Why is adopting a dog from a rescue so difficult?

[teacups]

But then if you are retired, you are too old

Exactly! We found Jerrygreen were much more sensible than other rescues we had approached.

 

[splashgirl45]

We are mostly retired. What little work we do is mostly from home. Nobody stays at home 24/7 do they? A dog has to accept being left from time to time (once trained and accustomed to do so), sometimes for 4 hours if you go out for the evening. It's a dog, not a child. What the rescues are looking for is very difficult to find and life doesn't work like that. To my mind, the situation with rescues is a little crazy. Their restrictions create a set of criteria that few people can meet so dogs stay in rescue for a long time (hence very full, as we constantly read) when they could be rehomed to loving families who would do their best by them.

I think in my case I was too honest when I completed the forms, I had a horse at the time and once a day dog would be left while I rode, either in the car or the tack room, so would have been left for roughly 1 hour..also left at home if I went shopping or doctors etc . The fact that it would have been with me the other 22 or 23 hours of the day didn’t count , I gave up and my puppy settled into the routine, I obviously made adjustments for the first month or so as I would have done with a rescue as I also put this on the applications but was still unsuccessful , I was 55 the first time I applied.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I would love to see the age discrimination thing legally challenged. Especially the over 60 thing. That is outrageous!

 

[rabatsa]

A friend was turned down by all rescues, including Jerry Green, due to living in a caravan. She had her residential caravan home as part of her work package on a dairy farm. She ended up buying a pup from travellers.

 

[I'm Dun]

Theyd be horrified at the places mine have lived! Boats, touring caravans, statics, hotel rooms. Theyve never missed a beat and are incredibly happy well adjusted dogs who love their life.

I know its a huge issue for the boating community, people just will not rehome to them, yet lots of them are the gold plated early 50s, no kids, don't work, are usually with their dogs 24/7 and provide the most wonderful life for a dog. But they don't have a garden so its a flat no. Its madness.

 

[JBM]

A rescue will never let me have a dog as I don’t neuter my males

 

[smolmaus]

Dog may appear on the internet for a variety of reasons but they rarely go to the first person who offers them a home. Our object is to find the most suitable ‘match’ where everyone will be happy so it may take several weeks and a couple of visits meet and greets before everything is completed.

I was mostly on the cat and horse rehoming side of things but did see a little bit of dog rehoming when I was working at a rescue. The volume of emails, FB comments was incredible, even for small, regional place and sifting was a huge job. I am not saying this is you OP and probably not any posters here tbh but the number of people who send an application and expect to just be handed the dog they liked the picture of is bonkers. There is no patience and so much entitlement. You take a few days to respond and they already have a cavapoo puppy from their neighbours cousin. People lie on forms, say they will do the training then never turn up, say they will have the dog neutered and don't, say there are no small children in the house then return the dog for growling at their nephew, have the dog for one night then return them for barking their first night home locked in the kitchen, you ask for an update and the dog has been sold or given away and god knows where they are etc etc etc. The policies are in place to cope with the lowest common denominator unfortunately, and yes some great homes lose out because of it. But you wouldn't believe people are as stupid as they are until you see it yourself (or see it in the inbox, as was my route to it) and every "silly" rule is there because one, or several idiots, made the rule necessary.

 

[Hackback]

Theyd be horrified at the places mine have lived! Boats, touring caravans, statics, hotel rooms. Theyve never missed a beat and are incredibly happy well adjusted dogs who love their life.

I know its a huge issue for the boating community, people just will not rehome to them, yet lots of them are the gold plated early 50s, no kids, don't work, are usually with their dogs 24/7 and provide the most wonderful life for a dog. But they don't have a garden so its a flat no. Its madness.

Do you know what, when I worked in a city I used to walk past a homeless man and his little staffy every day. The little dog (called Minnie) sat cuddled up next to him and people used to stop and fuss her, bring food, treats, toys and even little jackets. He clearly adored her. Definitely not the kind of life you would deliberately put a dog into but I think she had a happier life than many dogs do.

 

[paddy555]

I'm another who has given up on UK rescues. I shan't even try in the future especially based on everyone else's experiences. I found the attitude when we considered this last time (7 years ago) just not worth it. The only box we couldn't tick was that we didn't ask for their leaflet as to how to leave them money in our wills. Must have been our failing.


We were both here all day, had our own land, offered to take a larger dog and could have coped with reasonable problems.
The only breed societies for us based on our experience would be GSD and BC and I don't want another of either breed.

If I wanted another dog I wouldn't want a puppy although that is what I may have to have.
I shall apply to some of the foreign rescues.

I was mostly on the cat and horse rehoming side of things but did see a little bit of dog rehoming when I was working at a rescue. The volume of emails, FB comments was incredible, even for small, regional place and sifting was a huge job. I am not saying this is you OP and probably not any posters here tbh but the number of people who send an application and expect to just be handed the dog they liked the picture of is bonkers. There is no patience and so much entitlement. You take a few days to respond and they already have a cavapoo puppy from their neighbours cousin. People lie on forms, say they will do the training then never turn up, say they will have the dog neutered and don't, say there are no small children in the house then return the dog for growling at their nephew, have the dog for one night then return them for barking their first night home locked in the kitchen, you ask for an update and the dog has been sold or given away and god knows where they are etc etc etc. The policies are in place to cope with the lowest

common denominator unfortunately, and yes some great homes lose out because of it. But you wouldn't believe people are as stupid as they are until you see it yourself (or see it in the inbox, as was my route to it) and every "silly" rule is there because one, or several idiots, made the rule necessary.

this is the attitude that I experienced with rescues and it really does put people off. I know there must be idiots but looking at the posts in just this one thread rescues have missed out (or at least the dogs have missed out) on several great homes. It may surprise you but people do look at a picture of an animal and it is love at first sight and they are prepared to cope with it's problems because they feel an attachment. Same with many of the horse's I have bought or the rescues ones or rescue cats I have taken on.

Not everyone is an idiot. If people want a dog why should they wait for the rescue to get around to deciding what they should have in the rescue's view. Far easier to look elsewhere.

I get my cats from a rescue. I just walk in, sometimes ring up before, tell them what we want and they discuss it and show us what might work. Works very well. I have sometimes gone for one sort of cat, walked past a cage with another in and instantly fallen for it. The rescue got rid of 2 cats to me that way in addition to some of the others I took for a different purpose.



I think with a dog it would be reasonable to visit the dog a couple of times, take it for walks etc to make sure dog and people can cope with each other. That way the rescue could see the person they were dealing with and inexperience or unsuitability would be very obvious. No problem with a home visit but the requirements must be reasonable.

I'm not sure all rescues want to rehome dogs. (one rescue we went to was equally unhelpful about cats) I'm afraid I was starting to get the impression they were more keen to get donations rather than homes.

Age restrictions are just rubbish. The average 70 yo nowadays could probably outwalk the dog. People's families may well help in the case of hospitalisation. Before applying many will have considered what will happen if they are ill or die. Plenty of older less mobile people may perfectly suit an older dog who is also less mobile. They could sit on the sofa together

Next time if I want a dog I shall explore foreign rescues or places such as free ads (or wherever) The can't be any less unpleasant.

 

[Mynstrel]

So many rescues want a perfect home - whatever that is - when there are many good, dog experienced homes that they overlook. We had a friend turned down for a JRT because he also had collies and "it would get too much exercise"! You couldn't make it up.

Hope you find something soon.

 

[Gloi]

I'm another who has given up on UK rescues. I shan't even try in the future especially based on everyone else's experiences. I found the attitude when we considered this last time (7 years ago) just not worth it. The only box we couldn't tick was that we didn't ask for their leaflet as to how to leave them money in our wills. Must have been our failing.


We were both here all day, had our own land, offered to take a larger dog and could have coped with reasonable problems.
The only breed societies for us based on our experience would be GSD and BC and I don't want another of either breed.

If I wanted another dog I wouldn't want a puppy although that is what I may have to have.
I shall apply to some of the foreign rescues.




this is the attitude that I experienced with rescues and it really does put people off. I know there must be idiots but looking at the posts in just this one thread rescues have missed out (or at least the dogs have missed out) on several great homes. It may surprise you but people do look at a picture of an animal and it is love at first sight and they are prepared to cope with it's problems because they feel an attachment. Same with many of the horse's I have bought or the rescues ones or rescue cats I have taken on.

Not everyone is an idiot. If people want a dog why should they wait for the rescue to get around to deciding what they should have in the rescue's view. Far easier to look elsewhere.

I get my cats from a rescue. I just walk in, sometimes ring up before, tell them what we want and they discuss it and show us what might work. Works very well. I have sometimes gone for one sort of cat, walked past a cage with another in and instantly fallen for it. The rescue got rid of 2 cats to me that way in addition to some of the others I took for a different purpose.



I think with a dog it would be reasonable to visit the dog a couple of times, take it for walks etc to make sure dog and people can cope with each other. That way the rescue could see the person they were dealing with and inexperience or unsuitability would be very obvious. No problem with a home visit but the requirements must be reasonable.

I'm not sure all rescues want to rehome dogs. (one rescue we went to was equally unhelpful about cats) I'm afraid I was starting to get the impression they were more keen to get donations rather than homes.

Age restrictions are just rubbish. The average 70 yo nowadays could probably outwalk the dog. People's families may well help in the case of hospitalisation. Before applying many will have considered what will happen if they are ill or die. Plenty of older less mobile people may perfectly suit an older dog who is also less mobile. They could sit on the sofa together

Next time if I want a dog I shall explore foreign rescues or places such as free ads (or wherever) The can't be any less unpleasant.

I would certainly trawl the free ads again before foreign rescues. There are nice dogs out there where people are in dire straits and the uk rescues won't take any more. The eastern European rescue dogs I know have all arrived screwed up. When I was looking my criteria was friendly adult small dog and found several to choose from that fit the criteria and the one she got was ideal.

 

[MuddyMonster]

We got a foreign rescue after the issues with UK rescues. Which is a huge shame as a family we've had UK rescue breed

One rescue completely lied through their teeth about the dog. Even the foster family were surprised what we'd been told! We'd travelled 4 hours to see a wholly unsuitable dog. The lady who set it up seemed to think it was our fault for having too high expectations ...

Another wouldn't rehome as we wouldn't take two medium size dogs as they don't re-home alone. We have a small house that wouldn't fit two medium dogs.

A few we didn't hear back about.

Another after x 2 rounds of phone interviews, one home visit and were adamant they had to speak to my equine vet about the standard of care I provided eventually got back to us weeks later they weren't comfortable with the fact we might decide to have children later on and my WFH contract might change.

I medically cannot have children and were very, very clear about that through the whole process - and one charity person was borderline rude about it. They'd also seen my contract which stated I'm on a permenant WFH contract.

They seemed surprised I wasn't impressed and withdrew the monthly funding for the charity after the stress of going through the process.

Will either look abroad again or get a puppy next time! Sad, as we've never not supported UK charities before.

 

[Red-1]

I'm another who has given up on UK rescues. I shan't even try in the future especially based on everyone else's experiences. I found the attitude when we considered this last time (7 years ago) just not worth it. The only box we couldn't tick was that we didn't ask for their leaflet as to how to leave them money in our wills. Must have been our failing.


We were both here all day, had our own land, offered to take a larger dog and could have coped with reasonable problems.
this is the attitude that I experienced with rescues and it really does put people off. I know there must be idiots but looking at the posts in just this one thread rescues have missed out (or at least the dogs have missed out) on several great homes. It may surprise you but people do look at a picture of an animal and it is love at first sight and they are prepared to cope with it's problems because they feel an attachment. Same with many of the horse's I have bought or the rescues ones or rescue cats I have taken on.

Not everyone is an idiot. If people want a dog why should they wait for the rescue to get around to deciding what they should have in the rescue's view. Far easier to look elsewhere.

I get my cats from a rescue. I just walk in, sometimes ring up before, tell them what we want and they discuss it and show us what might work. Works very well. I have sometimes gone for one sort of cat, walked past a cage with another in and instantly fallen for it. The rescue got rid of 2 cats to me that way in addition to some of the others I took for a different purpose.

This. Mum would go look at one and fall for it. The rest of life would then be rearranged around the new dog.

Our first rescue was RSPCA. A Gordon x English setter who was ready for PTS, having had a few re-homes fail. He put us through the mill but became a wonderful dog and companion.

2nd was also RSPCA. Little runt puppy just brought in that day. Shaking in his boots. Mum picked him up for a cuddle and that was that. They wanted a home visit, which was ridiculous as we'd just lost the very old setter after a grand old life, from the same kennel. Mun grasped the pup under her jacket and many discussions had as the poor thing was trembling and would likely have become diseased there. She was allowed to take him home and the home visit was done the week after.

A bit of flexibility went all the way. He had a long and happy life.

Next was Lucy, rescue racing greyhound. Mum was invited to answer questions then visit the kennel. The one they thought would be a match looked at her like se was a piece of excrement, but then she was introduced to Lucy, who fell in love with mum and followed her round the kennel. They did the home visit within a couple of days and brought the dog with them, in the van, and left her once satisfied.

The past two had safety checked but no undue delay for the dog. The volunteers also didn't have time wasted with return visits. Safe and efficient, and effective.

Next one was where she was simply turned down.

I do think it has become an empire for some people.

 

[smolmaus]

It may surprise you but people do look at a picture of an animal and it is love at first sight and they are prepared to cope with it's problems because they feel an attachment. Same with many of the horse's I have bought or the rescues ones or rescue cats I have taken on.

Love at first sight is a fickle thing. If everyone who loved an animal on first sight was the type of person capable and willing to put up with any issues, then far fewer animals would end up in rescue in the first place. A person being able to be patient and open to accepting a "no, we think someone else can offer a better home" is a better predictor of a sensible person who truly wants the best for an animal, imo.

Not everyone is an idiot. If people want a dog why should they wait for the rescue to get around to deciding what they should have in the rescue's view. Far easier to look elsewhere.

Rescues don't exist to make adopting an animal "easy". If you want an easy route it already exists, no problem, go buy one.

I will always suggest doing some volunteering at your local rescue if possible. You'll get to hear the stories behind the rules that way, probably lose some faith in your fellow man too and see why some rehoming policies have very little trust baked in.

 

[Rowreach]

Gawd help you if you have a cat, as it seems no rescue dog will tolerate one.

I do understand that rescues have to be careful and that is why they have restrictions re age of your children, how many hours you spend away from the home, having to have a secure garden etc etc, but sometimes I see plaintive posts from the charities saying that they have had no interest in little Fluffy and no applications, but when you look at little Fluffy's ad and the restrictions they've put on there, it's no surprise at all.

My youngest dog, now 10, was a rescue pup from a well known NI charity, and the only reason I got her was that the mother of the person who runs the rescue stayed in my holiday let and acted as a reference. At the time I had two older dogs, two cats and two children. I wonder if they'll let me have another one?

 

[splashgirl45]

I think it’s wrong to bring all these foreign dogs into the country . Apart from the disease risk , so many of them don’t settle in this country , the dogs that seem to escape and live wild mostly seem to be rescues from abroad. These so called rescues are just making money and not offering any back up once they’ve got the money… a relative of mine homed a rescue puppy, he doesn’t have the best of temperaments even though they’ve had him since he was 12 weeks (supposedly) and these are people who have previously had dogs and have socialised him correctly with both people and other dogs but he is not reliable especially in comparison with my dogs who have had similar upbringing but were puppies bought here..

 

[paddy555]

Love at first sight is a fickle thing.

I'm afraid to my mind that is a somewhat arrogant view. Without meeting the person and seeing where they are coming from. A typical problem of rescues.

Rescues don't exist to make adopting an animal "easy". If you want an easy route it already exists, no problem, go buy one.

to my mind, and probably other people's, they exist to get abandoned animals into homes in order they can then move on and have the space to take in another animal
I have no idea why you think people should struggle to get a rescue dog (cat) They are offering a home to an animal.
If it was an easier route then more would get adopted. I get the impression that some rescues don't actually want animals adopted. They would rather make a great performance over it.

i would be interested to hear your views on age limits?

I will always suggest doing some volunteering at your local rescue if possible. You'll get to hear the stories behind the rules that way, probably lose some faith in your fellow man too and see why some rehoming policies have very little trust baked in.

not possible, I don't haven't had the time. That has been spent in taking in rescue horses. That is doing the real thing myself with seriously damaged horses/ponies (and funding it myself for their lifetimes)

As for faith in my fellow man then I know a large number of suitable people are refused due to the attitudes of rescue staff.

Next one was where she was simply turned down.

I do think it has become an empire for some people.

I have read some of your posts and those about your late mother.


If I was looking for a home for a rescue dog (or anything else) then just from a few posts I would be grabbing you with open arms. (or your late mum as it was clear you took a lot of responsibility there) It would be a lucky dog.

Empire building is sadly right.

Gawd help you if you have a cat, as it seems no rescue dog will tolerate one.

from one rescue when I casually mentioned if I could adopt a cat. No way could any, not a single cat out of about 60 they had, not a SINGLE cat could go to a home with a dog. They would never cope.

The rescue I get my cats from refused my first choice of cat (a very nasty looking ratter) as it would demolish the dog (a GSD ) most of the rest of the cats I could have. They were sensible and realistic and worked with me to get a home for one of their cats.

 

[leflynn]

Some organisations don't help themselves with the application forms and criteria, the lady that runs the rehomgin for us (Northumberland greyhound Rescue) got turned down by a well known UK rescue organisation for a greyhound.

Some of the smaller and or breed rescues are more sensible in their approch, we don't have forms, just give us a call, have a chat and come meet potential dogs first then the homecheck, also realistic about who rehomes, many have gone to live with people that work and/or have kids/other dogs or pets and its all worked out grand! Some places won't even look at you if you work or have a family etc.... (I get why for certain dogs)

 

[Rowreach]

.



from one rescue when I casually mentioned if I could adopt a cat. No way could any, not a single cat out of about 60 they had, not a SINGLE cat could go to a home with a dog. They would never cope.

The rescue I get my cats from refused my first choice of cat (a very nasty looking ratter) as it would demolish the dog (a GSD ) most of the rest of the cats I could have. They were sensible and realistic and worked with me to get a home for one of their cats.

I happened to find my cat in a hedge when he was a microscopic semi blind abandoned kitten. Actually the dogs found him, much to their delight. I brought him home and within a couple of hours he was asleep between the paws of my big hound, and completely accepted by the JRT and the collieX. He would have been a tiny morsel for any of them. I'm pretty sure no cat rescue would have let me have a kitten, and I know that most dog rescues now wouldn't let me have a dog. And yet the rescues are bursting at the seams.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I spent one afternoon helping out in the office of a rescue and ran away screaming. I think everyone should spend at least one day doing it before forming a strong opinion

 

[Rowreach]

I spent one afternoon helping out in the office of a rescue and ran away screaming. I think everyone should spend at least one day doing it before forming a strong opinion

Oh I don't doubt it's a sh1t thing to be doing, the emotional toil alone without the dealing with people thing, and the ones who return the animals after 3 days because they've changed their minds for various reasons.

 

[smolmaus]

I'm afraid to my mind that is a somewhat arrogant view. Without meeting the person and seeing where they are coming from. A typical problem of rescues.

to my mind, and probably other people's, they exist to get abandoned animals into homes in order they can then move on and have the space to take in another animal
I have no idea why you think people should struggle to get a rescue dog (cat) They are offering a home to an animal.
If it was an easier route then more would get adopted. I get the impression that some rescues don't actually want animals adopted. They would rather make a great performance over it.
i would be interested to hear your views on age limits?

not possible, I don't haven't had the time. That has been spent in taking in rescue horses. That is doing the real thing myself with seriously damaged horses/ponies (and funding it myself for their lifetimes)

As for faith in my fellow man then I know a large number of suitable people are refused due to the attitudes of rescue staff.

Not every home is better than staying in rescue. I don't think any rescue animal has to just accept whatever home offers are thrown their way.

It is also a liability issue. If you rehome off done deal or facebook marketplace and an animal is not as described and hurts someone, has medical issues you can't cope with or destroys your house you can't exactly go back and hand them back over, can you? A rescue has to take that into account. They are more liable and will be held responsible, either by the animal coming back and continuing to take up additional resources, maybe now with more behavioural issues and trauma under their belts, or maybe even legal consequences if they can't prove they did their due diligence. This isn't arrogance, I am being practical having seen this from the other side. Many, many tings in life come down to liability and risk assessment. Not saying every rescue, or person who works in rescue is a shining angel (there is a reason I don't volunteer anymore!) but there are additional things to consider which aren't a consideration to people importing street dogs or selling puppies or rehoming privately, which make those things easier.

I don't have any views on age limits, no rescue I have personal experience with had any and one frequently advertises dogs who would suit retired people. Small, older dogs usually.

 

[Hackback]

I think it’s wrong to bring all these foreign dogs into the country . Apart from the disease risk , so many of them don’t settle in this country , the dogs that seem to escape and live wild mostly seem to be rescues from abroad. These so called rescues are just making money and not offering any back up once they’ve got the money… a relative of mine homed a rescue puppy, he doesn’t have the best of temperaments even though they’ve had him since he was 12 weeks (supposedly) and these are people who have previously had dogs and have socialised him correctly with both people and other dogs but he is not reliable especially in comparison with my dogs who have had similar upbringing but were puppies bought here..

I went to the dog charity in Skiathos with my sister in law who was thinking of adopting one from there. They didn't make it an easy process either. They do a home check (they have volunteers in the UK who will do this), you are expected to visit and spend time with your chosen dog several times, you have to be there with the dog to see the vet and sign all the paperwork before they leave Skiathos and then be at the port in the UK to receive them when they arrive (dogs can't be flown to the UK since Brexit so they have a much longer trip). It will cost up to £2,000 to get the dog to the UK (the charity have put the £2k cap on), plus all your trips to Skiathos and back. Expensive process.

 

[smolmaus]

I happened to find my cat in a hedge when he was a microscopic semi blind abandoned kitten. Actually the dogs found him, much to their delight. I brought him home and within a couple of hours he was asleep between the paws of my big hound, and completely accepted by the JRT and the collieX. He would have been a tiny morsel for any of them. I'm pretty sure no cat rescue would have let me have a kitten, and I know that most dog rescues now wouldn't let me have a dog. And yet the rescues are bursting at the seams.

This is what I mean about liability. If kitty had ended up a tiny morsel there would have been nobody to blame but yourself (I can't find a way to phrase that better, I don't mean it to sound how it sounds!) but if the rescue had given you a kitten and the dogs thought it was a snack, the rescue would have to bear that responsibility! If a rescue gives you a dog and there is a kitty-snack related incident, that would be their fault too.

I had to do a home check for a cat foster placement and the woman was lovely. Had two very happy cats of her own, much loved, well cared for. A perfect home for those cats. Could I approve her to have litters of kittens to foster and do a beautiful, selfless deed? No, I could not, because I knew the road she lived on was lethal and she had no way to make sure they wouldn't go that way and couldn't commit to keeping them 100% indoors until they found homes. If I had said go ahead, place kittens in that home and they got killed on the road, that would be my fault and I would have to live with it.

 

[daffy44]

I think its really difficult, and I appreciate that working with rescues is insanely hard, but some rescues really dont help. I've only ever had rescue dogs and cats all my life, its something I feel strongly about, I've had cruelty case dogs, I'm an ex small animal vet nurse, no children, I live in a rural area with my horses at home, and my dogs are always with me. One rescue turned me down because they said it was too dangerous to have dogs and horses together?? I mean, what?! I then contacted another rescue who said what a wonderful life for a dog, and they found me the most amazing dog.

I totally understand how difficult and frustrating some rescues make things, but there are still good ones out there.

 

[planete]

I understand the frustration but having also got a rescue background, I see the other side. The lies people tell to get the animal of their choice they have 'fallen in love with' with no due consideration to how they will cope with its boundless energy, reactivity or separation anxiety. They are not lying in their eyes as they have convinced themselves love will overcome all until reality hits and the animal is thrown back at the rescue. I was guilty of giving in to one such possible adopter once. Lovely young couple, had recently lost their elderly whippet, desperately wanted to adopt a six months old bull lurcher cross with huge prey drive who would chew the furniture if given a chance and thought toilet training was optional for a long time. They pleaded and swore they were experienced, of course they could cope, she was at home on her own with the toddler while he was out on driving jobs... I thought they were so determined to make it work I would risk it. More fool me. Forty eight hours later, she rang up in tears and asked to bring the dog back. He was into everything, he barked if he did not get his way or if she went into another room and he destroyed the toddler's toys. It turned out she had thought he would be like her old whippet poor girl.

I still have the lovely saluki cross lurcher bitch who was so scared of people she had bitten four since landing in rescue including the previous foster's mother and cleaner. Her adopter thought love would solve the problem. Nope, the bitch bit her brother and we had to pick her up immediately or she would be put on the street. Ten years later she is still here as I could not risk placing her with anybody else and she has not bitten anybody in these ten years thanks to the painstaking work of a wonderful behaviourist, the cooperation and understanding of our friends and family and very strict management rules.

There is also the person who started being verbally aggressive when it turned out her fence had holes in it and I pointed out this should be remedied before she took on a poundie ex working lurcher and whose vet when asked for a reference said she had had one rescued greyhound disappear mysteriously previously.

These people are thankfully balanced by the genuinely reliable and patient ones who understand the need to safeguard both them and the dogs but nobody should really wonder why rescues are cautious.

 

[Clodagh]

I don't have any views on age limits, no rescue I have personal experience with had any and one frequently advertises dogs who would suit retired people. Small, older dogs usually.

My husband is retired. He’s 60. (And lucky). So he can have a small old dog? I suppose that fair as he’s just taken a retired beagle from the hunt!
I don’t doubt that most people are BS but the requirements rescues state, without people even needing to lie, are ludicrous.
I’ve rehomed dogs directly from the pound, and from a police rescue person. Off preloved and through word of mouth.
I guarantee no rescue would rehome to us.

 

[smolmaus]

My husband is retired. He’s 60. (And lucky). So he can have a small old dog? I suppose that fair as he’s just taken a retired beagle from the hunt!
I don’t doubt that most people are BS but the requirements rescues state, without people even needing to lie, are ludicrous.
I’ve rehomed dogs directly from the pound, and from a police rescue person. Off preloved and through word of mouth.
I guarantee no rescue would rehome to us.

I meant for the dogs benefit! Nice quiet easy-going home for a nice quiet easy-going oldie who just wants a lap and a snuggle for a little while. Harder to find than you'd think.

 

[Rowreach]

So why do these rescues who are overwhelmed with animals and have such stringent rehoming rules due to potential liability then spend thousands they haven’t got on veterinary interventions for seriously sick and/or injured animals that they can’t rehome?

This is a genuine question because I’ve often thought they cause unnecessary suffering to a lot of the animals they insist on saving instead of quietly letting them go.

 

[CorvusCorax]

So why do these rescues who are overwhelmed with animals and have such stringent rehoming rules due to potential liability then spend thousands they haven’t got on veterinary interventions for seriously sick and/or injured animals that they can’t rehome?

This is a genuine question because I’ve often thought they cause unnecessary suffering to a lot of the animals they insist on saving instead of quietly letting them go.

I was staggered at one I saw recently. A young dog will need thousands of pounds worth of work to correct metalwork that wasn't allowed to heal properly. That's just to enable the dog to move normally and the other end of him doesn't look great either.