Can we talk about rescuing dogs from other countries please?

[KenAdams]

We've looked at buying a puppy but decided to consider rescues first. Well a large number of them wouldn't even let us register as we had a child under 10 and then the ones that would let us told me that as we didn't have another dog (to show a rescue how to "dog" as well a young child), the chances of us being matched were incredibly slim. I understand the reasons for this and accept them.

Then we considered rescuing a dog from another country but I'm in two minds about this. Firstly because I can't actually meet the dogs, second I'm not sure if the health tests and other tests (e.g. if they're OK around) would have been done properly and finally if its even ethical to bring more rescues into this country when lots of dogs here in rescues are PTS every year (despite the fact that they're unlikely to let me have one).

I'd like to know your thoughts and experiences please as I really can't make up my mind.

My dad runs a dog rescue charity in Spain. He went there to retire but got involved when her realised how terribly some dogs are treated there. They re-home dogs across Europe and I utterly guarantee that they wish they didn't have to. The conditions they find the dogs/puppies in is heartbreaking.

Thankyou for the good work you do @Feelbetterforthat. I hate the thought of our pup’s life before she came to the UK and what could have happened to her if she hadn’t been rescued by good people like yourself.

When she came to us, she was 6 months old, skinny, and obviously had some trauma going on on in her little head. Now she’s a pampered princess and a pain in my butt but she’s the beat dog I could’ve ever hope for around our young children and other animals. She has the gentlest nature and is unbelievably clever. I wish people would educate themselves a bit more about the subject before passing judgement.

I wish people would stop adopting from abroad. It runs the risk of imported diseases and is unlikely vto solve that's countries dog problem..In fact I suspect woukd only fuel it as puppies are bred specifically.

I agree that rescuing from abroad will not solve an individual country’s street dog problem, especially in Romania where corruption is rife through out many public offices.

Of the rescues I’ve had experience with all follow strict protocol to prevent diseases coming into the uk. Our main incentive is to rescue dogs from hell and have happy owners to take care of these dogs so it’s in everyone’s best interests not to import infected dogs.

I’m sure there are people taking the opportunity to breed puppies and import into the uk under the guise of rescue dogs however when we re-home puppies they are either from a pregnant dog rescued from the kill shelters or off the street, or puppies themselves rescued from the kill shelter ... or bins where they have been dumped to die... or road sides and derelict buildings still trying to suckle from their dead mother.

Perhaps if the main UK rescues were more open to re-homing dogs to families with children, people who do work full time but are willing to pay for day care, first time dog owners and provide support, rather than putting 1000’s of healthy dogs to sleep every year; people wouldn’t look to rescuing from abroad.

This subject is a double edged sword and ultimately people need to do their research and make the decision that is in the best interests of the dog they want to rescue.

We are just in the process of adopting our dog from Spain and they have been amazing. Our beautiful new dog didn’t even get onto the rehoming page as she was cat and child friendly and the timing of us asking was when she was ready to be rehomed. She is a Podenco Andaluz and the more I read about those type of dogs the even more perfect fit for our family. Search on Facebook for Helpers of the Pods and Dogs. Their communication has been excellent. I was adamant I wanted a rescue but a 4 year old proved impossible for UK rescues, despite the fact he is amazing even with reactive dogs.