Dog re-homing charities ... a bit OTT ??

Rev

tcr wrote: »

*cough* apologies for calling Staffies mad*
*they look fierce as**aggressive young men own them*
I'm sure many of them are adorable. I'll read up on the breed, try not to be so prejudiced in future.

Yeah, sadly for staffies they have been taken on as the dog of choice by hoodie wearing low lives. I think we all have our little prejudices, I'm not fond of small dogs, been bitten by three of them in the past, so I doubt I'd consider those, but I do have a few friends who have small dogs and they're all cracking little pets. I think I'm just bias because I love my staffies so much. And good on you for trying to be so prejudiced.

Seriously, saying they wont even consider rehoming with you unless you donate £500 is just ridiculous, that would put me off instantly. All the rescues I spoke too wanted between £100 - £200 which I thought was very reasonable once you take into account the work they do and that they spay/neuter. chip etc. But £500???

Oh my, the poor dog, see, I'm the idiot who's adopt that dog because it was so ill lol. I always fall for the sick ones/runts.

Whichever way you end up going, rescue or puppy, good luck with your new dog!

foreign_correspondent

tabskitten wrote: »

I found this too,
I spent weeks searching dogs homes, the majority of which ask for a £100 + donation for a (i hate to put it) ''used dog with issues'' (ahem- harsh but you see my point) wheas you can get a cute little brand new puppy for about the same....

For £100 you probably can get a pup...but make no mistake, no-one can breed ethically for that money! You wil most likely be able to get a pup that hasn't even been wormed, (and neither was the mum in pregnancy) never mind vaccinated, and who may well be sickly - and whose parents may be kept in pretty rotten conditions just churning out pups.... .

TBH I find the phrase ''used dog with issues'' not harsh, but ignorant - many rescue dogs are fabulous, easy dogs with genuine reasone they have had to be rehomed. And often pups are born in rescues, so you can rescue a 'cute little brand new puppy' if that's important to you!

To put it in context, I paid £95 for my rescue (well I actually gave more, that was the minimum donation) - she is healthy, fit and 'issue free' except for being a bit wary of shouting people and big sticks (sensible dog) - these are literally the only things she doesnt like - and its less than many dogs I meet whose owners have had them from pups ... she also arrived housetrained, past the manic chewing, piddling and pooping stage and not bad at lead walking.

The rescue had paid to have her vet checked, a full course of puppy vaccs, wormed, flead, neutered and microchipped...

I reckon that would cost me..hmm.... vet checked -£15, a full course of puppy vaccs - £40, wormed £5, flead £5, neutered £120 and microchipped £15 - so about £200 in total! ... They had also transported her, kennelled her, exercised and fed her... there was certainly no 'profit' in it for them!

It also means she has bee the most fabulous, easy dog - she has never had an accident in the house, nothing has been chewed, I could leave her alone from day 1.... far easier and more realistic for me tbh than a pup which is cute for about three weeks, but hard work for about a year!

foreign_correspondent

tcr wrote: »

One charity told me it required "a substantial donation" before they'd re-home with us (assuming they ever would, because we're not idle rich, after all).

So I asked politely how substantial was substantial. Um. Try £500 ?

Which is about £100-£150 more than I could buy a puppy of the same breed from a reputable breeder (I'm not going to name the breed, for fear of burning our bridges).

Another charity told us they had a suitable dog for us. One that was quite content to be left. A ten year old dog, deaf, half blind & epileptic and which can barely walk from one end of the room to the other without collapsing in a heap.
.

Is this a breed rescue?

tcr_3

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Is this a breed rescue?

Yeah, bit of a shocker, innit ?

Have spent the last hour on the dog pages forum. Could've cried my eyes out reading some of the dog histories there. People can be so cruel. But it stiffens my resolve to hang on in and find a suitable rescue dog, even if it takes a while for the right candidate.

foreign_correspondent

tcr wrote: »

Yeah, bit of a shocker, innit ?

Have spent the last hour on the dog pages forum. Could've cried my eyes out reading some of the dog histories there. People can be so cruel. But it stiffens my resolve to hang on in and find a suitable rescue dog, even if it takes a while for the right candidate.

hmm breed rescues do vary a lot - some are very, very good - others seem to me to be less than ideal. I am sure you will find the right dog - there are plenty out there! Do hang on in and keep researching.... which part of the country are you in - someone may be able to recommend a rescue?

moomin5

If its a breed rescue perhaps they feel they can afford to be choosy if demand for their dogs is high and their not swamped with incoming dogs. £500 adoption fee sounds excessive, It was £100 at the place i adopted from and most seem to be between £75-£200 which seems fair when you consider the money that's been spent on the dog as FC pointed out.

There's loads of rescues about and some home out of their local area/nationally so you will probably have other options if your more open to different breeds that would be suitable. Homing policies vary a lot sometimes even between kennels under the same organisation, but its likely you will find some that accept full-time workers so don't give up looking too soon.

I worked full-time when i adopted my 2 greyhounds from a breed rescue and as long as someone could let them out after 4hrs for a toilet break it was fine. My greys had never been a pet/lived indoors yet adapted quickly and were fairly easy to train for a novice dog owner and are a joy to live with

Caffca

Don't foget the oldies club either - they have their own dogs to rehome and also provide listings of older dogs looking for homes from across the country at different rescue centres. The definition of oldie being 7+ (so they might not be that old!)

I found my two through the site and the rescue centre were great even though I work full time (although I do come home for lunch) and the dogs were at home with me within a week.

Okay so they are older dogs (12 and 13 when I adopted them) and I won't have a lifetime with them but we have already had one year together and they are both hale, hearty and happy (apart from when Wallop needs clipping - have you ever seen a 14 year old cocker spaniel do a headstand in an attempt to get his back end away from the clippers?!).

I think, possibly because many people overlook the older dogs so they can end up being at the rescue for a long time, the centres are a bit more relaxed about the sometimes downright ridiculous criteria for adoption when you are looking at an older dog.

cyberbob

As FC said some breed specific rescues can vary. £500 for a rescue dog is being silly £100 is quite reasonable though IMO.

Rescues don't always have an easy job. There are lots of reasons why people get dogs from rescues so the people there have to assess what is right for the dog not the human. There is no point rehoming a dog for it to just bounce back a few months later because the owners were unsuitable or unable to give the dog what is needed.

Anyone can come here and say that they are the most suitable owner for a dog. But without knowing them all we can do is take your word for it. I'm not saying anyones not suitable but just pointing out we don't know the full situation

Rescue centres set their rehoming procedures after years of experience, knowing what makes the dog have a happy permanent home. We can all criticise but there will be reasons behind these rules.

I urge people if they want a puppy and are going to buy one don't go to a puppy farm you are just helping keep this inhumane practice hoing without demand it wouldn't exist. There is also a good chance you will end up with a do with behavoural and health problems

TCR a reputable breeder will not be selling puppies for the £300 mark as you suggest There is no way that they could do it properly at these costs. Our Golden Retriever cost £600 a few years ago from a fantastic breeder who puts the dogs first

If you are going to go to a breeder make sure they are registered you see both parents and any recommended health checks have been done on the pups and parents. Such as hip scores etc. I would urge to be very careful of a breeder selling puppies for that amount. A good breeder will give you all the support you need throughout the life of your dog and almost interview you when you come to view the dogs. Also if your after a specific breed speak to the breed clubs as they will give invaluable information and advice

Sublime_2

I've had two rescue staffies (full, not cross), and never had to pay that sort of money. I had a good household income at the time, but was only asked to contribute a small amount, which I willingly paid.

hethmar

I am assuming you are looking for another westie?

Anyway, as someone else mentioned, Many Tears have a lot of ex breeding dogs of various breeds which may be suitable for you. I assume you only work part time or someone will let the dog out or walk him during the day? Otherwise, be fair, a full day alone with no company and dying for a poo or wee - that would be cruel to the dog.

Im also the sort of idiot who would take on the old, sick or needy ones - they love you just as much, honestly.