Are there any rescue places that will rehome with young DCs?

[EauRouge]

I have a 2.6yo DD and an almost 5yo DD.

We've been putting a lot of preparation into getting a dog and just been turned down by a breed rescue because they won't rehome with young children (wish they'd said that on their website!)

So are there any reputable rescues that will? We're also first timers. Or should we go down another route? I don't really want a pedigree puppy when there are so many adult dogs looking for a home but if a rescue isn't right for us, is that the only other way?

Thanks

[Floralnomad]

Many tears are Wales based but have foster dogs all round the country ,they rehome to families with children and because they've been in foster homes you know what you are getting .

[ResNullius]

Reading the heading, I intended to respond by saying try breed rescues as they can be less restrictive about homing with children. It does still vary however.

I think the issue may be the combination of having young children and also being first time dog owners, so the answer may be to look for an experienced dog instead ....I would continue trying with the rescues, telling them that you need a bombproof dog who is used to children.

[ResNullius]

With young children, you do need to be very sure of what you are getting.

If the dog doesn't have a full history, then I would want to be totally certain that the foster home had fully tested the dog actually living with little ones...and anything else you might have concerns about, such as aggression with other dogs.

[Scuttlebutter]

Many rescues will rehome to families with young DC, and most very sensibly take it on a dog by dog basis. There are quite a few regulars in the Doghouse who have young DC and have successfully adopted. They will also do a homecheck and this will explore a few critical issues such as your willingness to keep dogs and DC separate, and how you will find time for exercising dog with two young DC. Example - it's pouring with rain, dog needs walk, but toddler does not want to go outside - do you have someone who can either walk the dog or mind the toddler?

With family budgets being stretched, they will also ask if you are prepared for financial commitment to dog. They may even ask if you have plans for any more DC - they are not doing this to be nosey but to ensure the dog is in a stable home, as sadly the time around the birth of DC is when many parents give up dogs - often because they do not make time for them.

Finally, it does also depend on the breed of dog you are looking for. Have you prepared and researched the needs of your particular breed? Some breeds are very high energy and require lots (2 hrs + a day of serious exercise) as well as plenty of mental stimulation and training - with young DC it can be harder to carve out that time and commitment, so they will want to be clear you are able to.

The Dogs Trust is worth a try and I can also recommend Hope Rescue - they are based in Wales but rehome nationally. They have a policy that all their dogs are fostered for at least a fortnight before adoption so a thorough assessment can be made and try wherever possible to ensure that a dog rehomed to a family has been fostered with a family.

If you are interested in a greyhound then the majority of greyhound charities will rehome to families - these gentle dogs can often be superb family pets. Examples include Greyhound Rescue West of England (despite the name they rehome nationally), Greyhound Rescue Wales, Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust, Celia Cross Greyhound Rescue etc etc.

[EauRouge]

Thanks. I have a shortlist of breeds (been obsessing researching for some time), but I'd be happy with a cross. We're both home all day and want a dog that will be OK with the DDs and cats but also be a running partner for me (would love to do canicross). DH is going for the snip soon so no more babies.

Thank you for the rescue recommendations, I'll check them out. We live quite close to Wood Green animal shelter but I don't think they foster dogs, I think they just live in the kennels- am I right to be more wary of this because of DDs/cats?

[Scuttlebutter]

Wood Green is a pound, so yes, you are right - they won't have been fostered. Some people are happy to take that chance, personally I'd prefer to rehome from a rescue that fosters, especially with DC and a cat in the mix.

[Floralnomad]

My friend has just got a rescue dog from Mayhew in London and he was in foster so they may be worth a try .

[Insanityismymiddlename]

Furry friends in surrey are fantastic they are a home based rescue and don't use kennels so each dog is throughly assessed, I rehomed a dog from them last year and have 3 DCs under 6yrs old, they will match you to a dog suitable with children if they have one but will not rehome a dog that could be a risk.

[LadyTurmoil]

You could/should try Pro Dogs Direct. They are based in London/SE and work with foster homes mainly but also have kennels if all fosterers are full. They have some lovely dogs at the moment, spaniel cross and shaggy crossbreeds - gorgeous! They also have a Facebook page. There is also [[http://lea-valley-dog-rescue.3136399.n2.nabble.com/ Lea Valley Dog Rescue] who work in London and home counties - all dogs are fostered so can be assessed with other dogs/cats/children. Good luck!

[EauRouge]

Thanks, I will check those ones out as well :) Feeling a bit more positive now, I was a bit upset about being turned down by the rescue place. But hey ho, there are plenty of dogs that need homes.

[EauRouge]

Is it OK to be in contact with more than one rescue place or is that a faux pas? I don't want to waste anyone's time but I've seen two lovely dogs on two different rescue websites. Sorry if this is a dumb question, I just don't want to annoy any charity volunteers.

[Jgro78]

I know this is an old thread but just a note: do not bother with Many Tears in Wales if you work from home. They do not state this on their website. I have wasted a lot of time filling in the adoption form etc., only to be told "we do not consider people who work from home". I have a 9-year-old dog who is perfectly happy and healthy and definitely loves me being around all day, every day. I feel discriminated and just wonder where all those dogs get sent.