Rescues that rehome to families with kids (and cats)

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We want a dog, have been planning this for 18 months, but needed to secure the garden, which we have now done. We would much prefer a rescue however have 2 children 5 and under and also have 2 dogs. We are in Greater Manchester. I've tried the local rescues and also the RSPCA, Manchester Dogs home and Dogs trust and I can't find a rescue which will allow us to adopt. I will not get one from some god awful puppy mill like dogs 4 u and I'm really wary of Pets 4 homes and gumtree etc and would much rather go through a proper rescue. I'm also wary of the foreign rescues that get their dogs from Bulgaria and such as you can't guarantee that they aren't just a long arm puppy mill.

Any suggestions?

I'm not just using this as an excuse to buy a pup, I think I'd rather just not have a dog but we would really really like one. DH works predominately from home anyway (3 days a week pre-covid) and I am a Dr, working shifts so there is someone home most of the time, covid or not. We have a large secure garden and would offer plenty of walks We have space and are financially secure so feel we could offer a perfect home to a pooch. We do however have 2 cats. I have had dogs previously, but not for a long time (they died of old age).

*also have 2 cats, not 2 dogs.

Why would you want to rehome a dog that has suffered trauma in the past when you have children. No rescue centre worth its salt will let you adopt a dog with a child in the house.

Rescue dogs can be loving and friendly, we had one once, but believe me they have their issues and you have no idea if one day they will lose it.

You need a puppy from a reputable breeder.

Small local rescues sometimes will let you but having young children is often a barrier.
We had same thing years ago rspca turned us down for not having a big enough garden, yet we live in country so dog would be walked , i understand they have to be strict but some reasons are silly but kids and dogs you can understand why as if they don't know dogs history it could be unsafe and kids and dogs can be great together but they can also be a bad mix together as well .

Agree with pp you may be better using a reputable breeder which will cost and you may have to go on a list.

@donewithitalltodayandxmas

Agree with pp you may be better using a reputable breeder which will cost and you may have to go on a list.

Cost and waiting aren't issues. We aren't those people who want a pup to entertain us during lockdown!

@Fucket not all rescues have suffered trauma, we have 3 children and have adopted all our dogs from rescues. We have 2 and they are amazing family pets! Also a collection of rescue cats (4) as I just can't leave an animal to suffer! We aren't in the U.K. so can't help the OP with where she could adopt from.

Have you tried rehoming a former or failed guide dog? There’s a bit of a waiting list but worth looking at:

www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/rehoming-a-guide-dog/

Also website Dogsblog has details of all kinds of rescue dogs needing homes, all over the country:

www.dogsblog.com/

MmeCamenbert There is no way in the UK any decent rescue centre allows rescue dogs to be homed with children. I believe the rescue centre has a duty of care over the dog and if anything untoward were to happen I’m sure they would open themselves up to legal claims for compensation.

Anyone with small kids must be insane to take in an animal when they cannot account for its history. People need to stop anthropomorphising pets and see them for what they are, potential killers, especially of small children.

As I have said I have had a rescue dog, I love dogs. But they are dogs and we need to respect that. Small kids can worry a dog and you have no idea how a dog with uncertain history will react to that.

@Fucket I agree that dogs are potentially very dangerous, not just rescue dogs but all dogs. Just to clarify the dogs we rescued were all young (4months old) and are wonderful pets in our very busy household. We also went through rigorous checks by the rescue when we adopted, so I have to disagree when you say no decent rescue will rehome to a family with small children.

@Fucket I don't understand your logic on why no animals from shelters should ever be rehomed with someone with children. I could understand why abused animals shouldn't, but a pet that has grown up in a loving home with children who had to be given up because the landlord wanted to sell and they couldn't find another place to live that allowed pets should have a chance to live in a home with children.

We got a rescue dog when our children were young. We used Battersea Dogs home and they had specific dogs that they had identified as good with children. Dogs Trust also say what age children a dog is suitable for.

But how do you know an animal has not been abused just because they have come from a ‘good’ home. You just wouldn’t know for sure. With small kids that would be too much of a risk.

A friend of mine who is a childminder has just adopted an ex-racing greyhound. They have a cat too. I’m not sure what the organisation was called though. They happily rehome to families as they know the dog’s history.
Dog’s trust and the like don’t tend to let families with young children adopt, but I think that’s for the best. We rescued ours before we had our DCs.

Ex racing dogs are wonderful creatures but very nervous. A lot have anxiety around children I’d worry it would be too much for the dog. Not necessarily that it will kill, but maybe snap.

We had a ex hare/coursing lurcher. It had been taught to chase small animals. It would regularly go after cats, hedgehogs, anything that got in the garden. You can imagine what it did when it caught them. On the whole he was a soft and docile thing except when it gave chase.

Ex racing dogs, are not 'very nervous'

Complete rubbish.

You could try a breed-specific rescue.

We rescued a dog when ds was 3. Dog is great with kids.

Have you tried any of the breed-specific rescues?