paddy555
Well-Known Member
but C's husband is only 60!!!!
Why is adopting a dog from a rescue so difficult?
- Thread starter Marigold4
- Start date
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I see where you are coming from in your first para although I'm not sure why anyone would let a bull cross go into a home with a toddler, love at first sight or not. Didn't they come and take it out for a few walks first with the child in tow or wasn't it taken to their home and allowed to run around so they could see what it was like. A 6mo dog is not going to be on his best behaviour.
However as far as the falling in love bit goes then I think it is very important. If someone buys a horse, puppy, dog or any other animal they do have to (IMHO) have to have a good connection with it before they start.
I'm sure there sure there are lots like me and indeed other experienced owners on this thread who may consider taking on the more difficult dogs. However in view of the attitude of many rescues I wouldn't even consider them when I want another dog. I know many people who think this way. Simply CBA to put up with the attitude from rescues.
This thread opened with an experienced dog person who cannot even get a reply from rescues. That could have been a dog that got a home.
As for the dogs with serious mental or physical problems and overcrowded shelters I just don't get it.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
that is the sort of rescue I would contact if I had to.
CorvusCorax
Stunning (and brave)
They're always looking for volunteers, folks
Clodagh
Playing chess with pigeons
60 is old to the young people!
CorvusCorax
Stunning (and brave)
I think the 'oldie' pertains to the dog 
CorvusCorax
Stunning (and brave)
To be fair my mother referred to someone as being an 'old woman' tonight. The woman is two years younger than her.
I'm Dun
Well-Known Member
I find sight hound rescues very sensible when it comes to rehoming. Thats how it should be.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
you are quite right, sorry.60 is old to the young people!
I hope your OH's zimmer frame can up with a retired beagle. Hopefully it (the beagle) won't move too fast.
Clodagh
Playing chess with pigeons
She’s only got 3 working legs so they are ok. Thank you for caring.you are quite right, sorry.
I hope your OH's zimmer frame can up with a retired beagle. Hopefully it (the beagle) won't move too fast.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I care even more now. Poor little dog. I'm so sorry for her and hope she is OK. What a shame for her.She’s only got 3 working legs so they are ok. Thank you for caring.
Have you perhaps considered a small cart she could sit in and your OH could pull her along whilst walking with his zimmer frame.
A bit like ride and lead but "zimmer and lead"?
Clodagh
Playing chess with pigeons
cbmcts
Well-Known Member
I do understand the frustration when a rescue doesn't respond and how insulting and personal it feels (been there!) when they won't rehome to you. But it rarely is personal, just a combination of over work, a certain jaundice because both they and the animals have been let down so many times by those who often mean well but haven't a scooby - that's not a crime but not being prepared to learn is in my book. Plus, you are all right, some but not all rescues don't do themselves any favours. But remember that there are no qualifications for the people who run rescues - they don't go on courses for customer service, savvy marketing, human psychology or have staff that can jump to the phone/FB dms/emails promptly - their time is spent looking after dogs, desperately trying to make space for the dogs that are a day away from PTS, feeling rotten when they can't find the space - that happens daily at the moment - worrying about money, taking calls from people who want to give up their dog. On top of that they probably have the same responsibilities as the rest of us such as a full time job, family, their own animals and all the rest.
As a result, maybe their 'public' face isn't as user friendly as you'd like, you might not like their requirements but I can pretty much guarantee that something has gone badly wrong for them or the animals in the past as a reason for the wackier rules. Their volunteers also have busy lives and are often not available at the times that would work best plus the fun and games involved in managing a team...anyone who has done that as a paid job knows that ain't easy especially when you can't really fire them Plus I do think you have to be a certain type of person to survive running a rescue and it probably isn't the 'hail fellow, well met' loves people type or even if you started off like that, it wouldn't last long!
Try and cut them a bit of slack even if you decide that you can't work with them. Move on and try another, preferably breed specific as they do tend to be more sensible (usually). Sometimes a rescue is not for you or rescues will not have a dog that works for your circumstances and by virtue of being a rescue cannot say when they will. I know that people on here will be sensible when they go looking to rehome a dog on the ad sites but that of course is a huge risk if you are lied to and I cannot tell you how many times we get calls asking us to take dogs that were rehomed a matter of weeks, even days before from that route. And while I've met some lovely dogs that have been rehomed from abroad, there's been many, many more with really serious behavioural and/or health issues plus the dubious morality of the journey they have to take, so many are puppy farmed and the disease risk. Personally I couldn't do it even if it meant I couldn't have a dog.
As a result, maybe their 'public' face isn't as user friendly as you'd like, you might not like their requirements but I can pretty much guarantee that something has gone badly wrong for them or the animals in the past as a reason for the wackier rules. Their volunteers also have busy lives and are often not available at the times that would work best plus the fun and games involved in managing a team...anyone who has done that as a paid job knows that ain't easy especially when you can't really fire them
Plus I do think you have to be a certain type of person to survive running a rescue and it probably isn't the 'hail fellow, well met' loves people type or even if you started off like that, it wouldn't last long!Try and cut them a bit of slack even if you decide that you can't work with them. Move on and try another, preferably breed specific as they do tend to be more sensible (usually). Sometimes a rescue is not for you or rescues will not have a dog that works for your circumstances and by virtue of being a rescue cannot say when they will. I know that people on here will be sensible when they go looking to rehome a dog on the ad sites but that of course is a huge risk if you are lied to and I cannot tell you how many times we get calls asking us to take dogs that were rehomed a matter of weeks, even days before from that route. And while I've met some lovely dogs that have been rehomed from abroad, there's been many, many more with really serious behavioural and/or health issues plus the dubious morality of the journey they have to take, so many are puppy farmed and the disease risk. Personally I couldn't do it even if it meant I couldn't have a dog.
PurBee
Well-Known Member
My cat prefers playing and laying with big dogs to other cats! The cat restriction is very limiting.
I rehomed my brothers dog who used to run after cats with him, because he didnt have cats, but his dog quickly adjusted to ‘our’ cats as being ‘home gang’ and let them be, even sharing beds.
There was no fuss, no drama, nor major training involved - his dog just needed a wee while to figure out ‘home gang’ animals.
This is a dog that lived alongside chickens so he was very versatile with multi-species tolerances.
The rescues i’ve read from tend to say ‘we don’t know how X is with cats so best X is rehomed without cats’ - how many homes dont bother due to this i’ve no idea but the restrictions should be more case by case basis, than absolute rules applied to every case.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Did they say why ?
I have told the story before of my SIL being turned down because she helped one hour a day at lunchtime at the primary school at the end of the road .
I always wondered how they thought dog owners go to the supermarket .
Some of these stories are crackers to old if you are retired and not allowed if you are working .
Sixty to old yulp that’s grim .
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
I have two friends who adopted Romanian dogs because they could not get a dog from a local rescue. One was a vet student (no students, apparently), and the other lived by herself and worked full time.
Both dogs have been briliant, by the way. The only issues they've had came from...here. My friend's dog was attacked by an off-lead rotweiler while he was on-lead, and has had some dog aggression issues ever since.
I get that rescues have to deal with a lot of idiots, and they probably have dogs with challenging behaviour issues to boot, but in trying to compensate for idiots, they have backed themselves into a corner where they can't rehome anything to anyone. I mean, who the hell works from home all the time, has a garden as secure as Fort Knox, has no children or other animals, and is under the age of 60 but also not a student?
Both dogs have been briliant, by the way. The only issues they've had came from...here. My friend's dog was attacked by an off-lead rotweiler while he was on-lead, and has had some dog aggression issues ever since.
I get that rescues have to deal with a lot of idiots, and they probably have dogs with challenging behaviour issues to boot, but in trying to compensate for idiots, they have backed themselves into a corner where they can't rehome anything to anyone. I mean, who the hell works from home all the time, has a garden as secure as Fort Knox, has no children or other animals, and is under the age of 60 but also not a student?
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I take old age very seriously. You will do as well when you finally get there.I’m not sure you are taking this predicament entirely seriously.
rabatsa
Confuddled
I know that I keep mentioning the Greyhound Trust which rehomes retired racing dogs. The branch that I volunteer with are very practical with the homes that get hounds. As long as insurance for management is put in place then greyhounds have been adopted by the elderly and infirm, to people in flats, to working people and families. Very few home placements do not work out but if they do then the dog comes back to the Trust.
You can get greyhounds that will live with cats but you will have to put a bit of effort into getting them used to each other. Often it is the cat that is the problem.
You can get greyhounds that will live with cats but you will have to put a bit of effort into getting them used to each other. Often it is the cat that is the problem.
sportsmansB
Well-Known Member
I have two rescue collies (northern ireland)
One from a private rescue (slightly crazy lady at her house) who basically vetted me over the phone, listened to horses in the background, asked me a few questions about what I would do in various situations, and invited me to come the next day to see the three or four dogs she had which she felt would suit. Nancy picked me that day and came home with me (no home check). I had just lost a whippet / collie at age 14.
Murphy looks very like Nancy and was in a rescue as a hooligan lockdown pup aged 6 months, I had just moved to a new house with a lot of space and felt like I could give another dog a home. I went to meet him at their premises, he met Nancy (who couldn't have been less interested) and when they took him to get the snip they came to mine and did a quick home check and dropped him off. I don't have a secure garden (though it is huge) but to be honest collies are so trainable that mine don't ever go away and they could see how happy and healthy Nancy was.
I work full time (though was at home a lot after Covid, wouldn't have taken on another dog otherwise) - and now the two of them get an hours walk in the morning, sleep all day while I'm at work, and come to the yard in the evenings and run around until they are exhausted.
I know another rescue wouldn't give me a dog because of the unsecure garden (it has a big hedge but gaps) and the working full time- but my dogs are loved, happy, healthy and well trained.
We still have kennels over here that are council pounds where you can just rock up and get a dog. Do those not exist in England any more?
One from a private rescue (slightly crazy lady at her house) who basically vetted me over the phone, listened to horses in the background, asked me a few questions about what I would do in various situations, and invited me to come the next day to see the three or four dogs she had which she felt would suit. Nancy picked me that day and came home with me (no home check). I had just lost a whippet / collie at age 14.
Murphy looks very like Nancy and was in a rescue as a hooligan lockdown pup aged 6 months, I had just moved to a new house with a lot of space and felt like I could give another dog a home. I went to meet him at their premises, he met Nancy (who couldn't have been less interested) and when they took him to get the snip they came to mine and did a quick home check and dropped him off. I don't have a secure garden (though it is huge) but to be honest collies are so trainable that mine don't ever go away and they could see how happy and healthy Nancy was.
I work full time (though was at home a lot after Covid, wouldn't have taken on another dog otherwise) - and now the two of them get an hours walk in the morning, sleep all day while I'm at work, and come to the yard in the evenings and run around until they are exhausted.
I know another rescue wouldn't give me a dog because of the unsecure garden (it has a big hedge but gaps) and the working full time- but my dogs are loved, happy, healthy and well trained.
We still have kennels over here that are council pounds where you can just rock up and get a dog. Do those not exist in England any more?
Clodagh
Playing chess with pigeons
I’m working on it!
Clodagh
Playing chess with pigeons
I got my lurcher through the pound. So I think so. It’s an unknown quantity though and I would have been prepared to pts if she was too difficult to cope with.
I'm Dun
Well-Known Member
Yes, my friend works part time and their 17yr old daughter would be in with the new dog when she was out. Thats not acceptable apparently. Even though she grew up with the other dog, even though it meant any potential dog would never be left alone.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
surely by struggling to get a dog via a UK rescue it pushes people into looking from abroad. If that dog goes wrong then no doubt it will end up in a UK rescue. So if the UK rescue was more helpful about adoption they would get rid of their dogs more quickly and prevent themselves being stuck with foreign "gone wrong" dogs.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
There’s a balance to be struck between trying to ensure that dogs get the right homes and demanding some sort of impossible to achieve state of canine home perfection .
And what people think is a perfect home can differ.
The refusing to rehome because you are over 60 is old is so ridiculous however many rescues are sensible .
The rescue my parents got their cats from is very sensible the one before Bob was an old street cat he had lived for many years in and around a small factory that sadly closed one of workers called the rescue and they came and picked him up he was lovely old boy and he lived five years with Mum and Dad and then old age got him. They then rehomed my parents Bob it was his third trip through the rescue both his previous rehomers died he’s an epic cat and is with us now .
What happens when rescues block experienced dog owners for spurious reasons, they buy puppies.
And what people think is a perfect home can differ.
The refusing to rehome because you are over 60 is old is so ridiculous however many rescues are sensible .
The rescue my parents got their cats from is very sensible the one before Bob was an old street cat he had lived for many years in and around a small factory that sadly closed one of workers called the rescue and they came and picked him up he was lovely old boy and he lived five years with Mum and Dad and then old age got him. They then rehomed my parents Bob it was his third trip through the rescue both his previous rehomers died he’s an epic cat and is with us now .
What happens when rescues block experienced dog owners for spurious reasons, they buy puppies.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
They risk taking the people who have a good chance of being exactly the best type of person to give a dog a second chance out of their pool of rehomers .
That’s my worry.
That’s my worry.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
That’s bonkers .
MurphysMinder
Well-Known Member
I agree that rescues can be their own worst enemy, but equally some people have ridiculous expectations. I used to home check for a breed rescue, this was before the rescue situation went crazy but they were still very busy. I had said I would do checks within a 15 mile radius as I worked part time and had dogs and horses of my own to look after. I ended up travelling up to 30 miles as they were so short of volunteers. Obviously I couldn't just drop everything and go the day I was asked, but no end of people threw their toys out if I couldn't visit within 48 hours. The rescue then had a ridiculous criteria that dogs shouldn't be left for more than 3 hours, I did point out that my dogs were left longer than that so I would be a bit hypocritical demanding that. In the end I just used my own judgement and if the home was right overlooked the occasional discrepancy. But I also had people getting quite shirty with me when I pointed out that the 3'6 fence round their garden wasn't going to be enough to contain a new adult dog that didn't know them.
I would have considered a rescue when I lost my old girl 3 years ago, but just knew that I would have been turned down. I was late 60s, worked part time, and had other dogs, cats and ponies. Rescues would have had a fit .
I would have considered a rescue when I lost my old girl 3 years ago, but just knew that I would have been turned down. I was late 60s, worked part time, and had other dogs, cats and ponies. Rescues would have had a fit .
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
It is quite sad when someone trusted to judge whether other people are fit enough to have a dog doesn't trust the system to make a fair judgement enough to subject themselves to be examined.
Janique
Well-Known Member
I contacted a French Basset hound rescue but was turned down. They wanted :
Another dog, preferably another Basset
Experience with Basset
Being retired ( but not too old) or working for home
They argued than Basset can't be left even for 1h, being huting dog and used to live in pack.
No children or other pets.
Big high fenced garden....
I then contacted a breeder and she sold me Nouille au beurre a 7 years old bitch,
She can be left without troubles,
I have no garden only a small yard
No other dogs
I really think that she is happy with me, going to the forest daily and being an only dog.
Rescue can be difficult, good luck Op !
Another dog, preferably another Basset
Experience with Basset
Being retired ( but not too old) or working for home
They argued than Basset can't be left even for 1h, being huting dog and used to live in pack.
No children or other pets.
Big high fenced garden....
I then contacted a breeder and she sold me Nouille au beurre a 7 years old bitch,
She can be left without troubles,
I have no garden only a small yard
No other dogs
I really think that she is happy with me, going to the forest daily and being an only dog.
Rescue can be difficult, good luck Op !
dreamcometrue
Well-Known Member
This whole thread is mind-blowing! I hope the RSPCA don’t come and take away my two cockers and put them in a cage for safe keeping because a. I am nearing 70 and b. They live with a cat