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Original poster

Adopt don't shop. (Dogs)

89 replies

SarahHans · 03/08/2018 20:24

We are told this constantly.

I have children. My youngest is 8.
I don't particularly want a puppy, been there, done that. It's not something I'm super very interested in.

I ideally want an older dog. Over 7. Chilled.

I've been to 3 different shelters and been told they ALL have age restrictions.

Today I went to a place I visited last week alone. When I went alone the staff were very attentive until I told them I had kids, they told me to bring my kids to meet the dogs as they won't rehome until they all meet, which I knew and was happy to do.

So today I did that. There were at least 25 dogs there, I enquired about one and was told 'over 14 kids only' then she walked away.

Eventually I went to the reception and asked could they please point out the dogs that would be able to be rehomed with an 8 year old.

They told me non. Not one out of a full shelter.

I'm actually considering buying a puppy now as everywhere I try say they don't have any suitable dogs.

Sorry. Just being a bit deflated :(

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 03/08/2018 21:43

I foster for EGLR and we don't have age limits - every dog is assessed for how they behave and so if they could live with children happily and safely on both sides. Because the dogs are in foster we get to know them really well - dogs in a kennel don't get that exposure to real life and so the rescue have to err on the side of caution

fleshmarketclose · 03/08/2018 21:43

I adopted Bella just a fortnight ago. I don't have young children but she was advertised as being suitable to live with young children and had left a family with two children because of serious illness. She's almost 9 and a really lovely dog.
I found her here

anothernameagain000 · 03/08/2018 21:45

I had the same - tried to rescue - but due to living in a flat (with a garden in a quiet area) many said no- even though I work at home and would be with the dog all day.

I did get a puppy in the end, a lovely dog who’s a cross breed (not a popular one either)

Original poster
SarahHans · 03/08/2018 21:46

Manchester.

OP posts:
shoelaces · 03/08/2018 21:50

MIL got a pre loved dog. Went to a shelter and had a mooch round. On her way out she bumped in to a lady with a cute little dog. The breed MIL wanted. She thought they were just collecting the dog, but they had been told they would not accept him in to the shelter as he didn't pass a separation anxiety test. Hmm so MIL took their details and had a think and a chat with them. He's been with MIL now for 2 years and she couldn't be happier with him.

Savvylover211 · 03/08/2018 21:55

Preloved and Gumtree are good places to look as most will be dogs that people didn't actually think about getting and now they are an inconvenience rather than dogs from rescues who have been taken from abusive homes and who will have problems and will have age restrictions as a precaution. If you have young children preloved and gumtree are probably the best and quickest way to go.

twoheaped · 03/08/2018 21:57

I've posted before but I get turned down for rescue as I don't have a secure garden.
What I do have is 5 acres of land and on that land is boarding kennels with a secure paddock.
Still not good enough Sad

Slidyslide · 03/08/2018 21:59

I'd also recommend rehoming a greyhound or lurcher. We have a lurcher and 3 children- the youngest was just 2 when we got him and they've bonded beautifully. It may take longer for a successful match but you can be confident that they've assessed the dog as well as they can and it should be ok with children.

Gushpanka · 03/08/2018 22:00

We got our dog from a gumtree ad when my dc were 3 and 6 because rescues refused (and we were rejected by Battersea as we had boxes from recently moving house!). He was 5 and the family just didnt want a dog anymore.
9 years later, he's still with us and has been a joy to have, the most patient and loving dog. We did get a dog trainer to assess him before we took hi.

Whyiseveryonesoangry · 03/08/2018 22:02

If you’re in Manchester look at Dogs 4 Rescue on Facebook. They only redone in Manchester area and match dogs to potential ‘fosterers’. The dogs come from abroad but are all ages, sizes, breeds and personalities.

Supertiredmummy · 03/08/2018 22:07

Retired greyhounds are a good bet. Usually great with any age :(

longtompot · 03/08/2018 22:07

Instead of looking at dogs trust, blue cross etc maybe decide on the breed you would like, if there is a specific breed, and look for rescues who deal with those. There is spaniel aid who deal with spaniels of all kinds from here and abroad. There are also others for other breeds ie greyhounds etc.
We went the puppy route as I hadn't had a dog before as was nervous about owning one who had an unknown history. Plus we had chickens and cats at the time, and we had friends with young kids who visited us.

Supertiredmummy · 03/08/2018 22:08

Sorry posted by accident. They have a big range of ages they retire and I or anyone I know we're ever asked about age of children it would be around unless the dog didn't want to be around kids at all. Xxxx

Original poster
SarahHans · 03/08/2018 22:09

I have small furries. Always secure in cage but worry that would be an issue with lurchers?

OP posts:
Pissedoffdotcom · 03/08/2018 22:13

I get mauled for saying this but avoid larger rescues as they have a blanket rule. Instead find a foster based rescue. These tend to work on a case to case system whereby each dog is assessed in a home before being placed for adoption. This gives much more in depth insight into what a dog knows, what any triggers are & how it generally behaves.

Whilst i understand why kennel based rescues have blanket rules, to me it highlights the fact they simply cannot do thorough assessments of the dogs in their care. I fostered for 5 years with a child - she was 10 weeks old when i took my first emergency placement. Every dog we have fostered bar one has been successfully homed based on our home assessments

lu9months · 03/08/2018 22:16

get onto Pawprints to Freedom Facebook page if you are thinking of adopting from abroad. also look at AA dog rescue in Essex, we got our wonderful labrador from them - many dogs suitable for all age children. they are very helpful and have a FB page too

Pissedoffdotcom · 03/08/2018 22:16

Can i just put a bit of a dampner on gumtree or preloved tho, as a warning? Sometimes people want rid of dogs & will lie through their back teeth about the dog's behaviour/temperament/any issues. I've collected many a dog advertised on gumtree (rescues scout ads looking for vulnerable dogs) & discovered very quickly that the laid back, super friendly 4 year old is in fact a neurotic, nervous 6 year old with SA. People lie. Be careful please!

BuntyII · 03/08/2018 22:18

I'm sure there's a little old dog at the pound who would love to be rescued before they're euthanised.

fivedogstofeed · 03/08/2018 22:21

pissedoff I have also had exactly that experience and would never suggest to anyone to take a dog from Gumtree unless they had a lot of dog experience or rescue backup.

Supertiredmummy · 03/08/2018 22:22

Small furries purely depends on the single dog. X

limitedscreentime · 03/08/2018 22:25

I’d recommend a foreign rescue. The ones we went through were brilliant at looking at us as an individual. The dog we rehomed is brilliant.

The only think I would say is that you might want to avoid an ex street dog. Ours was born in shelter and her recall is quite good. I think the ex street dogs aren’t too averse to attempts to return to a feral life (ie more likely to run off).

Largepiecesofcrookedwood · 03/08/2018 22:35

I don't think rescues have the time to investigate each case fully to be sure they're getting the best option for the dog, so the blanket ban is easiest (and stops horrible and potentially dangerous mistakes)
DDog3 is an utter hag and while she's never as much as looked at DS(14) malevolently, would be utterly unsuited to a home with younger children or indeed an inexperienced one. However at first glance she would appear an ideal (if a bit scatty) family pet.
It is hard OP but often smaller rescues have more time and understanding with families in your situation.

ladydickisathingapparently · 03/08/2018 22:55

SarahHans re the small furries it shouldn’t be a problem provided you have them shut away from any dog really. Our old greyhound couldn’t be trusted around anything like a rabbit if it was running around outside - but then he’d been a very successful racer. Some pointy dogs end up in rescue quite young precisely because they won’t take the lure ....in other words they show no interest in chasing small furry things and they aren’t going to make anyone money racing.

My lurcher won’t actively chase anything. I’ve got two guinea pigs coming for a holiday here next week but they’ll be in ds2s room behind closed doors at all times so I’m not worried.

ladydickisathingapparently · 03/08/2018 22:57

Old (grey) greyhound and current loony lurcher.

NewToCats · 03/08/2018 22:59

Agree with you OP, it is so fustrating when no one wants to know because you have children.
We were desperate for a new dog, had lots of experience with dogs, had previously had aggressive dogs, participated in agility and flyball, was a SAHM, secure large garden ......
And a 10 year old.

We bought a puppy in the end.

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