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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to rescue a dog?

48 replies

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/05/2016 19:20

We are lucky enough to be at a point in our life where we'd like our own dog. Can't believe that we don't have one as we both (Dp and I) are from dog mad households.

I have been contacting rescue centres for 10 months and can't even get my foot in the door.
We have a lovely big secure garden. Dd is 6 and very dog/animal savvy as we spend a lot of time on family farm with lots of furry creatures. We have money to throw at adoption/training/vets bills.
I work from home, Dp is a student. Lots of boxes being ticked here.

But every enquiry is met with "You're too far away" (we would literally travel the length of the country for a dog.) or "you sound lovely but rover needs a calm home/other animals/no children"

We are used to animals with behavioural issues as farm dogs were all rescued but it's just not happening.

We are going to start looking at breeders because it's just getting silly.

OP posts:
NeedACleverNN · 04/05/2016 19:26

Where abouts are you?

A lot of smaller rescues are very flexible especially with travel.

As long as you can travel to them they are fine.

Same with children. Large rescues tend to have a blanket rule but smaller ones take it dog by dog

Original poster
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/05/2016 19:31

We are in Scotland but have family dotted from the Highlands all the way down to Devon... Any excuse for a visit!

I just can't believe how difficult it is. It's become a standing joke that we must not actually want a dog otherwise we would have one by now

OP posts:
Sallygoroundthemoon · 04/05/2016 19:33

Keep trying. You sound lovely. Have you spoke to the Dog's Trust? Please don't go to a breeder yet.

NeedACleverNN · 04/05/2016 19:36

www.islaydogrescue.org.uk

There's islay dog rescue though not sure if it's close

www.manytearsrescue.org

Many tears do regime uk wide but they are based in Wales so might be out of the wayb

CMOTDibbler · 04/05/2016 19:37

Try EGLR - they can homecheck anywhere and though the dogs suitable for smaller children have been reserved, they have new dogs coming in all the time and I know they are just about to have a group of puppies come in. Worth following them on fb to see them straightaway

MatildaTheCat · 04/05/2016 19:37

Would it help if you had a vet visit you to do a home assessment so you had this as a reference? If you are too far away they may reject you because they can't do it themselves.

Original poster
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/05/2016 19:39

Thanks Sally, I have spoken to them on a couple of occasions but none of the dogs we have approached upon have been suitable by their standards.

I'm not incredibly fussy about what kind of dog it is- but you know sometimes when you see a picture or meet a dog and can picture a decade of furry fun together? I need that.

So it can't be a staffy or rottweiler or other large breeds- personal prejudice but they're too strong and that alarms me.

OP posts:
Salene · 04/05/2016 19:40

The Scottish staffie rescue would jump on you and give you a dog, they struggle to home all the dogs they get as are always bursting at the seems with dogs

www.staffierescuescotland.co.uk

Salene · 04/05/2016 19:41

Oh sorry just seen you said no to staffy what about retired greyhound, they also have sooooo many dogs they would also jump on a chance to give you a dog

Salene · 04/05/2016 19:43

Another option is the council pounds, they too are full of dogs.

Mrs Murrey dog home in Aberdeen would give you a dog no problem

There on Facebook check them out too

Original poster
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/05/2016 19:43

Have spoken to islay before. (actually chased them!) will check the other two mentioned and add them to my daily checking list!

We do have a vet that we use a lot on the farm. Never thought to use our own.[facepalm emoticon]

OP posts:
billybear · 04/05/2016 19:44

dogs trust very good had several rescue dogs off them over the years.greyhounds are very gentle dogs as well good look, we give a good home to our dog they are like royalty want for nothing

Salene · 04/05/2016 19:45

www.mrsmurrays.co.uk

Turn up with ID and £100 and you can walk out with a dog there and then

I've had two lovely dogs from there.

Salene · 04/05/2016 19:46

Also check gumtree

People giving dogs away free, it's a shame I've seen where some of these dogs have ended up and it's not nice

So giving one of them a home too is a good thing

Sorry for multiple posts but my Brain isn't engaged and I thought of more stuff after posting 🙈

Original poster
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/05/2016 19:47

Loved the wee Jrt on Mrs Murrays but no children. The collies are either not used to other dogs or traffic.... Rules out dogs and tractors! Will keep an eye though

OP posts:
Salene · 04/05/2016 19:48

And Mrs Murrey has 5 times more dogs if not more than what's on website, so you really need to visit to see them all, they are always jammed full

Salene · 04/05/2016 19:48

Normally at least 30+ dogs in there

Sallygoroundthemoon · 04/05/2016 19:50

A vet's reference is a great idea. As is a retired greyhound. They are gorgeous dogs who can make wonderful pets.

Original poster
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/05/2016 19:50

See, there's something a bit grim about getting a dog on Gumtree and I couldn't help but feel like I was dog trafficking Wink. I'll have a look though but I'm girding my loins to be depressed at puppy farming.

So tempting as want to save all of them but refuse to give money to fund it.

OP posts:
Leopard12 · 04/05/2016 19:51

Manchester and cheshire dogs home just let you turn up and take one if your passing there, only downside you might not like any there but they have lots!

Original poster
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/05/2016 19:51

Ah I didn't realise Saline. Will maybe try and arrange a wee break to Aberdeen on a scouting mission!

OP posts:
DeepfriedPizza · 04/05/2016 19:52

Do you follow help to rehome Scotland on Facebook? They seem to have child friendly dogs on often.

Salene · 04/05/2016 19:53

No it's the ones being given away for free on gumtree not ones people selling

When I worked for rescue they used to collect them up as some horrible people would try and get there hands on them for bait dogs

Keep a eye out for free ones

Leopard12 · 04/05/2016 19:54

Manchester and cheshire dogs home also have not many online but loads there so I guess lots of places do that so make sure you either ring or just go!

Salene · 04/05/2016 19:54

If you rang murreys and gave a idea of what you after they would tell you what's there etc and explain you not local so can't just pop in

Least they could give you a heads up of what they have in at that time so you know if it's worth going to look

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