Well I don't like that idea

[skinnydipper]

Dogs Trust new rehoming policy.

"We want all dogs to have a loving home, and we know you want that too. That's why we're changing the way we rehome dogs. We've received over 100,000 applications already this year. Some dogs receive hundreds of enquiries, while others struggle to get one.

From 17 November, we’re moving to an exciting new process. It’ll help give all dogs an equal chance to find a family. And more dog lovers will be able to welcome a Dogs Trust dog into their home."


You fill in a form and then they find a match. That won't suit me if I'm looking for another dog. I decide which dog appeals to me and whether I think we can get along. Why would I want someone choosing for me?

Obviously trying to get rid of some of the less desirable dogs.

 

[Clodagh]

I do think it’s probably better for the dogs? They won’t have people walking round the centres upsetting them.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Maybe there will be some advantages to it - saves multiple households applying making multiple applications for each dog they like the look of, and just have one application which potentially gives multiple dog options to think about.

As an aside. I want Zara the Borzoi!!

 

[splashgirl45]

Dogs Trust new rehoming policy.

"We want all dogs to have a loving home, and we know you want that too. That's why we're changing the way we rehome dogs. We've received over 100,000 applications already this year. Some dogs receive hundreds of enquiries, while others struggle to get one.

From 17 November, we’re moving to an exciting new process. It’ll help give all dogs an equal chance to find a family. And more dog lovers will be able to welcome a Dogs Trust dog into their home."


You fill in a form and then they find a match. That won't suit me if I'm looking for another dog. I decide which dog appeals to me and whether I think we can get along. Why would I want someone choosing for me?

Obviously trying to get rid of some of the less desirable dogs.

That’s what I find odd on the tv show from Wood Green. It may be ok for people who don’t know what they want but if I was looking I would want to choose the dog I like to look at and that would fit in with my lifestyle and I wouldn’t want to trust the dogs home as there are certain types of dogs I don’t want no matter how much they might fit me. I wouldn’t want any bull breed or a bull lurcher cross or anything too large or too tiny. I think most of us on here have a good idea of what would suit us and if the dog would be happy

 

[cauda equina]

'It'll help give all dogs an equal chance to find a family'

I doubt if it will
Some dogs are just more appealing or desirable than others; if the DT says 'It's this dog, or nothing' or wtte I expect a proportion of potential rehomers will just go and get a dog from somewhere else
As has been said, most people probably have firm ideas about the sort of dog they think would suit them and would not welcome a lucky dip

 

[rabatsa]

I did not rehome a greyhound from one place as they said that they would choose the dog for me. Instead I went to N Yorkshire greyhound trust and they let me choose at the trainers kennels from a fair few dogs.

 

[Chucho]

That's what Battersea did 25 years ago to match us to our family dog. He was perfect.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

They are already testing it out in some places.
I was 'matched' 2 days ago with a choice of a middle aged staffie boy or a young a-poo type.

I couldn't see why.... when I'm now looking for a sub 7kg bitch small breed....(and both types are what I will absolutely swerve) nope not a match at all
That's them off my list.

We've already decided that if the right dog doesn't find us before Xmas then we'll get on puppy hunting instead.

 

[Jenko109]

Not for me.

 

[Clodagh]

That's what Battersea did 25 years ago to match us to our family dog. He was perfect.

I was thinking Battersea did it.
I agree that it’s nicer for us to look at the dogs, although when I’ve got dogs from the pound I’ve always been traumatised myself by the visit.
I like the Vizla, but why is he there and not in breed rescue?

 

[TheresaW]

Hmm, I’m torn on this. I do homechecks for a husky rescue. One particular check I’ve done has little children, which I’ve put mentioned on the home check. They keep applying for dogs which specifically say not suitable around young children, 12 plus only.

Obviously the difference is, anyone applying to the rescue I check for, knows the type/breed of dog they want.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I can see an awful lot of those dogs they have matched to the new owner being returned. I also find the Wood Green TV show a very strange way to find your new dog. Tells us what you are looking for....'oh look here's Bonzo, we had better take him as the experts say he is a perfect fit for us........not quite what we had in mind but........ooh he is a bit of a handful isn't he.....wish we had got something smaller/older/younger/less hairy/more hairy/different colour.........oh dear why is he pee'ing on the new carpet........never mind lets just take him back.'

 

[meleeka]

I think it’s quite a good idea. When we were looking for a dog for MIL it was impossible, since every dog she was interested in had so many applications. That was Blue Cross. They didn’t let you walk round the kennels either, only if you were selected as a possible match were you invited back to meet. My parents got a dog from Raystede and you can’t just walk round the kennels there either.

By choosing the dog, or at least a possible match (presumably you are free to decline, or have several possibilities to consider), it should simplify the process, as well being kinder to the dogs so they don’t have the stress of people constantly peering in the kennels.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I think it's not a bad idea if done well. It must be a pain applying multiple times if you don't get the dog you originally applied for but are interested in another one. It might help adopters become aware of other similar local dogs for adoption that they didn't know about. I really don't think it would be a complete "lucky dip", I assume adopters get to meet the dog and then decide if they like it. Hopefully the application questionnaire will include preferences such as size, age, breed/type, etc to avoid being spammed with none suitable dogs.

 

[Cortez]

Bit like an arranged marriage, then? Surprisingly they often work out (the marriages, about the same long term stickability as love matches, apparently). I suppose it might work if people are extremely specific in their application, but I always know when I see the right dog, and it’s often not the dog I thought I was looking for.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I can see an awful lot of those dogs they have matched to the new owner being returned. I also find the Wood Green TV show a very strange way to find your new dog. Tells us what you are looking for....'oh look here's Bonzo, we had better take him as the experts say he is a perfect fit for us........not quite what we had in mind but........ooh he is a bit of a handful isn't he.....wish we had got something smaller/older/younger/less hairy/more hairy/different colour.........oh dear why is he pee'ing on the new carpet........never mind lets just take him back.'

To be fair, an awful lot of people who choose their own dog don't pick a good match. You only have to read the irresponsible owners thread to see some prime examples.
And I've recently heard of a family that waited 3 years for a pedigree puppy and wanted to return it after 3 days because it wasn't completely house trained (you'd think they'd had plenty of time to consider their decision over 3 years...)

 

[cobgoblin]

It's an awful idea. Choosing a dog or any animal is a very personal thing and sometimes the spark is lit in an unusual pairing, but I don't think it's something the rescue can replicate.
I wouldn't rehome an overcoat under these circumstances.

 

[Clodagh]

To be fair, an awful lot of people who choose their own dog don't pick a good match. You only have to read the irresponsible owners thread to see some prime examples.
And I've recently heard of a family that waited 3 years for a pedigree puppy and wanted to return it after 3 days because it wasn't completely house trained (you'd think they'd had plenty of time to consider their decision over 3 years...)

Laughing at the stupidity, not that it happened.

 

[twiggy2]

I dont know, done properly it may work well, it will hopefully mean the plain looking dogs won't be so overlooked.

 

[meleeka]

It's an awful idea. Choosing a dog or any animal is a very personal thing and sometimes the spark is lit in an unusual pairing, but I don't think it's something the rescue can replicate.
I wouldn't rehome an overcoat under these circumstances.

How do you think it should be done? You browse the dogs, see a dog you like and apply for it, along with the other hundred people that also like it?

 

[cobgoblin]

How do you think it should be done? You browse the dogs, see a dog you like and apply for it, along with the other hundred people that also like it?

Yes. You have to really want a dog to take it on. It's not a case of ' this one will do' .
I suspect the same dogs will still be rejected again and again, or worse still, adopters will feel pressured into accepting a dog they are not keen on and said dog will be returned at a lower tolerance point.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I like it. It's what happened to us this year.

I hate the idea of people being able to walk around and see the dogs. So many families just go for a day out thinking its some kind of zoo.

We applied for so many dogs and they'd all already found homes. I imagine alot of people give up and buy a puppy.

We ended up going to a small rescue, telling them what our home environment was like and they paired us up with a pup. We were looking for an older dog but love our little rescue pup.

You'll still be able to say what you are looking for and can always so no to what they match you with. I'm not a breed person though and love that our latest rescue is completely different to our previous one.

 

[quizzie]

How do you think it should be done? You browse the dogs, see a dog you like and apply for it, along with the other hundred people that also like it?

It can't be that difficult to devise a computer programme of potential adopters likes/dislikes/situations etc.....so you apply to adopt in principle and get checked out as required, then when any animal comes into the charity, an email is automatically sent to the top few who match the criteria...and whoever responds can be sent the details, and those interested can then meet the dog.
There is no way I would take a dog just because some random person thought it right for me!

 

[Clodagh]

It can't be that difficult to devise a computer programme of potential adopters likes/dislikes/situations etc.....so you apply to adopt in principle and get checked out as required, then when any animal comes into the charity, an email is automatically sent to the top few who match the criteria...and whoever responds can be sent the details, and those interested can then meet the dog.
There is no way I would take a dog just because some random person thought it right for me!

So the last dog I got from a pound/rescue place
I phoned them, I wanted a small lurcher bitch. I had no preference other than that. I did have a toddler. They had one dog that suited me, and I went and picked her up. What would have been the point of me walking past the staffies/ jrts/ whatever’s and upsetting them?

 

[Clodagh]

And you can tell it was a long time ago as we rang people!

 

[meleeka]

It can't be that difficult to devise a computer programme of potential adopters likes/dislikes/situations etc.....so you apply to adopt in principle and get checked out as required, then when any animal comes into the charity, an email is automatically sent to the top few who match the criteria...and whoever responds can be sent the details, and those interested can then meet the dog.
There is no way I would take a dog just because some random person thought it right for me!

I would presume it would work in a similar way. I’d hope you would have a detailed questionnaire with what you could offer and were looking for at the start. I doubt it will be a random person, but one that knows what sort of home would suit the dog.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I don't agree with people ambling around randomly looking at caged dogs, it isn't what I had in mind at all and I am actually surprised to hear that some rescues still use that open door policy. At the moment it seems the most usual way to rehome is you see a picture, read a description of background (if known) temperament etc. etc. and then apply for that dog. If you are lucky you might hear back or not as always happened in our case, so we rehomed adult dogs privately.

I think @quizzie is thinking straight, at least it would narrow down to a few would be new owners that are actually looking for that type of dog rolling up to have a meet up. And at least potential rehomers dont get put off by either never hearing a word back after contact, (as happened with us numerous times, (despite the fact I was a home checker for two charities over here lol!) or get asked to take a random dog that somebody sitting behind a computer screen has decided is perfect match for you and your home.

 

[cobgoblin]

One thing that's certain, even just on here, is that the dog's trust have already reduced their potential adopters, just by having this policy.

 

[Clodagh]

One thing that's certain, even just on here, is that the dog's trust have already reduced their potential adopters, just by having this policy.

So you definitely wouldn’t apply? Ever? Even just as a back up? So if you were desperate for a cockerpoo you wouldn’t even fill a form in saying that’s what you wanted?
On that basis you couldn’t contact a breeder either, if you didn’t know at all what you were after?

 

[Widgeon]

(presumably you are free to decline, or have several possibilities to consider)

If that does prove to be how it works it sounds okay to me. My worry would be that once you've turned down one or two of their choices, they'll give up on you. Presumably you would also get a chance to state any strong preferences and reasoning for / against a particular breed, age etc?