Anyone bought an older dog from pets for homes?

[Duckegg271]

We’d like to skip the puppy stage, we’ve had no luck with rescues (we’ve got young children and 2 cats) which is making it tricky.

I’ve seen a few adverts on pets for homes for dogs. Usually a change in circumstances-divorce, working longer hours, ill health.

If I do my research and make sure they’re genuine could this be a way of finding a dog?

[HappyHammy]

What part of the country are you in. There are plenty of older dogs in rescue centre. Please dont go on these selling sites.

[Hagbeth]

No that is not a good way to buy a dog, it’s the worst way. Lots of puppy mills and stolen dogs on therE. It’s like eBay - you could get anything from anyone.

I suggest a good rescue like this one

www.manytearsrescue.org/

Good luck!!

[CoffeeMad18]

I have a dog from Many Tears - great rescue. They have dogs in foster all over the UK, in addition to the rescue centre in South Wales.

[Duckegg271]

I’d ruled many tears out as I work 4 hours 3 times a week and most of their dogs need to be homed with a resident dog. Add in our cats and it’s really difficult to find a match.

[NuffingChora]

Don’t do it. We (very, very stupidly) did at one stage and were it not for being able to invest a huge amount of time and money in vet visits, specialist veterinary behaviourists and ongoing care with advice from a specialist breed society the whole thing could have gone horribly wrong. No amount of research will fully reveal an animal’s history without specialist assessment first - you’d get this in a rescue centre, never from Pets4Homes.

[Duckegg271]

Thanks everyone. I’ll avoid at all costs!

[picklemepopcorn]

Have you searched for local rescues? There are often more than you are aware of, with a wider set of guidelines.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Breed-specific rescues can be a good bet (but not all). They often foster the dogs in people's homes so have a good handle on them.

[RaymondStopThat]

Yes to breed specific rescues, we've had several wonderful dogs that way, including a gorgeous oldie who had lived a very miserable 10 years when we got him. At least his last 2 years were happy and safe.

A good rescue will have assessed the dog and have insight into their personalities, and the sort of home that would best suit them.

[Meltedicicle]

Hi Op, just thought I’d chip in as I’m in a v similar position to you (2 kids and a cat!). I had ruled out greyhounds as thought they were a no no with cats but actually, our local branch has a few that can live with cats. They’re also willing to home with workers. I also agree about local rescues. I got some advice on here about actually going to the rescue and chatting in person and I really recommend doing that.

[HappyHammy]

The blue cross and RSPCA dog rehoming pages give a profile for each dog, including if they can live with cats and children. I think local charities might also do this.