Do Dog Rescues Have an Unrealistic and Excessively Strict Approach to Rehoming?

kittypimms

Rescues act in the way that reputable breeders do; reputable breeders (not BYB's/ Puppyfarms) will interview, visit, make you sign contracts, and take the dog back if they feel the home is not correct.
And rescues (in the main) are the same.

I live alone in a tiny bungalow with a smallish yard. I work full time. But, I have 2 (large!) rescue dogs (one a Long Term Foster).

Because I spoke with the rescues, they saw the arrangements I had in place (Dogwalker, Daycare, Training classes), and they knew I'd be willing to accept their opinion of if I was a suitable owner for the particular dogs I wanted, they came to live with me.
We're all very happy with this arrangement (my LTF has a blog with the rescue for his sponsors to see - so there's no hiding our lifestyle), but I know if I ever fail to care for the dogs appropriatley, the rescues could come and take them off me - as per the contracts I signed.

I believe that rescues are negotiable with - and the guidelines they put in place are never set in stone.

As a previous poster has said, their interest lies with the wellbeing of the dog. Bouncebacks are common, expensive, and upsetting to all involved.
HTH,

KxP

kittypimms

Padstow wrote: »

I know a small rescue of a pedigree breed that won't even allow you to see the dogs.

They come to your home, interview you and give you the dog they see fit. How arrogant is that?

Consequently, one older boy had been sitting in his kennel for over six months. The rescue had to abandon all their regulations and put his poster in various places.
I don't know whether the poor dog ever found a home.

Not arrogant at all. Why is what you want more important that the wellbeing of the dog? Unless you are a professionally trained behavioralist, in which case I apologise.

Breed rescues of "small pedigrees" also have to be careful; theft of these type of animals (and consequent resale for profit) is sadly rife. I know of a (non-breed affiliated) rescue near me which has 2 Chi's available currently - they cannot let anyone visit them in their foster home for fear of theft.

dormouse_2

I also ended up going to a breeder, i looked round my local animal rescue, fell in love with a lil doggy, told reception that i wanted to buy him only to b told i cudnt :mad:. Hubby works full time and we had waited till i went to part time hours to get our new addition.
We were told because we both work we couldnt have him, i stressed i only work part time, still no joy, we have a large garden and no children.
We now have a beautiful JRT who is left while i go to work but is showered with love and walks every other min of the day :j

orlao

I can see both sides of this problem.

95% of rescues wouldn't accept me - I work full time.
But I've recently taken on a JRT from a local rescue - he was handed in with a sob story about having to move into a flat where dogs weren't allowed. That may be true but they forgot to mention severe food aggression and a tendency to snap first and ask questions after. Not to mention extreme yappiness:eek: None of those is a big problem for me but in a family home or with a novice owner someone would have been bitten by now. The food aggression and snappiness only really showed after a couple of weeks once he'd settled in and I wonder if it would have been spotted in kennels? Alien environment and all that? We all know the outcome if he had bitten someone so I can understand a rescue being cautious. Also, lets not forget that many people talk a very good talk but don't quite cope with the reality - not saying that is anyone here btw - and the dog loses out in those circs.

On the other hand some rescues seem to put impossible hurdles in the way of adoption, afterall many, many people sucessfully manage their work - life balance so you think they could take it into account.

No easy answers really.

greenmoneysaver_2

Am on the fence like many people!

Am a VN and have worked for RSPCA, Battersea and BLue Cross.

Facts

1) alot of people who turn up to "rescue" a dog do not expect to be vetted, or pay, or believe they will have to accept any of the responsibilites of having the dog - they think as it was "unwanted" any home is better than none, and that the rescue will continue to pay for it!

2) people LIE excessively when asked about their work/commitment/age of children and other things pertinent to good dog ownership

3) the rescue centres work on limited funds and rarely can afford post rehoming checks and therefore MUST feel they have covered all legal bases during initial checks

However - there does need to be a happy medium and alot of charity/rehomers can be a little power crazy with the attitude of "I am the gate keeper to the dog" rather than educating and correctly matching. . .

I wouldnt get a dog through rescue, and rehomed one to sick for rescue (is fine now) - but we have dog walkers, a garden and he has the best QOL!

CFC

greenmoneysaver wrote: »

Am on the fence like many people!

Am a VN and have worked for RSPCA, Battersea and BLue Cross.



. . .

I wouldnt get a dog through rescue, and rehomed one to sick for rescue (is fine now) - but we have dog walkers, a garden and he has the best QOL!

Kind of sums it up really - you've done voluntary work with the rescues but wouldn't get one through them!

Yes, people do lie, but that's because they don't always really understand what having a dog means. That's why I'd like to see a questioning approach rather than a ticklist approach. If the organisation had a real dialogue with potential rehomers about what they think a dog needs, and how it will affect their way of life for a long time, they would be able to make far more informed decisions.

greenmoneysaver_2

VN stands for Veterinary Nurse - I was NOT a volunteer!

I am a qualified professional with a full time job and so would not get through the majority of rehoming centres schemes - which is not unfair - however I do have a better than average idea of the problems caused by inappropriate rehoming!

gtitim

Had an 8wk old staffie cross pup handed in to our local police station. i work there so said i would take it on - both shift workers, secure garden, only home 4hrs max, etc etc. went through the system to local authority and onto rescue charity. we have 2 cats and a 3.5yr old boy. the rescue said we needed home visit, which we were more than happy. charity messed us around and never got in touch. we ended up going to a woman whose two dogs had bred - she had a litter of 8 staffie / lab crosses and everything fell into place. Toffee is currently sat licking my socks and snoring. Our 3 yr old loves her to bits and dotes on her.

davsidipp

i+think too many rescues typecast certain breeds and matching of certain dogs too people.we have two jrt who are easy peasy non aggressive and a pug and where do i start such an attention seeker rips things to shreds poos most nights when we go to bed cannot be left for more than 2 hours as she pesters my other 2 one of my jrt has her leather collar chewed to bits by the pug.when i first wanted a jrt we went to battersea they said no as we had no previous experiance with one and they could be aggressive so we looked elsewhere and i got my first at 7 months old good as gold no trouble.home visits by rescues are ok but can they really determine whether the dog is going to work for the new owner or whether they will look after the dog.

byb3

I agree greatly with the OP. We went to the Cat and Dog Shelters and took a look at the dogs they had there of which around 75% of the breeds are Staffy Cross and we weren't particularly looking for a Staffy.

They made us fill out a form asking us about this infamous '4-hour' rule along with questions about our past experience with dogs and whether we had a garden or small children.

The costs are also a big hurdle. Some of the places we've seen are asking for a minimum donaton of £150 when you adopt the dog from the Shelter. I understand this is to cover their own costs which can't be cheap and I know this is harsh to say, but they are pricing themselves out of the market.

We've just bought a new Springador Puppy from a lovely family for £150. We got to see the mother, the father and his brothers and sisters which puts your mind to rest. There are no unknowns.