To ask you to read this before buying a puppy?

[hibbledibble]

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/01/rescue-me-why-britains-beautiful-lockdown-pets-are-being-abandoned

I warned of the dangers of the huge demand for puppies over the lockdowns, and many told me I was wrong.

Here it is from the horse's mouth: all those cute puppies are being abandoned now they are stubborn adolescents.

Rescues are currently brimming at the seams: if you are looking for a dog or other pet, please look there first (and don't limit yourself to a puppy)

No because the garden is too small.
I’ve worked with quite a few rescues, for most dogs a small garden would be fine and we wouldn’t say no because of that.

No because I occasionally go out if the house.
Again, this isn’t a reason we’d say no.

No because taking the dog with me wouldn't be right.
I’m not sure what you mean by this, take it where? Generally, we’re happy if the dog isn’t being left for long periods regularly.

No because we wouldn't let the dog have the run if the while house, downstairs only.
Again, this is difficult to believe. No rescue I’ve had involvement with would have an issue with the dog being only downstairs.

People try to make out that rescues have ridiculous rules, but it’s just not true in my experience.

Rescue centres are full be we import stray cats and dogs from overseas.

Rescue centres are full be we import stray cats and dogs from overseas.

They do, but most rescues I know don’t take many each each year, it’s not making up the bulk of the dogs in most rescues.
Who cares about those foreign dogs though anyway, eh. 🙄

We have had 6 dogs during our marriage and 4 of them have been rescues, including current dog. We have had no problem in being accepted by rescues although we were, until recently, both out at work for part of the day, have a modest sized garden and have brought up 2 sons alongside the first 2 dogs mentioned. It is all a question of which rescue you go to and what breeds you will consider. I often read the daily diary of one rescue we have adopted from where they talk about the reasons they have rejected prospective adopters, quite often it is lack of knowledge, high expectations of the initial behaviour of the dog and a refusal to have a dog secure garden and provide video evidence. I consider us to be capable but by no means expert in dealing with dogs with a bit of a history. WE have had no behavioural problems with any of ours once they had settled in, all very loving and soppy. The only dog we have owned that has ever bitten us was the pedigree one we paid a fortune for from his highly regarded breeder.

@GodIsAVegan

No because the garden is too small. I’ve worked with quite a few rescues, for most dogs a small garden would be fine and we wouldn’t say no because of that.

No because I occasionally go out if the house.
Again, this isn’t a reason we’d say no.

No because taking the dog with me wouldn't be right.
I’m not sure what you mean by this, take it where? Generally, we’re happy if the dog isn’t being left for long periods regularly.

No because we wouldn't let the dog have the run if the while house, downstairs only.
Again, this is difficult to believe. No rescue I’ve had involvement with would have an issue with the dog being only downstairs.

People try to make out that rescues have ridiculous rules, but it’s just not true in my experience.

I know it sounds unbelievable. I wouldn't believe it either.

Another was no because my husband works away a lot.

I don't care any more. I have a dog. He seems perfectly happy with a small garden, car crate and just 3 rooms of the house and gets ridiculously excited when DH comes home.

And everyone I have ever spoken to who works in a rescue centre has said that they would say no because if any of the reasons I have had, in writing!

Agree with lots of the comments above. We’ve waited to get a dog until we’re 100% sure our WFH arrangements will stay the same but now can’t seem to get a rescue dog due to the crazy requirements. We own our own home, big secured garden, have a rescue cat who loves dogs and have occasional children visiting - been refused by 2 rescues because of the cat! Even for a puppy they might have.

I was told no to me getting a dog from a rescue because;

Child under 11 (she's 10, and grew up with dogs from birth)

Non-secure back garden. (Several acres) We have a massive secure front garden, and anytime we're at the back the dog is supervised, but it wasn't good enough.

I work a combination on at home and in an office. Where I can take the dog. But I would occasionally leave the dog for up to 2 hours. That wasn't acceptable.

DH sometimes works away- which would apparently be too unsettling.

I grew up with dogs, and have owned dogs all my life.

We bought a puppy. Yes- massively hard work at first, but she's settled down.

@GodIsAVegan

No because the garden is too small. I’ve worked with quite a few rescues, for most dogs a small garden would be fine and we wouldn’t say no because of that.

No because I occasionally go out if the house.
Again, this isn’t a reason we’d say no.

No because taking the dog with me wouldn't be right.
I’m not sure what you mean by this, take it where? Generally, we’re happy if the dog isn’t being left for long periods regularly.

No because we wouldn't let the dog have the run if the while house, downstairs only.
Again, this is difficult to believe. No rescue I’ve had involvement with would have an issue with the dog being only downstairs.

People try to make out that rescues have ridiculous rules, but it’s just not true in my experience.

And your experience is what??? Some voluntary work?!! 🙄 perhaps for just a moment you could explore the idea that your experience isn't necessarily representative of others experiences?!!! Just an idea!

No rescues wanted us either. Our lockdown pup is now a much loved stubborn adolescent who’ll be part of our family for many years to come 🥰. Our nearest rescue only has 3 dogs in anyway.

Another was no because my husband works away a lot.

Again, I don’t know of any rescues that would say no due to this. Which rescues are you talking about?

We went to several rescue centres and approached so many more.

My husband had taken early retirement and I was working part time.

Our house is detached and we have a very high fence ( tall hedges) and very secure garden.

Home visits produced a few ums and aahs but we were always accepted.
There then followed multiple visits but so many dogs were highly anxious and needed ongoing behaviour therapy.

We eventually found a lovely pooch and had several visits. We knew he was a bit anxious but were prepared to put the work in.
The evening before we were due to pick him up a dog behaviourist phoned us to spell out how difficult he was and was unsuitable to be rehomed. He would need ongoing therapy, weekly, for at least two years, so they reckoned!

We declined.

This is the reality for so many lovely dogs who were bought on a whim but then were left alone once owners went back to work or hated doing any training .

We ended up buying a puppy privately.

As an aside , there was one rescue place that agreed, after over two hours of interview by two people , that we could adopt one of their dogs provided we agreed to only raw feeding!

@SENmummy73848

It’s easy enough for people to say go to rescue centres but it’s extremely difficult because of their very tight restrictions. Many places ask for a large secured garden which not everyone has, to have no other pets in the household and no school aged children, and then on top of that people who are mostly at home 24/7 and then they wonder why people go and buy dogs from breeders instead…

Exactly this. I also don't want a dog that has had little to no training for the last 2 years

And your experience is what??? Some voluntary work?!! 🙄 perhaps for just a moment you could explore the idea that your experience isn't necessarily representative of others experiences?!!!

Just an idea!

20 years working in various animal welfare roles, in rescue centres, volunteering and campaign work. So put your eyes back where they belong.
Of course, different rescues have different procedures and I said I’ve never come across one who would not rehome because ‘someone goes out occasionally’ for example. No rescue expects an animal to never be left apart from in very exceptional circumstances.

@GodIsAVegan

Rescue centres are full be we import stray cats and dogs from overseas.

They do, but most rescues I know don’t take many each each year, it’s not making up the bulk of the dogs in most rescues.
Who cares about those foreign dogs though anyway, eh. 🙄

It doesn't make any sense to import dogs that will only end up being put down if rescues have such strict criteria. Maybe yours doesn't, congratulations but a lot of the ones I've spoken to want only experienced dog owners - even for breeds that aren't known for being difficult. In the same breath they tell people to 'adopt not buy'! Ok but how am I suppose to get experience if you won't let me adopt a dog?

Not read the whole thread but please stop bashing rescues.

The only dogs we struggle to rehome are the ones with serious issues.

Given the option of rehoming a dog to a retired but still active couple with a beautiful house to which the dog has unrestricted access and a large security garden, or a family in a small semi with 3 kids and who are out at work all day, what would you do?

Rescues exist to find homes for dogs, not dogs for you.

see i keep hearing about over run rescues but my local 3 rescues never have more than 2 - 4 dogs on there website... and goodluck rescuing if you have kids even my neighbour who has a 12 year old and wanted a dog up to 8 years old any breed phoned 4 rescues to be told nothing for them because they had a kid.

my friends garden is apparently too small... even for a small dog, it fits a 12 ft swimming pool in and a 8 person garden seating set in the summer

As an aside , there was one rescue place that agreed, after over two hours of interview by two people , that we could adopt one of their dogs provided we agreed to only raw feeding!

I’ve known that a few times, always due to allergy or another health issue. Most vets I’ve worked with haven’t recommended raw feeding for dogs without these issues.

Ok but how am I suppose to get experience if you won't let me adopt a dog?

In the rescues I’ve known, it’s not standard to ask for experienced owners only, unless there are specific issues with the dog or sometimes for certain breeds.

@GodIsAVegan
I understand the allergy part but this particular rescue centre had a blanket policy of only feeding a raw diet to all of its dogs.

And yes, we were to expect a further two visits from them!

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Not read the whole thread but please stop bashing rescues.

The only dogs we struggle to rehome are the ones with serious issues.

Given the option of rehoming a dog to a retired but still active couple with a beautiful house to which the dog has unrestricted access and a large security garden, or a family in a small semi with 3 kids and who are out at work all day, what would you do?

Rescues exist to find homes for dogs, not dogs for you.

The issue is not that dogs are going to 'more suitable' homes. The issue is that the narrative being pushed is 'adopt not buy because rescues are overflowing and the poor cuddly things NEED a home' However a lot of people are buying because they've been turned down by rescues.

It would be more sensible to highlight how rigorous the process is instead of making it seem like adoption is the best way to fulfil your need for a dog.

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Not read the whole thread but please stop bashing rescues.

The only dogs we struggle to rehome are the ones with serious issues.

Given the option of rehoming a dog to a retired but still active couple with a beautiful house to which the dog has unrestricted access and a large security garden, or a family in a small semi with 3 kids and who are out at work all day, what would you do?

Rescues exist to find homes for dogs, not dogs for you.

That’s fair enough but in that case, don’t slate families for buying a puppy. You can’t have it both ways!

I understand the allergy part but this particular rescue centre had a blanket policy of only feeding a raw diet to all of its dogs.

I’m surprised at that. Based on my conversations with vets, I wouldn’t consider a raw diet unless there was a health issue. One vet told me he’d seen too many illnesses and deficiencies in raw fed dogs to ever think they were a good idea. But I do know people who raw feed and their dogs are healthy.

Also to add @JayAlfredPrufrock I have no issue with being told that dogs are going to more suitable homes - none at all! Obviously if several people want the same dog some decision has to be made on grounds of suitability.

It's more along how it's presented. As you said rescues exist to find suitable homes for the dog. Of course a certain level of vetting etc must be in place but it's not easy to adopt a dog even if you meet the minimum criteria. In fact in my case being responsible, waiting to get my own house with a garden etc to be able to adopt counts against me as I have no experience. Maybe there were other, better people.
All fair enough, but don't say all these things then go when people choose to buy

Whoa. I’m not slating anyone.

Nor do we claim to be overwhelmed by dogs needing homes.

What we are overwhelmed by is dogs being relinquished but with no suitable foster homes for them.

Many lockdown puppies who are spending the whole day in a crate.

@LadyCatStark exactly!
I feel personally attacked because thanks to all my dog adoption searches I'm now bombarded with adopt not buy ads.
The hypocrisy is what annoys me