To think this shelter was a bit too quick to turn us down?

[PrincessTeacake]

Myself and my Dad have been looking to adopt a dog since the one we had for fifteen years finally passed away two years ago. We're in the perfect position to adopt now, he's semi-retired and my days at work have been reduced so I can do more work at home. In the meantime, I'm learning how to drive and setting up my own part-time business. There's rarely an hour when there's not one or both of us in the house.

We made inquiries about a German Shepherd in dire need of a good home, we definitely have the space and the time to devote to a big dog and I have a history of taking on special needs animals. I filled out the paperwork, and we were turned down because we suggested building a large secure dog run in the garden with a purpose built shed for the dog to sleep in at night. We also said that during bad weather he'd be sleeping in the kitchen but that was overlooked.

I'm disappointed but more upset on behalf of the dog really. It has health problems and it's a big dog, it'll be very hard to rehome him and I feel like the shelter are leaving him stuck to a life in kennels.

[ClaudiusGalen]

Posts that mention things you have posted aren't necessarily exclusive to you, I'm sorry if I haven't made that clear.

[ClaudiusGalen]

I've never said that you keep your dogs in the garden. . The OP of this thread wanted to keep a rescue dog in a shed. You are not the OP so why would I think you wanted to keep a dog in a shed?

You've told me you aren't allowed to rehome because of children, and as we have seen different branches have different guidelines.

I haven't used the word cruel at all on this thread, I think you have me confused with someone else.

I am not over-emotional about dogs myself, I save that for cats, but I do make a clear distinction between working dogs and pets.

[KiwiJude]

They may have turned your application down because you say it's virtually impossible to secure the back yard. Does that mean the dog will spend most of it's time in the run?

[SelectAUserName]

If it's "cruel, just cruel" for a dog to sleep outside in a shed-type building, then anyone who ever puts their dog in a boarding kennel during their holiday is presumably due a visit from the RSPCA...

[Triliteral]

I don't know whether I wouldn't want you as a client. You seem to love your dog, and you care about its health, which is all I would be interested in. I absolutely wouldn't want to judge from this thread, where I feel that feelings have run high and I would prefer, on the whole that you do not judge me on this single issue, though if you choose to do so then there's not much I can do.

I don't feel there is any right or wrong way to home a dog. I have seen perfectly happy and healthy indoor dogs and perfectly happy and healthy outdoor dogs (mentally and physically). I don't necessarily see a significant difference between a working dog living outside and a family pet spending its nights outside, so long as it is well looked after during the day, and is not showing distress during its time in the kennel. The rescue centre presumably has to draw up some guidelines, which are not negotiable. Whether or not they are correct to reject a home such as that offered by the OP is a matter of opinion. If they felt that particular dog was not suited to the lifestyle offered, it seems to me that with a more open minds, they might have been able to find a different suitable pet for her in what sounds like a loving home. I hope she will find a dog she can love from somewhere.

Anyway, I am going to stop posting here. I can see that my posts have offended a lot of people, and that there have been people who felt so negative that they even felt the need to query whether I was truly a vet, which I honestly found depressing and stressful. I believe I am a good vet, who has the welfare of animals at heart and I am sad that people doubt that, but again, there is nothing much I can do about it except walk away.

[ClaudiusGalen]

I grew up on a farm. My family mostly still farm. I'm very well aware that dogs can and do live outside. I wouldn't expect a family pet to do so and nor it seems would the rescue centre.

Anyway, I can see that we are not going to agree on this, but I expect we can agree that you wouldn't want me as a client and I wouldn't want you as a vet.

[Triliteral]

Bed bugs and house dust mites thrive in warm rooms with carpets in them. Simple as that. Central heating is not natural. Dogs have lived for thousands of years in unheated accommodation. Many dogs I have seen with allergic dermatitis also seemed to sleep in their owner's bedrooms.

I'm not sure why so many people seem to feel that it is awful /cruel for dogs to live in a shelter outside. If they do so, they grow a thicker coat. Not all dogs are suited to living outside, however many are, and those who are used to it often prefer it. I just feel there is a lot of kneejerk reaction by those who have never experienced it, but just are thinking "I wouldn't like to live outside so why should a dog." In many parts of the world living outside is still the norm for dogs.

[Susyb30]

Well I personally think that a dog will certainly feel the difference between sleeping in a shed or in the house..psychologically as well. As for saying some health problems in dogs (eg allergic dermatitis) may be improved by living in a cool environment im sorry but again I have to disagree with you triliteral..allergic dermatitis would of course benefit from lots of fresh air..but living in a cool environment? Lots of love, security and of course lots of fresh air..but being in a home with its family is what a dog needs. For a vet to suggest a dog with health problems ( regardless of what they are) could benefit from living in a cool environment is beyond me.

[SpacegirlRevisited]

Cruel.
Just cruel.
The charities I volunteer with would all have turned you down too.

[Triliteral]

Maybe it is different in different regions as I said. I also found another link which states that they feel it's better not to have dogs living outside, but then outlines the requirements they feel should be met if you do choose to do so, which seem reasonable to me.:

www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/dogs/environment/livingoutside

[ClaudiusGalen]

"Dogs will not be re-homed as guard dogs or for breeding.
Dogs must not live outside or be chained in any fashion."

This is taken from here my own branch has a paper copy of the same policy but it isn't online.

[RunRabbit]

So letting a dog live and die in a shelter (and sometimes being PTS) is better than sending it to a loving home where the only time it would be in the outdoor kennel is during the night?

[Triliteral]

Having searched the Internet for the RSPCA's most up-to-date policies, I am unable to find anywhere it specifies they will not rehome to a home where a dog will be kept outside. I also see in the video link below that all the dogs in the RSPCA centre filmed are in kennels with outdoor runs. Seems odd to me then that the RSPCA would consider this to be unreasonable. Perhaps it's different in different areas?

www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/rehoming

content.www.rspca.org.uk/cmsprd/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobnocache=false&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1233009002877&ssbinary=true

www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/Page/RSPCAFAQTemp&cid=1114778749342&articleId=1116592351705

[ClaudiusGalen]

The RSPCA adoption policy I have says they will rehome dogs with children over 4 if appropriate, with under 4s individual circumstances will be investigated. That's what happened with me, they investigated and were happy. Kids had to meet the dog 4 times, we had to go for walks together and they came to the house with him to check our arrangements for keeping dog and children separate when necessary.

It also says they will not rehome to a home where a dog will be kept outside or used as a guard dog.

[pickles184]

Where are you based MrsDeVere, I know of a few rescues that will rehome dogs that have shown to be good with children, back with children.

[QuietTiger]

Absolutely LEMingaround - I agree, and the rescue I work with would never rehome a pet dog in the circumstance of the OP. My 2 rescues were rehomed as pets, so they live as house pets. The circumstances the OP describes are not suitable for a dog who would be a "pet".

[ClaudiusGalen]

Youngest is 4 and currently tickling her feet in the long belly fur of the dog.

Sorry you have had trouble, I haven't with the RSPCA or Dog's Trust. Current dog is from the RSPCA and was adopted 2 years ago when the youngest was 2. He was given up when he needed his hip replacing. He's now 3.

[Triliteral]

We haven't at any point been told what health issues are affecting this dog. Some health problems (allergic dermatitis springs to mind) might actually be improved by living in a cool environment.

I recently read an article in the New Scientist stating that with the rise of antibiotic resistance, it has been noted that hospitals built back in the time of Florence Nightingale to allow plenty of fresh air are notably better for keeping infections down than those without.

Personally I don't see any major psychological difference for the dog between sleeping in a shed and sleeping in a kitchen. I honestly don't think the dog will analyse the difference. I do however feel that (especially anxious) dogs need to have a place to go where they feel safe and can be alone if they so desire.

[ClaudiusGalen]

I've have children living in the home with the dog, and cats. Not an issue for the RSPCA or Dog's Trust up here.