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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why are some people so judgemental about getting a puppy, I don’t want to regime someone else’s dog !

148 replies

LardLizard · 12/10/2018 14:33

It’s not my responsibility to take on someone else’s dog they have dumped in an animal rescue place

From what I hear out of every 10 dogs that are rehomed 6 are returned .....

People don’t say when you have a baby
Oh why did you go and have a baby
You could have adopted one !!!

OP posts:
scarbados · 12/10/2018 15:34

@making mammaries

many dogs end up in rescue shelters when they grow up and stop being cute little puppies

every year there are last Christmas's puppies taken to shelters (or worse, to the RSPCA with a request of euthanasia) because 'the kids want another puppy this year'

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 12/10/2018 15:36

On ffs i didn't say all dogs.

SummerGems · 12/10/2018 15:37

Plus I do wonder at the amount of people breeding their own children when the world is hideously over populated and many children are in care. and how many children have you adopted? Hmm.

FWIW I have actually heard people say that they can “always adopt” if they find they can’t have DC, or “have you thought of adopting?”when someone posts that they want a baby under difficult circs....

Belina · 12/10/2018 15:38

no its not but why not? me personally over years of having cats i prefer cats to kittens. They are already trained and older pets dont want to run around just want cuddles

SummerGems · 12/10/2018 15:39

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit xposts. I agree.I would go so far as to say that importing rescues should be banned.

missbattenburg · 12/10/2018 15:40

Ihopeyourcakeisshit I have some agreement with what you're saying. I spent about 18 months in India and saw dogs, pigs, cows, goats all living on the street.

I have to say the pigs always looked like they coped with street life pretty admirably. Next up, the dogs also tended to look pretty good living on the street. Every now and again you'd see one in real trouble (usually as a result of a car accident) but mostly they seemed in pretty good condition. Of course, they also have quite a few people who look out for them. Still, what I am saying just 'living on the street' is not necessarily a terrible life for a dog and I am not convinced all of them would have been happy to find themselves as someone's pet.

I have known a couple of rehomed street dogs from another country. One is loving their new life but the other was put down after months of fear aggression leading to an attack on a child. The dog was euthanised because no rescue would take him and because he was clearly living a very unhappy life as a pet dog. I am not convinced being picked up and shipped around the world to live as a pet was in his best interests at all.

fourquenelles · 12/10/2018 15:41

I have three rescue dogs. Hunters who were discarded at the end of the hunting season and abandoned on the streets. They and 99% of their breed are gentle and well mannered. The rescue centre I got my boys from rescues pregnant dogs who have been abandoned and so have up to 50 puppies at any one time along with the 160 dogs they have capacity for. You can get puppies from rescue centres so please, please, please adopt, don't shop.

MustStopSnacking28 · 12/10/2018 15:42

I have a Scottie who is gorgeous and was just from a family - would never ever buy from a puppy farm. However if I were to ever get another dog I would prefer an older rescue because I honestly have found my baby easier to look after than a puppy! At least a baby can have a nappy on!

Initially we tried to adopt a dog but due to both working full time we were rejected. I’m not really sure how you can meet the criteria for some adoptions as we would need to work to feed/afford vet bills etc!

Anyway it’s a tricky one and I don’t think you are BU but I also don’t think people who suggest adopting dogs are either.

smallchanceofrain · 12/10/2018 15:44

We have a rescue dog. She was 2 when we got her. The rescue centre had put her with foster carers and they could assure us that she was child and dog friendly, house trained, not destructive etc. She's amazing and has never put a paw wrong - with the exception of once stealing a sausage roll!

If you don't want an adult dog OP then you could consider a rescue puppy. We were very tempted by some cockerpoo type puppies at the centre we got our dog from but when I thought about all the training required, especially the house training, I decided we should take the easier option.

Shezza71 · 12/10/2018 15:53

We have a rescue dog and love her to bits, didn't even consider a puppy. My sister who has 3 younger children were told by a few rehoming centres that they had no dogs suitable for my sisters family life so they ended up getting a puppy from a breeder.
Rehoming a rescue dog just isn't possible for everyone.

katseyes7 · 12/10/2018 15:54

Animals aren't in rescues through any particular fault of their own. They're there because they've been let down by humans. "Don't have time". "The kids got bored with 'it'". "lt makes a mess". So far as l'm concerned, with every animal l've ever had, it's for life. Mine or theirs. l appreciate that people's circumstances change, but l'd do anything humanly possible to keep mine. Which l have.

l'm collecting my third rescue rabbit in about an hour. My two have been at the rescue for bonding with him. My way of thinking is that my two have a new friend, my eldest bunny is getting on and the last time we lost one, l nearly lost my little one too. He was traumatised and in vet hospital for days. l never want that to happen again. So l'm having three. Also, it gives an abandoned animal a fresh start, and makes a space at the rescue for another little soul who wasn't wanted, for whatever reason.

sizeofalentil · 12/10/2018 15:56

People have said to me that I should have adopted rather than had a baby tbh. I think they thought that they were being cool and edgy.

I don't care if people buy puppies - as long as they aren't from puppy farms or backyard breeders. 'Whoops' accidental litters aren't ideal, either.

honeyskye · 12/10/2018 15:59

And how many people are rejected by that rescue cobrider?

starcrossedseahorse · 12/10/2018 16:02

SummerGems overpopulation of the planet is a thing - like it or not.

Fwiw I have adopted no children but I was adopted myself as a baby. I am childfree and shall remain so.

honeyskye · 12/10/2018 16:04

It is a thing but the answer isn’t adopting random babies, it’s limiting family size.

Notjustanyone · 12/10/2018 16:15

I've rescued 4 dogs in the last 22 years. My husband surprised me with a puppy for our anniversary...I wish he hadn't...all my rescues have been house trained & relaxed old boys and this puppy is a total mare who even after intensive toilet training still doesn't get it! She's in perfect health but just doesn't grasp house training and even the trainer who I have paid a small fortune to has admitted defeat and said that it'll just take time and one day she will get it. My carpets are washed daily with a heavy duty carpet washer that I have had to buy and I'm pulling my hair out over it. My remaining rescue boy gives me no trouble at all. None of them have.

Lynne1Cat · 12/10/2018 16:21

LardLizard....get yourself a stuffed toy dog. You lack all that is required to have a living, breathing animal

HildegardCrowe · 12/10/2018 16:23

I have a rescue dog and he's the best thing that ever happened to me (well almost). You don't sound as if you actually like animals BTW.

With a rescue dog you know what you're getting but I suppose if you want a designer dog then you simply won't be interested in all the lovely proper dogs that end up in rescues through no fault of their own.

Scattyhattie · 12/10/2018 16:24

I don't have an issue with those that do their research and go to a ethical breeder that is producing healthy (genetic tests) & good temperament dogs, who care about the pups welfare by thoroughly checking potential owners and contract to take back throughout lifetime. Sadly most breeders don't take this level of responsibility & happy to meet puppy buyers desire for an easy, hassle free purchase.

I never understand why puppies are seen as the easier option, which unless experienced owner often isn't the case and can just as easily end up with behavioural/training issues to deal with. I personally prefer to adopt as can skip that difficult puppy/adolescent stage, more of a known quantity, to find most suitable match and can slot into my life easier.
I have one that came at 6months as a short-term foster (still here), he was born in rescue. Lots of puppies are available in rescues but unlike greeders are more careful about matching to ideal homes as they'll be the ones to pick up the pieces.

I object to people assuming that a rescue dog is somehow substandard and all have issues. Plenty of dogs were loved family pets & enter rescue when responsible people need to rehome due to life changes such as illness, relationship breakdowns, work hours, accommodate issues etc. Decent rescues provide lifetime backup for their dogs.

ErickBroch · 12/10/2018 16:29

Idiot, I work in dog welfare those numbers are hilarious. You sound like the type to get bored when it's older and hand it away. Feel bad for the puppy, deserves better than you.

SugarPlumLairy · 12/10/2018 16:37

We have a rescue dog, she’d been returned twice to the RSPCA and clearly had some issues (aka incompetent owners).

She is amazing, gentle, sweet AND utterly awesome with my autistic DD. We have been asked where did we get our therapy dog from, was her training expensive etc. She really is that good.

She isn’t a therapy dog, she’s had no training other than how to walk on a leash and sit. It just took a little common sense and a loving home. She isn’t even a “cute” dog, people have been known to cross the street to avoid her, she is big and mean looking.

The point is, she IS a rescue dog. There are some utter diamonds out there all desperate for a home. Please don’t write them off as damaged goods.

Oh and for your snippy baby comment OP, yes I did adopt a child actually. If you want to raise a dog, or child, then do that, raise them well. If you want something cute, pretty, made just for you Ed go buy a handbag🙄

LuvSmallDogs · 12/10/2018 16:42

I actually agree with OP to an extent. I wouldn’t like to get a rescue dog - possibly a rescue cat, but not a dog. They’re not all messed up, but I’m not convinced by the local rescues skills at “match making”.

My own dog is from a breeder, KC registered and all, though not show or breeding line material and she is wonderful, very laid back, very gentle. Worth £750 9 years ago, for sure and very healthy.

sueelleker · 12/10/2018 16:44

We had a Springer spaniel from a puppy who was an absolute sweetheart. My (ex) BIL rehomed one from a farm (no socializing) which attacked my niece and tore her face quite badly. I know which I'd rather have.

starcrossedseahorse · 12/10/2018 17:25

honeyskye thanks for labelling me a 'random baby'. Hmm

honeyskye · 12/10/2018 17:33

The thread isn’t about you Hmm

You were a random baby, just as everyone is. Or do you think people think there is something special about their egg and sperm?