Awful Adoption Experience - Advice?

poppygreen

New to this so bear with me.

I planned for years to get a dog when my lifestyle would allow it, and have been looking for the right rescue dog for nearly a year. I've taken it very seriously, have never agreed with buying breeder puppies, and have walked away from dogs I fell in love with because I knew they wouldn't suit me and I wouldn't suit them.

So finally, I was over the moon to see a dog that a centre had advertised in such a way that made it sound perfect for me. Visited and all went brilliant. A particular problem was mentioned and exhibited and I was fine with that, as it wasn't anything too extreme. However when I went back to collect, in hindsight, there was a couple of warning signs where a few comments made me suspicious, but the handing over of dog and money was all so rushed I didn't have a chance to think about it till I was on my way home. One example was that it was only when the dog was in my boot and I handed over the money that she handed over the paperwork and told me his booster was due this week - after telling me the rescue had had him vacc, neutered etc. If I were a stronger person I suppose I should have just handed dog back immediately and drove off, but by then I had already bought all the dog stuff, planned his training, you know...

Well, it turn's out the dog is pretty much the opposite of described. Severe aggression problems and in general his requirements are not what she told me.

Basically I know the centre knowingly lied and misled me. I am so, so upset. Now I have seen the behaviour I understand what was behind the rushed few comments, and the carefully controlled environment that I saw him in which was most conducive to his best behaviour - they knew what they were giving me.

I contacted them immediately, feeling like a terrible person but needing some support. All I got was emotional blackmail about what good work the rescue do and how the dogs all need homes. I agree - I've always supported rescue work. But I don't agree with centres knowingly mismatching just to get the donation and then leaving people with a dog they cannot control, be happy with, or have the skills to support.

Anyway, I'm a bit weak (well, nice), and felt sorry for the rescue and the dog, but as more and more aggressive behaviours displayed I had to tell the centre I cannot manage this dog and must return it. The reaction was appalling. Really aggressive, no caring about me or the dog (he can't be happy with an owner who is scared of him and unable to address his severe problems or give himt the life he needs).

Sorry for the length of this but I am reeling and so so upset just now. It has ruined my dream of having a dog again - they tried to get me to agree to swapping for another dog... They don't seem to care that this has been a traumatic experience and not only would I never consider getting another dog from them (how can I trust them?), it has also made me question whether many homes use these tactics to dupe people.

So I am now scared in my home, and the rescue have refused to take him back for a few weeks. Yes I understand that they don't have room at the moment, and if it were a case of someone changing their mind about the workload of dog ownership I'd say !!!! But I have been put in this position by a terrible centre who seem to care more about getting dogs out the door, even if neither dog nor owner will be happy together. Given that I paid £150 (they call it a donation of course), to be duped into housing, feeding, paying for vaccs and training an unsuitable dog for just 2 weeks, after all the research, planning and being responsible, to have my hopes shattered by a dodgy home - well... I've lost a bit of faith in people right now.

1) Is there any where I can complain to about the home's management, misleading (lying) tactics, and terrible after care?

2) I know the contract stipulates that the money I handed over is a 'non-refundable donation', but I've basically been had. I can't help thinking this is just a bit of a scam they pull to get another dog essentially fostered for a while, whilst also getting £150 handed over to them. Do I have any means of recourse to get my money back?

Thanks

krlyr

There are no regulatory bodies for rescue so no one to complain to in that aspect. I imagine your best bet would be to see if it could be classed as a business, and your donation as a purchase price, and go down the route of being missold something or sold something not fit for purpose. I don't imagine it will be the easiest battle to prove because a "broken" dog is not like a broken TV and you may not have any evidence of your initial requirements (do you have any email correspondence with the rescue? An adoption page/advert describing the false qualities?). Maybe CAB or Trading Standards could help, or possibly even going through the small claims court.

Also worth bearing in mind that many dogs can act hugely different in kennels to in a home environmental so a well-behaved, 'perfect' dog in kennels may not be so when you take it home. Casper was around dozens and dozens of dogs in rescue but it took a couple of weeks for his reactivity to appear at home - luckily I had experience to deal with it but I had wanted a bomb-proof dog originally so it was a little disappointing, but I'd seen for myself what behaviour the rescue had seen and assessed him on when I went to the kennels so can't blame them.

Dollardog

poppygreen wrote: »

New to this so bear with me.

I planned for years to get a dog when my lifestyle would allow it, and have been looking for the right rescue dog for nearly a year. I've taken it very seriously, have never agreed with buying breeder puppies, and have walked away from dogs I fell in love with because I knew they wouldn't suit me and I wouldn't suit them.

So finally, I was over the moon to see a dog that a centre had advertised in such a way that made it sound perfect for me. Visited and all went brilliant. A particular problem was mentioned and exhibited and I was fine with that, as it wasn't anything too extreme. However when I went back to collect, in hindsight, there was a couple of warning signs where a few comments made me suspicious, but the handing over of dog and money was all so rushed I didn't have a chance to think about it till I was on my way home. One example was that it was only when the dog was in my boot and I handed over the money that she handed over the paperwork and told me his booster was due this week - after telling me the rescue had had him vacc, neutered etc. If I were a stronger person I suppose I should have just handed dog back immediately and drove off, but by then I had already bought all the dog stuff, planned his training, you know...

Well, it turn's out the dog is pretty much the opposite of described. Severe aggression problems and in general his requirements are not what she told me.

Basically I know the centre knowingly lied and misled me. I am so, so upset. Now I have seen the behaviour I understand what was behind the rushed few comments, and the carefully controlled environment that I saw him in which was most conducive to his best behaviour - they knew what they were giving me.

I contacted them immediately, feeling like a terrible person but needing some support. All I got was emotional blackmail about what good work the rescue do and how the dogs all need homes. I agree - I've always supported rescue work. But I don't agree with centres knowingly mismatching just to get the donation and then leaving people with a dog they cannot control, be happy with, or have the skills to support.

Anyway, I'm a bit weak (well, nice), and felt sorry for the rescue and the dog, but as more and more aggressive behaviours displayed I had to tell the centre I cannot manage this dog and must return it. The reaction was appalling. Really aggressive, no caring about me or the dog (he can't be happy with an owner who is scared of him and unable to address his severe problems or give himt the life he needs).

Sorry for the length of this but I am reeling and so so upset just now. It has ruined my dream of having a dog again - they tried to get me to agree to swapping for another dog... They don't seem to care that this has been a traumatic experience and not only would I never consider getting another dog from them (how can I trust them?), it has also made me question whether many homes use these tactics to dupe people.

So I am now scared in my home, and the rescue have refused to take him back for a few weeks. Yes I understand that they don't have room at the moment, and if it were a case of someone changing their mind about the workload of dog ownership I'd say !!!! But I have been put in this position by a terrible centre who seem to care more about getting dogs out the door, even if neither dog nor owner will be happy together. Given that I paid £150 (they call it a donation of course), to be duped into housing, feeding, paying for vaccs and training an unsuitable dog for just 2 weeks, after all the research, planning and being responsible, to have my hopes shattered by a dodgy home - well... I've lost a bit of faith in people right now.

1) Is there any where I can complain to about the home's management, misleading (lying) tactics, and terrible after care?

2) I know the contract stipulates that the money I handed over is a 'non-refundable donation', but I've basically been had. I can't help thinking this is just a bit of a scam they pull to get another dog essentially fostered for a while, whilst also getting £150 handed over to them. Do I have any means of recourse to get my money back?

Thanks

How awful for you!! Some rescues, as you say, just want rid as fast as they can. I'm afaid I can't help you with any useful advice about where to go though I'm afraid.
Not the dog I have now, but the one before was a rescue from the breed club, he did have aggression problems which I was told about, although he seemed fine when I went to look at him. It was fear aggression as he had been beaten and starved and also been in five homes already even though he was only two. If I hadn't have taken him, he was going to be put down. The aggression didn't come out till I got him home, when he pinned me to the kichen door:eek: Once I had worked out what triggered the aggression, I was able to not put him in situations where it came out. It took me 18 months and a lot of hard work to sort him out but he made a lovely dog in the end and I feel really good that I was able to turn him round but I am an experience dog owner who's had dogs in my life all the time. Taking on an aggressive dog is not for a first time owner nor for people with families. I was able to give him one to one training. If you are scared of him, he will sense that and play on it. The rescue needs to be made to take the dog back.


A friend of mine rescued a puppy from a local rescue a number of years ago. She already had a dog but wanted to help another one. Her dog would not go anywhere near this pup, and even seemed frightened of it, yet normally she loved meeting other dogs.
After a couple of days, the dog started being very sick, had the runs etc and her previous dog went wild trying to get out of the way of it.
She scrupulously cleaned up after the pup and took it to the vets as soon as possible. It had parvo, the vet said her dog probably sensed that there was something wrong, which was why she avoided it so strongy and if my friend hadn't have been so fastidious about cleaning up after it, her own dog could have caught it. Unfortunately, the pup was not strong enough to fight it and ended up having to be put down.
She went back to the rescue to tell them what had happened, and basically said that she wanted her money back to help towards the vet's bills it had cost her. They wouldn't give her her money back but offered her another one - she said she hadn't bought the dog on a buy one get one free basis and did not want to risk taking another one home because it could also have caught the virus.
She didn't get the money back but did complain to the environmental health people about some of the conditions the dogs were kept in. They got closed down for a while to clean up their act but are now open again.

krlyr

Meant to say..are you absolutely sure you cannot turn things around? Personally I would be tempted to forget the rescue altogether and work on building a bond with this dog. Maybe you could go into more details about his issues and get some views on how much work they'll likely need? Casper's dog-reactivity wasn't ideal but a lot of his personality is pretty likeable and I can manage the reactivity issues. It might just all seem a bit overwhelming at the minute but at the end of the day it's not the dog's fault - maybe it could work out?

Dollardog

If the rescue really won't take the dog back, or is making you keep it for the time being until they have space, perhaps you would like to tell us what is actually happening, when it happens, what the dog is doing and what your reaction to it is. Maybe we could offer you some advice to tide you over. I hate to think of you being scared of being in your own home with it. You need advice to help you cope with it.

Dollardog

krlyr wrote: »

Meant to say..are you absolutely sure you cannot turn things around? Personally I would be tempted to forget the rescue altogether and work on building a bond with this dog. Maybe you could go into more details about his issues and get some views on how much work they'll likely need? Casper's dog-reactivity wasn't ideal but a lot of his personality is pretty likeable and I can manage the reactivity issues. It might just all seem a bit overwhelming at the minute but at the end of the day it's not the dog's fault - maybe it could work out?

Ha ha krlyr, we must have had the same thought together!!

poppygreen

Thanks for the reply. It's not really that I'm fussed about the money itself - though everyone who knows me knows how seriously and responsibly I took it, and they are angry that I've been 'had' and think I'm a fool to not care about the money. Many are evening saying I should claim against them for the cost of the pet food, vets etc. I don't plan to do this, but have to say if I read about someone experiencing this I'd think it a travesty that people can end up a £600 out of pocket because a dogs home has no ethics.

It's more that I do not want that home to have the money. I respect that they probably think they're doing 'good work' - but with the best intentions they aren't doing it at all well. And that's me being gracious towards them. Having since scoured for reviews I have found some people who have experienced the same thing with them... The thought of them perhaps profiting out of doing this regularly makes me ill. I think because it is a charity and a good cause people are reluctant to leave bad reviews...

I absolutely didn't expect a perfect dog, just to clarify. I specifically wanted to help a dog who was unlikely to be rehomed elsewhere, and was older. Too many of these dogs get put down But I, responsibly, considered my particular dog experience (I'm not a novice), a particular home location, lifestyle, that meant certain things were essential if it was to be successful and both me and dog happy. I was aware and well prepared for house training, difficult behaviours over possessions etc and plenty more.

But on two main counts he was misreperesented, one in a problem behaviour respect, the other in a need he has (ie the lifestyle he is used to and would be happiest still having) that totally mismatches with what I explained about my lifestyle - and given what the rescue has shared with me about his previous life only since I took the dog home, I know they knew this beforehand.

I don't want to go into too much detail as it's ongoing and the doggy world is small. But he wasn't in kennels, and had a full history with info from the previous owner.

Naively, I didn't treat this like a business transaction, getting written confirmation at each stage etc. I really just assumed they would want the best for the dog - it never entered my head that they would do anything other than find the right home for him I have the original ad, but little else to prove anything (though I do have emails that show the absolute unprofessionalism in handling the situation).

I feel really crushed by all this, and given the neurotic and strange behaviour of the home owner I'm even a bit worried about taking him back there!

Fosterdog

How long have you had the dog?
How long was he in rescue?
Was he still with the previous owners or in a foster home?
Was he living with other dogs?
What are the issues he's having?

I am disgusted with the way you've been treated when you have a problem with an adopted dog. When one of my fosters goes to a new home I stay in daily contact for the first week or two and then phase out the contact to sending a card and gift on a gotcha day and xmas, although all but one new family has chosen to send me regular updates throughout the year.

Whenever any of them have an issue, whether it's a small thing like throwing up after a particular brand of worming tablet or serious health or behaviour issue I offer whatever support I can and also let the rescue know so they can get their most qualified person to help them.

Any rescue should have a lifelong responsibility to the dogs they rehome and should continue to support their new homes. I know the rescue I foster for has had their own behaviourists work with dogs with issues on an ongoing basis if needed. I've seen it too many times where a problem is brushed under the carpet to make the dog more appealing, whereas if you are upfront and honest the right home will come along eventually and will more likely be a forever home.

Saying all that dogs can show significantly different behaviour when they go to a new home.

One of my fosters hated being without the company of another dog and would follow my other dog everywhere and loved it when I had other fosters, he went on to a new home where he refused to let another dog into his home and became aggressive. For six months with me I never once saw even a hint of aggression towards another dog be it in the home or out on walks.

On the other side of it I had a foster who would try to kill any small animal she could see (cats and rabbits usually) and she went to a home with no other pets, a few months later they got a cat and she loves her cat and has never tried to hurt her and also loves the cat next door. If they'd had the cat before the dog they would have been turned down as a home for her based on her history (she had got hold of a neighbours rabbit which is how she ended up in rescue).

There are some very knowledgeable doggy people on here so if you say exactly what the problems are you may be able to get some help and support with it.

moggymutt

Aggressive dogs is a huge problem for rescues, and I think that you have had an appalling time. This dog could attack a child if one came to visit, or even attack you.

Similar senario. Friends of mine took a dog from a local rescue. Dog started going for them (I saw the wounds), so rang rescue and asked the lady to take the dog back. She said that she was working , had no time, and had no one else to pick the dog up (my friends had no transport). These were all lies, because I know her well, and she had plenty of peole who often transported dogs for her, I know them, and she hadn't even asked them. She then refused to answer the phone when they tried ringing again, explaining that their grandaugher was coming to visist. By Monday the dog was so bad that they took the dog to the vets, who said they had no option but to put the dog down before it injured someone badly. 4 days later, rescue lady finds out dog has been pts, runs into vets with a pack of lies, pretending to be distraught.

This lady has also taken a pitbull type to another rescue before now (notice that she wasn't prepared to keep it at her rescue) claiming it to be of good temperament- it killed a poodle within a few days.

It is horrible for a rescue with a non destruct policy to cope with a viscious dog. It is probably not the dogs fault (usually previous abuse by people), but rescues must face up to reality, and NOT HOME THESE DOGS ON! An adult may just be injured, but a child could be killed or have horrific disfiguring wounds. I live with lots of animals, do rescue, would do anything for my animalsbut no dog is worth a child's life.

Very, very tough decision time for the rescue, but it is their responsibilty. It is absolutely disgusting that they say they cant take the dog in at present- even if one of the workers had to pay out of their own pocket to pay for secure kenneling- tough, its part of doing rescue. All totally horrible, but homing a viscious dog is just not on.

BEfore I start getting slammed for knocking dog rescues, THINK OF THE CHILD THAT ONE DAY THAT DOG MIGHT KILL.

If had a dog that was aggressive to me, I'd be scared it would even go for my face when in bed, or I snoozed off on the settee.

We have had to take a cat back on 1 occaission for attacking its new owners- I went straight away, and then luckily managed to home the cat at a farm. Yes, it is a lot easier with cats, I don't have the same problem as with dogs. But it is just wrong on the part of the rescue
who want to believe that every dog they take in can magically be homeable.

ps I agree that the rescue would haver known this dogs character, otherwise if they thought it was just characteristics that the dog had never shown before, they would have been there like a shot to make sure that they rescued the dog from a placew that was causing it to turn.

Poppygreen, I really feel that you have been put in the most horrible situation, totally unfairly. Legally I don't know where you stand, but this rescue is acting appallingly.

I'll PM you.

moggymutt

I am also worried as to how many other people that this rescue has done this to, ie not taking back dogs showing aggression, and how many more they will do this to.

themull1

If that rescue won't take it, try another one or take it to the RSPCA, i certainly wouldnt be keeping a dangerous dog in my house, just because one rescue centre said it couldn't take it back.