yet another thread about rescues

[PucciNPoni]

I met a really lovely little dog that's being fostered near to me for a large well known rescue. I instantly thought of a friend for this dog as she's been sort of keeping an eye open for another dog, preferrably a rescue.

Now, my friend gave up her office job about a year or two ago - and works as a RI and teaches RDA one day a week but every other day she is at her own yard. She has a small terrier just now and he comes with her to the yard every day. On RDA days she brings him with her and he gets happily mauled/loved by the RDA clients .

I would have thought that a dog that has access 6 days a week to running about on acres and acres of land, chasing chickens and mingling with another small dog would have been ideal for this outgoing happy go lucky wee dog that needs rescued.

The rescue are hung up on the fact that at my friend's house she has a fenced in garden with an additional dog run/kennel. They don't like the fact that this dog might, at times for her own safety be put in the dog run. I think that in her complete honesty and disclosure of her facts of her property they are assuming that the dog run/kennel is where the dog will be dumped.

Her current dog does spend *some* time in the run, but it tends to be when he needs to be out from under foot either in the house or garden. If she's pottering about in the garden, so is the dog. If she is doing housework or something, he might go run about in the run.

So can anyone tell me why this is a bad situation?

She asked them what she's meant to do if she goes on holiday for a week and wants to book dogs in to kennels - they told her ideally she'd have someone come and stay in her home for the week.

I understand that rescues need to be selective, but some of their requirements IMO are a little extreme when in every other way this would be an ideal home for that particular dog.

Sorry, pointless rant.

 

[Dobiegirl]

With so many dogs in rescue you would think rescues would be more lenient, I take it the dog is in kennels at the rescue site. As for the holiday cover they would prefer someone to house sit is really in cloud cuckoo land.

Is it possible for your friend to dismantle the dog run and tell the rescue they have had a rethink and put it up again at a later date when the dog is theirs. I wouldnt normaly encourage dishonesty but in this situation I think its warranted.

Ive seen dogs advertised as people rehoming a rescue dog they can no longer keep and the rescues and in one case it was the RSPCA told them to rehome it themselves because they were full. It seems to me there are so many discrepancies between rescues with a lot of them having unmeetable conditions.

 

[s4sugar]

Too many rescues are run by people who don't live in the real world. I would recommend anyone to have a secure, safe, place for their dog and for many dogs this would be a kennel & run.
I have known a rescue turn down a home because they crate trained - we often loan crates until a dog has settled (or until they buy their own). It takes all sorts but if you think dog rescues are weird try some of the cat ones!

 

[CorvusCorax]

**looks out at dog flaked out in run after gallop on the beach**

 

[CAYLA]

I suspect it's possibly an easy rehomable dog or the fosterer has become a little precious of the dog maybe or there is something else alarming to the rescue maybe?.

I am about to rehome a dog to an elderly gentleman who lives in a lovely little communal retirement bungalow set up and I have agreed to a tie being placed on the metal safety bar outside of the bungalow for morning/evening toilet breaks or when the gentleman is sitting out in the sun (I would rather this than imgaine the dog wondering off outside the communal area and out of sight), I have gotten to know this gentleman very well (as my rehomes are generally very gradual) esp where I feel they need to be. He is very safey conscious and a lovely man who has had dogs all his life and can offer a lovely home to this particular dog (would I prefer a 5ft enclosed garden) YES, but im realistic and I will accommodate any sensible offer of a home including (working around) not having an enclosed garden I guess alot of other rescues may refuse this as they would prefer the garden to be enclosed (as I do) but I will accommodate where I feel I can. This dog will still get walked the tie is for toilet breaks and I suppose when the man sits outside in the garden area.

 

[PucciNPoni]

I can accept that being a dog groomer who works for a vet and work all day that I would not be a good candidate to rehome a rescue. Dog comes with me to work, it needs to be in a crate. Dog stays at home, it's got run of my house and garden in company with my two other dogs...my dogs more often than not get a choice and usually choose to stay home .

So knowing that my friend who DOES "work from home" and can do what she likes in terms of where the dogs go, I figured she would be a perfect home for this wee dog. I won't go too much in to the details because they have arranged a home visit and I don't want to jeopardise the outcome. My friend said it sounded like it was just to shut her up though.

The fosterer is in my area (with the dog, which is how I came to meet the wee doglet), my friend is 300 miles away - so the home visit will be someone other than the fosterer. The fosterer was actually very keen to rehome with my friend as they had a really good chat. I know the fosterer quite well as I groom several of her own dogs as well as all those that she fosters - so I told her about my pal - and she got in touch. The rescue though are being really sticky about the kennel thing. The only reason they agreed to do the home check was because the fosterer has pushed them to do it.

I thought, perhaps naiively, that someone like my friend - who would offer a dog lots of mental and physical stimulation, meeting chickens/horses/other dogs/kids on a regular basis, who is keen and able to deal with mental and physical issues (this dog has a few physical issues which do make her slightly harder to rehome), who works her own hours and rarely leaves her dog at home unless necessary - would be a great candidate. She does crate train as well - and she's paranoid that if they see a crate they'll totally knock her back.

I do hope this little dog finds a great home. My friend will always be able to find another dog - but in her heart she would prefer to take a rescue. I guess it's only a very lucky few that get to do "the right thing!"

 

[Pendlehog]

Tbh it is not the "lucky few" with the "perfect" circumstances, it's those that happen upon the right rescue centre/organisation I think. We would rehome to your friend with no issue, sounds like the dog would have a nice life with her and I think the backing of the fosterer suggests this is the case too.
I agree with Cayla that the REAL reason might not be anything they have highlighted but for one reason or another they have simply decided this woman isn't the right one for this dog.. If he is a super easy rehomer they may also be looking for a totally straightforward "6ft fence, at home all day" situation. Some rescues are weird like that.

I hope your friend passes her visit, fingers crossed.

 

[PucciNPoni]

From what I understand, the dog has been rejected by potential homes because of a physical deformity which some people find unsightly. I actually think it makes the dog more endearing.

Of course I wasn't there during the phone convo between rescue and my friend - so maybe there was something that was alarming them. My fingers are crossed too.

I wonder though, if people do try a rescue and then when they get knocked back if they give up, just assuming that all rescues are the same - then go out and buy a dog?

 

[Pendlehog]

Sadly I would think a LOT if people give up after a bad experience with one rescue and go out and buy a dog. I can understand why too, some rescues can be VERY rude!

 

[fallenangel123]

I was refused a dog by a large rescue, the reason given, 'It was unfair to expect the dog to be outside all day in all weathers'. Sounds like I was being cruel? I was looking for a dog suitable to come to work with me on the yard!!! I wasn't after a chihuahua, I wanted something big and bouncy!
I was pretty insulted by their tone and attitude and ended up getting my first great Dane. It can't have been too bad a life as she was with me for 11 years.

 

[Luci07]

Just to add to Pendlehog, please don't tar all rescues with the same brush. Its like saying that every clothes shop offers the same product, standards and services! Rescues are invariably fund by volunteers, struggling to raise funds, being at the beck and call of all and, what you don't see, very often on the receiving sharp end of rescue. So please allow them to perhaps be a little cynical. If one rescue seems to have criteria that does not work for you, then do talk to another. Please persevere. Pounds are full with a 7 day reclaim, rehome (invariably to a rescue) or PTS policy. There are a vast number of staffie or staffie crosses that get stuck through no fault of their own and they are not the first choice for most people thanks to the poor media..yet scum backstreet breeders keep churning them.

So if you think a rescue isn't working the way you think it should, try another. Don't get huffy if you don't get an immediate call back or response or questions. Please remember these are people trying to make a difference and are doing it with little support and struggling.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I think Pendlehog is quite close to the coal face herself!!

 

[Luci07]

I think Pendlehog is quite close to the coal face herself!!

Thought that too. Just a shame when people try once, then get cross or dare I say it, a little self righteous. Sure a much larger rescue would not have originally rehomed to me as I work full time, but stafford welfare did after a long conversation about how I would manage it and my experience with Staffords in general. I was home checked on all occasions but they were more focused with me, on what I knew about the breed and how I would manage my new dog.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Ooooh CC I don't know what that turn of phrase means!

Luci07 - and Pendlehog - I do appreciate your insight and encouragment. I think I've just heard from so many people that rescues are so notoriously difficult. While the fosterer has been super in this particular case with my friend, it just did not make me feel great having recommended this rescue only for my friend to basically get told "no" without a home check, then the foster intervened and now there's a home visit scheduled.

I think every person has a different lifestyle - and she's not a 9-5 M-F worker. She is with her dog all day every day - so the fact that there is a kennel/run in the mix should not be a particularly bad thing. But that's my opinion. I have had lots of run ins with people from rescues who often can be haughty towards anyone who discusses wanting to get a puppy from a breeder because there are so many rescues out there in desperate need - only to get knocked back from a rescue (some on here have been knocked back by several?)

I applaud rescues for their work. I think those that volunteer have a special place in doggy/kitty/horsey heaven set aside. I do think though in their overworked states that they are missing out on some great homes.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Thought that too. Just a shame when people try once, then get cross or dare I say it, a little self righteous. Sure a much larger rescue would not have originally rehomed to me as I work full time, but stafford welfare did after a long conversation about how I would manage it and my experience with Staffords in general. I was home checked on all occasions but they were more focused with me, on what I knew about the breed and how I would manage my new dog.

I do hope you aren't implying that my frustration, vented here, is not me being cross or self righteous. I actually vented - and asked a general question about the "run" issue. I sincerely did wonder if kennels/runs were considered taboo to rescues for any particular reason.

However, there are many indviduals that I know who do volunteer from different rescues who are so disdainful in such a plain and open manner to any one who doesn't take in rescues and actually (for shame!) buys a pup! And if you were to try to take on a rescue, then clearly if you don't meet their criteria, you are simply unfit to have a pet.

And yet, despite that - I STILL recommended my friend to this rescue - and STILL encourage her to keep trying. So yeah, I had a rant.

 

[Pendlehog]

I think Pendlehog is quite close to the coal face herself!!

Sure am And I'd be the first to admit that some rescues seriously do not help themselves, but it's still pretty depressing when people are turned off rescue because some silly man/woman couldn't be just a LITTLE more polite.

Pounds are full with a 7 day reclaim, rehome (invariably to a rescue) or PTS policy. There are a vast number of staffie or staffie crosses that get stuck through no fault of their own and they are not the first choice for most people thanks to the poor media..yet scum backstreet breeders keep churning them.

I'm off on a 2 hour whizz down the motorway on Thursday to pick up an ancient staffy found running down a road covered in blood. Another rescue has kindly patched him up but have no room, so he's in the pound right now counting down to death-day. Some better publicity would go a long way to helping these guys out in general, there is only so much space out there..

 

[Luci07]

I do hope you aren't implying that my frustration, vented here, is not me being cross or self righteous. I actually vented - and asked a general question about the "run" issue. I sincerely did wonder if kennels/runs were considered taboo to rescues for any particular reason.

However, there are many indviduals that I know who do volunteer from different rescues who are so disdainful in such a plain and open manner to any one who doesn't take in rescues and actually (for shame!) buys a pup! And if you were to try to take on a rescue, then clearly if you don't meet their criteria, you are simply unfit to have a pet.

And yet, despite that - I STILL recommended my friend to this rescue - and STILL encourage her to keep trying. So yeah, I had a rant.

You see, I DO see the other side. I see the people who give up all their free time, and get very little back in the way of any kind of thanks. I know there are rescues who get too precious so would just say.. move on to find someone you can work with, there are plenty out there. As for buying a puppy, that is the individuals choice but I just wish people would think of looking at the dogs desperate for a home first. You think that volunteers are disdainful. Might have something to do with seeing yet another perfectly healthy young dog destroyed because there is no room, anywhere. Feel free to rant but equally, please don't think it ends there and there will be a response. If people just read posts like yours, then they will think there is no point in trying to go to a rescue and I want to redress that so they will now think - 1 rescue may not work with us, another will. I am not making excuses for someone in a rescue who has lost sight of reality, just asking you to think of the dogs here.

 

[Adopter]

This is an interesting thread, and I too would not like people to be put off offering a home to a rescue dog, just because of a bad experience with a human.

In over 40 years of adopting and offering homes to rescued dogs, cats and ponies, I have only been 'inspected' twice, once by cats protection, but she bought the cat with her expecting to leave it, and then before I could be considered for ponies by Blue Cross which was an indepth visit, by a very experienced, pleasant and informed field officer.

Eight rescued border collies and not one organisation has ever checked my home or querried how I would manage when I worked full time (I did have arrangements in place), and over the years I have dealt with four different dog rescues!!

OP I do hope it works out for your friend.