Private rehoming - is it OK??

[luckylambchop]

I'm sure this is a silly question but humour me, I'm new to all this. We have registered with a some local dog rescues and in the meantime DH has found a couple of dogs on gumtree he likes the look of. They both seem to have legit reasons for rehoming but it makes me nervous doing it that way for some reason as they could tell you any old cobblers! Am I being silly?

[DeepfriedPizza]

Some people do advertise on gumtree for genuine reasons but others lie. Best thing to do is go and meet the dog and see how it behaves first before deciding. Anyone with genuine reasons shouldn't have an issue with it.

[Littlebeek]

Hello
I'd always go to the rescue centers as those dogs literally do not have a home so far more in need in my opinion.
Plus I'm dead against dogs being sold on gumtree, it makes me sad :(

Lots of unscrupulous people in there too :(

[Bubble2bubble]

Some very naïve but genuine people do advertise their dogs on Gumtree, but more will tell lies to get rid of a dog they don't want, or to sell a stolen dog I'm afraid.

[TrionicLettuce]

The advantage of going to a reputable rescue is that they'll offer back up should you have any problems or if things, for whatever reason, don't work out with the new dog. With private rehomings you have none of that, once you get the dog it's yours and you're stuck with any problems it turns out to have that the seller may not have mentioned.

As well as local rescues there are plenty these days who will rehome across the country and some have dogs in foster all over the country. If you're after a particular breed there are the breed club rescues as well.

[luckylambchop]

Thank you. Good to know my fears are not unfounded!

[tabulahrasa]

Definitely avoid private rehoming...

Firstly yes people lie, but also even those that don't lie on purpose may not be able to tell you about any potential issues, there may be things that could be a huge problem to you that they haven't come across, don't consider a problem or that they're just avoiding.

Secondly if you do have an issue, there's no back up.

And add in that you'd be encouraging people to sell on dogs by giving them money...

Stick with rescues, it's much better all round.

[Molecule]

We privately rehomed a little dog. He came via my sil from some enormously rich people. We were told he was chasing sheep and they couldn't keep him in, we're very sad to have to rehome him etc. 'Twas all bullshit. He's a fearsome little thing, known locally as the "sabre toothed powder puff" who has only mellowed slightly after five years, though he does now generally growl a warning before biting. I would never do it again, or would make absolutely sure I knew the family etc.

Funnily enough we never heard from his previous owners.

[Wolfiefan]

Don't limit yourself to local rescues if you can travel. There are also breed specific rescues. Some foster dogs out so can offer better advice about which dog would suit. Like Blackretrieverx.

[honeyroar]

I have three rescues and am involved with one of the rescues, but I would still consider a gumtree/preloved dog, but I would certainly not pay for the dog. As mentioned above, I would view the dog a few times, try and get a genuine opinion. I just feel that a UK rescue dog is safe, whereas the one being rehomed on gumtree is still in danger. I'd never buy a dog, ever. But some rehoming on these sites do seem like genuinely stupid people that haven't thought out what having a dog entails and haven't the brains to come up with going to a rescue.

[honeyroar]

Ps, both my cats came from Preloved. They had been left behind by the RSPCA, despite being skin and bone, when they seized the pet dogs in the home. A local lady follows the RSPCA and takes a lot of cats that the RSPCA won't take (usually because they haven't room). She neutered them, had their injections done and fattened them up for a month before advertising for rehoming. All at her own expense, and she wouldn't take a penny from me. Some people on there are nice.