Why choose a rescue and not a puppy..

Luci07

Luci07

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Its quite an emotive topic and one that has been well debated on this forum but please read this link.

For anyone who didn't realise .... dogs taken into the pound have only SEVEN days for their owners to collect or a rescue to step forward. All rescues are struggling and full..I was aware of this having helped with some of the runs down to rescue.

If no one comes forward, then on the eighth days... these dogs are put down.

I know not everyone is a staffie fan like me but if you are thinking of a dog, please consider looking at the absolutely mind boggling number of dogs in rescues up and down the countries. One homed means another saved from fates like these poor dogs.

http://www.pounddogs.co.uk/urgentdogmenu.php

and if you really want to shed a tear, read the poem at the end of the page.
 
Every dog I've had except for the last one has been a rescue. When looking for a dog a couple of years ago, I found many of the rescue centres would not rehome to people with young children, so went out and bought a dog from a breeder for the first time ever. Would have much preferred to have given a home to a dog in need.
 
horserider said:
Every dog I've had except for the last one has been a rescue. When looking for a dog a couple of years ago, I found many of the rescue centres would not rehome to people with young children, so went out and bought a dog from a breeder for the first time ever. Would have much preferred to have given a home to a dog in need.
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No, most won't or have a definate child limit, they also often won't home with a dog that has not been neutered either, which does make sense. However, if people do what you did, which is look at rescues first, then it would be really helpful.
 
A lot will rehome to people who work and have kids but they are not the big rescues. They are the small often family run rescues that you have to search out.
 
All my dogs are rescue dogs, and one I got from a rescue centre when he was a puppy. They are all fantastic and had found themselves in the rescue centre through no fault of their own. None have had major behavioural problems and I couldn't ask for better dogs. I would definitely recommend rescue dogs!
Taking on an adult dog was a lot easier than taking on a puppy- but there are even puppies available at rescue centres.
 
I have had rescue greyhounds for the past 8 years or so and have always worked full time (well, theoretically :o)

Puppies are sweet but quite honestly I couldnt be bothered with the hassle of house training/lead training/chewing/socialising etc etc nowadays :D
 
just to add to the choises available, we have always had rescue dogs, doberman, weimaramer, lab X ect but now have rehomed an ex-racing greyhound, whilst they all had their own wonderfull charactures the greyhound has made me never want another breed again.
 
All my hounds have been and will always be rescues!! :D
I totally understand the child/dog thing though that rescue centres have in place.
Before christmas I spoke to 3 people who rehomed puppies and an older dog as their "child" didnt take to it. Never thinking of the poor dog not taking to spoilt brats!!
Rescue dogs can give as much fun and tears as a dog bought from a breeder. And rescue centres are often full with puppies not just adults:(




*and yes I know not all children are spoilt brats!*
 
Tomato said:
I have had rescue greyhounds for the past 8 years or so and have always worked full time (well, theoretically :o)
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that wouldnt have anything to do with the fact greyhounds are quite literally the laziest dogs on the planet and had no idea you had left the house while they slept?:D;)

rossiroo said:
just to add to the choises available, we have always had rescue dogs, doberman, weimaramer, lab X ect but now have rehomed an ex-racing greyhound, whilst they all had their own wonderfull charactures the greyhound has made me never want another breed again.
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hoorah! another convert to greyhounds :D;)
 
I have a rescue dog who I got from the Dogs Trust in March. I have two boys of 9 and have to say that my husband took some persuading but she won him round in a very short space of time! In fact, he calls her darling! She is delightful with the boys, great out on walks and with other dogs and loves coming to the stables. In short - perfect!
Here she is with my oldest son
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and just looking gorgeous!
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rossiroo said:
just to add to the choises available, we have always had rescue dogs, doberman, weimaramer, lab X ect but now have rehomed an ex-racing greyhound, whilst they all had their own wonderfull charactures the greyhound has made me never want another breed again.
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Another person of exceptionally good taste there :D
 
I also think it's a misconception that only adult dogs are available. Here in the NY area at least, puppies are readily available. There is a shocking problem with over-breeding in the American South, particularly of working and hound dogs, which means inundated rescues there often transport dogs to areas with better rates of adoption. One of my sisters-in-law has a gorgeous Lab x Saluki from Tennessee; my other sister-in-law has a Border Collie x Basset from Georgia, both of which were adopted at ten weeks. In fact, Bassets, Beagles etc. are ten a penny. I know they're not regarded as good pets, but I've actually met a large number of Treeing Walker and American Foxhounds, all abandoned in the South presumably because they made such lousy hunting dogs (and are often mellower in temperament than my Boston terrier!) And then there are the numb skulls who buy small breeds on a whim, then get bored before the dog is six-months-old.

One of my dogs is from a breeder, my other is a re-home. Now that I feel more confident as a dog owner, and knowing that rescues here are overflowing with puppies, I will find it hard to contemplate the breeder option in future.
 
I am another who will always get a rescue, I currently have a staffy x who is just the best dog :D .


No really she is :p, Shes fantastic with children, My two boys adore her, Prior to her coming to us she was rehomed several times and always ended up back at the shelter, to this day I really do not have a clue why . She is part of our family, stays in the house, goes on holiday with us, you name it shes been .

Give these wonderful dogs a home if you get a chance . :)
 
we have never had any animals apart from rescue ones. i honestly cant understand why anyone would buy an animal while there are so many many in need of good homes.
 
axelfirstday22nddec038.jpg
this is my rehome from 4 days before xmas
Owners couldnt keep him with older parent dog (he was attacking pup who nearly died)and they were responsible enough to let pup go and keep adult dog.
I had been looking for rescue for few weeks as my parents had just rescued 6 year old sprocker .
 
My two are great, both rescues. Greyhound is a lovely lazy chap, sleeps a lot and has an amazing temper\ment. I would recommend them to anyone.

Mad 1 eyed terrier is good too. Terrier was in kennels at least 2 years, being sent back a few times. He's never been a big problem for us and never nasty or snappy, just lively and will eat the house if not exercised enough. I would always get a rescue.
 
Actually you have all cheered me up with your rescue dog stories.... keep spreading the word!!

I think grayhounds are beautiful. Possibly not the best mix thought with staffies due to staffies really enjoying a LOT of exercise and people time!

re: puppies - I meant going to buy a dog from a breeder, fully appreciate there are a lot of puppies that end up in rescues too. The exceptions IMO would really be the people who know/want specific breed lines/working dogs etc. For the majority of us who want a pet, then rescue would seem to be the best option.

But heres one to discuss - when I was "growing up", you very rarely got a dog through a rescue, maybe you would know about somewhere like Battersea - has the number of rescues grown? or just media coverage improved? or has the number of people who think they should have a dog without actually thinking about it grown?
 
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Our current dog is a rescue but most rescues including the followinf rspca, dogs trust and blue cross would not rehome to us because either we worked all day (4 days a week and only for 38weeks of the year- the rest of the time there is someone home all day) or about 3 years ago the reason was because we lived in a flat!! - even though the flat had direct access to a 1/4 acre fully fenced garden. it was only when i had a home visit from AMCUK person... its just that its hard to even get to this stage with some rescues. We don't think we would get another from a rescue again because we work full time still- and are very specific for what we want :(
 
Speak to the smaller local rescues, show them how you would accommodate your new dog - I am sure you will have a different outcome.
 
stevieg said:
Would love to have a rescue dog but could never find one. I am frowned upon because I work for a living
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:D Wish I was 'frowned upon' I work full time. I'd not have a house full of 6 rescue dogs if they'd have been rescues not willing to rehome to a working home...3 foster dogs too.;) The trick is to not give up at the first hurdle, to look further than your own town and to spend time talking to the volunteers that run rescues.
 
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I have to be honest, I can't understand why people would fork out several hundred pounds for a puppy - when you can get one from a rescue centre.

You can still have a puppy - and you are putting your money to better use.

Until dog breeding is regulated in someway - then there will always be an abundance of animals waiting for a forever home. And I for one will never pay for a dog (except of course the homeing fee).
 
Me and OH were talking the other night about this because we have now got Dylan (a puppy we bought) but after 6 months of searching out rescues and being told that because OH takes dog to work we couldnt take a rescue, we have bought Dylan. I feel that some of the rescues looked at us as a young couple, new house, and as selfish as it sounds by already owning a dog I am hoping this can prove to resuces that we are serious. Dylan is my first dog and I am very excited but I just feel disheartened at actually how hard it was to rehome a dog even with OH experience of large breeds and collies.

We have finally been contacted by a rescue that was unsure and they have decided that the could rehome to us. (we spoke to them in November). I have agreed that once Dylan is house trained and has all vaccinations I would be more than happy to foster as I have always intended to foster older dogs I always feel for the oldies in the kennels. But after spending most of my life donating to Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs and while at school dog walking for a local kennel I just feel disheartened by the whole system. I see that every person who come forward to rehome a dog is unique, they have the intention to give that dog a home and a new "leash" of life and each person should be homechecked individually.

Gonna shut up now.
 
Think the reason they are like that about rehoming is because of the reasons they get the dogs in the first place, eg separation anxiety. But agree they should look at individual circumstances. Unfortunately they quite often get dogs back. We have two from the Dogs Trust and they are great dogs, just needed some understanding.
 
My parents have always had resuce dogs, we have just bought home today our 4th rescue dog. Our first came from the RSPCA in Cornwall, one from a rescue centre thats now closed in Banff, one from Dogs Trust and today ours came from the Scottish SPCA.

Our latest one 'Shadow' an 18 month collie who came into the centre 4 weeks ago and was part of a case. He is gorgeous, bit timid and scared of shadows, but he is already coming out his shell. We had no serious issues in bringing him home, we had no home check and very little questioning (however mum and dad are at retiring age and I am 23).
 
im sorry for the rant im about to have but this is not true at all, dogs are NOT PUT DOWN ON THE EIGHTH DAY!!!!

i have had 3 staffies, 2 of which are rescue

the first was in kennels for months, many months.

the second i took in 2 weeks ago was a stray and had been in for a month.

yes it is true that after 7 days they become the property of the pound / rescue centre but they do not put them down straight away, simply look on the web at all the sites and how long they have had them

and yes, rescue, i am a big fan but there are issues with going this route as opposed to knowing your dog from a puppy

rant over
 
cobgirlie said:
:D Wish I was 'frowned upon' I work full time. I'd not have a house full of 6 rescue dogs if they'd have been rescues not willing to rehome to a working home...3 foster dogs too.;) The trick is to not give up at the first hurdle, to look further than your own town and to spend time talking to the volunteers that run rescues.
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Sounds like good advice
 
I already have two wonderful dogs, both bought as puupies and there are many reasons why I would pay hundreds of pounds for a puppy.

But I also like the thought of being able to give a second chance to another dog who has not been as fortunate as mine.
 
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