Where to get a pet dog/

Liquorice_Twirls

dannyjebb wrote: »

Yes and fund the puppy farming trade!!!! Never buy a puppy unless you can go visit it as its growing up and you can at least see the mum so you know it is well brought up and you will get an idea of the puppies temperment from seeing the mum. Also its best to get a pup that has been brought up in a family environment or you will have trouble getting it used to everyday noises such as the hoover and washing machine. You say you want a mongrel...for what reasons? If you dont want to pay the cost of a new pedigree puppy have you thought of a retired greyhound? aslong as you dont have cats or other small animals. They need much less exercise than you would think and are great pets

Danny

I was meaning the ads I've seen where individuals have dogs who have had a litter of pups and just need homes for them - I have seen plenty where they are free to good home or at very low cost. I find it hard to believe that this funds the puppy farm trade. I agree that you should always see a puppy with it's mum as you have described, excellent advice.

trudij

Youdontseeme wrote: »

Have you tried dogsblog.com ? You can search by area.

I have fallen in love with Areo http://www.dogsblog.com/aero-3/ I wish I hadn't looked!!!

One thing I would say though is I have never been a 10yr old boy, but at that age the last thing I would have wanted was a dog that was "docile".

I would have wanted one I could play with, take for long walks, teach tricks etc..

I do realise that a dog has to fit in with the whole family but get one that is a bit "boring" and you might yourself having to all the work (chances are you will anyway but hey..:rotfl:

I'm not knocking you for not wanting something that runs around hell for leather, but it might be something to think about.

Good luck with your search and please post some piccies when you finally have your pooch home :rotfl:

OMG - now Im in love with her too !!!!

good luck finding a dog OP

hethmar

Battersea seems the right place but there is also a few other rescues near you. Im trying to remember the name of one who I put a lady in contact with last year.

The Dogs Trust is also in Uxbridge

http://www.dogsblog.com/author/dogs-trust-west-london/

The Mayhew is North west, but easily within reach for you and they do have some lovely dogs

http://www.mayhewanimalhome.org/

foreign_correspondent

Dalglish wrote: »

No there's nothing stopping us in the eyes of the Rspca - we have someone at home and a garden but we need to make 3 separate visits to the rehoming centre, fill out a questionnaire, be interviewed, have a home visit, take the dog for walks, go back to have the result of the questionnaire then see the superintendent.
Know where I'm coming from?
Think they should make an assessment of the family on the basis of time at home and gut feeling!

I read this article a while ago, about Roy Hattersley looking for a rescue dog after the loss of his old dog (the rest of the article is worth reading actually!)... he falls in love with a dog he has seen on the internet (called Harney) and makes a long journey to go and look at him - after meeting him and taking him out for a walk, he thinks he wants him, and goes to talk to the rescue staff...
.

.....back in the office, I announced that I intended to take him home to Derbyshire at once. Permission was refused. It is Blue Cross policy to insist on a second meeting before the “adoption” is authorised.


I suppressed my resentment, asked for Harley to be reserved until my next visit and drove, disgruntled, home. Halfway there, I realised the wisdom of the policy that I resented. It was just possible that Harley was right for me. But I was not right for him. He needed an owner half my age and a life of unremitting exertion."

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/body_and_soul/article6995319.ece


It is worth liasing with the rescue to find the right dog for you - it is no good getting one that turns out to be not too keen on ten year old boys, or who needs ten miles of walking a day... you may well have a dog for the next 15-20 years of your life - surely it is worth investing the time now?

Francesanne

Dalglish wrote: »

Hi
We've decided for all the right reasons to get a pet dog for our ten yr old son.
We have tried the RSPCA rehoming but it seems it's easier to enter the UK illegally than it is to re-home a pet. However, I agree with the underlying reason.
We are looking for a mongrel which is docile and have tried some of the main sites but all seem to direct u to pedigree puppies.
Any suggestions? Live in west London
many thanks

Might be worth visiting local Vets to check on their notice boards. I really do understand why the RSPCA & Dogs Trust etc., have to make sure their animals are going to good, kind homes but do they they take it a step too far at times & that has resulted in too many beautiful animals being put to sleep because the shelters are bursting with unwanted animals.

moomin5

I can see the problem if they aren't local but 3 visits doesn't sound too bad, would you collect the dog on the 3rd if passed or have to go a 4th time? I presume the other things are done either prior to visits or while your at the centre. Maybe it just sounds more hassle than it will be with it being so formal. There are plenty of other rescue's though if you don't feel that one is for you.

Good article FC, my OH decided he didn't like one of our short listed dogs on the 2nd visit to kennels so i'm glad we didn't jump in straight away. It was a hot day on the 1st visit and i suspect she'd had a lot of interest so was more tired/mellow than usual, she did end up going to a home soon after but was returned after a week. It is a long term companion so its good to be sure its the right one. I imagine its also good for the dog to become a bit more familiar with people before going to a new home.

dannyjebb wrote: »

Have you thought of a retired greyhound? aslong as you dont have cats or other small animals. They need much less exercise than you would think and are great pets

Danny

Just to correct you on one point, some ex-racers can and do live happily with cats or other small animals. Most greyhound rescues test them with cats for suitability if they have a stooge cat available, although often the general rescues seem to just brand all greyhounds as not safe with small furies.

Numpty_Monkey

dnpuckitt is a spammer:spam:
reported to abuse

MaximumImpact

I love reading these threads!!! Instead of giving advice to the OP, it always turns into a ''Puppy farming'' thread and a 'you don't deserve to own a dog thread'.......My advice to the Op is not to come to this board saying that you want a puppy....I would suggest that you try the Blue Cross, NCDL or a local rescue.

chris_n_tj

MaximumImpact wrote: »

I love reading these threads!!! Instead of giving advice to the OP, it always turns into a ''Puppy farming'' thread and a 'you don't deserve to own a dog thread'.......My advice to the Op is not to come to this board saying that you want a puppy....I would suggest that you try the Blue Cross, NCDL or a local rescue.

I think if you read the thread again you will find most answers deal with why a resuce centre needs more than one visit. Of course in an ideal world no visits would be needed would they.
I work in rescue and you would be surprised the number of people that take a dog only a few days later ring up and say he/she doesnt suit our life style. It has been known for some one to ring up and say its not pretty enough. Believe me we have heard it all.
Not fair on the dog/cat is it. So if a rescue needs 1 2 or even 6 visits if you are commited to rehoming a rescue then this shouldnt matter should it.
The OP asked about a rehoming centre (RSPCA) and to why it needs so many homechecks. so where apart from warning folk of the pet shop trade where has this thread has it turned into what you call puppy farming thread. I must be reading the wrong thread.
Chris n TJ

edited to add, where in OP`s post does it ask for a puppy? Its asks for a rescue "dog"

getcarter

http://www.dogsblog.com/al-4/

OMG how cute!

I do not need another dog.................. i do not need another dog...........

NEVER PUT A LINK TO DOGSBLOG AGAIN!!!

ps good luck to the OP!