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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I think it is too hard to rehome an animal

479 replies

SuperHans · 02/03/2011 22:20

I bought a puppy a few months ago and I really love him - he was the right choice for us. He cost £100.

He was vacc's and I will pay to have him castrated soon.

He has been such a success that I have been looking into getting him a companion. I would like to help a dog and rescue them but they want stupid amounts of money and loads of home vists.

I am just put off, and it is a shame because I could easily home another dog and give him a good life.

I think I will just buy another puppy I am afraid.

OP posts:
BaroqueAroundTheClock · 02/03/2011 23:54

""

PMSL Grin - I am having visions of a Green Wing type scene - only with vets and rescuers instead of doctors

OP - your kids may be living through it - but they don't have a choice do they - would you have another baby right now - with being as broke as you are? Or would you wait until your business has picked up and things are less constrained financially???

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:55

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vallhala · 02/03/2011 23:56

fifi, please see above re pounds and putting to sleep after 7 days. Most rescues don't do anything like this although there is a HUGE difference in policy - the RSPCA, for example will PTS "unhomable" dogs - too old, curably ill but too expensive to treat, sometimes Greyhounds and Staffies, too ugly (YES, I DO know of a dog which that was due to happen to until an independent rescue stepped in and got him"out the back door" of the RSPCA).

The rescue I volunteer for holds the same policy as I do _ NO dog will be PTS UNLESS he is suffering beyond help.

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:56

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reelingintheyears · 02/03/2011 23:56

I give our collie Pedigree Chum..{blush]

But she doesn't fart that much...

I had no idea it was shite..{blush] again.

She's had it for the last six + years ....should i change and to what?

I might add that she gets other food too like the half shoulder of pork that she nicked from the worktop when i forgot to put it out of reach..Grin

Original poster
SuperHans · 02/03/2011 23:56

I don't care that much about a home visit it is just that often you go to see a dog, get a home visit, that dog has gone, look at another dog. And they are all in different foster homes.

OP posts:
BaroqueAroundTheClock · 02/03/2011 23:56

SuperHAns - she may not be suffering now - but what if she becomes ill overnight and needs surgery? And you need to find £1000's to pay for the treatment?

Joolyjoolyjoo · 02/03/2011 23:57

OP- I give up. You asked about the checks/ costs of rehoming a dog, and if they were necessary. Several of us who are involved in rescue/ veterinary have tried to explain why they are necessary. You just keep stating that you love your dog. Sorry to disabuse the John-Lennon sentiment but love is NOT all you need. I have seen cases where people loved their dogs- to the extent that they had 10 dogs, poorly cared for, and been done for cruelty, despite their bewilderment because they "loved" their dogs.

If all the experiences on this thread haven't explained to you why a basic home check and a financial contribution is necessary then there is really nothing left to say Sad

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:57

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ilovesooty · 02/03/2011 23:57

The OP's so obtuse that this thread's made me angry.

My cat was a rescue cat and in 2003 I think it cost me about £70 to rehome him. They didn't actually do a home visit but I was personally known to the manager and would have been happy enough for them to come - she'd seen my home anyway. I had to fill in an extensive questionnaire and he was neutered, chipped, vaccinated and insured.

The insurance doesn't cover everything: a few months ago he had several teeth out and the expense of that had me living off value range food myself for weeks - but you do that if you take pet ownership seriously.

I'd like to make it illegal to provide an animal for rehoming unless you are vetted and regulated or an approved charity.

reelingintheyears · 02/03/2011 23:58

And i can't even Blush properly.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 02/03/2011 23:59

"I don't care that much about a home visit it is just that often you go to see a dog, get a home visit, that dog has gone, look at another dog. And they are all in different foster homes."

When I rang up to enquire about Jambo - they "reserved" him for me. That meant that while I was waiting for my home visit, etc - no-one else that had already been homechecked could have him. Had I changed my mind, or had "failed" the home check then they would have unreservved him.

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:59

This reply has been deleted

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SugarPasteFrog · 03/03/2011 00:00

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Joolyjoolyjoo · 03/03/2011 00:00

Actually, having thought about all this, I'm starting to think it is not hard enough to rehome an animal Sad

ilovesooty · 03/03/2011 00:01

And the Op is talking about picking out a dog as if it's a fucking designer accessory or something.

BaggedandTagged · 03/03/2011 00:01

The sad fact is that there are too many dogs and cats in the Uk(and most other countries) due to overbreeding and people not being bothered to get cats neutered, and dogs either neutered or kept from humping other dogs. Some animals are going to end up being put to sleep. It's sad but inevitable if you look at it on a numbers basis (People who want cat/dog vs cats/dogs available). Taking one puppy without proper consideration isn't going to solve the wider problem, and may even contribute to it.

Re. being able to afford another dog, clearly you can't. What you're saying about using the free/subsidised vet, is the equivalent of saying "I'm completely skint but I can afford another kid because I'll just claim more benefits". The free/subsidised vet service is there as a safety net, not as a resource for people considering getting an animal they can't actually afford.The vets provide these services out of a sense of duty to the animal, not the owner, IYSWIM.

Don't get another dog you can't afford. I just spent £350 on dental work for a cat!

Joolyjoolyjoo · 03/03/2011 00:01

Although it is making me smile to be referred to as a "freakoid" Smile

Original poster
SuperHans · 03/03/2011 00:01

JJJ - I just disagree - I think there are so many unloved and unwanted animals out there that surely it is better than they are taken care of and adored in a home environment than PTS.

OP posts:
Vallhala · 03/03/2011 00:01

Most rescues will allow you to reserve a dog pending a home check so your last comment is bullshit too, Hans.

You seem to keep forgetting that you are arguing with people who actually are actively involved in rescue.

SugarPasteFrog · 03/03/2011 00:02

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Scuttlebutter · 03/03/2011 00:02

"FREAKING OUT" ?Angry

Now I do think you are either an idiot or a troll.

My only hope is that some of the points made on this thread by those of us who are involved in dog/animal rescue work will help others who may be considering pet ownership.

ilovesooty · 03/03/2011 00:02

Yes, Nico was "reserved" for me too until the enquiries were complete and his vaccinations, chipping etc were done.

SugarPasteFrog · 03/03/2011 00:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vallhala · 03/03/2011 00:04

Hans, which rescues have you tried that want to:

Do loads of homechecks

Charge excessive adoption fees

And which don't let you reserve a dog pending a successful homecheck?

Because whichever ones they are, I'm quite prepared to contact them and challenge them on their policies and get the organisations to re-consider the way in which they operate.