SO what happens in a RSPCA home inspection? should i get some posh biccies in?

[MamazontheDailyMailtakingadump]

WE have been looking for a puppy for the Dc's.
everywhere we went seemed to be either a scam or just ridiculous prices.

well we finalloy found a rexue centre that had some dogs suitable to be homed with children.

we went down today and the children have fallen in love with Gizmo

So we are now awaiting a visit from a home inspector to make sure our home is nice and secure enough for him.

So what can i expect? are there any hints and tips for me. we have all really fallen for him (which is funny as i was certain i didn't want a Jack russell) and we'd be devestated if we failed the test.

so do choccy biscuits class as bribery?

no one?

no, choc digestives fall under the category of normal biscuits, choc hobnobd are definitely bribery material.
I'm sure things will go fine for you- just make sure the gate is closed before he arrives. Check the hedges don't have any huge gaps and that they're high enough- JR's are jumping little buggers.

We had one recently and now have had our puppy with us for about a week. She just asked if we'd had dogs, knew about costs, checked the garden, basic questions about how long we're at home, how long dog will be left alone for etc. They also do a post home check a few weeks or so later which we're yet to have.

Good luck

Oh also asked where is there to walk dog nearby etc, traffic.

I used to be regular/am still rarely a home checker. I will be quick as vv busy.

Which vet will you use.

How high are your fences/dog proof is your garden.

What dog experience

where will dog sleep/be exercised/ etc

how long will dog be left

do you work

will want to meet all memebers of family

worming (ask homechecker for advice if you not sure, will give you a leaflet probably)

what will be fed (answer: will continue what is currently on and change over slowly to new food if changing)

will you take out insurance/cope with financial aspect of keeping dog. (I'm quite nosy about this as reason oft quoted for rehoming is 'can't afford it/didn't realise how much it would cost')

(don't know ages of your DC) how will dog be given a 'safe' area from your DC (run/pen/crate/ bed that DC are told not to approach dog when in there)

hope this helps

Am made up your children took such a shine to me, Mamazon

BTW, I find chocolate biscuits a very effective bribe and may even be persuaded to stop chewing the furniture for one.

thats fantastic thank you marmaduke.

the garden fences are all about 6ft high with some shrubs in front so it'd be quite a big leap if he were to clear it (he's a cross with a chihuahua so he only has tiny little legs)

he will have a bed under the stairs (im currently arguing with DS about this as he is adament that he wants his bed in his room with him)

worming - well we have always just bought tablets from the vets every few months but if there is a better way i will certainly ask about it.

yes we have a vets sorted so that should be ok.

Insurance - im currently getting quotes and as he is so small and a x breed it is surprisingly cheap.

food - im happy to continue feeding him as he has been at the shelter.

I don't work so will be here most of the time and as most of the friends we visit during the day have dogs/experience with dogs so he could accompany us.

walks - we have a huge forresty type are literally 100 yards from our front door which we would use most of the time and loads of farmland and a nature reserve for nice days.

Hmm. safe area from the kids. erm well i guess that would be his bed. that will be his quiet place so i can tell them to leave him be if he's gone their voluntarily.
would that be ok or should i go get a crate? I've never been too keen on them before so hadn't thought about it.

what do we think? good enough repsonses? im starting to really worry that i wont pass. I've never had a rescure dog before so its all a bit new

Get the posh M&S or waitrose ones

Good luck, hope it all goes well

No need for crate as long as DC are of an age to understand that when he is in his bed, he should be left alone. I'm not a mad keen crater but I do as I have a 5 yr old with SN, who wants to play with dog 24/7.

I didn't click on your link, what age is Gizmo?

IME they won't be there long enough for biccies, but you could get something super nice in and eat them yourself as a pat on the back when they've gone.

Ours just literally stepped out the back door to see if we had a secure garden (didn't even look round the corner!) and then went!

More biccies for you then!

he's a 2-3 year old jack russell x (we think) Chihuahua.

he looks bigger in the photo than he actually is. he is literally about 20cm high!

my children are 9 and 5 so old enough to learn not to hassle him.

I do home visits for a rehoming charity.

Honestly, our instructions are as simple as 'Have a cuppa and a chat'

In the case of a dog we would carry out a garden inspection to ascertain that it is properly enclosed, we'd ask you about plans for feeding and sleeping arrangments and find out if you'd considered vet costs and other expenses. If the puppy/dog is unneutered we would require that you agree to do so immedietly.

We're recommended to bring our own dog with us to see how the family behaves with a dog, if any of the kids are nervous, does everyone seem keen.

If there are kids we'd chat to them if possible and see how they feel about the new pet, are they excited.

We'd also discuss possible negatives with the prospective owner and make sure they're aware of the potential downsides... drooling, chewing, toileting, walking, etc.

All this sounds like a lot but honestly it's generally worked into a general friendly conversation and is done in a very non confrontational way. I always make a point of apologising for the intrusion too as even if they understand the reasoning and are willing it's still a bit of an invasion of privacy and i like to aknowledge that we appreciate them putting up with it. It's always a good sign if they're extremely open with us and keen for us to look around.

btw, oreos always go down well with me

oh god!!!
just got the call and he's on his way!!!

my house is a tip.
The man is here tilling my kitchen and the entire contents of my kitchen cupboard are in the front room!

I figured he'd not be round till next week when everything was back to normal.

wish me luck people, i think i may need it

good luck...good luck...good luck!!

Had an hours notice for our one, had to rush round tidying things up hehe. Was at the end of the day too so ds2 ended up being in bed.

well he has ben and gone.
he said that as soon as he heard that my house was a child mad house he knew the dog would love it here.

i threw all the neighbourhood children out for when he arrived but they all stood on teh doorstep and ewas asking him if he would let us have Gizmo.

he told me the house was tidier than most he goes to even with teh building work so gawd knows what horrors he must see.
But who cares. we have been given a gold star and a pass. we just need to arrange to collect Gizmo now.

cannot wait!!!!

So excited.

good luck

awwww fab!!

couldn't see gizmo on the link so am demanding pictures when you have him!

Oh you will just have to come over and meet him LF. much better than a photo

Congrats on becoming a Gizmo-mum

Well done for having a rescue dog - isn't it sad how many Staffies are on that site? So many people have no idea what they're taking on when they get one.