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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask you to read this before buying a puppy?

202 replies

hibbledibble · 01/12/2021 13:36

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)

OP posts:
TractorAndHeadphones · 01/12/2021 21:04

@ClaireEclair

We’ve been trying to adopt a dog for months and have got nowhere. On all the rescue lists near us. We own our house, no kids, garden, both work from home full time now. But we have no experience and live near a busy road (garden is completely in closed). Have been turned down for all dogs we’ve been interested in as they all need experienced owners.
Exactly my experience (except that we don't live near a particularly busy road) Quite a few of the dogs are still on there. They weren't the ones with specific needs stated in the descriptions either...
TractorAndHeadphones · 01/12/2021 21:06

@GodIsAVegan

TractorAndHeadphones

I’ve clearly said that some breeders are irresponsible and there are so many of them. Not that all breeders are irresponsible. If a rescue says you’re unsuitable and getting a puppy means using an irresponsible breeder....you shouldn’t get a dog.

That's fair enough. If people don't pass the vetting from both then they shouldn't get a dog
Capferret · 01/12/2021 21:07

@stripetop
Reputable puppies do not go into rescues, they go back to the breeder!!!

Absolutely.
When I bought my dog, I wanted a specific breed because I have allergies, I had to sign a contract that states if I ever can’t keep my dog I must return her to the breeder.
Our breeder also came out 4 weeks after we got the puppy to check the dog was being well cared for and our home was as we’d stated.
I’m still in touch with the breeder and still ask her for advise occasionally after 8 years.

GodIsAVegan · 01/12/2021 21:10

Bingbangbongbash

All our dogs suitable for rehoming go get homed, some take longer than others, but it’s worth it.

People should get their head around the fact that it’s not a right to have a dog. The way many people obtain a dog, thousands biting from pets4homes and gumtree will indirectly make other dogs suffer. Personally, I’m not ok with that.

Puppy farms don’t have signs, many are fooled. They’re not always easy to spot. Lucy’s Law has meant breeders are going to greater lengths to hide their activity.

GodIsAVegan · 01/12/2021 21:11

*buying not biting 😂

Bingbangbongbash · 01/12/2021 21:24

That’s great. I guess there isn’t an issue with rescues being overrun after all. Someone should tell the Guardian.

I’m not disagreeing re puppy farms and gumtree; there are a lot of unscrupulous breeders making money out of the misery of animals, and it’s heartbreaking. But in my personal circumstance, I do know the differences and I can find a puppy to buy from a reputable and safe breeder.

Or I’ll just cut out the middle man and breed my own. 😁

shrodingersvaccine · 01/12/2021 21:25

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

shrodingersvaccine · 01/12/2021 21:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

Toomanyscentedcandles · 01/12/2021 21:30

@shrodingersvaccine

Honestly, rescues are their own worst enemy with their rules. I’ve owned dogs my whole life, couldn’t rescue from anywhere I tried for three years because I -

Already have a dog

Have nieces and nephews who visit (all over 8 at the time, and also well used to dogs)

Live in an apartment (100sqm and with a dog already...)

Rent my apartment, don’t own it (I do own a house, just not this one)

Work 2 days out of the house (which pays for the dogs and the walkers I hire for those days)

Won’t agree to go to their training classes (which use the stupid alpha method)

However one of the rescues who wouldn’t give one to me did give one to my friend and her husband. A collie pup, six months old. They didn’t so much as buy a crate, walked her for 20 minutes 3x a day, did not so much as a jot of mental exercise for her and handed her back within a week when she chewed through their sofa overnight (when they locked her downstairs alone and went to bed, expecting her just to behave Hmm)

I got one from a Romanian rescue who basically came round, met my older boy and said ‘you seem great, your dog is well looked after, approved’ and then when he was mental for the first three months supported me through it brilliantly!

I’ve no sympathy for them when they can’t even use common sense!

Please post the name of the Romanian rescue!
GodIsAVegan · 01/12/2021 21:31

Bingbangbongbash

🙄 yawn

prawntoastie · 01/12/2021 21:35

I brought a puppy won’t give her up although she pisses everywhere

GodIsAVegan · 01/12/2021 21:35

I do obviously have sympathy for the dogs - just not the rescues angry they’re all full when they won’t adopt any of the poor wee dogs out to perfectly suitable homes!

We’ve rehomed quite a few dogs this week, another couple are due to be picked up tomorrow. If you’re suitable, you’ll get a dog.

stalkersaga · 01/12/2021 21:37

All our dogs suitable for rehoming go get homed, some take longer than others, but it’s worth it.

So there's no problem then, no? You don't need more people to rescue, just fewer people to go to crappy backyard breeders and puppy farms. People who want to and are suitable to adopt can continue to do so, and people who don't want or aren't suitable can go to reputable breeders.

Skyll · 01/12/2021 21:37

But you wouldn’t let me rehome a dog @GodIsAVegan and yet a suitable dog would have a great life with me.

Bingbangbongbash · 01/12/2021 21:37

Oh lighten up, @GodIsAVegan

You can make dusty comments to me all you like, but it’s clear that the rescue system is broken; the countless comments on this thread are a microcosm of the wider experience: too many decent people are driven to buying a dog because rescues prioritise perfect over good enough.

ikeepseeingit · 01/12/2021 21:37

I work with dogs for a living, own my own home, have a very good secure garden. I was turned away everywhere because I have a cat who is dog friendly. I have done Animal Management courses, have a level 3 City and Guilds in dog grooming and it's still not enough!

Toomanyscentedcandles · 01/12/2021 21:38

I applied for a dog and was given a ohine interview. The recipe said ‘great, you sound like you’d be able to offer a great hime to this dog. We have two other applicants to talk to first, but think you will be offered the dog. ‘
I then heard nothing for a week . I eventually got an email saying we had been unsuccessful and the dog was going to another hime. No explanation.
A month later, I saw the dog has been returned to the rescue. I asked why we were not offered the chance to have him when he was returned. They didn’t even have the courtesy to reply. Yet I still get marketing emails from them pleading for donations!

Toomanyscentedcandles · 01/12/2021 21:38

Sorry about typos!

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 · 01/12/2021 21:41

We were rejected by a lot of rescues, because on paper we probably don't look great or fit the criteria. We live in a flat with a communal garden only, and we both work full time. I spent hours and hours applying to various ones, and got so lucky with an independent one in Chelmsford who took a risk on us after meeting us and doing a home visit. I really didn't want to buy a puppy, really wanted a rescue.

It is possible, even without perfect circumstances. This rescue also has 'cat safe' dogs, and allows adoption with children. We showed them we had arranged a vet already, picked a daycare that specialised in rescue dogs and sent them details of it, and took a video of the parks and canal runs on our doorstep (we live in London). We ended up with a Romanian street dog, and he's gorgeous. They had UK dogs also, I just fell in love with this one. It's not always been plain sailing, he's anxious, and we've worked with behaviourists. But he's so lovely and a complete part of the family

GodIsAVegan · 01/12/2021 21:43

But you wouldn’t let me rehome a dog @GodIsAVegan and yet a suitable dog would have a great life with me.

If you are suitable, a rescue will let you have a dog.

GodIsAVegan · 01/12/2021 21:44

You can make dusty comments to me all you like, but it’s clear that the rescue system is broken; the countless comments on this thread are a microcosm of the wider experience: too many decent people are driven to buying a dog because rescues prioritise perfect over good enough.

Good enough isn’t a young child, no garden, out most of the day. People want to believe this is good enough because they want a dog.

SexyNeckbeard · 01/12/2021 21:44

More than one rescue volunteer has been on to say that all their dogs are rehomed easy peasy. Rescue centres aren't full to bursting and crying out for homes then are they?

shrodingersvaccine · 01/12/2021 21:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 · 01/12/2021 21:45

Oh and tbh a lot of our neighbours have dogs also, mostly pedigree, and they've probably had as many issues with their dogs as we have! And behaviourists in etc. So I wouldn't say he is more work. Just different things for us to learn and work on. And he loves us so much

Skyll · 01/12/2021 21:46

@GodIsAVegan

But you wouldn’t let me rehome a dog @GodIsAVegan and yet a suitable dog would have a great life with me.

If you are suitable, a rescue will let you have a dog.

No. They won’t. I tried.

Because I’m disabled and have a cat I’m not suitable.