescues are few and far between.

Ive only ever had two "bought" dogs in my life (talking my whole life as in family dogs) and one was a lab bitch my dad used for shooting before he gave it up and the other was my little staffie who recently passed at 14yo. The rest have been rehomed from either friends who didnt want them and i didnt want them going to kennels and the one i have now is rehomed from a boarding kennel because his owners phoned (they were moving house hence why he was in) and decided they were not coming back for him.

Im not all holier than thou about giving dogs that dont work away either though - one my mum got (a poodle pup) purely because it was cute..well i was furious with her really but nothing i could do about it. 18 months or whatever down the line she realises she didnt want him so she gave him to my nan who had just lost her dog...that little mutt worshiped the ground that woman walked on until he passed away of very old age. In his case he went from an average home where he was well looked after but not really adored, to a home he was vital in..he kept a lonely old woman company and made her have a reason to get up and out but without having to hous train him or deal with the "puppy" phase and do any basic training. She got a premade dog ready for a old lady!

I actually considered getting another pup one time to bring up for the same purpose, sort of like a old persons service dog thing haha (old as in not about to pop their clogs but too old to deal with puppy phase and not wanting to get a dog that they dont know the upbringing of) but i decided i dont like dogs that much really.
 
So if a young healthy friendly labrador has a broken leg, easily fixed, good prognosis but will cost say a thousand to fix - you would have him pts despite fund being available? It's not always easy to say pts unless totally healthy.
However, elderly dogs with chronic conditions it is hard to justify spending a lot of money etc. on.
Again though - that's up to the rescue and the rescue alone I think - they are the ones who will have to live with the moral guilt if they do not feel they are doing the right thing by the dog
There are many many lovely dogs who end up in rescue through no fault of their own but by fault of the owners - just because the local chav got a puppy and didn't realise at 6 months old it would turn into a hyperactive chewing machine doesnt mean that spaniel/labrador/collie or cross doesn't deserve a chance if someone is willing to give it a chance.
All rescues should be inspected and should be set up for long term 'boarding' of dogs i.e not just small indoor pens. There is good and bad in all walks of life - e.g I wouldn't dream of letting some posters anywhere near a dog of mine but that doesn't mean all farmers are bad dog owners....
 
equi said:
…….., sort of like an old persons service dog thing haha (old as in not about to pop their clogs but too old to deal with puppy phase and not wanting to get a dog that they dont know the upbringing of) ……..
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That was close, but very well done, you got out of that one quiet neatly! :p :D

Alec.
 
chillipup said:
1. Would you be OK with these dogs being Pts rather than be
transferred abroad, if there were no suitable homes in their
own country?
2. Would Pts be more appropriate and an acceptable response for
these type of animals?

3. Would you be OK if these ex breeding bitches were pts? rather
than go to rescues?

4. How far should rescues/rehoming centres go towards
rehabilitating dogs
suffering from separation anxiety go? before rehoming them to
adopters who work?


Just wanting to know what you and others may think would be an appropriate option given the the above circumstances ct. Not looking for an argument and certainly understand your post, just wanting to know how far you and others would go given the options.
Click to expand...

1. Yes. The street dogs need to be tackled at source. Spay/neuter. Sadly, the country they come from tends to ignore rather than tackle the issue. The amount spent importing could be spent on going to the source.

2. Yes.

3. There shouldn’t be any, the govt really needs to shut these places down. I’m appalled that puppy farms are big business in Wales yet if an illegal one is discovered in England, all hell breaks loose.

4. When I say that money shouldn’t be spent resolving health/mental issues, I don’t mean an easily resolved broken leg :rolleyes3: I’m more thinking a congenital issue/long term problem that won’t ever be eradicated and that causes the dog long term pain or suffering. I don’t understand why people put their pet through constant or ongoing pain. I’m one of those people who look at dogs on trolleys with horror. :redface3:
 
blackcob said:
Yup, what CT said.

I have seen an imported Romanian dog with no eyes, another with no front limbs and another with an old, complex and frankly horrendous looking orthopaedic injury. All had severely restricted mobility and all had thousands spent on them (one at Fitzpatricks, of course...)
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A friend shared a pic of one the other day, with the most horrendous skin condition, barely any hair left and covered in angry red blisters and flakes, I wanted to cry when I looked in his eyes, but apparently it will be fine with 'love' and a gruelling car and ferry journey to the UK.
 
chillipup said:
1. Would you be OK with these dogs being Pts rather than be
transferred abroad, if there were no suitable homes in their
own country?
2. Would Pts be more appropriate and an acceptable response for
these type of animals?

3. Would you be OK if these ex breeding bitches were pts? rather
than go to rescues?

4. How far should rescues/rehoming centres go towards
rehabilitating dogs
suffering from separation anxiety go? before rehoming them to
adopters who work?


Just wanting to know what you and others may think would be an appropriate option given the the above circumstances ct. Not looking for an argument and certainly understand your post, just wanting to know how far you and others would go given the options.
Click to expand...

1 - 2 & 3; Yes.

Considering 3 and further; Those who pass on their old and ineligible brood bitches do so in the main to avoid the cost of destruction and disposal. Look at the leading TB and Sport horse studs, do they hand over their old broodmares to the equine rescue centres? None with any sense of decency would. My broodmares never left here alive. I have a lovely and old, but kennelled working cocker bitch - she doesn't get to do much, but would I just hand her in and pass on the responsibility to someone else, not knowing what became of her? ……..

4: Dogs with 'problems'? Most of them, yes, unless someone came along who was specifically looking for a dog with that specific problem, and that's unlikely! The hideous deformities and health problems which have been described, honestly have me wondering about those who wish to see an animal endure further suffering. Adult dogs which cannot be left alone? Possibly, unless the person taking the dog knew EXACTLY what they were taking on.

There's no question that humane destruction is to be preferred to anything but an ideal life and existence. I continue to return though, to the belief that the rescue centres are, in themselves, perpetuating the breeding and acquisition of entirely inappropriate dogs by providing the final solution - and by passing the problem on to someone else.

Alec.
 
I personally feel worried about the number of large non-native livestock guardian breeds which are now popping up in rescue, whatever people may feel about certain breeds and BSL, these breeds need very specialist homes of which I'm afraid very few exist in these islands - I have been around these dogs in very short doses (my choice) and I would have no confidence that a human being could physically stop it doing something that it wanted to do, for good or ill.
Also a lot of working types which generally tend to be not so well bred (catering to people who have decided they want a dog they have seen in a film or doing cool stuff on a video on the internet), so have lots of drive but also environmental sensitivities - so will make neither a good pet or a good working dog.
 
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