Finding a home for a puppy

[ThatLibraryMiss]

My adult DD and her partner have two dogs, the same breed but without papers. They were advised to wait until after the bitch's first season to spey - well, they kept them apart or closely supervised, put belly bands on the dog and pants on the bitch, but there are three puppies.

Yes, I know: they should have taken more care. What can I say? They thought they'd done everything, and that ship has sailed. So please, no wagging fingers; it doesn't help. The bitch is to be spayed next week - the dog is intact because he had a bad start before DD got him and the vet advises that he needs the testosterone to help with his timidity.

They're keeping one puppy, one has a new owner, but one's left. Several people have expressed interest in her but on reflection have sensibly said no. They're not going to advertise her on Pets4Homes or Gumtree so how does one go about finding a lovely home for a puppy? She's really the best in the litter, smart, sociable, raised in a home and used to lots of human contact and they want to see her go to a really good home.

[Floralnomad]

Surrender it to a rescue and they will find someone for it pretty quickly and at least then you know all the checks have been done . I assume they are keeping a boy pup to ensure that they don’t end up in this position again .

[rosesinmygarden]

Would it be worth letting the local vet know? They might know of someone who has recently lost pet and would make a nice home for the puppy?

Or would a local rehoming centre or animal charity help for a donation?

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

The only really responsible way is to take it to the RSPCA, Battersea, Dogs Trust or other reputable rescue. They would rather people did that than used any other way of rehoming the puppy. I think they can always find homes for puppies and you will be sure that the puppy's future home is properly checked out and it is going to the right sort of people.

[Wolfiefan]

No papers? So not a decent breeder who could help.
Breed rescue?
They’ve been bloody stupid. I hope they’re not keeping another female who they won’t get spayed and will leave with her father when in season.

[SutterCane]

Enlisting the help of a rescue (particularly a breed/type-specific one) is likely to be the best bet. It won't necessarily mean handing the puppy over, she may well be able to stay with your DD whilst a home is found and checks are done by the rescue.

[fivedogstofeed]

Speak to a breed rescue. Get the pup vaccinated and microchipped to minimise their costs if they agree to help.

[ThatLibraryMiss]

They’ve been bloody stupid.

Ah, a wagging finger. Thank you so much for your most helpful comment. It really hadn't occurred to me. Of course they're keeping another bitch to be impregnated by her father - incest is the smart thing in dog breeding isn't it?

Or maybe they made a mistake, like you clearly have never done, and are trying to fix it. And the puppy they're keeping is a dog and will be neutered, because he doesn't have his dad's anxiety.

roses, we've spoken to vets, the local nice pet shop and my dog walker.

fivedogs, she's already had her first vaccination and is too young for her second, but she'll get it (and a chip) if she's still with them when she's old enough.

Thank you to everyone who suggested rescues, I'll pass that on.

[Wolfiefan]

No I’ve never allowed an unspayed male to get at my female in heat.
And if that happened then a vet visit can prevent more unwanted puppies.
If the mother and father are very young then keeping a dog could also be a disaster.

[Kirkman]

If she is old enough for her first Injections she is old enough for a chip.

I would speak to a bred specific rescue.

[Kirkman]

Pets4home and gumtree are terrible places to seel a pup.

What breed is it?

[frillyfarmer]

What breed are they? You could try breed clubs on FB? If they're a working breed I could help.

Without wanting to "finger wag" given they've already demonstrated they're not really competent dog owners (what the fuck is a belly band when it's at home?) I would urge them very very strongly not to keep a puppy, it is a disaster waiting to happen.

[bb2605]

@ThatLibraryMiss I would suggest maintaining the advertising that you have done until your DD finds a suitable home. If going down the rescue route then contacting a specific breed rescue but not handing the dog over unless absolutely necessary - once it's handed over it becomes legally not the responsibility of your DD and she will have no say in what happens to it - maybe I'm being very negative here but at the RSPCA is known to put thousands of animals down every year so please please avoid them at the very least. If your DD can look after the puppy whilst it is being found a home by the breed rescue that will be the best case scenario because it also gets socialised and used to a family life instead of being kept in a cage with limited contact and picking up bad habits that put it at risk of needing to be rehomed again. I honestly would try and find it a local home through vet clinics - it might take longer but your DD can then do a home check herself and can include a contract with the sale/rehoming contract that stipulates they have to return it to her for first refusal if they ever want to get rid of it. I know that most people who work in rescue centres are lovely dedicated people who genuinely adore animals but it is never the same as being in a home environment and it does undoubtedly cause behavioural issues to develop which put its chances of being rehomed at risk.

[JillAmanda]

I agree that they should hand the pups (plural; they’ve proved that they can’t cope with being responsible owners to 2 dogs let alone 3) to a rescue. Potential homes will be checked for suitability. Your DD and her partner can’t really be relied upon to judge who’s suitable since presumably they deem themselves adequate owners.

[tabulahrasa]

“And the puppy they're keeping is a dog and will be neutered, because he doesn't have his dad's anxiety.“

Slightly off topic, but there’s a fair chance he might have, things like that are inherited...

Anyway, as other people have already said, a rescue...

[bloodywhitecat]

I'd try a breed rescue too, my little 5 month old shitbag puppy came from a good rescue, we were one of many to offer him a good home.

[Froq]

Another vote for a rescue.

Many, certainly the one I foster for, will allow the pup to stay with your DD if she’s concerned at the thought of ‘giving up’ the pup to a rescue - I know a lot of people do feel like this.

Pup can also be placed in foster so there’s no need to worry about putting him in a cold shelter - another misconception many have.

[Froq]

And I completely agree with JillAmanda but doubt it’ll happen.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Another vote for going via a reputable rescue.

If the dog is a cross, then still try the two relevant breed rescues. Some will take crosses of their breed, particularly if it's a popular breed. For instance, the Red Foundation will rehome dachshund crosses.

I know one of my local rescues does a "home from home" scheme where dogs can stay with the owner until a new one is found, thus avoiding the need for a stay in kennels. A puppy will be snapped up, quite reliably so.

[slartibarti]

If your DD can look after the puppy whilst it is being found a home by the breed rescue that will be the best case scenario because it also gets socialised and used to a family life instead of being kept in a cage with limited contact and picking up bad habits that put it at risk of needing to be rehomed again

bb2605 - You must know some terrible rescues. Are you in the UK?
I've not come across any that treat puppies like this.
Easy to check out a rescue before letting them have the dog.
Most are well aware of the need to for socialisation and pup would go to a foster home to get used to cats, other dogs, children etc.

[JKScot4]

OP
what area are you and I can recommend a rescue, most have waiting lists and they will assess the home and adopt on a neuter/rbu contract to ensure dogs safety.

[ThatLibraryMiss]

The puppy's in SE London (I'm not). We think she has a home, but I'd appreciate a rescue contact in case this one falls through.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

All Dogs Matter in North London does a lot of rescue via fostering and has a good reputation locally

[pigsDOfly]

If the puppy is in SE London then Battersea dogs' home would surely be the logical place to start.

They will do all the necessary checks and a puppy will be snapped up in no time.

[Jace16]

And the puppy they're keeping is a dog and will be neutered, because he doesn't have his dad's anxiety.“

You want to bet? The stupid breeder i got my puppy from had parents like this and i can assure you I've being paying for it for the last five years and my dog has to be pts !!! How irresponsible and i bet your daughter didn't tell the naive new owner about 'dads' issues.

[frostedviolets]

Yeah, I’m another voice just coming in to say for your DD to just be aware that it is highly likely the puppies will grow up to be anxious as adult dogs irrespective of their upbringing/training as temperament is largely inherited.

If your DD was not aware of this I do think it would be polite and reasonable to notify the new owners.