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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask how do you get a rescue dog if you work full time?

105 replies

Alwaystired45 · 27/02/2023 19:26

Not really AIBU - just curious to see if anyone has managed to adopt a rescue dog whilst working full time?

I have wanted a dog for a few years now, but have put it off due to work commitments. I live alone and I'm out of the house 5 days a week - at least 8 hours a day apart from a Friday as I finish work early. Always home during evenings and weekends. I'm very much a home bird (don't go out drinking on weekends for example). I'm also very active and love going for walks (live by the sea) in my spare time which I know any dog would love. I have family close by that could pop in during the day. I also get on very well with my neighbours and we all help each other out.

I've always said that I'd like to get a rescue dog rather than buying a puppy, but from looking at the RSPCA website, I've noticed that a lot of their dogs need someone who will be home most of the time. How does that work? Surely most people work? I know a lot of people WFH now but that can't be everyone who has a pet, right?! I know I could provide a good home to one of these lovely dogs, but I can't change my working schedule which is such a shame.

I'd love to hear other people's experiences if possible, good and bad and any advice you have. TIA

OP posts:

silverclock222 · 27/02/2023 19:31

I had to buy mine off Gumtree. I am home every lunchtime which for me was the deal-breaker. Alternatively I would have a dog walker/sitter come in for an hour - you can't rely on family and friends, no matter how good the intentions. Walked in the morning, cuddles, pees and a play at lunch, cuddles, pees and a play after work then another decent walk. Dogs have run of whole house, never caged.

Whowhatwherewhenwhy1 · 27/02/2023 19:32

Unless you are going to employ a dog walker or use doggy daycare at least once during the day it would be incredibly selfish to get any sort of dog in your circumstances. No rescue would give you one for sure. Why not just borrow a dog or volunteer with your local shelter and take a dog out for long walks at the weekend?

Twentypast · 27/02/2023 19:32

I'd be very surprised if any rescue centre or reputable breeder would let you have a dog. No dog will be happy left for 8 hours a day for 5 days a week. Dogs want company.

My DH works from home permanently and will leave the dog if he has a client meeting but if he knows he will be out for more than 3.5 hours the dog goes to a minder.

It's just not fair to leave a dog that long on a regular basis.

GPFavo · 27/02/2023 19:34

Friends (a couple) just adopted a dog, both work full-time. He works Monday-Friday 9-5 (ish), with 50% in the office and 50% WFH. She’s a nurse working 3 days of 12h shifts per week. Because he can choose which days to be in the office, he ensures he’s at home for the days she’s working. That’s just one example.

Plenty of people have set ups to facilitate this: WFH enough (two people WFH 50% would tie in), work nearby in a role that can check-in, work shifts so one person is always available, working a job where you can take the dog with you…

I would also question whether most households have everyone in them working full-time. I wouldn’t imagine that’s the case.

Wombats23 · 27/02/2023 19:34

People get puppies instead. You can spot those dogs every weekend with their stressed owners.

Okunevo · 27/02/2023 19:34

I think a couple of cats or kittens (over six months) would be a better fit for someone who works full time.

DuplicateUserName · 27/02/2023 19:35

Yes most people work but not all of them live alone.

We have 2 rescue dogs and between me, DH and our DS's patterns, they're never left alone for more than about 3 hours a day.

halfsiesonapotnoodle · 27/02/2023 19:35

The answer is, you don't get a dog if you work full time. It's really unfair on them to be alone for hours each day. It's not enough for family to just 'pop in'. The poor dog. 😞

MaireadMcSweeney · 27/02/2023 19:35

You shouldn't get a dog if you're out all day! Unless you'll be paying for daycare every day. It's unkind and selfish. They can't be left for 8 hours even with popping in at lunch time for a walk.

DuplicateUserName · 27/02/2023 19:35

Wombats23 · 27/02/2023 19:34

People get puppies instead. You can spot those dogs every weekend with their stressed owners.

And you'll often spot them again in rescue homes when they're barely a year old.

Okunevo · 27/02/2023 19:36

Dogs are pack animals, they need to be with their pack/people.

Parker231 · 27/02/2023 19:36

Will you be able to come home regularly during the day to take it for walks or employ a doggie walker or use doggie daycare?

CowboyHat · 27/02/2023 19:36

MaireadMcSweeney · 27/02/2023 19:35

You shouldn't get a dog if you're out all day! Unless you'll be paying for daycare every day. It's unkind and selfish. They can't be left for 8 hours even with popping in at lunch time for a walk.

This. Don’t even think about it. It’s not fair.

Clymene · 27/02/2023 19:37

You don't. No one should get any kind of dog if they're out of the house 8 hours a day.

openingbat · 27/02/2023 19:37

halfsiesonapotnoodle · 27/02/2023 19:35

The answer is, you don't get a dog if you work full time. It's really unfair on them to be alone for hours each day. It's not enough for family to just 'pop in'. The poor dog. 😞

Agreed.

Whereabouts do you live OP? If by any chance you're near a guide dog training centre you could foster one in training. You drop them off on your way to work and pick up on way home, so you have them evenings and weekends.

shopmyfeelings · 27/02/2023 19:37

Get a cat. Unless you're using day care or a walker then it's cruel.

JimHensonWasAGenius · 27/02/2023 19:37

Have you looked at "Borrow my Doggy" OP?

That might fit in better with your lifestyle and much fairer on the dog.

Nicecow · 27/02/2023 19:38

Do you really think that's fair to the dog? Dogs are social creatures and should not be left at home alone that long. It is cruel.

theswoot · 27/02/2023 19:38

Adding my voice to the people that are saying not to do it. Sorry OP. Even with pop-ins throughout the day it’s just not fair on the dog. DH and I work full time but are both mainly WFH which is how we manage.

TheNinthLock · 27/02/2023 19:38

If a rescue centre won’t let you have a dog because you work too many hours and they don’t deem placing a dog in your care to be for the benefit of the dog, then you don’t get a dog.
Its a living being, with needs. Revisit the idea when your working arrangements are suitable.

RocketPanda · 27/02/2023 19:39

A shelter would love to have you on the weekends to walk and play and exercise the dogs .

ScreamingInfidelities · 27/02/2023 19:39

I live alone and I'm out of the house 5 days a week - at least 8 hours a day apart from a Friday

Your circumstances don’t allow for you to have a dog and look after it properly. They don’t switch off when you’re out of the house, Leaving them for 8 hours four days a week is horrifically negligent.

GrasstrackGirl · 27/02/2023 19:40

You don't.

Lesmurf · 27/02/2023 19:41

We both work full time. I start work at 5am and am home around 1:30. One of the reasons I do that shift is because of the dogs. Hubby leaves for work at 7. Daughter leaves around 8:15. We have a dog Walker come in around 10:30 to take them out for an hour. So they are never alone for more than 3ish hours. If we go on day trips they can’t come to they go to doggy day care. I love my dogs but it can be expensive. Dog Walker alone costs me over £400 a month.

Taptap2 · 27/02/2023 19:42

I wouldn’t get a cat either even two they can be aloof but still need human company IME

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