Your opinions - rescue dogs needing homes

[Vallhala]

Some MN-ers have mentioned here that they would like to own a dog or that they are actively looking for one. Thats great news for me as I am a rescue volunteer and we are always looking out for good homes for our residents.

Its coming up for the hardest time of year for rescues. The common misconception is that there are more dogs in rescue after Xmas, but in fact its before that hits us hardest and last Nov/Dec was hell on earth for such dogs and those like me.

I help in getting dogs out of pounds across the country and into various rescues as well as 'getting my hands dirty' in a local rescue. Strays have just 7 days in a pound before they may be put to sleep, dogs signed over by their owners can be killed immediately. Last year, with the credit crunch on top of heartless behaviour, I was up til 4 or 5am many, many nights, sobbing my heart out, trying to find places in rescues already full to the gills for dogs who would otherwise die the next day. The problem is that if rescue can't place the dogs they have in good homes they are unable to offer a space to those pound dogs.

So, I wondered... given that the rescue I physically help out in has over 80 dogs, and there are MN-ers out there looking for the perfect pet, would it be an idea for me to post the details of some of those dogs here in the hope that someone might like the sound of one of them and want to take it further? Another idea is to suggest that anyone interested in a rescue dog posts their requirements here and if can suggest one I will.

Some of the dogs are 'special'... some need experienced owners, some need homes without cats etc but by no means is this always the case. The rescue homechecks and goes to all lengths to match the right dog to the right home - its in no-ones interest to press you to take an unsuitable dog, even if you do want that breed or have fallen in love with him. This rescue vaccinates, neuters, homechecks (in your best interest as well as the dogs) and offers lifetime support and always takes the dog back if the new owners can't keep him.

I'm really passionate about what I do, its my lifes work, but I won't be pushy - if I suggest someone you feel is not right for you I will respect that. However, I think I could save the lives of some dogs and find some families a new friend. I'd like to tell you of some of the dogs in the care of my local rescue or pass on any posts from families seeking a rescue dog but I've no idea how this would be received by other posters or if it is permissable. If it helps, 'my' rescue is not a registered charity but is funded by the owners and supporters such as myself - it receives no other help and is not a profit making organisation, far from it in fact. 'My' local rescue is in East Anglia but if they can obtain a homecheck further afield they will rehome outside of the area and I also have contacts with breed and non-breed specific rescues nationwide so could also invite anyone interested to contact other similar organisations.

Sorry for the long post, I did say I was passionate about this! What do you think guys?

Korma, I don't know that PFK can help but am going to pass your message on to other rescues I know of. If anyone can help I will post the name and contact details of the rescue here for you.

(PS I'm a bit jealous - I have two large breeds and have always had big dogs. I love mine to bits but quite like the idea of a littler friend!).

Hi Vallhala

Good on you! Its people like you the actually restore my faith in human kind, despite the actions of the few that do their damndest (sp?) to destroy it.

I think I heard something about your campaign at the time. It was a particularly bad year for me with bereavements and family problems and around the time when I had to take a conscious step back from being 'actively involved' in dogs, but I must've heard it about from somewhere.

I was on some sort of Irish based forum years before that (probably around 1999/2000 ish) which is when I think the whole issue was first made public. After my pc went kaput, I searched for the website and thought the address was irishdogs.ie, but when I tried it it was a different site entirely. (Of course it could possibly just have been that the webaddress had been sold on.) They used to put out appeals for specific dogs in Irish pounds that needed rescuing urgently, had some really heartrending stuff on it as I remember.

Several times when we have been holidaying with family in Wexford we have come across strays and really struggled to find someone to take them rather than let them go to the pound. (The so called 'humane' destruction of the dogs taken to the Wexford pound literally gave me horrific nightmares.) Fortunately we were put in touch with a lovely lady who takes in homeless dogs and looks after them herself until a suitable home can be found. Again another lovely person who restores my faith.

Good luck with your pre-christmas mission.

Like I said, if I hear of anyone who is looking for a new companion I will direct them to you.

ps Is a Soft Coated Wheaten small enough for you - if so could I tempt you to a rather grumpy old lady version who has 'twice' done her business on the back doormat rather than go outside in the cold this weekend? (And I have full on flu so was obviously neither amused or in any fit state to deal with it!)

(Only kidding, we love her really even though she is proper stinky and super grumpy! )

Ah but Moose, Wheatens are a rare and SO pretty breed! You can forgive her anything, I'm sure!

Besides, don't tell my 2 year old Shep, but I have a huge soft spot for the oldies!

I didn't know the forum as it was back then but I think you may be speaking of whats now called 'PetsIreland'. I was a member, probably still am.

petsireland.invisionzone.com/

Many of the members there aren't exactly my greatest fans due to the Meath campaign, but rollocks, I got results!

I'll be honest - since my campaign I and the rescue I help out at (which got me into Irish dogs and took many of their poundies) are persona non grata and were forced to step away from helping owing to lack of cooperation. I can't bring myself to look at the website although I searched for it and gave you the link. To do so is to bring me to my knees in despair.

Thanks for the link. I don't think I dare look, as I am not in a position to help at the moment and I used to cry buckets every time I went on there.

I am so sorry that people who 'profess' to care about and want to help dogs should be so small minded as to treat you badly because you were passionate enough to actually bring about change for the better.

Take heart, you are doing a fantastic job helping all the dogs you can and each one of those dogs has a better life because of you.

By the way my SCWT is a pretty little monster and a real dotty old lady too, not to mention being my partner for many, many years, so yes, I can forgive for anything!

Moose!

If anyone wants my help in finding them a suitable rescue dog, may I please ask for your home area? It doesn't have to be your town, but perhaps the nearest city or your county, just so I have an idea of where to direct enquiries to. Some rescues will rehome across the country, others won't so this information would help.

Thank you.

Hi Vallhala

I am Midlands based, sort of inbetween Birmingham and Warwick, but know people up and down the country.

Can't think of anyone that might be looking at the moment though. We moved back here after ds1 was born and were to find how much anti-dog feeling there was, particularly among other parents.

I think this would be a great idea ,if MN HQ will let you . My own dog is a rescue from Ireland ,he is a pedigree ,but not the dog i had enquired about originally who was a cross breed . I can honestly say its the best thing i have ever done ,taking a rescue dog ,well except for the first six months of sheer hell he put me through ,but then i never liked those ikea curtains !!

we'd love to have a rescue dog me and my dp have 4 children , a 10 month old gsd, 2 cats and a kitten (he is deaf bless him).

We often look at private rehoming sites as we have looked before at recueing a dog only to be told its almost impossible for us to get a suitable dog when we have 4 children all under 9 (youngest is 18 months). Any thoughts???

would love a vizsla or dalmation sized dog to run and play with our gsd , we have nearly 2 acres of garden and we have fields and lakes within 5 minute walk away!

any info to help would be appreciated im in east anglia!