Unwanted dogs

[skinnydipper]

The Dogs Trust said last year there were 7000 more stray dogs in need of rescue than the previous year.

Dogs are being pts every day because rescues are overflowing and can't take them in.

This has been shared on Facebook recently.

https://www.facebook.com/i.shot.barbie/posts/pfbid02mQrZ3BFG5g1sL7ayX2CpQVCfuJin85jKRvsgVc6qoYRirWozDke4wxRKT43a5AaBl

 

[Moobli]

People keep asking me if I know of any homes wanting a border collie- a worker that won’t work, a pet that wants to work and everything in between. It’s an impossible situation.

 

[twiggy2]

People keep asking me if I know of any homes wanting a border collie- a worker that won’t work, a pet that wants to work and everything in between. It’s an impossible situation.

I find the workers that wont work just take time to place in a new home but i house, lead and car train then as well as some socialisation, it also takes as long as it takes and i will take them back if it doesnt work out.
As for workers that wont work i just wish people would be more honest and rehome them quicker than they do, i have contacted people about 3 in the last year and its all set up for the dog to come to us and people change their minds until the pup is older and rather than a nipping history or has a significant bite history or is old enough that dog aggressiin is an issue. Our pack will accept pups no problem at all but i wont risk introducing a dog aggressive adult dog and having to rehome it again.

 

[cauda equina]

People's circumstances change - eg illness, or the loss of a job or home; none of us can see our entire future when we get an animal

If the Dogs Trust were more realistic about which dogs could be successfully rehomed (like, not the XLB which then mauled someone last year) and would pts the obviously unsuitable ones they might be less stretched

 

[I'm Dun]

I think the housing market isnt helping. In this area there can be 200 people wanting each property. They have bidding wars over them, and ask for 6 months rent up front. I can't imagine how anyone with a pet finds a rental.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Maybe TV and media could be a bit more realistic in educating people who have a lifestyle that is not dog friendly. We see farmers zooming around with their collies, gardeners with a dog rolling about in the shrubbery, adverts with cute fluffy things and programmes about how to 'fix' the problem dog. Perhaps the life the dog is expected to lead is part of the problem?
My neighbour works from home and has a fluffy Shih Tzu cross. Whenever she leaves the house it yaps. She cannot let the dog in the garden unless she goes with it, and is struggling to work in a different room from the dog. On the other hand, the dog is only walked for fifteen minutes twice daily, always the same route. I am not sure that working from 8am to 4pm is very fair on the dog.

 

[ArklePig]

I just wish people would do more research before they get their dogs, they might have just got the wrong dog and may have been happier with another one. Just today on a different website I read a thread about a family who can't cope with their dachshund who is difficult to toilet train, and I know a family who gave away their JRT who was tormenting their pet rats. Neither of those to me were unforeseeable issues.

A woman I know very vaguely gave up her pointer/spaniel because she assumed it would be good for her 3 ASD kids, and one of them pulled the dogs tail and it snapped at her. Again, better decision making could have been exercised there. I only know this because she messaged me after seeing pics of my pointer/spaniel asking if it was her old dog (it wasn't) and relayed the story. I was

That said, I previously would have judgef people for giving up their dogs, but as I've got older I have nothing but sympathy for people who through illness, relationship breakdown, precarious housing etc have to give up much loved pets. We're all just one misfortune away from having our lives turned upside down. I work in housing and more than a few people have told me they've opted to stay in less than ideal circumstances that impact their mental health rather than go to temporary accommodation where they can't take their pets. It's also something thats come up with DV victims. Horrible situation out there for a lot of people.

 

[MurphysMinder]

People's circumstances change - eg illness, or the loss of a job or home; none of us can see our entire future when we get an animal

If the Dogs Trust were more realistic about which dogs could be successfully rehomed (like, not the XLB which then mauled someone last year) and would pts the obviously unsuitable ones they might be less stretched

I'm not arguing that there is a huge problem with dogs rescue but agree that if Dogs Trust and other rescues were more realistic, both in homing or opting to pts, it would help. I'm not sure if DT still have the "never put a healthy dog to sleep" approach, but if they do they need to change what they consider healthy, mental health is just as important imo and some of the poor dogs that are institutionalised for life would be far better pts.

 

[honetpot]

I wanted to rehome a dog through a large rescue charity at least twice. I worked part time nights so dog never alone, I origanally started nights so the RSPCA dog would never be alone and it slept on the bed with me, fully fenced garden, no small children, and the excuses for not even letting meet one, never mind have one were laughable. The same with trying to rehome cats, and the only ones I were offered where the one that had problems, and were not in any way domestic pets, they had been in the cattery for too long.
The trouble with pets now is they are often seen as a baby like subitute, so treated like a small child, or a fashion statement so bought for the image they portray, and the owners have no idea the work that goes in to making them a companion. They also seem to think more is better, so they have problems with one, and then get another one to keep it company and double the problem.

Offering a dog for rehome is also a nightmare, I have rehomed privately and at least it gives you a chance to see where is has been for most of its life. My daughters would have liked to have rehomed her dachshund privately, it seems like its OK to sell a dog, but rehomeing privately and you get a lot of veiled abuse and a lecture. You want the best for a dog, and going in to kennels can cause stress and they can pick up diseases. I ended up with the dachshund, which is not lap dog, which I think why some people have problems with them, but a hound with very short but fast legs when following its nose.

 

[Gloi]

I was helping an old person find a dog when her other one died. Tried all the rescues without success although there were lots on their sites. In the end just bought a cracking middle aged Jack Russell type off Preloved for £10. Great little dog and no hassle. Owner was moving in with girlfriend and landlord didn't allow dogs.

 

[skinnydipper]

🇬🇧DOGS AT RISK REHOMING UK🇬🇧 | URGENT … will be PTS Unless RESCUE/EXP FOSTER to help | Facebook

URGENT … will be PTS Unless RESCUE/EXP FOSTER to help

www.facebook.com

 

[SilverLinings]

View attachment 139910

🇬🇧DOGS AT RISK REHOMING UK🇬🇧 | URGENT … will be PTS Unless RESCUE/EXP FOSTER to help | Facebook

URGENT … will be PTS Unless RESCUE/EXP FOSTER to help

www.facebook.com

The dog for rehoming in the next post down is even worse/sadder: an un-neutered male cane corso type with a 'large untreated abscess' on his face as the owners can't afford to treat it

 

[SilverLinings]

People's circumstances change - eg illness, or the loss of a job or home; none of us can see our entire future when we get an animal

If the Dogs Trust were more realistic about which dogs could be successfully rehomed (like, not the XLB which then mauled someone last year) and would pts the obviously unsuitable ones they might be less stretched

I accept that some people who have to give up their dog really are forced to due to an awful change of circumstances such as ill health or sudden homelessness. BUT I do think there are a lot of people who say they are doing it for the dog, but it's actually because they didn't research what owning a dog is actually like, or they are bored with it now it's no longer a cute puppy, or Fido eats the furniture as they leave him alone for 9hrs a day, or they can't handle it as they have done no training, or they'd rather spend £££ on fancy holidays and hadn't bothered to look at the price of dog food before buying Fido, or they knew they couldn't have a dog in the house and now their landlord has found out.

I desperately want another dog(s) but my circumstances have changed (home/work set up and health issues) since I lost my last dog, so I am waiting until I have a more suitable set up for dogs. I *could* go and buy a puppy tomorrow; I could afford it and the puppy would survive and have it's health needs paid for, but it would be bored, receive inadequate exercise, not have enough of my attention, only receive sporadic training, and have to stay with a stranger when I'm ill or in hospital. I hope I am not a selfish or thoughtless person so I am unhappily depriving myself of a dog in order not to inflict a miserable existence on said dog.

Unfortunately I think too many people do not think of dogs (or other animals) as sentient beings who have specific, expensive and time consuming needs, but see them as a lifestyle accessory or a toy. If these people grew up, were less selfish and research dogs before buying one then the people who REALLY need help from rescues/charities would be more likely to be able to get it.

 

[splashgirl45]

What I hate is when they take an older dog to the dogs home because it’s not accepted the new younger one… makes me really angry

 

[I'm Dun]

The dog for rehoming in the next post down is even worse/sadder: an un-neutered male cane corso type with a 'large untreated abscess' on his face as the owners can't afford to treat it

theres one that looks to me like it would meet the XL bully criteria. Not the abcess one, Reggie.

 

[maisie06]

Maybe TV and media could be a bit more realistic in educating people who have a lifestyle that is not dog friendly. We see farmers zooming around with their collies, gardeners with a dog rolling about in the shrubbery, adverts with cute fluffy things and programmes about how to 'fix' the problem dog. Perhaps the life the dog is expected to lead is part of the problem?
My neighbour works from home and has a fluffy Shih Tzu cross. Whenever she leaves the house it yaps. She cannot let the dog in the garden unless she goes with it, and is struggling to work in a different room from the dog. On the other hand, the dog is only walked for fifteen minutes twice daily, always the same route. I am not sure that working from 8am to 4pm is very fair on the dog.

I have 3 dogs spaniels - and work full time...I MAKE time for my dogs, we go out in the mornimgs and evenings when they get training excersises to do to keep them mentally and physically fit, we take part in Gundog classes too and in the shooting season they work too, During the day they sleep!! I have a camera I can use to spy on them, they sleep...in fact they are sleeping now after being out swimming this morning!

I know people who are home all day WFH and have pet spaniels that are an absolute pain, shadow chasing, won't settle, barking, chewing, counter surfing etc, they get 20 mins in the park with a ball thrower or a walk around the block, just paid £150 to a behaviuorist - they could give me £50 to tell them what the problem is!!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I am not sure that working from 8am to 4pm is very fair on the dog.

I've always worked and had dogs and my mother before me. You a) pick a horse for the course, so need to know a bit about breeding/lines/genetics b) train and condition the dog, so need to know a bit about training and c) make allowances and adaptations, so need to think outside the box and be flexible enough to alter your routine and do a bit more exercise and work to make their lives better. Lots of people don't have/do any of those things.

 

[skinnydipper]

The dog for rehoming in the next post down is even worse/sadder: an un-neutered male cane corso type with a 'large untreated abscess' on his face as the owners can't afford to treat it

 

[honetpot]

My daughter found a kitten on the road yesterday, covered in maggots and very weak. Took it to the vet, fortuately the maggots were just of the top of the fur, and it appears to have no injury. Its about ten weeks old, and skin and bone, when it finally did a poo I think its been living on insects.
What I am trying to understand is that it was on a rural road, with no houses close by, its doesn't seem feral, not frightened of humans, but probably had little to eat since it was weaned. It just sleeps, eats and poos, and has a cuddle, which it loves. Not interested in playing but starting to look brighter.
The vet said it would cost £350 to treat it, not sure for what, or sign it over, so it's in my bedroom as my daughter who is a nurse like me thought it didn't need any complicated treatment. They did sell her some Hill's Science 'special' cat food for £7, which no one will eat. I have decided cheap cat food is like McD's not really good to eat every day, but most cats will eat it, its a bit like Dreamies, addictive.

I know vets have to make a living, and that people get animals that they do not have the knowledge to care for, or budget for emergencies, but there must be some there must be some middle way where people can get practicle advice without judgement, so small problems get sorted early. You can get a lot of over the counter treatments for humans with free advice from a pharmacist, even before the new changes, as humans we are encouraged to take responsibility for our health and simple treatments but domestic pets have to be treated by an expert with the associated costs, and there are less of these vets available.

 

[cbmcts]

This is a bit random but I was just thinking about the last few home checks I've done and the various houses I've collected (young) dogs from. They have all had open plan downstairs layouts with absolutely nowhere to shut a dog away except for a couple that had tiny utility rooms.

Sounds great doesn't it but it must be so hard to manage dogs when there are visitors, workmen etc or you/the dog need 5 minutes timeout and your only option is a crate in a busy area - that nobody seems to cover. And when you're trying to place a dog, you do have to consider how everyone can be kept safe - remember that many dogs come into rescue with no history or show issues in kennels such as tendency to resource guard/be protective of food/wary of men/strangers - so the ability to separate the dog is important. It must also be really difficult with a pup/young dog - so much of training/raising a well mannered dog is them having a short time out when it's all getting too much for dog and human and them learning to be alone, safely for short periods. Crates are useful but there is nothing like a solid door sometimes!

In saying all that, while some dogs come into rescue through removal because of ill treatment or through circumstances such as loss of housing/death or ill health of owner, the majority who are also hardest to rehome are young dogs that were got by people who didn't have the facilities or knowledge (and weren't prepared to go and get the help and training that was needed, we've all been in there struggling with a dog that challenged us but responsible owners recognise that they need help) when they bought a pup, let it pick up all sorts of bad habits and expect a rescue to solve their problem. They also tend not to be honest about the dog's behaviour and while we can test many things in kennels, there are some issues that will only show in the home. Rehoming, especially large dogs is nerve racking for everyone involved tbh.

I've always worked full time and had dogs. Ideally more than one dog at a time so that they have company, (some decided that they preferred being the only dog when I've tried to introduce a new dog so made do with the cat for company) they've always had outside access so that they're not crossing their legs for hours and they were adults as pups were not an option when I was out so much. When I was home, they were with me most of the time, came to do horses etc and I avoided leaving them during the weekday evenings as much as possible... With the help of a fabulous dogwalker, I think my dogs had a great life.

 

[setterlover]

I tried to home a rescue dog from a particular breed rescue and honestly I feel it would have been easier to adopt a child!
The excuses given for this particular dog not being suitable were ludicrous.
We have had 7 of this particular breed before still had one of a year old all have lived into old age we live on a 13 acre fully fenced small holding have live in care if we need to go away but mostly take the dogs with us we are retired so dogs never left for 'work' fit and healthy love walking had references from vet and animal sitting agency but they made excuses after excuse didn't even come and do a home check as this is only done after they decide you can have a particular dog.
Honestly sometimes I think they just don't want to re-home!!
SO we went to the breeder of the dog we currently have and we booked a puppy from the next litter which we now have and is settling in beautifully with our other dog ,

 

[cbmcts]

I tried to home a rescue dog from a particular breed rescue and honestly I feel it would have been easier to adopt a child!
The excuses given for this particular dog not being suitable were ludicrous.
We have had 7 of this particular breed before still had one of a year old all have lived into old age we live on a 13 acre fully fenced small holding have live in care if we need to go away but mostly take the dogs with us we are retired so dogs never left for 'work' fit and healthy love walking had references from vet and animal sitting agency but they made excuses after excuse didn't even come and do a home check as this is only done after they decide you can have a particular dog.
Honestly sometimes I think they just don't want to re-home!!
SO we went to the breeder of the dog we currently have and we booked a puppy from the next litter which we now have and is settling in beautifully with our other dog ,

I'm sorry that you had that experience - from your user name, I'm going to take a wild guess that you have setters? - the rescue should have been upfront and honest with you as to why they didn't have a suitable dog or why you didn't meet their criteria. They're not easy conversations to have but I feel it is only fair to have them all the same.

If you want (feel free to tell me to do one, I won't take offence!) I can tell you the things that would have concerned me, that I would have had to really dig through if I was reading your application? However, I would have discussed them with you and offered to keep you in mind if a suitable dog came in.

 

[Morwenna]

And yet many people would still rather rescue dogs from abroad. I do think rescues here need to re-think how they operate. Sometimes putting a dog to sleep is not the worst thing you can do for it. It’s also incredibly hard for some people to get rescue dogs here. I tried to get a rescue but my garden is too small, the fencing is only 5 foot and I’d never had a dog before. I also have an open plan downstairs with nowhere to shut a dog away. I do however have a covered crate (which she loves), work from home mostly (and have arrangements in place for when I’m onsite) and make sure she gets adequate and appropriate exercise. I have also spent a small fortune on training, do gundog work with her to give her an outlet for her natural instincts and do mantrailing which she loves. I do get that rescues have to be cautious as what people say they will do often does not reflect the reality but it is so frustrating when you want to give a rescue a home but can’t.

 

[setterlover]

I'm sorry that you had that experience - from your user name, I'm going to take a wild guess that you have setters? - the rescue should have been upfront and honest with you as to why they didn't have a suitable dog or why you didn't meet their criteria. They're not easy conversations to have but I feel it is only fair to have them all the same.

If you want (feel free to tell me to do one, I won't take offence!) I can tell you the things that would have concerned me, that I would have had to really dig through if I was reading your application? However, I would have discussed them with you and offered to keep you in mind if a suitable dog came in.

The first dog we saw on the site was a year old they said they didn't want another young dog in the house as 2 young dogs are a handful .We have always had 2 dogs usually between 10 month's and 18 months apart..Our 1 year old dog is a joy to own and has no problems with other dogs and is well socialised
The second one was 18 months and they wanted him in a 'town ' home as he was a scent driven .Of the 7 I have had 2 were scent driven and we know how to deal with it . Yes we are retired we are fit and healthy but provision has been made for the dogs in our will if anything should happen with someone named to take them and a large sum of money left to cover their care for the rest of their lives.
They said we had to keep checking available dogs and contact them when we saw one we liked.

 

[cbmcts]

And yet many people would still rather rescue dogs from abroad. I do think rescues here need to re-think how they operate. Sometimes putting a dog to sleep is not the worst thing you can do for it. It’s also incredibly hard for some people to get rescue dogs here. I tried to get a rescue but my garden is too small, the fencing is only 5 foot and I’d never had a dog before. I also have an open plan downstairs with nowhere to shut a dog away. I do however have a covered crate (which she loves), work from home mostly (and have arrangements in place for when I’m onsite) and make sure she gets adequate and appropriate exercise. I have also spent a small fortune on training, do gundog work with her to give her an outlet for her natural instincts and do mantrailing which she loves. I do get that rescues have to be cautious as what people say they will do often does not reflect the reality but it is so frustrating when you want to give a rescue a home but can’t.

I always say to people, especially if they don't quite tick all the boxes for a typical rescue to go and volunteer/dog walk for a local rescue. You'll see what comes in, see and handle so many dogs, hear their stories, see their behaviours and as a brucie bonus, be first in line if a suitable for you dog comes in. You'll also have someone to give as a reference if you apply to another rescue, it's very difficult for them if this is your first dog, there is nobody to ask about you as a dog owner, such as your vet and nothing on social media to stalk! The majority of people will be a good enough owner to the average easy(ish) dog but not many of them end up in rescue and when they do, they tend to be rehomed via a waiting list. They aren't advertised so it looks like all the dogs on the website/social media have serious issues. They are just the dogs that are more difficult to rehome or have special needs.

You'll also see the applications - prepare to be flabbergasted

The people who rescue from abroad were refused by uk rescues for a reason. It might be a bad reason i.e. personal dislike or simply that they did not have a dog that was suitable for them at the time and they didn't want to wait. It could be that they had young children, that they weren't able to give written proof that their landlord allowed dogs, that they were insistent on a type/age that the rescue felt they would struggle with. Rescues do not owe anyone a dog and the great majority of them are staffed by volunteers who give their own time, money and energy for free to clear up other peoples mess ups. Yes, they can be restrictive and cynical (I admit I certainly am at times!) but that is through bitter experience and yes, they do put dogs down for behavioural as well as physical issues. They just don't publicise it on social media or elsewhere due to the hysterical backlash they receive.

 

[honetpot]

I tried to home a rescue dog from a particular breed rescue and honestly I feel it would have been easier to adopt a child!
The excuses given for this particular dog not being suitable were ludicrous.
We have had 7 of this particular breed before still had one of a year old all have lived into old age we live on a 13 acre fully fenced small holding have live in care if we need to go away but mostly take the dogs with us we are retired so dogs never left for 'work' fit and healthy love walking had references from vet and animal sitting agency but they made excuses after excuse didn't even come and do a home check as this is only done after they decide you can have a particular dog.
Honestly sometimes I think they just don't want to re-home!!
SO we went to the breeder of the dog we currently have and we booked a puppy from the next litter which we now have and is settling in beautifully with our other dog ,

I think there is some sort of prejudice against home with more than one dog, or have any sort of 'working' breed. I wish they would come right out and say it, because its difficult counter misinformation, the underlying message is your either breeding, or it will not spend all its days on the sofa. A lot of charity helpers and well meaning but uninformed, dogs have to treated like small children thinkers. The only ones they seemed pushed to get rid of are lurchers, which if dumped is usually a failed working dog.

I have a friend who rehomes gun dog breeds, I think she has always had a least three, but she can never rehome from a charity, because she used to have young children and part of the day they are outside in a heated kennel. They have working dog lifestyle, but without the work.

 

[cbmcts]

The first dog we saw on the site was a year old they said they didn't want another young dog in the house as 2 young dogs are a handful .We have always had 2 dogs usually between 10 month's and 18 months apart..Our 1 year old dog is a joy to own and has no problems with other dogs and is well socialised
The second one was 18 months and they wanted him in a 'town ' home as he was a scent driven .Of the 7 I have had 2 were scent driven and we know how to deal with it . Yes we are retired we are fit and healthy but provision has been made for the dogs in our will if anything should happen with someone named to take them and a large sum of money left to cover their care for the rest of their lives.
They said we had to keep checking available dogs and contact them when we saw one we liked.

I must admit that 2 young dogs together can be difficult so I would be wary of that, especially if the same sex. Different sexes bring another issue - neutering one at such a young age is not ideal but neither is an oops litter. Plus year old (relatively) sane dogs tend to have plenty of home offers so there is a choice of homes and only one dog.

In the nicest possible way, the rescue doesn't know you or how you handled scent driven dogs and if they have decided that a dog should have a certain type of home, they tend to go with that. They have the dog and know it if that makes sense and if they have a home that meets their criteria they will prioritise that home.

Age isn't as big a criteria as fitness in my book but it is a consideration - please note that I'm looking at big powerful dogs who are known to be difficult adolescents so physical strength has to be considered which may not be something that other rescues place such importance on - but it's not the be all and end all. However, someone 70+, while it wouldn't be an automatic refusal, probably wouldn't be considered suitable for a 1-2 year old male, unlikely for the same age female but have happily and successfully rehomed dogs aged 3 and over with that age group. I bet if you applied for a opposite sex to your dog aged 5 or over, the rescue would bite your hand off...

Also many rescues don't do physical home checks until an adoption is under way. Video home checks are done if an application looks like it might be a go er but volunteers who are available to travel for a physical home check are few and far between especially for breed rescues that usually rehome nationwide so we try and save them until we really need them.

It's very rarely personal or a judgement on you if a rescue turns you down. It feels like it I know but more often than not it's either there is another home on offer that they feel is a better fit, that they don't have a dog that they think will work in your situation or they have set criteria that, for whatever reason they follow.

 

[marmalade76]

I absolutely cannot stand comparing dogs or any animal to children or elderly relatives, people put their elderly relatives in homes all the time, people even put their children in care and then have more children, this actually happened to me!

People should be able to take their unwanted dogs to a vet to be PTS without judgement and without some do-gooder stepping in and "saving" them without securing a home first. There are simply too many dogs (there's too many people too but that's another thread).

 

[setterlover]

The rescue did not turn us down we got fed up with checking the site and making a bid for a dog.
The breeder of previous dogs we have had rang as she knew we had lost our old boy and asked if we wanted to reserve a dog from the next litter she bred and it was the same blood line as our 1 year old so we went with that.
I just feel it was unduly complicated and put us off , pity but I am not surprised the rescues are full.

 

[cbmcts]

I think there is some sort of prejudice against home with more than one dog, or have any sort of 'working' breed. I wish they would come right out and say it, because its difficult counter misinformation, the underlying message is your either breeding, or it will not spend all its days on the sofa. A lot of charity helpers and well meaning but uninformed, dogs have to treated like small children thinkers. The only ones they seemed pushed to get rid of are lurchers, which if dumped is usually a failed working dog.

I have a friend who rehomes gun dog breeds, I think she has always had a least three, but she can never rehome from a charity, because she use to have young children and part of the day they are outside in a heated kennel. They have working dog lifestyle, but without the work.

There is a risk involved in adding an adult rescue to a home with a resident dog. Sometimes it's absolutely fine but if it goes wrong, there are usually human injuries which no one wants of course and/or a dog returned with a large vet bill (£2k last time) and an issue that needs to be disclosed to the next home. Plus of course, the work that now has to be done to see if you can get that dog back to being ok with other dogs.

I don't actually have an issue with dogs being kennelled on occasion and we have rehomed dogs to working homes but they are very carefully vetted. Look at it from a rescues point of view, they get many dogs from working/yard situations - it's counter intuitive to rehome dogs to similar types of homes when so many are badly kept like that. Rehoming where children are involved is a whole other level of responsibility, it's frankly terrifying that you could have death or injury to such a vulnerable person on your conscience.

If there is the perception that many of the volunteers (because that's what most charity workers are) are so inept, there is nothing stopping those who are realistic and pragmatic getting involved and making a difference from the inside. I know many who may not be the best communicators or appear disorganised/unresponsive but honestly, most are doing the best they can in less than ideal circumstances without pay, recognition and more often than not, taking abuse and criticism left right and centre.

I absolutely cannot stand comparing dogs or any animal to children or elderly relatives, people put their elderly relatives in homes all the time, people even put their children in care and then have more children, this actually happened to me!

People should be able to take their unwanted dogs to a vet to be PTS without judgement and without some do-gooder stepping in and "saving" them without securing a home first. There are simply too many dogs (there's too many people too but that's another thread).

No animals are not people and they shouldn't be prioritised over them but they are very important to some and that in itself isn't wrong. While I agree that PTS is not the worse thing that can happen to a dog, there is also the point of view that homes are available. Not everyone wants or has a home suitable for a pup - and these all have to be bred somewhere - so an adult from a rescue can be ideal. The rescue's job is to try and match the dog with the best possible home resulting in everyone involved being happy and despite the doom and gloom you hear about, the frustrations that many including me voice does work out well often enough.

It's a bit like horses, I wouldn't want a foal if I was looking for a horse, I no longer have the time or ability to make a horse a good useful citizen so I, like many, many others would be looking for a 8 - 12 year old all rounder that somebody else would have reared and made. But that's ok? Is it because they have a monetary value?