Rescue Roulette: Dogs from Abroad

I wish the government would put a stop to it, I also wish the general population had more common sense when it came to dogs so…

I did so much research when I bought my first dog, I don’t understand how people do it blindly, then again I know people who bought labs without hip/elbow scores so I know they exist in normal people!
 
Brucella canis. I think in view of the fact that communal water bowls can be a source of infection and that the bacteria can survive on the ground for months and if another dogs sniffs or licks it they could be infected, that facilities such dog fields, in addition to checking vaccination records or titre results, should insist on seeing negative BC test results for imported dogs before allowing them to use the field. (that's a helluva long sentence :))
 
I’ve just watched the video SD thanks for sharing very informative 👍 I have a Spanish rescue who was healthy for 7 years plus and is now fighting leish which took far too many months to diagnose 🙁 people need to know about these diseases as do uk vets I was unaware of these when I rescued my girl 🫤 would I do it again absolutely she is the most perfect dog but I’d want testing before the dog left their home country and regular testing thereafter in the uk and I wouldn’t want to put uk dogs at risk albeit a small one
 
Lauraback said:
I’ve just watched the video SD thanks for sharing very informative 👍 I have a Spanish rescue who was healthy for 7 years plus and is now fighting leish which took far too many months to diagnose 🙁 people need to know about these diseases as do uk vets I was unaware of these when I rescued my girl 🫤 would I do it again absolutely she is the most perfect dog but I’d want testing before the dog left their home country and regular testing thereafter in the uk and I wouldn’t want to put uk dogs at risk albeit a small one
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I'm sorry about Sophie. I hope she responds well to treatment.

I think it is very unfair that the rescue organisations importing the dogs don't explain that a negative test for Leish at the time of importation is no guarantee that the dog won't go on to develop Leishmaniasis at some point in the future.

eta. I've just read your update. I'm pleased she is improving.
 
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skinnydipper said:
I'm sorry about Sophie. I hope she responds well to treatment.

I think it is very unfair that the rescue organisations importing the dogs don't explain that a negative test for Leish at the time of importation is no guarantee that the dog won't go on to develop Leishmaniasis at some in the future.
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I agree there is a lack of information a-lot of rescues just say the dog is health tested! With no details of what was tested and what future regular tests will be required to ensure the dog stays healthy
 
I think its because a lot of UK rescues have such rigorous criteria that people can’t get dogs.

I nearly went to a foreign rescue when looking for Joe. Even the rescue I got Tommy from wouldn’t let me have a dog as I was now single and didn’t have a lawn and was childless and of “breeding age” so they couldn’t Guarantee there would never be small kids running around… I kid you not. (They didn’t say breeding age, that’s a paraphrase).

Eventually found a localish pragmatic rescue through someone on here.
 
I agree that the UK rescues are making the situation worse.
My OH has a caravan on the beach the people above us got a dog apparently it looks like the dog they used to have and the daughter saw it online and paid thousands to get it over here from Italy .
It’s one of those white Italian guardian dogs big and strong looking .
It had of course a sad back story being found in a forest starving tied to a tree .
So it gets to England it’s living in a house in a town it’s never been in a house and it’s probably never been in a town .
So they bring it to the caravan which right on the line of the coastal path .
I get sent a video my oh had taken of this dog hurling itself a the caravan window barking and snarling as people walk past.
With the message come and get me don’t bring the dogs .
This dog was reactive and terrified as were the owners who I would have called non doggy dog owners .
We left .
Never heard what happened next .
I don’t think it would good for the dog .
It’s too easy for people to get in way over there heads.
 
I am soon to take delivery of my Greek rescue dog. Why an imported dog when we have so many in the UK? I wanted a dog that was actually living with cats now (not just cat tested and not a puppy) - and I wanted to meet the dog first. I have some neurological weakness and whilst I love big dogs I know I couldn't manage one so wanted a medium size. All the dogs I found in foster living with cats were imported, I just couldn't find an original born in the UK dog.
I am friends with people in Greece who manage a rescue rehoming dogs to both Greece and Europe, we visit them every year. So this year I was able to actually meet our prospective dog and spend some time with her. The rescue tests for BC close to travel and if possible will do 2 tests 3 months apart (this is the case with the dog I am adopting). In normal adoptions the rehoming assesment is a fairly lengthy telephone call and video tour of your home, but they do discuss BC and its issues, and provide information upfront. We had the full assesment despite the fact our friend has known us for 20 years and been to our house.

Obviously some rescues are more diligent than others but a good start would be legislation insisting on a BC test as near to travel to the UK as possible(with a negative result), and making sure potential adopters are fully informed.

I hadn't even heard of BC prior to my interest in this dog but I do feel comfortable with my decision to adopt this dog - and I'm very excited 🥰
 
The other issue is that some of these importers are not charities but businesses and making big money, when I worked in insurance we found several companies who imported Romanian dogs to sell on , they employed Romanian drivers who knew the country and language, but the adverts are all very similar with sad tales of abandonment and kill pens and prey on people’s conscience
 
Lady Jane said:
Obviously some rescues are more diligent than others but a good start would be legislation insisting on a BC test as near to travel to the UK as possible(with a negative result), and making sure potential adopters are fully informed.
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With blood tests repeated 3 months after importation/possible exposure.
 
Abi90 said:
I think its because a lot of UK rescues have such rigorous criteria that people can’t get dogs.

I nearly went to a foreign rescue when looking for Joe. Even the rescue I got Tommy from wouldn’t let me have a dog as I was now single and didn’t have a lawn and was childless and of “breeding age” so they couldn’t Guarantee there would never be small kids running around… I kid you not. (They didn’t say breeding age, that’s a paraphrase).

Eventually found a localish pragmatic rescue through someone on here.
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You mean that people can’t buy a UK dog when been turned down by a ‘rehoming rescue’ outfit?
Find that difficult to believe: umpteen dogs available on websites like pets4homes, some sounding exactly like they’d be in dire need of rescuing from the situation they’re already in, some even free to good home - owners desperately unable to cope.
 
Exasperated said:
You mean that people can’t buy a UK dog when been turned down by a ‘rehoming rescue’ outfit?
Find that difficult to believe: umpteen dogs available on websites like pets4homes, some sounding exactly like they’d be in dire need of rescuing from the situation they’re already in, some even free to good home - owners desperately unable to cope.
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A few months ago an elderly lady I know lost her old dog and I was asked to try and find her a new adult small dog. No luck with the rescues, naturally, as she was too old. Went on preloved and immediately found some suitable dogs. Went to see a small dog which needed rehoming as owner was moving in with new partner and couldn't take dog. Took lady to see dog and she took him home with her and is happy with him. £25 well spent.
 
I find it odd that the program is only being shown on BBC in two areas. I wouldn’t have known about it if I wasn’t on here and I think it should be on the main channel so everyone sees it. I will watch on I player later
 
Exasperated said:
You mean that people can’t buy a UK dog when been turned down by a ‘rehoming rescue’ outfit?
Find that difficult to believe: umpteen dogs available on websites like pets4homes, some sounding exactly like they’d be in dire need of rescuing from the situation they’re already in, some even free to good home - owners desperately unable to cope.
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They could do that. But the “adopt don’t shop” and demonisation of websites like Pets4Homes and the lines across social media about “only get from rescues, and not irresponsible private sellers” would put people off, especially those looking for their first dog.

And in a lot of corners of the internet that messaging is very loud and very strong and very judgemental.

Also, there are people trying to move stolen dogs along on there, or are unscrupulous breeders.

Not everyone is an experienced dog owner and not everyone has an experienced dog owner to help them find a suitable dog on Pets4Homes etc, even if there are lots of wonderful dogs in need of homes on there.
 
ester said:
Arguably the same people are least experienced to be dealing with a foreign rescue though
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Yes, I nearly added that, but the rescue organisation will at least seem like its set up well, the dog is known and behaviour tested and it fits with the “if you buy a dog you are evil incarnate” narrative out there. It feels like a more supported route, even if it actually isn’t.
 
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