Rehoming a dog

calicocat

zaksmum wrote: »

I'll certainly remember that in future though

This how things work in my area, others may be different of course, and when I have been involved in organising it it has been with those on benefits. Certainly worth a try for those with a temporary stay in hospital but more than a short stay that they can ask others to help out with.

zaksmum

Thanks calicocat

senileturtle

As others had said, there are some charities that take death row dogs. There are also shelters who will come in last minute to take a dog as sometimes vets call them telling there is a dog due to be PTS that is perfectly healthy.

As it is, it seems it may be too late but if you can - contact some local charities with the location of the dog and how many days he is likely to have left. Maybe someone will try and make room. And appeal on facebook and other social networking sites if you can. Even if the poor soul doesn't get saved, at least it will raise awareness of the plight of animals in the care of criminals.

As for aggression, that can be trained out. Very rarely can a dog not be trained no matter how aggressive.

zaksmum

The warden had said the dog was going to a particular RSPCA kennels.

I've looked at the dogs they have listed there for rehoming but this dog isn't included.

I might phone them and ask about the dog that was collected by the dog warden last Sunday - I can't ask for him by name as the girlfriend had said she found him.

I really do hope he wasn't PTS. Would they tell me?

unholyangel

I know the dogs already away to the warden but for future reference, they don't try to rehome staffies a lot of the time in england - they just put them to sleep. Partly because theres so many of them and partly because of the bad image they have in the press.

I work with a few dog charities, one of which specialises in saving staffies from death row. Indeed my own staffie was saved by them from being put to sleep in the east midlands.

We've had several previously "aggressive" dogs who are now happily rehomed as big softies. We've also had dogs sent to us as "aggressive" who technically weren't....they were just stressed out by being in the pound.

Its part of the reason rescue dogs are homed with foster carers where possible. You get a better idea of what they'll be like in a home environment and can also train them.

Cant speak for them all but ours pay for the food/vet costs (and training materials if required) for their foster doggies if the fosterer wants (some of us don't claim if we can afford not to as the more money the charity has, more doggies it can save). They also offer advice/emotional support and will only ever give you a "problem" dog to foster if you have the relevant experience and are willing.

So if anyone is reading this thinking "I cant afford a dog/cant afford another dog", please check with your local rescue/charity and see if they offer the same assistance to their fosterers. Its very rewarding seeing a dog who was scared of its own shadow a month previous, running around happily playing.

The only sad part is when they're adopted and you have to hand them over! (although the one I work with gives fosterers priority if they wish to keep the dog themselves - since dog is already settled etc).

senileturtle

zaksmum wrote: »

The warden had said the dog was going to a particular RSPCA kennels.

I've looked at the dogs they have listed there for rehoming but this dog isn't included.

I might phone them and ask about the dog that was collected by the dog warden last Sunday - I can't ask for him by name as the girlfriend had said she found him.

I really do hope he wasn't PTS. Would they tell me?

RSPCA are notorious for PTS healthy animals unfortunately.

zaksmum

senileturtle wrote: »

RSPCA are notorious for PTS healthy animals unfortunately.

That's my fear. Especially with him being a staffie.

Almost all the dogs this particular RSPCA kennels have up for rehoming are either staffies or staffie crosses.

His picture still hasn't appeared so I really am not optimistic about his chances.