To ask how we’re supposed to adopt and not shop if rescues are so strict?

[elisabethhh]

We were trying to find a dog to rescue but have been turned down by all due to us having a ‘young’ child (I don’t think 10 is very young) and working full time although dog would go to work with DH twice a week and be left for 4.5 hours tops the other 3 days. Surely a loving home where it’s occasionally left alone is better than a cage?

Smaller rescues are best. We adopted our two cats from one and literally turned up with two carriers and left with them an hour later. I didn’t need a home check in my view, I knew our large enclosed gaden, cat flap, quiet cul de sac etc were fine plus I also wouldn’t need told about getting a vet, insurance etc (always have it).

I once worked in a rescue centre-theyre not all like you see in films-the dogs are looked after, exercised and talked to. They grow to love the people looking after them and we loved them too. Possibly they need someone who can dedicate more time to that particular dog

We also looked to rescue. We were told no chance as have young children and a rabbit. We bought a gorgeous puppy instead.

We have always had rescue dogs, but when our current old boy (rescued 14 years ago) goes I doubt we will meet the rescue criteria either - we both work, not full time but even so more than the rescue will allow. We also dont have 5ft fencing (including gates) round every mm of our quarter acre garden. Like you we will probably end up buying and a rescue dog will go without a home or be PTS which is just so sad!

Not all Labradors are family dogs and they are a working breed and a poor match for a family that works/schools full time - they need to be very regularly mentally or physically worked.

A puppy is also a bad idea wirh those working hours, I agree 4.5 hours left at once is not great.

I agree though there is no reason why you shouldn't be a good match for a rescue dog. Cast a wider net, your Facebook site. Breed specific pages etc.

If you're in the Manchester area I can't recommend Dogs4Rescue highly enough. They have all shapes and sizes, free range so no prison cages and plenty of aftercare and support.

I adopted one of their Romanian rescues earlier in the year and am totally besotted. Currently fostering another of their dogs over Christmas. They're amazing people doing amazing things for dogs that wouldn't ordinarily stand a chance.

dogs4rescue.co.uk/

4.5 hours alone for a young lab is too much, you will probably come home to your house destroyed or a very stressed pup.

I didn’t realise how much hard work a lab was until we rescued a lab x puppy, we really struggled, they need a lot of training and are quite hyper, they need 2 or 3 walks a day and a lot of attention. Because they can be bouncy rescues tend to not home them with kids unless it’s a older dog.

Labs can be great with kids, they can also knock them over.

I only work 3 hours at a time, I wouldn’t consider getting another dog (my dog is pretty old now and sleeps all day).

Look for an independent, breed specific rescue. Mine will rehome to those with children as long as they have met the whole family and seen you all interact with the dog. You also will not have free rein of all of the dogs - as the owner knows exactly which ones will be suited to families.

BTW if you are looking to leave the dog alone for 4 hours most days, then maybe think twice about a Lab - as they are active dogs and require lots of exercise and stimulation.

I suspect rescues want the best for their dogs, not just to go to a not quite as bad environment.

No wonder the rescues are full then. Very few homes are "perfect". Dogs have lived with people for 1000s of years - I suspect many have lived quite happily in "good enough" homes. IMO a "good enough" home where the dog is loved, fed, watered and "owned" is infinitely preferable to a stressful kennel environment, often for months on end.

Obviously, the rescues should take things like behavioural compatibility into account when children are involved, but that shouldn't mean a blanket ban on homes with children.

It is not only puppies they wont rehome if you work - most arent happy for you to have an adult dog either. I agree it would be too long to leave a puppy but an adult dog is fine.

All our dogs have been rescues and all have been left home alone whilst we are at work. They usually settle well and have each other for company. Accidents are rare and they dont rush to go out when we get back.

There are not enough 'perfect' homes for dogs - better a slightly imperfect one than no home at all.

Every dog is different, especially rescues which may well have had trauma in their lives. This might mean they're nervous of children or need socialisation with other dogs or need the time they're left on their own building up slowly. A good rescue will take all of these things into consideration and match the dog to the owner. I know for a fact my local dogs trust specifies all these details for every individual dog they have so it's clear which ones might be suitable for your personal circumstances. It's not a blanket rule for all dogs thing.
There are so many dog walkers and day care places around these days there is just no need to leave a dog on its own for that long on such a regular basis. I would also suggest not leaving a dog for that long from day 1, I would build up the time over weeks/months. It's taken 10 months to get our rescue to being alone for 3/3.5 hours and even then that's probably only once or twice a month. Would rather that than a stressed unhappy dog and a chewed up sofa!

They’re strict because they have to be.
If the dog “attacked” (jumped up, barked at whatever someone decided was an attack even with no bite or growl) your child they’d then have to treat the dog as aggressive, making it impossible to rehome.
If the dog was left for 4.5hours in a strange house and ripped up all the carpet n ate a hole in the sofa theyd have it returned as destructive again impossible to rehome.

Some people won’t work through or expect issues.. sometimes because of the breed, sometimes because they’re old and old dogs apparently don’t have accidents.

If they say no it’s because they aren’t 100% sure and don’t want the dog returned several times or worse known as the place that rehomed that vicious dog to the family with toddlers (who intact drove the old dog to distraction trying to ride it, pull its ears n tail n steal every bit of food that went near it).

I've wanted a rescue dog for a while and I've been waiting until my DDs are teenagers (17 and 14), before making enquiries.
The amount of times I've been turned down because I work max 4 hrs a day, don't have experience of having my own dog and don't have a resident dog is ridiculous!
We live in the countryside, have a massive 7 foot fence in a big garden, but many of the rescue dogs need a 'resident dog' or someone who knows dogs.
This is exactly why things got wrong with people buying puppies as their very first dog.
Don't think I'll ever be able to have one unless a come across a lost dog and it isn't claimed by the owner.

I agree the blanket rules are absolutely daft. They have so many restrictions that a lot of people are sent away whilst the dog stays in a kennel.

And what really annoys me is that people can be at home all day and still under exercise the dog as you only have to look at some of the threads to see. My dog, who I got from a puppy, goes to daycare when I work so gets lots of company and exercise.

i think the rules have gone mad.and they are once again like most people in power keeping their eyes often on the seet and tick list rather than looking up for case by case family.
and its deterring so many people as its like a kick when you know you can offer a beautiful loving home yet some tick box says no.

Looking at this from the other side: I currently work for a large rescue organisation. We have recently had a dog returned to us twice after we rehomed to families with children and then the children decided they were worried by it jumping up. This was after multiple visits to the centre and day long visits to the home. This was originally a dog that coped really well in kennels however has now turned into a very nervous dog due to repeated broken attachments, uncertainty and a longer than necessary time in kennels. It is now no longer being rehomed with children however this dog has now spent a considerable amount of time in kennels when it was originally an 'easy' dog with no significant behavioural issues.

We do try as much as possible to accept families with children however you do have to trust us when we say a dog isn't suitable for children. Just because a dog is a certain breed does not mean it will be safe around children - life history plays as much a role if not more than genetics. Many of our dogs have unknown backgrounds and because we are unwilling to risk a child's safety they are generally classed as unsuitable for a home with children. Most of our dogs that come from homes (opposed to strays) and have had previous positive experience will be allowed to go to homes with children.

Saying this, I would try a different rescue, be prepared to wait or widen your search in terms of breeds you are interested in.

The choice is not between a kennel and a home where the dog isn’t left aloneness. It’s between kennels and a dog being returned to the rescue multiple times when multiple owners discover they cannot cope with it. The moves themselves can be very distressing and exacerbate behavioral issues making finding the dog’s long term home even more difficult.

My parents retired pretty young, very early 60s. Both in excellent health, massive garden and home all day. Nope couldn’t adopt from the local shelter, had to find a smaller shelter and they weren’t that happy either until I signed a document saying I’d take the dog if they both died. My parents are way fitter than me!

You could try greyhound rescue? Greyhounds are usually quite lazy and don’t need as much exercise, they are lovely dogs, very gentle with kids and can often be left longer than some other breeds (because they sleep a lot). I would consider a greyhound if I didn’t have small furries.

I'm a bit on the fence with this one - while I understand they want to find good homes I think they are unrealistic. People simply go and buy a dog which contributes to the problem. They would be better doing a probation period for 6 months or just accepting that real life isn't perfect and a decent home with loving people is good enough. Otherwise those decent people just shrug and give their money to some bloke on Gumtree.

GUmtree

Look for people selling their dogs for £150 because they can't keep them but don't want to put them in a kennel

Often these dogs are from an elderly person who's died or a family who didn't have time for it.

Plenty of small terriers and MILLIONS of un-neutered Staffies.

And certainly nobody who will give a shit that you have a ten year old.

same with cats, when we looked at rescues one would only give to home owners, others only had older cats or wouldnt have any suitable for families. ended up buying a litten( we wanted a adult cat) from facebook.

I can see this from the rescues point of view, a 10 year old is not going to be able to defend themselves if the Labrador attacks. I would personally look at small breeds with a child that age or get rabbits/guinea pigs.

I agree that the criteria for adoption can seem ridiculous sometimes, but as most of the dogs in rescue centres have unknown histories I think it's the centres covering their backs - especially when it comes to rehoming with families with children (children of any age - teenagers can be just as careless as toddlers if they're not used to having a dog!) Also, labs are wonderful dogs, but they need a lot of training, as do many other breeds, to get them used to family life as they are really a working breed and if they aren't regularly exercised and stimulated mentally they can be strong and destructive. I think if you are willing to look at smaller rescues and are willing to look at all dogs, rather than the typical family types, you will eventually find one that will fit into your family beautifully. Good luck. I'm sure the right dog is out there.

I agree with you, OP. Rescue centres can be a bit of a headache to deal with and people might want a specific breed for any number of reasons.