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

1_step_closer

I have to add to this thread. I did do voluntary work with a well known animal shelter who loves publicity - I would not have been allowed to home any animal as I work full time (although hubby works from home). I ended up walking some of the dogs and did a LOT of gardening and used to natter to the dogs through their kennels as I went past. Most were brilliant, they used to sit and look interested at the rubbish I spouted, the odd one or two were def traumatised so I just used to say hello - but after a while they used to look interested as well.
I stopped in the end as I couldn't bear the "holier-than-thou" approach of the staff and their attitude to the general public. Yes, people lie and yes they want animals "right now" but anyone who adopted was made to feel that they were honoured.
Rescue centres need to have a re-think of their policies and see how the animals interact with the possible adoptor - not see how many ticks are crossed off.
Besides - how many people who are home all day do you know take their dogs out at least twice????

1 step closer

gettingready

1 step closer - so true.

I know a lot of people who have houses with gardens (tick from animal sheltsrs) but never take the dogs out for WALKS.

I also know people who do not work and do not walk their dogs properly.

Besides - if someoen does nto work how on earth can they afford to look after a dog/cat properly? They cost money , a lot of money.

I live in a flat (the greatest sin in animal rescue people), and I work (ok, was out of work for the last 6 months but that was a first in like 15 years) - and I have a very happy and well looked after German Shepherd and 6 cats.

ALL my pets were bought from the infamous Gumtree (the last 2 that arrived in my flat at the age of 5 were too originally bought from adverts on Gumtree as kittens, long story, they were my kittens then ex took them then he handed them back to me)- I had no other choice.

So anyone preaching to people that they dhould not buy pets from THERE as there are so many animals in need in shelters - stop and think WHY are they in shelters? They are in shelters because shlters' policies are just impossible for a normal person to be able to "pass" the requirements.

Buying kittens/puppies may encourage back street breeders BUT if someone has no chance to get a dog/cat from a shelter then what?

Before getting Zara 5 years ago - I did try to get a dog from several places and each and every one of them have refused on the basis that I live in a flat and work.

Later trying to get a cat I had another problem as I was living in a flat, working AND having a dog.

My dog LOVES cats and gets on brilliantly with all 6 of the furies at home.

I am not saying they should hand a dog/cat to everyone that turns up but as long as the adoption process is just a box ticking exercise without any humat touch to it - those dogs/cats will stay in shelters or be PTS...

sad but true...

bagginslover

Not all rescues are like this. The breed rescue I just adopted from will allow full time workers to adopt (we both work full time), you can live in a flat (though if you have a garden, it must be secure-only common sense really) there is no age limit for adopters, upper, or in the case of couples with children, no lower limit either. There is no charge to adopt a dog, there is a recommended donation ammount, but when we went to collect our boy we were asked IF we'd like to make a donation, not how much.

We weren't allowed to view all the dogs in kennels, as they are a sensitive breed and it can stress them, instead, we were matched with several dogs, and they were brought out to us to meet and walk. We also had to bring with us a list of items (collars, lead, dog coat, bowls etc) to show we had prepared for the dog-this was when we collected him, they didn't expect it any earlier.

We did give the full suggested donation, as the rescue does fantastic work, and our boy is totally worth it. I also buy new coats and collars through them so they get the profit, and do street collections with my dog for them (raised £250 last weekend!). Taking on one of their dogs has started a relationship between us and them, and I think that's how it should be.

1_step_closer

Baggins that sounds perfect! A rescue breed centre with common sense. Wish they were all like that!

1 step closer

ladymarmalade1970

Fang wrote: »

Have you quite finished your pathetic little rant?

Good.

Oh yeah, staffies are always good with people and children, until they attack them. Like all dogs.

The fact is there is an abundance of unwanted staffies because they are aggressive, and so they're being put down. Either help with the causes of the problem, or shut up moaning about it. Simple.

You my friend are an uneducated, ignorant !!!! :-D
It said T wat but it was edited out so i will chose something else - mong lol. You my friend are a mong.

Darlyd

Staffies in my opinion Are the best dogs EVER !

Mine have grown up around children (10 years now), been poked, prodded, dressed up, pushed about in a buggy, bounced on trampoline, chases the chickens, chewing bone with toddler, and so on..... Would not hurt a fly! (except Molly she tries to play with spiders but ends up eating them!)

Staffies are so loyal, and they grow up the way they have been treated, if they have been beaten then they will be nasty, if they have been brought up spoilt, then they will be whiney, if they have been brought up with love they will love back.. Mine are adorable. I had to put my baby down Friday but still have Mol Mol's (Molly) And can't wait to get another one. Just grieving at the moment.

Sam grew up spoilt, he whined a lot but in the end he did calm down and shared. Molly well she just so lovable, and she loves feet!

So many ignorant people about.. Makes my blood boil!

zaksmum

When my last lovely old dog died I knew I had to get another dog - I was just incomplete without one. Saw on a rescue website that some pups needed a home and enquired about one of the male pups.

They sent someone out to check on me and I passed the checks. Then I was told that the pup would have to have the rescue's contact details on his tag and microchip rather than mine - I reluctantly agreed but thought it was silly, as if the dog went missing it would take longer to contact me.

Then they rang and said the pup had kennel cough. At the time my son had a 15 year old Yorkie who visited most days, so I explained this and asked if the rehoming might wait till this had cleared up, as I was worried the Yorkie might catch it.

I got the height of abuse from the co ordinator. She said she couldn't care less about the Yorkie, only the pup, and if I was that bothered about the health of the Yorkie "just wait till the damn thing dies before you get another dog!" (quote)!

The home visitor rang me to apologise as she'd heard this conversation and was mortified, though of course it wasn't her fault.

I eventually got a very healthy puppy from a magazine ad, and I'm delighted with him. But I wouldn't bother with rescue centres again after that.

kathy206

The Rescue Centre where we got our lab cross from 3 years ago, just asked for a picture on our phone of the garden!! They charged £110 for him and he was chipped, fleaed wormed and vaccinated as well as a discounted neutering voucher. The person who runs the rescue is coming under fire at the minute as she keeps going to Ireland and bringing puppy farm puppies and b!tches back, as well as a lot of the dogs she's rehomed have had a lot of health issues, (she's got a reputation for this with the local vets.)
I would agree that there should be some room for flexibility regarding working full time, children and other pets, however after talking to a lady who takes strays from the local dog warden, there needs to be something to stop the back yard breeders, she's overrun with youngish staffy's who have obviously outgrown the cute phase and have entered the adolescent ASBO phase that all young dogs go through whatever the breed

bagginslover

zaksmum wrote: »

. Then I was told that the pup would have to have the rescue's contact details on his tag and microchip rather than mine - I reluctantly agreed but thought it was silly, as if the dog went missing it would take longer to contact me.

Ours is the same-his microchip is permanently recorded with their details, not ours. We were told it was so that if our dog was lost anywhere in the country, there would always be someone nearby that could collect him (they are a national breed rescue) It also means they have him in their possession right away if he's found to have been neglected or abandoned (which of course we'd never do, but it does happen sadly). In addition to tags bearing our details (required by law) he also wears one with the words 'scan me' and the rescues number. It's wasn't a requirement that he wear this, but I feel safer in the knowledge that if our phones weren't reachable, the rescue always is, and I know they'd take good care of him for us til we could be contacted.

zaksmum

bagginslover wrote: »

Ours is the same-his microchip is permanently recorded with their details, not ours. We were told it was so that if our dog was lost anywhere in the country, there would always be someone nearby that could collect him (they are a national breed rescue) It also means they have him in their possession right away if he's found to have been neglected or abandoned (which of course we'd never do, but it does happen sadly). In addition to tags bearing our details (required by law) he also wears one with the words 'scan me' and the rescues number. It's wasn't a requirement that he wear this, but I feel safer in the knowledge that if our phones weren't reachable, the rescue always is, and I know they'd take good care of him for us til we could be contacted.

But if your dog is missing you are glued to your phone, arent you? And for the rescue to be contacted first just doesn't seem right to me. If it's your dog, you're the one who should be the first to know he's been found.