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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should everyone be forced to show they aren’t able to rescue a dog before they can buy a puppy?

332 replies

Coffeealwayshot · 01/12/2024 19:54

Just that really

I see my local shelter is full again and saying they will need to euthanise if they can’t find homes.

Everyone I know (bar 2 or 3) who has a dog has bought from a breeder.

Im not rude enough to ask people if they considered a rescue. I know some say they were turned down but some that they just wanted a puppy or a specific breed.

So my question is as above?
I get we can’t say no breeding at all but should taking on a rescue be the only option for those who are suitable and reduce the breeding to just cater for those who can’t have a rescue dog?

OP posts:
DiscoBeat · 06/12/2024 07:04

I'm not sure that would solve it. We tried to get a rescue for ages but could not find one that would allow us (with young children). I think there should be much tighter control over breeders and they should all be licensed (for crossbreeds too). But also it should be harder to get a dog generally. More stringent checks, and a compulsory online course for people that they must pass before being handed a dog. With questions to show people have chosen the right breed for their circumstances, can prove it won't be left all day long, can afford it and understand dog health, nutrition and needs.

Tapthisscreen · 06/12/2024 07:14

Does anyone who gets turned down for a rescue ever consider they might be better off not getting a dog? There’re reasons it’s difficult to rescue.

coffeesaveslives · 06/12/2024 07:16

Tapthisscreen · 06/12/2024 07:14

Does anyone who gets turned down for a rescue ever consider they might be better off not getting a dog? There’re reasons it’s difficult to rescue.

No, I can't say it ever occurred to me.

We tried rescue, got rejected and got a puppy. He'll be seven next year and has been absolutely fantastic.

Lex345 · 06/12/2024 07:27

I'm not sure I agree that most dogs are in rescue for behavioural reasons/anything the dog has actually done; most seem to be there due to human failing/abandonment. I follow quite a few of the pound pullers; there seem to be a lot of abandoned bitches having been used for breeding (as is the case with our dog we adopted), dogs taken to vets to be pts, dogs left behind when the owners move out etc.
I have seen pounds pts when a dog has bitten rather than release to rescue.

The fact is any dog-whether you get from puppy or rescue-has the capacity to bite, regardless of history. As a kid, we had a cocker spaniel that routinely would bite me unprovoked (literally would walk up and bite me!) and that had been bought from a breeder and loved/treated well from birth.

I suppose it depends on expectations, too, we expected there to be some behavioural issues when we adopted due to the history. In reality, we have had a couple of toileting accidents (completely understandable), separation anxiety (now settled down almost completely-and understandable, we are the only kindness she has known) and dog reactivity (not aggressive-no barking, growling, snarling-she pulls to get away as quickly as she can, again understandable).

The most upsetting "issue" was watching her trying to nurse teddies on arrival-probably because her pups were taken away too soon after the last litter. She repeated this after her spay as well. But thats hardly her fault and with kindness and encouragement she is doing well now.

If someone could have shown me these in advance I would 100% still have adopted her.
She is incredibly loving and seeks out cuddles; intelligent enough to learn new skills, well behaved in the home, great on the lead, no resource guarding whatsoever and has never ever growled.

I recognise we have been very lucky with her, but I have seen others adopted and similarly just need a decent owner to love them.

With puppies, any breed is pretty much manageable for anyone-until they start getting bigger and I don't think some people think beyond puppy stage. I am thinking of bigger breeds, like Cane corsos/german shepherds/belgian mailnois-all beautiful breeds but need proper care. When they become adults, I think a lot of people realise they cannot /won't give that and they end up in rescue.

If people adopt an adult rescue, at least you can see how big the dog is and understand what kind of care the dog will need during adult life.

Thelnebriati · 06/12/2024 13:24

If you want to make this work, you have to start by regulating the rescue industry. Anyone can set up a rescue, they don't have to be licensed or registered with anyone, and that means they aren't inspected.
There are 'rescues' that are actually run by hoarders.
There are rescues in the UK that take ex breeding stock from puppy farms. If they could be persuaded to stop and force puppy farms to bear the entire burden of euthanising and disposing of their unwanted breeding stock, that would actually help improve the situation.

RedPony1 · 06/12/2024 14:45

Tapthisscreen · 06/12/2024 07:14

Does anyone who gets turned down for a rescue ever consider they might be better off not getting a dog? There’re reasons it’s difficult to rescue.

Not in the slightest, never crossed my mind. my mum got refused from 2 rescues because her fence was only 4' and garden too small. She only wanted a second JRT so got a puppy instead, which leads an amazing life at the farm every evening and weekend with her other JRT.

I didn't even try to get a rescue because i knew what dog i wanted - colour and breed and wanted to see the parents health testing etc.

inamarina · 07/12/2024 09:06

Tapthisscreen · 06/12/2024 07:14

Does anyone who gets turned down for a rescue ever consider they might be better off not getting a dog? There’re reasons it’s difficult to rescue.

The rescues in our area would only consider you if the children in your household are 16 and older.
I definitely wouldn’t wait for our youngest child to turn 16.

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