Why is adopting a dog from a rescue so difficult?

[poiuytrewq]

We were unable to adopt a dog from our local rescue. We had our own house. With a safe fenced garden. I was home all day (pregnant then baby, excuse number 1 and 2)
Mr p worked on a farm so then plan had been he would take it to work half the day then bring it home at lunch so I could walk/have company the rest of the day.
We used to look after his mums spaniel a lot so know it worked.
They wouldn’t even consider us.
So we did what neither really wanted to do and bought a puppy… he was the best dog ever so I’ve no regrets but we are now several Puppies down the line and had we had better experience with rescues that would have been several needy dogs rehomed.
Mr P’s mum since loosing her spaniel who never missed a days walk or evening on her lap was unable to adopt an older rescue because she was too old. All she ever does is walk and garden. Surely a lovely life for an older dog.

 

[poiuytrewq]

To be fair my mother referred to someone as being an 'old woman' tonight. The woman is two years younger than her.

I love it when this happens I made some comment the other day about someone being too old for something and my daughter pointed out they were younger than me…so I now look at people younger than myself and class them as old. That’s scary

 

[MurphysMinder]

I love it when this happens I made some comment the other day about someone being too old for something and my daughter pointed out they were younger than me…so I now look at people younger than myself and class them as old. That’s scary

Friends and I do this regularly!

 

[cbmcts]

As many on here know, I volunteer for a large breed dog rescue.

I think that we are pretty pragmatic to be honest, no upper or lower age limits but in reality if you are 70+ or have toddlers, you're not going to have a huge choice of suitable dogs but we did have someone who declared his age as 75-80 come for a meet with a dog but they had 16 acres so on lead exercise for a 3 year + dog in busy public spaces wasn't an issue and family support if he needed it. He turned us down because he decided he wanted a pup! We have rehomed to houses with younger children but to be honest rarely as even with the best temperament in the world, there is a risk of injury when the dog weighs 4 times more than a small child! And there is a lot of competition for those really, good easy dogs as they are so rare. Even the best homes can't always get them. And they never end up waiting for homes or need to be advertised as there is a long list of fabulous homes who have been waiting patiently for them. Same with pups - we had 4 in, an unsold litter - they all went to people known to the rescue either volunteers, long time supporters or those who had previously rehomed from us.

Working isn't an issue - have you seen the price of vet insurance/fees? - but being regularly left for whole days, especially in the beginning really isn't on. But dog walkers etc are perfectly acceptable solutions. I rehomed through this and other rescues when I worked full time in the city and this was many years before covid etc.

Not being a homeowner is ok too as long as we can get written permission from the landlord which we do confirm is genuine - you probably can guess why - and there are no minimum income requirements so a student wouldn't be an immediate no. However, we do advise applicants to get insurance quotes prior to rehoming and have a chat about costs if only because we get contacted by vets so often when a dog is being PTS solely for financial reasons. Same reason we are wary about people in potentially unstable private rentals, we are asked probably weekly to take dogs where landlords won't have them if the owners have to move, often due to no fault of their own. Obviously that doesn't apply if you are renting on the estate of Lord So n So and have been for generations...but the private rental market is brutal now and having to move twice a year is not unusual.

Also, the dogs you see rescues advertising will normally have issues. They could be abuse cases, lived in a yard/garage/shed with no training or socialisation, young dogs with no manners who have learnt bad habits, have medical issues that will need maintenance and cost money, very nervous or scared of random things that don't even occur to most people until they see it for themselves. Many of them will be stray or from pounds (who rarely rehome directly to the public now for liability reasons and not having the time or energy to deal with the general public!) so no history. A lot are surrendered with no disclosure of issues, sometimes even outright lies about aggression - they are the saddest ones as they spend time in kennels having lost their security and often end up being PTS as they can't be safely rehomed. PTS might be the right decision but nobody goes into rescue wanting to hold a dog being put down just because the people who bought that puppy, then screwed it up one way or another were too cowardly to take responsibility at the end.

I was originally able to rehome through rescue many years ago, even though I was all wrong on paper because I was prepared to take the palliative care fosters (though each and everyone of them broke my heart), the stroppy young males and dogs that weren't in demand and built relationships in the rescue world. My only criteria was they didn't try and eat the cats and any aggression was manageable! I've slightly more sense now but I still enjoy a challenging dog and get great satisfaction in improving a dog so there is a selfish element there too.

And despite the above, there are many rescues big and small who do not consider me a suitable home! My house is small, the garden although very secure is not huge, I'm too old, work even though 90% at home, have other dogs, a cat, won't walk over 20 kg dogs on a harness alone, my handling is not R+ all the time, my dogs sleep downstairs, their reasons are endless and their prerogative. One of those rescues, a big one, sometimes kennel their dogs in the same kennels we use and their staff will ask me to handle dogs that they are unsure of - I still will not be accepted to rehome through them though. That stings a bit

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

You have my full admiration cbmcts, you are very much at the sharp end of rescue. Where would the rescue world be without people like you.

 

[Clodagh]

My mum (83) does a lot of helping the old people in her village. She takes them to appointments and clubs and so on, helps them with their internet and computers and is just amazing.
She’s far more competent than I am.

 

[honetpot]

The big advantage to re homing to someone older is they usually have time, and patience, what ever animal they have is the centre of their world. We are now old, my husband is seventy two this year and sometimes walks over 11,000 steps in a day, although we live on a small holding the dogs get an official walk three times a day depending on the weather. We have far more time than when we both worked and had small children, but then I also had two dogs, three cats and three ponies.
My daughter bought a dog with a lot of hidden issues, which took me about three months to get on top of, most people would have given up I think because it was disruptive. My freelance yard help does dog walking and most of the people who problems with their dogs either have unrealistic expectations but the biggest one is the dogs are left for long periods without stimulation, which can be just snoozing on the sofa with you.

 

[Birker2020]

And people wonder why there are so many adopting from abroad.

 

[paddy555]

And despite the above, there are many rescues big and small who do not consider me a suitable home! My house is small, the garden although very secure is not huge, I'm too old, work even though 90% at home, have other dogs, a cat, won't walk over 20 kg dogs on a harness alone, my handling is not R+ all the time, my dogs sleep downstairs, their reasons are endless and their prerogative. One of those rescues, a big one, sometimes kennel their dogs in the same kennels we use and their staff will ask me to handle dogs that they are unsure of - I still will not be accepted to rehome through them though. That stings a bit

in that case there is little hope for the rest of us if the likes of you and MM are unsuitable. . I don't wonder some people lie on their applications.

just as a matter of interest could you, or any of the other people on here who work/volunteer for rescuers and authorise who is suitable, tell me what actually makes someone suitable and likely to be allowed to adopt one of their dogs?

 

[TheresaW]

For the rescue I volunteer for, secure garden is absolute. Min 6ft fences, no bins, furniture etc close to the fence.

Secure front door, no chance of dog darting out.

They are very flexible about dogs being left alone for periods of time. Dog walkers if needed.

Most homes, children over 10, but some dogs have been re-homed to younger children depending on the dog.

No cats, small furries, birds etc.

I volunteer for a husky rescue, so high prey drive, jumpers etc.

 

[Marigold4]

She's here! Long, long day travelling to pick her up. She's timid, sweet, needy. Not terribly house-trained. Very small. No idea how to play ball or what dog toys are. Rescue home have done a great job with her though, she's really getting to like people.

 

[cbmcts]

in that case there is little hope for the rest of us if the likes of you and MM are unsuitable. . I don't wonder some people lie on their applications.

just as a matter of interest could you, or any of the other people on here who work/volunteer for rescuers and authorise who is suitable, tell me what actually makes someone suitable and likely to be allowed to adopt one of their dogs?

I can only speak for the applications I look at and our policies.

Suitability for us is all about being honest, realistic and reasonable and being prepared to work with us and listen. Many app forms sound brilliant but when you actually start doing a bit of digging on google maps and social media you discover all sorts of stupid lies like the half acre garden doesn't exist and your insta is full of pictures of you and your bubbas when you've applied for a young male poundie. Or when I call you and you start saying completely different things to what was written on the form. Or that you don't have permission from your landlord or you don't live where you said. At that point, too many doubts are raised to continue. What else are you lying about?

I often talk to people who've applied for a particular dog and during the conversation it becomes clear that the dog isn't going to work in their circumstances. If we have anything that may suit, I will always talk to them about an alternative dog and offer a meet but you generally get told at that point that they only want the original dog or nothing other than a year old or a dog that is already house trained, walks on a harness perfectly, is really social as it'll have to go to daycare or that they have large family events regularly. That's not realistic or reasonable. A small rescue cannot operate like Amazon with multiple choice nor is 'try before you buy' (unless you're prepared to foster) Or those who say that they're not able to travel to meet/collect the dog (we are very clear where the dogs are located) or more than half way through the process either disappear off the face of the earth for weeks or - this is really common at the moment - that they'd love to have the dog but are not in a position to collect for weeks and weeks because they have a holiday booked/work starting on the house/visitors staying.. These are all people who'll tell that they couldn't get a dog from a rescue so had to buy one or adopt from abroad.

I love the apps that tell me about themselves, their circumstances, what dogs they've had, are honest about what they can and can't tolerate. Even better if they have the self awareness to know that they might need support, where they could access it locally and have considered beyond the first week. When you talk to them, they don't go all know it all or even worse, the bloke who told me that all any dog needs is to told they are loved 3 times daily and that he wouldn't stifle their spirit by putting a collar and lead on them. That'll go down well in suburbia won't it? I don't want to hear about furbabies and will worry about those who are unconfident in their handling and conversely about those who are over confident and/or rigid in it's their way or the highway types.

I'd like people to listen when I explain why I'm concerned about this match and trust me that I've had hands and eyes on the dog often for quite a considerable time. I'm not saying you're a bad home or that I wouldn't place a dog with you, just not this one. You might have to wait -while we have many suppliers of 'stock', we don't get to request anything but the breed. In some cases, I'll be really honest with you and tell you that what you need,which may not be what you want, isn't what we often have available and on the rare occasion that it is, there are other homes waiting ahead of you so you might want to look elsewhere.

To be fair, if I was looking to rehome breeds that were smaller, less expensive to feed and insure, were 'softer' types for want of a better word - your average lab, spanner, doodle, GR, even staffies or terriers, even with behavioral issues are going to be easier to manage than a large breed with innate guarding instincts who will probably be suspicious of strangers - I'd be a lot more relaxed about homes. The big issue now is that we cannot rehome a dog with a bite history so if I get it wrong and a dog is put in a position that they feel the need to defend themselves through ignorance, arrogance or carelessness, that dog's death warrant is signed. Despite that, everytime we speak to a potential home, we want it to work out. We are desperate to make space as there as so many dogs that deserve a second chance that we and other rescues haven't got space for. It is not in our or a dogs interest to hang on to them but it is not in the dogs or the new homes interest to set them up to fail either.

 

[paddy555]

I can only speak for the applications I look at and our policies.

Suitability for us is all about being honest, realistic and reasonable and being prepared to work with us and listen. Many app forms sound brilliant but when you actually start doing a bit of digging on google maps and social media you discover all sorts of stupid lies like the half acre garden doesn't exist and your insta is full of pictures of you and your bubbas when you've applied for a young male poundie. Or when I call you and you start saying completely different things to what was written on the form. Or that you don't have permission from your landlord or you don't live where you said. At that point, too many doubts are raised to continue. What else are you lying about?

I often talk to people who've applied for a particular dog and during the conversation it becomes clear that the dog isn't going to work in their circumstances. If we have anything that may suit, I will always talk to them about an alternative dog and offer a meet but you generally get told at that point that they only want the original dog or nothing other than a year old or a dog that is already house trained, walks on a harness perfectly, is really social as it'll have to go to daycare or that they have large family events regularly. That's not realistic or reasonable. A small rescue cannot operate like Amazon with multiple choice nor is 'try before you buy' (unless you're prepared to foster) Or those who say that they're not able to travel to meet/collect the dog (we are very clear where the dogs are located) or more than half way through the process either disappear off the face of the earth for weeks or - this is really common at the moment - that they'd love to have the dog but are not in a position to collect for weeks and weeks because they have a holiday booked/work starting on the house/visitors staying.. These are all people who'll tell that they couldn't get a dog from a rescue so had to buy one or adopt from abroad.

I love the apps that tell me about themselves, their circumstances, what dogs they've had, are honest about what they can and can't tolerate. Even better if they have the self awareness to know that they might need support, where they could access it locally and have considered beyond the first week. When you talk to them, they don't go all know it all or even worse, the bloke who told me that all any dog needs is to told they are loved 3 times daily and that he wouldn't stifle their spirit by putting a collar and lead on them. That'll go down well in suburbia won't it? I don't want to hear about furbabies and will worry about those who are unconfident in their handling and conversely about those who are over confident and/or rigid in it's their way or the highway types.

I'd like people to listen when I explain why I'm concerned about this match and trust me that I've had hands and eyes on the dog often for quite a considerable time. I'm not saying you're a bad home or that I wouldn't place a dog with you, just not this one. You might have to wait -while we have many suppliers of 'stock', we don't get to request anything but the breed. In some cases, I'll be really honest with you and tell you that what you need,which may not be what you want, isn't what we often have available and on the rare occasion that it is, there are other homes waiting ahead of you so you might want to look elsewhere.

To be fair, if I was looking to rehome breeds that were smaller, less expensive to feed and insure, were 'softer' types for want of a better word - your average lab, spanner, doodle, GR, even staffies or terriers, even with behavioral issues are going to be easier to manage than a large breed with innate guarding instincts who will probably be suspicious of strangers - I'd be a lot more relaxed about homes. The big issue now is that we cannot rehome a dog with a bite history so if I get it wrong and a dog is put in a position that they feel the need to defend themselves through ignorance, arrogance or carelessness, that dog's death warrant is signed. Despite that, everytime we speak to a potential home, we want it to work out. We are desperate to make space as there as so many dogs that deserve a second chance that we and other rescues haven't got space for. It is not in our or a dogs interest to hang on to them but it is not in the dogs or the new homes interest to set them up to fail either.

Thank you for taking the time to explain. That all seems pretty reasonable thorough and what one would expect.

I must remember bubbas and fur babies are terms not to be used.

 

[cbmcts]

Thank you for taking the time to explain. That all seems pretty reasonable thorough and what one would expect.

I must remember bubbas and fur babies are terms not to be used.

If you want a designer breed or doodle, you MUST talk about bubbas and furbabies

 

[Marigold4]

I can only speak for the applications I look at and our policies.

Suitability for us is all about being honest, realistic and reasonable and being prepared to work with us and listen. Many app forms sound brilliant but when you actually start doing a bit of digging on google maps and social media you discover all sorts of stupid lies like the half acre garden doesn't exist and your insta is full of pictures of you and your bubbas when you've applied for a young male poundie. Or when I call you and you start saying completely different things to what was written on the form. Or that you don't have permission from your landlord or you don't live where you said. At that point, too many doubts are raised to continue. What else are you lying about?

I often talk to people who've applied for a particular dog and during the conversation it becomes clear that the dog isn't going to work in their circumstances. If we have anything that may suit, I will always talk to them about an alternative dog and offer a meet but you generally get told at that point that they only want the original dog or nothing other than a year old or a dog that is already house trained, walks on a harness perfectly, is really social as it'll have to go to daycare or that they have large family events regularly. That's not realistic or reasonable. A small rescue cannot operate like Amazon with multiple choice nor is 'try before you buy' (unless you're prepared to foster) Or those who say that they're not able to travel to meet/collect the dog (we are very clear where the dogs are located) or more than half way through the process either disappear off the face of the earth for weeks or - this is really common at the moment - that they'd love to have the dog but are not in a position to collect for weeks and weeks because they have a holiday booked/work starting on the house/visitors staying.. These are all people who'll tell that they couldn't get a dog from a rescue so had to buy one or adopt from abroad.

I love the apps that tell me about themselves, their circumstances, what dogs they've had, are honest about what they can and can't tolerate. Even better if they have the self awareness to know that they might need support, where they could access it locally and have considered beyond the first week. When you talk to them, they don't go all know it all or even worse, the bloke who told me that all any dog needs is to told they are loved 3 times daily and that he wouldn't stifle their spirit by putting a collar and lead on them. That'll go down well in suburbia won't it? I don't want to hear about furbabies and will worry about those who are unconfident in their handling and conversely about those who are over confident and/or rigid in it's their way or the highway types.

I'd like people to listen when I explain why I'm concerned about this match and trust me that I've had hands and eyes on the dog often for quite a considerable time. I'm not saying you're a bad home or that I wouldn't place a dog with you, just not this one. You might have to wait -while we have many suppliers of 'stock', we don't get to request anything but the breed. In some cases, I'll be really honest with you and tell you that what you need,which may not be what you want, isn't what we often have available and on the rare occasion that it is, there are other homes waiting ahead of you so you might want to look elsewhere.

To be fair, if I was looking to rehome breeds that were smaller, less expensive to feed and insure, were 'softer' types for want of a better word - your average lab, spanner, doodle, GR, even staffies or terriers, even with behavioral issues are going to be easier to manage than a large breed with innate guarding instincts who will probably be suspicious of strangers - I'd be a lot more relaxed about homes. The big issue now is that we cannot rehome a dog with a bite history so if I get it wrong and a dog is put in a position that they feel the need to defend themselves through ignorance, arrogance or carelessness, that dog's death warrant is signed. Despite that, everytime we speak to a potential home, we want it to work out. We are desperate to make space as there as so many dogs that deserve a second chance that we and other rescues haven't got space for. It is not in our or a dogs interest to hang on to them but it is not in the dogs or the new homes interest to set them up to fail either.

But what about the people who are genuine, don't lie about their experience, and DO have great dog facilities and years of experience in rehoming and retraining dogs.. That is our situation and we didn't get the chance to talk to anyone. Just a standard email reply. You sound cynical and that you think people are always trying to trick you. We knew exactly the kind of dog we had the experience to be successful with (because we'd done it before) and applied for that type. We wouldn't really have appreciated someone telling us, after decades of experience, that we would be better suited to a chihuahua after a 5 minute convo and based on the fact we are in our early 60s. Through Freeads, we picked up an 18 month old border collie today who has been crated and outside for most of her life. We will work with her and give her a happy life.

Believe in people! Mostly, they are genuine.

 

[I'm Dun]

Something is obviously going wrong as it seems the good homes aren't being accepted but lots of bad homes are, and the pressure on rescues to take dogs is increasing. Not sure what the answer is, but there must be one.

 

[Nicnac]

Well my mother has just taken on a 14 year old rescue cat. The rescue were over the moon as she will give the cat, who is nervous, the perfect home. My mother is 91 next month but not considered too old! She is in robust health and not on any medication and my sister will take over cat if she outlives my mother....

Amazingly said cat, who has allegedly been in hiding for years, is now following my mother around everywhere and is very comfortably installed on the sofa!

 

[cbmcts]

But what about the people who are genuine, don't lie about their experience, and DO have great dog facilities and years of experience in rehoming and retraining dogs.. That is our situation and we didn't get the chance to talk to anyone. Just a standard email reply. You sound cynical and that you think people are always trying to trick you. We knew exactly the kind of dog we had the experience to be successful with (because we'd done it before) and applied for that type. We wouldn't really have appreciated someone telling us, after decades of experience, that we would be better suited to a chihuahua after a 5 minute convo and based on the fact we are in our early 60s. Through Freeads, we picked up an 18 month old border collie today who has been crated and outside for most of her life. We will work with her and give her a happy life.

Believe in people! Mostly, they are genuine.

We are very grateful to those people and grab those homes with both hands! I am cynical but it is through bitter experience and honestly most of that is over the past 5 years. Most people aren't trying to consciously trick us I believe, their intentions are good but like a lot of areas of life, their self awareness is lacking and there appears to be much more on the appearance of a dog in their life rather what would actually be best for both them AND the dog.

I think it's a terrible waste that the rescues didn't at least contact you but I can't comment on what others do or don't do but I know if you had filled in our app form, we would have spoken to you. Your age wouldn't have been an issue - I'm not far off that and I'm far from the oldest involved - nor would I have offered you a chi (even though I have a very soft spot for them) and I and many others would have a lot more spare time if they were only 5 minute conversations...

ETA Your new girl looks lovely.

Something is obviously going wrong as it seems the good homes aren't being accepted but lots of bad homes are, and the pressure on rescues to take dogs is increasing. Not sure what the answer is, but there must be one.

I don't think there's any easy answer to rehoming rescues from both side of the divide. I've seen the consequences of rehoming gone wrong and it's not pretty. Apart from the potential injury to humans and dog, there is a real reputational and financial liability to the rescue as well. I don't feel that the bad homes are getting rescues, maybe some homes that are unrealistic, unprepared and end up being over dogged - which is what we are trying to avoid - and they (hopefully) return them rather than passing them on. The dogs we asked to take from private homes were generally bought as pups or adults and either the owners aren't coping or their circumstances have changed. The only rescues we are asked to take are the imported ones with no rescue back up in this country.

The increasing pressure on rescues is from strays aka dumped dogs or back yard breeders/small time puppy farms now that the puppy market has dropped finally. These dogs are now totally surplus to requirements and if any dog deserves an upgrade, it's them. We can do a lot of work with them before rehome in regards to socialisation and training but their new homes will also have to do a lot when they get them home, they won't just slot in like their previous dog. They'll need house training to start with as that's impossible to do in kennels, they won't ever have been in a house most likely, they'll have had harsh treatment so sudden movements/implements in hands will worry them. It's easy to fix with time and consistency but requires thought and patience. Many people do it very successfully but many others make the very common mistake, as I have also done of forgetting that just because they look like your old dog, where you knew each other inside out and had built trust and understanding over time, they are not the same dog.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

She's here! Long, long day travelling to pick her up. She's timid, sweet, needy. Not terribly house-trained. Very small. No idea how to play ball or what dog toys are. Rescue home have done a great job with her though, she's really getting to like people.

She is absolutely gorgeous! I am so happy for her and for you. What a lucky dog

 

[Marigold4]

She is absolutely gorgeous! I am so happy for her and for you. What a lucky dog

She is so sweet. She was SOOO pleased to see us this morning. No idea about house-training though. Blimey - what a mess!

 

[Clodagh]

She is beautiful. What a lucky girl. Collies are so clever, it won’t take long to get house training sorted.

I was thinking I said no rescue would rehome to us, of course one did with Red. But it’s run by an eminently practical woman and we had a mutual friend who vouched for me.

Sane with Sash the lurcher, a friend of mine volunteered with them.

 

[islander]

I am getting to the age when no dog rescues would consider me l expect, even with family back up. I do see why some limits have to be put on but it is sobering to think that my current dogs will probably be my last.

 

[paddy555]

one place people could try to adopt is their vets. When I was in reception last week there were posters wanting homes for 2 cats due to emigrating. There was no doubt it was genuine and they were lovely cats. I would imagine if one was with their practice the vet would give a reference and probably would have knowledge of the animal wanting a home. I feel that even with my age my vet would give me a reference based on care and ability rather than age and it would probably be worth more as they would know their client,.

Might just work for someone and vets often know of clients having to give up or animals having to be given up.

 

[Skib]

My daughter was turned down for a rescue, so went abroad and got a Romanian street dog instead. Later she was able to get a rescue companion as it had been realised that dogs do better if there is aother dog in the household.
Both my daughters work and are away from home all day. Both arrange mid day dog walkers.

 

[paddy555]

My daughter was turned down for a rescue, so went abroad and got a Romanian street dog instead. Later she was able to get a rescue companion as it had been realised that dogs do better if there is aother dog in the household.
Both my daughters work and are away from home all day. Both arrange mid day dog walkers.

as a matter of interest why was she turned down? if it was because she worked all day then that is a sad fact of life for many people if they are going to have the money to pay for the dog food and insurance.

if they were happy the second dog would have dog company couldn't they have suggested it to start with?
would taking 2 dogs make a rescue happier? anyone?

 

[smolmaus]

would taking 2 dogs make a rescue happier? anyone?

Maybe? I don't know if you are making a spreadsheet or something with hypothetical rescue policies you do/ don't personally agree with, but dogs are individuals, rescue organisations are individual, potential homes are individual.

Bonded pairs of dogs and cats do come into rescue so if you want two, you might be able to find that. Just taking two un-bonded dogs from the same rescue and trying to settle both at the same time seems like an undue risk to me, personally.

There are many many dogs that are handed in to a rescue specifically because they can't cope in a home where they are alone a lot of the time, so the pool of suitable dogs for people in that situation is already significantly reduced. It's not surprising that dogs can't be rehomed into a similar situation to the one they were already unsuccessful in. The easier dogs that are fine by themselves during the work day are less likely to end up in a rescue in the first place.

 

[Skib]

as a matter of interest why was she turned down? if it was because she worked all day then that is a sad fact of life for many people if they are going to have the money to pay for the dog food and insurance.

Yes, though her teenage kids at that time were home by 4.00 pm. On paper she was useless as an applicant, she lived in London, had a very small garden, worked full time and had never had a dog nor lived in a home with a dog.
But she is a career woman with an Oxbridge degree. She thinks things out and problem solves. So she searched elsewhere, and has lovely, well behaved, athletic dogs. She has lovely well behaved athletic children too.

 

[Celtic Jewel]

Something is obviously going wrong as it seems the good homes aren't being accepted but lots of bad homes are, and the pressure on rescues to take dogs is increasing. Not sure what the answer is, but there must be one.

Yeah I know people who got a dog off dog trust and the dog is left outside for most of the day and they barely can afford a dog it crazy . A lot of rescue are taken dumped dogs that have been in puppy mills or have been stolen when they find they have no breeding value the people who steal them abandoned them on the other side of the country . It’s usually fancy small pedigree dog like France bulldogs or jack Russell etc. People won’t microchip their dogs , be responsible dogs owners it would take the pressure off the rescue .

Congratulations op your new dog is lovely