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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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 Smile

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 27/02/2023 20:27

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?

I agree. Dogs do not like being alone, that is far too long to leave a dog. It would be cruel to have a dog in your circumstances. It seems to be about you wanting a dog to fit in with you, rather than thinking of what a rescued dog would need from an owner.

GretnaGreenIsLovely · 27/02/2023 20:30

I don't think it's a good idea to have a dog when you work full time. Even if someone can pop in, the dog will be alone the rest of the day. I do agree a cat might be a better option.

That said, if you are desperate for a dog, a friend of mine had two greyhounds which seem to be the only breed that are happy to be left. Might be worth looking into greyhound rescue. However, they'd need a good long walk before and after your work, someone to pop in during the day, and also possibly still a day or two a week at doggy daycare.

Good luck! Cats would probably be a better route

Unsure33 · 27/02/2023 20:32

Big rescues like rspca won’t consider you , even if you have a dog Walker everyday , but you could buy a puppy tomorrow 🤷‍♀️.

I got my dogs from a small rescue and had a dog Walker and two days a week mine go to doggy day care which they love . Don’t work full time now though so don’t need help every day . .so really it depends on money .

Original poster
Alwaystired45 · 27/02/2023 20:33

Not at all @SirVixofVixHall and I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm a kind person and just wanted to give one of these lovely animals a nice home. I certainly wouldn't put my own needs above them and that's why I asked for some advice first. You don't know unless you ask after all. If you had taken the time to read my replies you would have seen that I agreed with other posters and decided against the idea.

OP posts:
wheresmymojo · 27/02/2023 20:34

If you're out of the house five days a week you get a cat.

Your living situation isn't remotely suitable for a dog. Have you ever had a dog before?

It's not a pet that will be okay with someone just dropping in at lunchtime. Mine would go absolutely crazy.

We didn't get a dog until we were able to meet a dog's needs because we aren't selfish and irresponsible.

Emmamoo89 · 27/02/2023 20:35

Definitely get 2 cats 🥰 they'll be fine. I've left my cats for hours when going out and they're fine.

Fruitfriend · 27/02/2023 20:36

My DDog frankly struggles if we are home too much in the daytime. The first couple days of a holiday/half term he loves the excitement, then he starts getting sleep deprived and cranky and buggers off to a bedroom for some peace and a kip. As soon as we go back to school/work he goes back to his weekday routine of sleeping on the sofa and hoping someone left the butter on the counter.
He's a rescue lurcher, I lied shamelessly to the rescue center that I never leave the house for more than 20 minutes. Then I arranged a couple weeks leave to settle him in, did short days, wfh and lunch pop-ins to get him used to the routine.
In a lot of ways he's a terrible dog (dog reactive, squirrel chaser, begs at table, hides my shoes, steals anything not nailed down) but he's a champion at alone time.

Original poster
Alwaystired45 · 27/02/2023 20:37

Ouch! @wheresmymojo

Definitely not selfish or irresponsible, again just after some advice. Jesus Christ! Can't people ask questions these days.

I've already replied to other posters and agreed that it would be a silly idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
Alwaystired45 · 27/02/2023 20:38

I'm really liking the cat idea @Emmamoo89 😊

I'll look into it in more detail this week.

OP posts:
Notmyyearthisyear · 27/02/2023 20:40

Fruitfriend · 27/02/2023 20:36

My DDog frankly struggles if we are home too much in the daytime. The first couple days of a holiday/half term he loves the excitement, then he starts getting sleep deprived and cranky and buggers off to a bedroom for some peace and a kip. As soon as we go back to school/work he goes back to his weekday routine of sleeping on the sofa and hoping someone left the butter on the counter.
He's a rescue lurcher, I lied shamelessly to the rescue center that I never leave the house for more than 20 minutes. Then I arranged a couple weeks leave to settle him in, did short days, wfh and lunch pop-ins to get him used to the routine.
In a lot of ways he's a terrible dog (dog reactive, squirrel chaser, begs at table, hides my shoes, steals anything not nailed down) but he's a champion at alone time.

And there are many dogs like that, still waiting for a loving home at a rescue centre. Local council kennels are more than happy for a dog to go to such home, and they see a working owner as a sign they can afford the dog, rather than all the things implied here!

GretnaGreenIsLovely · 27/02/2023 20:42

From the greyhound rescue site...

"Because most greyhounds are generally very lazy and happy doing nothing much all day, they are one of the best breeds of dog to have if you work full time, so long as they get plenty of your time when you are home and someone can come in during the day to let them go to the toilet and either take them for a walk, or .."

Might be worth considering. Don't know much about greyhounds personally though, so you might need a bit of advice from the greyhound rescue people themselves ..

Twizbe · 27/02/2023 20:46

U1sce · 27/02/2023 20:21

Id only get a budgie if you have enough room for a sizeable aviary. Its really sad to see birds in tiny cages indoors. Theyre meant to fly

Quite agree with you which is why my home is now unsuitable.

My budgie was only ever shut in his cage at night. During the day he was free roam in our living room (if we were out) or full downstairs if we were in. We could close off external doors to keep him safe. Can't do that in my home now.

ThreeLittleDots · 27/02/2023 20:49

If you live near a busy road you won't be able to adopt a cat from a rescue, unless they are an indoor cat, sometimes even despite a cat being indoor-only.

An increasing number of rescues are prioritising owners who are at home a lot, have cat-proofing, or live in the countryside as cats need a safe space where they can be stimulated, too.

Unless you live rurally, you may have difficulty as a full time worker with adopting a cat from a rescue. Unless you want to cat-proof.

Caterina99 · 27/02/2023 20:49

Our cat gets in a huff if she’s left alone for too long. She is a housecat and quite high maintenance though!

My parent’s cat would be perfect for someone working full time. He sleeps all day, sits on laps for a couple of hours in the evening, goes out all night and is back in for breakfast.

I don’t think I know anyone who is fully employed and not wfh who has a dog. Lots of couples who do a combination of shift patterns plus wfh plus use a dog walker or enthusiastic relative to cover the gaps, but no one where they are actually out the house an entire working week.

SquashPenguin · 27/02/2023 20:50

We are lucky that our dog comes to work with us. We’d never have been able to have him if he couldn’t. He has his own chair and everything 😆.

NellietheElephantpackedhertrunks · 27/02/2023 20:50

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?

Totally agree. The reason they don’t is that it would be irresponsible (and so would trying to get around the rule by buying a puppy).

fyn · 27/02/2023 20:53

I have rescue dog, I provided letters from my employer that he could come to work with me. My husband can also take him to work with him.

Craftyrose · 27/02/2023 20:56

Can you foster a dog for a charity like guide dogs or support dogs? We foster for support dogs. They are out at training all day and we have them in the evenings and weekends. It works well for us!

KarmaStar · 27/02/2023 20:57

You don't get any type of dog being out all those hours plus a social life ? Shopping?hair appointments? Overtime?
What you could do is look at charities like headway who have companion dogs week days non to Fri but sometimes need to have homes for the dogs evenings and weekends.
Or volunteer at animal welfare shelters and walk the dogs there.
But please do not consider getting a dog whilst working full time.
An hours dog walk by a dog walker may break up the day a bit but still a dog,who is a sociable animal,is locked up alone for eight to ten hours a day.it's really unfair on a dog.
The Greyhound rescue I believe are the most lenient but really you cannot offer a dog the time she or he deserves at this time whether you rescue or buy.
But hopefully one day!

Motnight · 27/02/2023 20:58

People buy dogs from Gumtree 😯

OliveToboogie · 27/02/2023 20:58

I got a Greyhound from rescue. I left for work. My son went to school 2 hours later. I got dog walker in who took him out at 12 till 2pm. My son back at 3. I then was home. I'm now semi retired so home most days.

BodyShapeWoes · 27/02/2023 21:01

Dh used to work shifts so ours dogs were left for about 4 hours between me leaving and him coming home.

When we both worked days ours went to doggy day care. Which they both hated also hated the dog walker in the end we just left them for the day about 6 hours and they were fine, a good run in the morning and a good blast when we get home.

I now work from home so am about a good 90% of the time, on my office days DH finishes work early but they are left for 4/5ish hours.

I looked at getting a rescue dog before covid but struggled to find one who would accept us as we have kids, both work, and have cats, the garden was too big (yes too big) the gate was too low (it was 6ft?!?!) and now the cost of a rescue is fucking extortionate (if I’m paying £400 for a rescue dog I might as well pay the £500-900 from a breeder) - the rules were endless what annoys me the most is we weren’t fussed about the type of dog would have taken any of them as we know that we could offer a dog a really happy home and the dogs would be have adored. All because once a week we’d be out of the house for a few hours. Most rescues have no common sense anymore 🤷‍♀️ I didn’t get past the application stage for the RSPCA, despite in my pre kids life being a breed specific foster home for the dog I wanted to adopt.

I know lots of people who have dogs and work full time I know one dog is literally left for 9 hours a day on it’s own in a crate 😞 and it’s owners wonder why it’s so stressed all the time! Other people I know have dog walkers, day care etc

Honestly get a couple of cats, maybe 4/5 year old ones who are out of the kitten stage and just happy to have a warm bed to sleep on and cuddles when you get home!

Suzi888 · 27/02/2023 21:03

Shame you can’t work from home OP. It wouldn’t be do bad leaving them for a day or two a week (with a dog walker). Five days is too much.

I think a cat would be a much better idea for now. Get a rescue dog when you retire ☺️

Fruitfriend · 27/02/2023 21:04

Notmyyearthisyear · 27/02/2023 20:40

And there are many dogs like that, still waiting for a loving home at a rescue centre. Local council kennels are more than happy for a dog to go to such home, and they see a working owner as a sign they can afford the dog, rather than all the things implied here!

Show quote history

Absolutely. I haven't had a puppy since I was at home with small DC, and I won't again until I retire, because it would be cruel and unfair. Rescues can be a pain in the arse but there are plenty of independent non-glamorous non-bonkers adult dogs who are well able to fit in to a normal household. Except for at Dogs Trust - apparently all of their dogs are unsuitable for kids, cats, other dogs, walking outside without a muzzle and 5 point restraints and (my personal favourites) 'cant live in an open plan home' ie will eat the postie and 'needs a secure feeding area' ie will savage you if you so much as think about looking at their food bowl.

CowboyHat · 27/02/2023 21:13

If you’re such a kind person, how will you stop the cat from killing our dwindling native wildlife?

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