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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:
Okunevo · 27/02/2023 21:14

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?

My cats have never brought in native wildlife, only rats and a grey squirrel once.

Fallulah · 27/02/2023 21:19

Big rescues like Dogs Trust and RSPCA won’t consider you no matter how lovely your home is and what plans you have for the dog - so many people want rescue dogs these days they can afford to cherry pick the people who work from home.

Our dog is from a small rescue where the dogs are fostered for quite a while before being rehomed, so they really get to know them. We were prepared to wait for the right dog. I’m a teacher and my partner has a day off in the week. Two days a week she has a dog walker come in twice and two days a week she lives her best life as the spoilt pup at grandma’s! It helps that she was seven when we got her so she is more relaxed, and I know that she sleeps most of the day when she is by herself (she sleeps most of the day when I’m here too) - she’s straight up on the bed when we leave!

Dont give up all hope but be prepared to wait for the right dog, and be prepared to spend a lot on dog Walker, day care etc.

TheCraicDealer · 27/02/2023 21:20

Things have moved on drastically from we were kids OP. I knew a few people who had dogs and both parents worked FT, poor things were lucky to get a short walk in the evening and no one batted an eyelid. You couldn’t get away with that now. It’s a sign of the times that rescues have upped standards for prospective dog owners, but it has the downside of forcing less selfless people towards Gumtree or unscrupulous breeders who don’t GAF, which is just another way the animals get dicked over. I don’t think there’s any easy solution.

Tbh having a dog is generally more like having a 10 or 11 year old child and just as much of a commitment. Can you leave them alone for short bursts and fill longer gaps with a family member/dog walker? With many dogs, yes. Can you leave them all day for 4 or 5 days out of 7? No, that would be cruel and you’d have the social called on you.

TheFretfulPorpentine · 27/02/2023 21:22

A cat would be better in your circumstances. They are less needy and vastly superior in every way.

Whatafustercluck · 27/02/2023 21:23

I'm pleased you decided against this op. I was always a dog person, but when I worked ft away from home I became a cat person. Our lovely old girl died last summer and I've vowed not to have another cat because she was just the best. But I'm now wfh every day, so considering a dog again. That said, it's still a big decision.

ThinWomansBrain · 27/02/2023 21:24

there is a very good reason animal shelters do not let people working full time adopt dogs - they are not in a position to offer a suitable home.
And if they are stupid enough to think that leaving a dog on it's own 8-9 hours a day, they clearly don't care enough about the dog anyway.

Zanatdy · 27/02/2023 21:25

Yeah a rescue won’t let you adopt if you work full time. I used doggy daycare when I got a puppy, I couldn’t leave a dog all day home alone. I now have a dog Walker who comes in around midday and he’s out 2hrs usually with collecting / dropping off other dogs. We are generally home at 3.30 too. Guess you’ll have to think of other options

Didiplanthis · 27/02/2023 21:25

I've just taken on a 1 year old dog who's owner worked FT.... its going to take me a VERY long time to unscrew him up, if I ever can... please don't do it.

Lcb123 · 27/02/2023 21:26

I think you’ve pointed out exactly why a rescue centre wouldn’t consider you for adoption. It’s not fair to leave a dog that long.

Original poster
Alwaystired45 · 27/02/2023 21:27

Thanks for the replies. I have explained that I won't be doing it 😊

OP posts:
BubziOwl · 27/02/2023 21:28

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.

Totally agree!

Original poster
Alwaystired45 · 27/02/2023 21:29

So sorry to hear about your lovely cat @Whatafustercluck , they really are great animals. My sisters cat loves a good cuddle when she's not out and about.

OP posts:
Okunevo · 27/02/2023 21:29

TheFretfulPorpentine · 27/02/2023 21:22

A cat would be better in your circumstances. They are less needy and vastly superior in every way.

😁

VivaLesTartes · 27/02/2023 21:31

Whatever you do, I wouldn't get a puppy just because of the restrictions you have on a rescue. They are much harder work! Same with buying a dog on gumtree. None of them can be left alone that long - they just don't have the benefit of the rescue staff stopping them from being adopted into this situation!
Our rescue we had to work shifts around but she was two when we got her at least toilet trained etc.
I made it work with split shifts with a big gap in between so she was only on her own 4 hours (I mean post lock down she couldn't do that now but that's another story!). It was exhausting but now only work 4 hours a day and DH works from home alot.

melonraspberry · 27/02/2023 21:36

I’ve got a rescue . I can’t see how it would work if I didn’t wfh full time. It took me 18 months to be able to leave him alone to go for a lunchtime swim! You can’t leave dogs alone all day, it’s no life. Get two cats.

melonraspberry · 27/02/2023 21:40

Should have said mines a greyhound - they’re not all able to be left - but he’s fine now after acres of training!

a pair of cats is a great plan OP, I used to have two and they kept each other company and were lovely .

CowboyHat · 27/02/2023 21:46

Okunevo · 27/02/2023 21:14

My cats have never brought in native wildlife, only rats and a grey squirrel once.

Show quote history

How discerning of them. What about the stuff that they don’t bring home?

Anyway, your anecdotal evidence is unhelpful. The fact is, domestic cats are having a terrible impact on native wildlife. If you care, don’t have a cat.

bananamum13 · 27/02/2023 22:46

My rescue dog comes to work with me!
He is 7, well trained, placid and is our works unofficial mascot - everyone loves him!!

Merangutan · 27/02/2023 22:48

Your situation is unsuitable as you are entirely reliant on other people to make it work. If you can’t manage a dog without needing family and neighbours to pop in so that it’s not alone for eight hours then don’t get one. It’s irresponsible, no matter how much love you think you’d give it between the end of work and bed each night in order to compensate. You can’t meet its needs because you aren’t there. Dog walkers take dogs out for an hour. That’s still 7 hours that it will be alone. Do you expect relatives to pop in for three hours a day or do you really think a 20 minute opening of the back door for the toilet will be plenty? Have you thought about a rescue dog having separation anxiety when it’s rehomed and left alone?

Responsible people get dogs when they work part time, or work entirely from home, or when they rotate with a partner so someone is always around.

If you want to help a rescue dog, why not volunteer to dog walk at a shelter?

Wolfiefan · 27/02/2023 22:50

Haven’t RTFT so apologies if I’m repeating what’s been said. I used to volunteer for Cinnamon Trust. Walk a dog when you can. No responsibility for day to day care and you help an owner keep their much loved pet.

NoodleDoodleDo · 27/02/2023 22:57

You cant get a dog unless you are willing to spend a few hundred pounds a month on dog walker/dog daycare.

That's what we did when I went into a full time office based role after being predominantly at home.

UhhhhhhhOK · 27/02/2023 23:04

You could alternatively get a reptile. Lots of those up for adoption. You can take them out when you have time to spend with them for cuddles and not feel guilty about them being in their enclosure for a period of time. They also won’t get lost

DuplicateUserName · 27/02/2023 23:05

Perhaps a cat would be a better option? My sister has a cat and she barely sees her as she always out wondering around!

Well tell her to get home and look after her cat! 😁

feelingsareweird · 27/02/2023 23:17

Rescues really aren't being OTT with these rules - dogs often have issues that aren't obvious in kennels, one common one being separation anxiety. I was all prepared to pay for a dog walker but my boy could not even be left for 15 minutes to pop to the corner shop for the first year, so that plan was out! Too nervous for day care too. Now I can go out for a few hours but it's been two years getting here! Don't make any assumptions that a rescue dog will just fit in with your lifestyle, is my advice!

Nanny0gg · 28/02/2023 00:01

Alwaystired45 · 27/02/2023 19:52

Yes I agree, a cat is probably a better idea. I do love cats as well and would love to provide a good home for one if possible.

I only mentioned the WFH as it was very much the norm when I was growing up that everyone would be out of the house all day at work and dog would be home (not talking about my family in particular but friends family etc) and the dog would be walked before/after work and given attention during evenings and weekends. This was before WFH was a thing, but it's a good job it is now for a lot of animals Smile

2 cats would be better! Rescues often have ones that don't want to be separated and would be good company for each other during the day.