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The doghouse

How long did you wait for a rescue dog?

25 replies

Fallulah · 19/06/2020 11:16

I’m a teacher. This last twelve weeks plus the summer holidays would have been the perfect time to have a rescue dog, settle it in and build up the time it is left for, get it used to visitors etc.

I’ve grown up with rescue dogs, and with my parents’ dog passing away in January the plan is for me to get a dog and they would provide the grandparent/visiting role a few days a week, with my OH and a friend who is conveniently a dog walker also involved. The dog would never be alone for more than a few hours, and that’s only in term time. Basically I’m all set up and everything is in place.

Dogs Trust won’t rehome to me because they feel that being stuck in a kennel all day is better than the detailed arrangements above and the love and comfort the dog would get with me.

Having done research I registered with the Forever Hounds Trust and was homechecked a couple of months ago now. All seemed positive. I was told to wait for them to contact me with a suitable dog. But I’ve heard nothing! I keep seeing new dogs added to the website and then a couple of days later dogs that seem suitable for me being homed to other people on their Facebook page.

How long did you wait for the right dog? I would never do it but I can see why some people give up trying to do the right thing and buy a puppy!

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Definitelyrandom · 19/06/2020 12:26

Very quickly, with our local greyhound trust. We filled the form in, went for a chat and to spend an hour walking hounds. Came back a couple of days later and walked some more and chatted some more. Were home vetted. Brought "our" hound home for the day. Chatted some more when we took him back. A couple of days later we brought him home to see how we got on (as first time greyhound people) and kept in touch and got advice from the trust as needed. After a week or so we filled in the adoption papers.

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tabulahrasa · 19/06/2020 12:33

I’ve been looking on and off for just over a year. (I stop looking when I’m contacted about fostering a dog by the charity I foster dogs for)

But I’m a bit fussy about what I want and have a cat.

But in fairness, if I decided I was going to get a puppy instead the only two decent breeders of the breed I’d go for within travelling distance only breed every 2 to 3 years, so... it’d probably take longer anyway.

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Fallulah · 19/06/2020 12:34

Hmmm, maybe I need to give them a call and remind them I exist! They do seem to be mostly rehoming to their own fosterers or those who already have a dog from them.

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tabulahrasa · 19/06/2020 12:50

@Fallulah

Hmmm, maybe I need to give them a call and remind them I exist! They do seem to be mostly rehoming to their own fosterers or those who already have a dog from them.

I’ve found rescues are doing that a lot at the moment - but I think it’s because they’re having to run under restrictions and it’s easier.
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Honeyroar · 19/06/2020 12:56

I think rescues have a backlog of people on their lists at the moment and it might take longer than usual for a while. Some rescues aren’t great at communicating- we applied for a dog at a rescue and heard absolutely nothing back, despite sending a back up email to check they got the application. We then applied to another rescue and got a dog. Eight months later the first rescue rang us to say they had a dog for us, and grumbled that we’d got something else.

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Scattyhattie · 19/06/2020 13:04

I would contact forever hounds to remind them in case it has slipped through net or gives them chance to explain cause of delay. If hadn't been home checked it would make sense as most rescues been stuck with covid situation.

There was probably a month visiting the kennels, mainly as i took my time deciding on dogs to adopt, arranging home check etc but once done we had a 2 week wait just due to neutering. If there's a specific dog in mind usually you could take home as soon as home check approved & they prefer if within the week.
2 dogs were fosters that stayed, 1 did home check & left the dog, other dog was transported by volunteers to me later in the week post checking.

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fivedogstofeed · 19/06/2020 13:04

The reason rescues have been rehoming to homes already known to them ( fosterers, previous adopters etc) is because it's been virtually impossible to do homechecks or to arrange for a potential adopter to come and meet a dog. As things open up this will change.
Also, there is an unprecedented demand for dogs right now. This also will gradually change - between now and the end of this year - to an unprecedented number of unwanted dogs.
I would urge anyone looking for a dog to be patient please. People in rescue are dealing with all the stresses of lockdown just as everyone else is. Most are volunteers, not paid workers and the amount of fuckwittery out there with regard to dogs is beyond belief right now.

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CMOTDibbler · 19/06/2020 13:12

I foster for a rescue, and its only been the last 2 weeks that we've been able to rehome dogs as before that people haven't been able to visit the dogs. We've also only taken in the most desperate cases, but they will start coming in now

Have a look at EGLR on FB if you are interested in a pointy dog. With a homecheck already done you'd be in a good position if a dog comes in you like the look of, and EGLR don't have any fixed rules about working

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DanniArthur · 19/06/2020 13:49

My friend volunteers for a breed specific rescue and they generally have a wait list applicants looking for specific dogs. Many dogs have separation anxiety or other traits that mean they may not be suitable for your specific circumstances. I know a lot of people who have also rescued from Croatia or Romania. Alot have been with foster families here for months with no interest from potential adopters because they aren't British dogs (silly I know) Worth contacting them.

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Judashascomeintosomemoney · 19/06/2020 14:22

Dog’s Trust won’t rehome to me because they feel that being stuck in a kennel all day is better
I volunteer for Dog’s Trust, and I’ve adopted from them too. This is not their blanket policy. It’s either that the particular branch local to you has arbitrarily decided they prefer people who are at home or, more likely, none of their current dogs could deal with being left for any length of time. Lots of people do think that any home is better for a rescue dog than being in ‘kennels’ but that really is not the case. There’s a reason lots of these dogs have ended up in rescue, the vast majority of them will not have been from a loving home that just couldn’t keep them anymore. In a lot of cases they will have been bought as puppies, ostensibly much wanted by well meaning people, but in reality left home alone because people have to work etc, left untrained - missing the perfect puppy window of opportunity to set behaviours, meaning they are perceived as having ‘issues’ etc. Or in some cases neglected or abused. Places like Dog’s Trust are interested in getting the right and proper home for the dog not getting people the dog they want or think they would like. However, it is always worth rescuing, it is very rewarding, for human and dog. But though many visitors to The Doghouse seem to understand they may have a long, long wait for their perfect puppy from the right, ethical, breeder, lots still seem to think they should be able to pick up a rescue dog immediately because, ‘these dogs need homes’. Actually, ‘these dogs need the right home’. So, yes, you may wait a long time for the dog to come along that you can provide the perfect home for. It’s good you’re asking the question, and if you’re prepared to wait for your rescue dog as long as you might wait for a breeder (with long gaps between litters, waiting lists etc) to have a puppy ready, then you will get your dog in the end. From first deciding we wanted a family dog, to getting our first, Dog’s Trust Labrador, we waited about two years. You can’t go on a waiting list as such with DT as they’re just far too busy with dogs coming in constantly to spend TE&M on ‘matching’ so you have to visit often. Lots of other rescues will be the same. But, if you have a breed in mind, often breed specific rescues do operate waiting lists for matching, which may work better for you if you’re unable to visit often. Once we had our boy, who was little more than a puppy but already had issues, we waited another two years before a suitable companion became available. That time the ‘companion’ was actually two female Labradors from LRRSE. They were adorable, fitted in perfectly with our imperfect boy and had them until they both passed away. So our boy needed a new companion who could deal with his foibles. Our last girl passed away in April 2018 and it took us until February 2019 to find our old greyhound girl, from Dog’s Trust, who is a delight. So, TL:DR, It might take a long time, do it anyway, it’s worth it. Best of luck and check out breed specific rescues.

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fivedogstofeed · 19/06/2020 15:41

Excellent post Judas
I would add also that people think rescue dogs are simply abandoned in kennels when in fact good rescues have volunteers to walk, socialise and play with the dogs, and many also have behaviourists working with them. This is more than a puppy left at home for 12 hours while the owners are at work will have.

Other rescues use foster homes so they can accurately assess what kind of home the dog needs. They will know if a dog can be comfortably left for a few hours or not. So often potential adopters seem to think they know betterHmm

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fruitpastille · 19/06/2020 15:54

I think the trouble is that dogs that would be suitable for a family are snapped up very quickly and it's about being in the right place at the right time. When I got our rescue it was just good luck that I'd seen the Facebook post about her straight away so I was the first person to make an enquiry plus I had a day off work the next day to visit in person. I took her home with me that day! If I hadn't then they had several other people who were keen. I had been looking for a few months before that.

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mommybear1 · 19/06/2020 16:18

Same as @Definitelyrandom our greyhound rescue are desperate for foster and long term care a lot of the dogs are being shipped out from the racers due to Covid. We have our hopefully forever chap and we have agreed to foster another to help.

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Fallulah · 19/06/2020 16:43

I think it must be a location specific thing with Dogs Trust - the one 15 miles from me won’t consider any home where the dog is left for more than four hours in total in a day, regardless if someone comes in and walks it. They are also not really taking part in the rehoming straight to home scheme. The Dogs trust 30 miles away is the complete opposite and they are lovely but they’re too far away at the moment.
We have had four dogs from Dogs Trust over the years but this time I don’t think it is to be, hence looking at greyhound rescues. My dream dog is a spaniel, poodle or Schnauzer but they’re very busy dogs so not compatible really. I’d be just as happy with an older Heinz 57! This isn’t something I’ve only wanted to do since lockdown - it just seems to have fallen in to place at a time when things are taking longer. I shall be patient!

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Judashascomeintosomemoney · 19/06/2020 20:30

@fivedogstofeed
Thanks. It’s something I always want to post, in one form or another, every time a potential dog adopter gets frustrated with having to wait for a rescue dog who is right for their circumstances. I try hard not to sound judgemental, because, ATEOTD, dogs need homes. I’m as passionate about rescue dogs as for example @wolfiefan (sorry for @ting you wolfie 😘) is about getting the right breeder. As eg Wolfiefan should be. I support her perspective all the way. I just want to see advocates of rescue taking the same stand, and being supported in the same way. And, for the record,, any new dog owner who wants to go the rescue not purchase route, I’ll support and happily help out all the way.

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mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 20/06/2020 13:31

I haven't read the other replies so sorry if this duplicates anything. I did not wait long but I wanted a Staffie-type dog and there are lots. What I did discover was that unless you register with (several, preferably) rescues and then check their website daily, you don't stand much of a chance. Also, although they say they can let you know if something suitable comes in, they don't so you need to ring them up every few days to check if anything new has come in that might be suitable. I registered with Battersea and the nearest RSPCA.

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mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 20/06/2020 13:37

Also, I found DogsTrust nice but a bit reluctant about dogs in flats/working owners. Like you, I don't always work every day/all day and always have a dogwalker for when I am away during the day. I would say, though, when you find the right dog I think you will "know". I looked at/walked several perfectly nice dogs but they just didn't click with me. When I met the one I decided to adopt, I had absolutely no doubt at all.

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Floralnomad · 20/06/2020 21:36

We got dh to agree to getting a dog on a Thursday and bought home a 4/5 month old puppy from Battersea dogs home on the Sunday , but that was 10 yrs ago and they may home check everyone nowadays I’m not sure , we just had an interview when we arrived at the centre .

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runningon · 21/06/2020 09:59

Look on Facebook at the smaller private rescues on there.

The dogs trust and places like that are very ridged on their requirements and the dogs they have are rarely ideal pets (the cutest, smaller dogs, and dogs with fewer problems get snapped up so quickly).

I have a couple of friends who rehomed ( & bought) a dog via gumtree or similar as the rescues didn't have suitable dogs and they were happy to pay for a dog rather than get a puppy.

I personally adopted from abroad. No issues with my dog, she's very cute, loving & friendly. It took me a few months (this was pre-COVID) of looking online at the rescues from abroad to find my dog and as she was ready to travel & my home check was organised very quickly I had her within a few weeks. I paid about £300 for her, this included transport, passport, neutering & vacs etc. Any profit went into helping other dogs and neutering programmes etc.

I wouldn't discount getting one online, there will be hundreds available after lockdown, I wouldn't pay ££££ for one, as I would hope to find an owner who genuinely wanted to find a good home for their dog rather than try and make a profit or cash it in.
My friend rehomed a healthy young french bulldog this way, the dog was free to a good home and the owner got hundreds of requests- but my friend could offer a lovely family home and had had dogs before so she was chosen.

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m0therofdragons · 21/06/2020 11:14

We tried over the last 10 months but we have dc (12 and 8) and 2 old cats so we’ve given up and our puppy joins our family in August. We feel ready for a family dog, have a nice family home with a secure garden and nearby country parks so I can’t understand why there are no suitable rescues. Most require experienced dog owners and we’d be first timers. Good luck.

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Littlebyerockerboo · 24/06/2020 09:39

I had my first dog from dogs trust in 2010, at the time H and i worked shifts, and dog would be left for 4 hours at a time. No DC. (Dog was very challenging but so worth it in the end, but thats a whole different story)

Fast forward 10 years, i have DS with me 50% of the time (one week on, one off) i am at home 24/7 pretty much - we enquired at Dogs Trust again, because i have DS (6) who lives with me half the time, they told me they wouldn't consider placing a dog with us. I was surprised and gutted, we have so much to offer, and DC not even with us all the time (plus very sensible with dogs, and dog would have his own quiet space etc)

We have now ended up with 3 (!!!) Dogs from pup.
Irish wolfhound, great dane & GSD. They're very happy and we love them so much. I am still gutted we weren't able to offer a rescue a home, due to dogs trust reluctantance because we have a DS 50% of the time.

My rescue before DS got so much from family life and I always felt rescue was the right avenue, until being turned down by dogs trust forced our hand. I understand the frustration op & pp!

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Littlebyerockerboo · 24/06/2020 09:40

To clarify, H and i separated some years ago, DS has 50/50 between us.
Rescue dog passed in 2016.

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iusedtobeabletorun · 24/06/2020 09:45

It is an issue, because while I fully take on board everything said by judas, I also think that a lot of rescues put so many barriers in place that the urge to ‘adopt don’t shop’ becomes meaningless.

Of course some homes are just unsuitable but many aren’t, with above being a case in point.

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Cherrypies · 24/06/2020 10:11

Are you on Twitter, there are a couple of rescue places on there
Second chance golden retriever is a lovely rescue, they rescue from the Balkans, but have a kennels in the UK.
They mainly have GR, but have a few crosses.
Eversheds is another one. They have some gorgeous pups on there.

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HairyPorter · 24/06/2020 10:18

I'm a single mum with an aupair who is home during the day while I work. I was turned down for rehoming because the dog may miss our aupair when she eventually leaves (she has no plans to leave). Seems ludicrous to me- ended up getting a puppy when I really wanted to give a rescue dog a loving home.

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